The weather in Cusco, Peru, is relatively cold, although it changes a lot. You can go from bright sunshine to torrential rain in just a few minutes.
In Cusco, the rainy season is cloudy, the dry season is partially cloudy and it is cold all year round.
“The climate of the Andes is like the women of the Andes: it always changes and is unpredictable” – A popular saying in Cusco.
How is the weather in Cusco – Peru?
Although the mornings in Cuzco are very sunny, so much so that it is necessary to use sunscreen, the nights can be very cold, especially in the months of June and July. In general, the climate in the Cuzco region varies twice a year. The dry season and the rainy season that you will take into account when arriving in Cusco.
Rainy season in Cusco – Peru
The rainy season in Cusco – Peru lasts from November to March. Heavy rains usually occur in the afternoons. Cuzco is full of rainbows, there can be two or three at the same time. In the rainy season is when the Inca city of Machu Picchu is covered with its most intense green.
Although it is a rainy season in Cuzco, Peru, it is also summer in Cuzco. So no matter how much it rains, the days will be hot.
- Precipitation: between 500 mm and 1000 mm per year;
- Temperature: maximum 26 ° C, average 18 ° C to 23 ° C;
- Minimum: reaches 4 ° C in the highest regions.
What to wear in the rainy season?
Do not forget to bring waterproof clothing, rainwear, umbrella and shoes that allow you to walk safely on wet and slippery surfaces. Sunscreen (cap, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses).
Dry season in Cusco – Peru
The dry season in Cuzco – Peru lasts from April to October. Although the mornings are hot, with an average temperature between 17 and 19 ° C the nights are very cold. It is common for temperatures to drop below freezing in June and July.
During these months there is the high tourist season. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets, hotels and guides in the city of Cuzco must be reserved in advance.
What to wear in the dry season?
In this season, visitors should wear sunscreen (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), repellent and drink plenty of water. The nights will be cold, so remember to bring your warm clothes.
Temperature in Cusco Peru
Maximum temperature: 20 ° C / Minimum: 9 ° C
The month with the highest temperature in Cuzco in Peru is October (21.7 ° C). The lowest temperature in Cuzco in Peru occurs in the month of July (-1.6 ° C). It rains more intensely in January (156.32mm / month).
The weather in each month in Cusco
Cusco weather in January
The maximum daily temperatures are 19 ° C, the minimum temperature is 7 ° C. In January, the climate of Cuzco will be cloudy 50% of the days.
Cuzco’s weather in January shows constant rainfall, which stays at about 103 millimeters and rarely exceeds 182 millimeters.
Cusco weather in February
The daily maximum temperatures are 19 ° C, the minimum temperature is 7 ° C. In February, the weather in Cuzco Peru will be cloudy 93% of the days.
In February, rainfall decreases, rarely exceeding 170mm and at least 32mm.
Cusco weather in March
The daily maximum temperatures will be 19 ° C, the daily minimums are around 7 ° C. In March, the weather in Cuzco Peru will be cloudy 93% to 88% of the days.
In the month of March, the precipitation shows a rapid fall, rarely exceeding 147 mm and a minimum of 13 mm.
Cusco weather in April
The daily maximum temperatures are around 20 ° C, the daily minimums will be 5 ° C. In April, Cuzco remains cloudy from 88% to 71% of the days.
Average precipitation in April decreases rapidly, rarely exceeding 84 millimeters and falling below 11 millimeters.
Cusco weather in May
The daily maximum temperatures are around 20 ° C, the daily minimums drop below 3 ° C. In May, the climate of Cuzco is cloudy 71% to 63% of the days.
In May, rainfall gradually decreases, rarely exceeding 22 millimeters.
Cusco weather in June
The daily maximum temperatures will be around 20 ° C, the minimum will fall below 1 ° C. In June, the weather in Cuzco Peru is cloudy from 62% to 50% of the days.
In June the rainfall remains constant, rarely exceeding 14 millimeters.
Cusco weather in July
The daily maximum temperatures will be around 20 ° C, the minimum temperature will be around 0 ° C. In July, Cuzco remains cloudy from 50% to 44% of the days.
Average precipitation in July will be constant, staying at about 4 millimeters and will rarely exceed 14 millimeters.
Cusco weather in August
Daily highs will be around 20 ° C, daily lows rarely drop below 2 ° C. In August, the weather in Cuzco Peru will be cloudy 44% to 58% of the days.
In August there will be little rain, oscillating between 4 mm and 18 mm approximately.
Weather in Cusco in September
Daily highs will be around 21 ° C, daily lows rarely drop below 4 ° C. During the month of September, Cuzco remains cloudy from 58% to 79% of the days.
Average precipitation in September increases, rarely exceeding 48 millimeters or falling below 3 millimeters.
Cusco weather in October
Daily highs will be around 21 ° C, daily lows rarely drop below 6 ° C. In October, the weather in Cuzco Peru will be cloudy 80% to 85% of the days.
In the month of October the rains increase, rarely exceed 78 mm and are less than 3 mm.
Cusco weather in November
Daily highs will be around 21 ° C, daily lows rarely drop below 7 ° C. In November, the weather in Cuzco Peru will be cloudy 85% to 91% of the days.
In November, rainfall increases, rarely exceeding 78 millimeters and less than 11 millimeters.
Cusco weather in December
The maximum temperatures will be 20 ° C, the daily minimum temperatures rarely drop below 7 ° C. In December, Cuzco will remain cloudy 92% of the days.
Average precipitation during the month of December increases rapidly, rarely exceeding 114 millimeters and will be less than 26 millimeters.
When to go to Cusco?
If you are planning a trip with outdoor tours in Cusco, the best time of the year to visit Machu Picchu and Cusco will be from the end of April to the middle of October. For tours in warm weather, the best time to visit Cuzco will be from late October to mid-November.
So what is the best time to visit Cusco? It depends. Mornings will be sunny from May to October and there will be little rain. June is the busiest month for parties. However, June through August is the peak of the tourist season and travelers flock to the city’s attractions more than any other time of the year. The rainy season is low season, so it will not be as crowded and the values, especially for accommodation, are usually more accessible.
Here are some weather data with average temperatures to consider when visiting Cusco:
- From September to December you are more likely to experience a pleasant climate with mild temperatures ranging from 20 ° C to 25 ° C;
- During the months of January, February, March, November and December, there is a greater probability of rain;
- Cuzco has dry periods in May, June, July and August;
- September is the hottest month, on average;
- July is the coldest month on average;
- January is the rainiest month. If you are not a big fan of the rain, avoid traveling to Cuzco this month;
- June is the driest month.
- Warming up in a cold city
- Although Cuzco is between -1 ° C to 4 ° C at night during the year, there are hardly any heaters in accommodation or public places.
- What is the solution in Cuzco for cold nights? Alpaca blankets. These hand-woven blankets can be found in all beds in houses and lodgings. These blankets are thick, patterned and very useful.
- Another option is to buy a natural heater. Some people in Cuzco have big clay pots in which to put a little alcohol and light a fire. You can buy one of these clay pots in the Tupac Amaru square and buy alcohol in the San Pedro market.
- Additionally, people are often seen sitting or standing outside their homes and businesses in the morning. This is a way to naturally warm up in the sun’s rays.
Other tips about the weather in Cusco
The altitude of Cuzco exceeds 3,350 meters! Then the sun is more intense. We recommend being prepared to protect yourself from sunburn in Cuzco. Use an effective sunscreen.
No matter the time of year, Cuzco is cold at night (between -1 ° C and 4 ° C). The air is very dry, so bring creams to hydrate your dry hands and lips.
