The climate in the city of Cusco is relatively mild, with cold nights and sunny days. The weather is very changeable: you can go from bright sunshine to torrential rain in just minutes. Temperatures range from 13ºC. (55.4ºF) and 15ºC. (59ºF), and this is the case in almost the entire southern region of Peru. In general, the Cuzco region enjoys a climate that varies in 2 seasons a year: the dry season (from April to October) and the rainy season (from November to March).
Touring Cusco is discovering endless mysterious places, with hidden stories in corners that you may have never seen before stepping on this country. We recommend you to visit another impressive destinations in Cusco like the tour to rainbow mountain peru or the humantay lake tour from cusco, which only takes one day. But if you are gonna to stay more days in Perú, other archaeological places you can know will be the choquequirao trek peru, the salkantay trek to machu picchu, and the classic inca trail 4 days 3 nights.
How is the weather in the city of Cusco?
The city of Cusco (capital of the region of the same name and ancient capital of the Incas) has a temperate climate. Its geography is marked by the presence of the Andes Mountains, close to the imposing snow-capped mountains such as Salkantay. The average temperature varies between 13ºC. (55.4ºF) and 15ºC. (59ºF).
The maximum temperature during the day can reach 23ºC. (73.4ºF). At night, the cold can drop to 2ºC. (35.6ºF).
There are two well-defined seasons during the year: the rainy season (which runs from November to March) and the dry season (which runs from April to October).
February is the rainiest month. July and August are the coldest months at night, although they are also the hottest during the day.
Rainy season
The rainy season in Cusco runs from November to March. As its name suggests, it is the rainiest season. Annual rainfall ranges from 600 millimeters to 1,000 millimeters.
Heavy rains generally occur in the afternoons. In those days, the city of Cusco fills with rainbows. Machu Picchu is dressed in its most intense green and this is really fabulous in an environment as incredible as Machu Picchu.
Dry season
The dry season in Cusco runs from April to October. During those days the weather is sunny during the day and cold at night. Rains are very rare in those months. June, July and August are the driest days.
In those months there is also the high tourism season, when more visitors arrive to Cusco and Machu Picchu.
During those days, the dry and clear weather is ideal for practicing hiking trails in Cusco.
What to bring?
If you visit Cusco in the rainy season, don’t forget to bring waterproof clothing. Also footwear that allows you to walk safely on wet and slippery surfaces. Above all, do not forget to bring a rain poncho with you everywhere. Rains don’t happen all day but can happen at any time.
If you visit Cusco in the dry season, bring sun protection (hat, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen). Wear light comfortable clothes for the day and warm clothes for the nights. A windbreaker and a jacket will suffice.
And how is the weather in Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu has a warmer climate compared to the city of Cusco. The maximum temperature can reach 25ºC. (77ºF). The minimum temperature can drop to 8ºC. (46.4ºF).
As in the city of Cusco, the rainy season of Machu Picchu occurs from November to March. The dry season runs from April to October.
January:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 66 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 45 °
- Rainy days: 16 days
February:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 67 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 45 °
- Rainy days: 13 days
March:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 67 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 44 °
- Rainy days: 13 days
April:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 68 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 42 °
- Rainy days: 7 days
May:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 68 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 37 °
- Rainy days: 1 day
June:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 67 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 33 °
- Rainy days: 1 day
July:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 67 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 33 °
- Rainy days: 0 days
August:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 68 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 35 °
- Rainy days: 1 day
September:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 69 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 39 °
- Rainy days: 3 days
October:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 70 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 42 °
- Rainy days: 8 days
November:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 70 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 44 °
- Rainy days: 13 days
December:
- Maximum Temperature (° F): 68 °
- Minimum Temperature (° F): 44 °
- Rainy days: 13 days
