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Climate & Weather in Cusco

Rain mm/yr
710

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: climatestotravel.com, weather-and-climate.com

Good to Know

  • Temperature swings are dramatic: sunny 20°C (68°F) days can drop to near-freezing nights. Pack layers always.
  • UV radiation is very strong year-round due to altitude and tropical latitude—sunscreen and sun protection are essential even on cloudy days.
  • In the rainy season, showers typically fall in afternoons/evenings; mornings are often clear and suitable for outdoor activities.
  • The Inca Trail and other major treks close in February for maintenance during the wettest period.
  • June is the driest and coldest month with the longest daylight hours—ideal for photography but very busy with tourists.
  • Late April–May and September–October offer the best combination of dry weather, manageable crowds, and reasonable prices.

Seasons

Dry Season

Months
May to September
Description
Clear blue skies, very little rain, and cold nights. Most popular time for trekking and sightseeing.

Rainy Season

Months
November to March
Description
Frequent afternoon showers and occasional thunderstorms. Landscape turns green. Mornings often remain clear and usable.

Transition Months

Months
April and October
Description
Shoulder season blending characteristics of both seasons. Mostly dry days with occasional showers and manageable crowds.

Rainfall

Driest Month
June
Annual Total Mm
710
Peak Rainfall Mm
145
Driest Rainfall Mm
2
Peak Rainfall Month
January
Rainy Season Pattern
Concentrated December to March, averaging 100+ mm per month during these months. Afternoon/evening showers are typical.

Snowfall

Status
Rare in Cusco city proper at 3,400m elevation, but can occur at higher altitudes in surrounding mountains during winter months (June–August). Rainbow Mountain area may have snow during dry season.

Temperature Peaks

Coldest Months
June and July
Peak Warmth Months
October and November

Coldest Night

Celsius
0
Fahrenheit
32

Peak Warmth Day

Celsius
17
Fahrenheit
63

Temperature Summary

Daytime Range

Max Celsius
20
Min Celsius
15
Max Fahrenheit
68
Min Fahrenheit
59
Note
Stable throughout the year, rarely exceeds 23°C (73°F)

Nighttime Range

Dry Season Celsius
0 to 4
Rainy Season Celsius
4 to 8
Dry Season Fahrenheit
0 to 4
Rainy Season Fahrenheit
4 to 8

Best Months To Visit

Avoid
January and February for major treks (Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance)
Optimal
May, June–August (for trekking), September, late April–early October
Budget Friendly
January, February, November, December
Shoulder Sweet Spot
April, May, September, October
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

These are the sources cited in this climate & weather research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.climatestotravel.com
  2. 2.weather-and-climate.com
  3. 3.salkantaytrekking.com
  4. 4.weatherspark.com
  5. 5.fertur-travel.com
  6. 6.travel.usnews.com
  7. 7.comeseeperutours.com
  8. 8.ecotourcusco.com
  9. 9.trexperienceperu.com

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.