Planning a trip to Cusco? Understanding the weather is
essential for the best experience. This complete guide
covers Cusco weather month by month so you can plan
your perfect trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu in 2026.
🌤️ CUSCO CLIMATE OVERVIEW
Cusco is located at 3,400 meters above sea level in the
Andes Mountains of Peru. The city has two main seasons:
Dry Season — May to October
✔ Clear blue skies every day
✔ Perfect for all outdoor tours
✔ Cold nights — down to 0°C in June July
✔ Best time for Machu Picchu and trekking
Wet Season — November to April
✔ Rain most afternoons
✔ Greener landscapes
✔ Warmer nights
✔ Fewer tourists and lower prices
📅 CUSCO WEATHER MONTH BY MONTH
🌤️ JANUARY
Season: Wet season
Temperature: 8°C – 19°C
Rainfall: High
Crowds: Low
January is peak wet season in Cusco.
Expect rain most afternoons and some mornings.
Machu Picchu is lush and green.
Fewer tourists mean lower prices.
✔ Good for: Budget travelers, photography
✘ Not ideal for: Trekking, Rainbow Mountain
🌤️ FEBRUARY
Season: Wet season — Inca Trail CLOSED
Temperature: 8°C – 18°C
Rainfall: Very high
Crowds: Very low
February has the most rainfall of the year.
The Inca Trail is closed for maintenance.
Machu Picchu stays open but can be very cloudy.
✔ Good for: Budget travel, fewer crowds
✘ Not ideal for: Inca Trail, outdoor activities
🌤️ MARCH
Season: Wet season ending
Temperature: 8°C – 19°C
Rainfall: High but decreasing
Crowds: Low
March is the last month of heavy rain.
Weather starts to improve towards end of month.
Good time for budget travelers.
✔ Good for: Budget travel, green landscapes
✘ Not ideal for: Trekking
🌤️ APRIL
Season: Transition — shoulder season
Temperature: 7°C – 20°C
Rainfall: Light
Crowds: Medium
April marks the start of dry season.
Weather improves significantly.
Inca Trail reopens after February closure.
Easter week (Semana Santa) is very busy.
✔ Good for: Inca Trail, fewer crowds, good weather
✔ Great value: Before peak season prices
🌞 MAY
Season: Dry season begins
Temperature: 5°C – 20°C
Rainfall: Very low
Crowds: Medium-High
May is one of the best months to visit Cusco.
Clear skies, comfortable temperatures.
Inca Trail permits selling fast.
Great time for all tours including Rainbow Mountain.
✔ Good for: All tours, great weather, good value
✔ Recommended month for first time visitors
🌞 JUNE
Season: Peak dry season
Temperature: 2°C – 19°C
Rainfall: Minimal
Crowds: Very High
June is one of the busiest months in Cusco.
Inti Raymi — Festival of the Sun on June 24.
Clear skies every day — perfect for photography.
Book everything well in advance.
✔ Good for: Inca Trail, all tours, Inti Raymi festival
⚠️ Book 3-4 months in advance
🌞 JULY
Season: Peak dry season
Temperature: 1°C – 19°C
Rainfall: Minimal
Crowds: Very High — PEAK SEASON
July is the most popular month in Cusco.
Coldest nights of the year — down to 0°C.
Clear skies and perfect weather every day.
Machu Picchu tickets sell out months in advance.
✔ Good for: Perfect weather, all outdoor activities
⚠️ Most expensive month — book very early
🌞 AUGUST
Season: Dry season
Temperature: 3°C – 20°C
Rainfall: Very low
Crowds: High
August is still peak season with perfect weather.
Slightly less crowded than July.
Great time for all tours and trekking.
✔ Good for: All tours, great weather
⚠️ Still busy — book in advance
🌤️ SEPTEMBER
Season: Late dry season
Temperature: 5°C – 21°C
Rainfall: Very low
Crowds: Medium
September is one of the best months to visit.
Fewer crowds than July August.
Perfect weather continuing.
Great value compared to peak season.
✔ Recommended: Best combination of weather and crowds
✔ Great for families and couples
🌤️ OCTOBER
Season: Dry season ending
Temperature: 7°C – 22°C
Rainfall: Light beginning
Crowds: Medium-Low
October has great weather with fewer crowds.
One of the best value months to visit Cusco.
Some light afternoon showers beginning.
✔ Good for: All tours, good value, fewer crowds
✔ Great month for photography
🌧️ NOVEMBER
Season: Wet season beginning
Temperature: 8°C – 22°C
Rainfall: Moderate
Crowds: Low
November marks the start of wet season.
Some afternoon rain but mornings usually clear.
Fewer tourists and lower prices.
Machu Picchu starts getting greener.
✔ Good for: Budget travel, fewer crowds
✔ Mornings usually clear for tours
🌧️ DECEMBER
Season: Wet season
Temperature: 8°C – 21°C
Rainfall: High
Crowds: Low-Medium
December has more rain but Christmas week is busy.
Good time for budget travelers outside Christmas week.
Landscapes are beautifully green.
✔ Good for: Budget travel, green landscapes
⚠️ Christmas week can be expensive
🏆 BEST MONTHS TO VISIT CUSCO
| Month | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| May | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Perfect weather, good value |
| June | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Perfect weather, Inti Raymi |
| September | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Perfect weather, fewer crowds |
| October | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good weather, great value |
| April | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good weather, shoulder season |
💡 WEATHER TIPS FOR CUSCO
✔ Always bring a rain jacket — weather changes fast
✔ Bring warm layers for cold nights year round
✔ Sunscreen SPF50+ essential — strong Andean sun
✔ Rainbow Mountain best in dry season May-October
✔ Inca Trail closed in February every year
✔ Book Machu Picchu tickets well in advance
❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the best month to visit Cusco?
May, June and September are the best months.
Perfect dry weather with manageable crowds.
Does it snow in Cusco?
Snow is rare in Cusco city but possible on high
mountain passes like Rainbow Mountain in any month.
Is Cusco cold in July?
Yes — July nights can drop to 0°C or below.
Bring very warm layers for July and June.
Can I visit Cusco in rainy season?
Yes — many travelers enjoy Cusco in wet season
for fewer crowds, lower prices and green landscapes.
What is Inti Raymi?
Inti Raymi is the ancient Inca Festival of the Sun
celebrated on June 24 in Cusco every year.
One of the most spectacular festivals in South America.
🎒 PLAN YOUR CUSCO TRIP WITH TRIPCUSCO
TripCusco is your local expert agency in Cusco since 2018.
We help you plan the perfect trip whatever month you visit.
📞 WhatsApp: +51 973 309 975
🌐 www.tripcusco.com