Best Time to Visit Cusco

Best time to visit
All year
Alpine — cool summers, cold winters, high altitude

Cusco is best visited All year, when conditions are at their most settled.

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Once you know the best time to go, find out exactly what to pack for Cusco at 247PackingList — climate-matched checklists for every destination. For country facts like currency, language and plug type, see our Peru country guide at 247CountryInfo. Some travellers fund a longer stay in Cusco by teaching English along the way — a TEFL certificate is usually all it takes.

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Cusco — Monthly Temperatures

-10°C14°F0°C32°F10°C50°F20°C68°FJan: 7.7–16.4°CJan16.4°Feb: 8.4–16.3°CFeb16.3°Mar: 7.6–16.1°CMar16.1°Apr: 6.7–16.6°CApr16.6°May: 5.7–16.7°CMay16.7°Jun: 4.6–17.3°CJun17.3°Jul: 4.7–18.5°CJul18.5°Aug: 5.3–18.8°CAug18.8°Sep: 6.4–18.7°CSep18.7°Oct: 7.4–19.0°COct19.0°Nov: 8.1–18.7°CNov18.7°Dec: 8.3–17.4°CDec17.4°

Average daily high and low temperatures (°C/°F). Bars show the daily range each month.

Planning your Cusco trip?

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Cusco Weather Month by Month

MonthHighLowRainSun/dayRainy daysRating
January Best 16.4°C 7.7°C 230.8mm 9.2h 28
8/10
February Best 16.3°C 8.4°C 174.2mm 8.8h 26
9/10
March Best 16.1°C 7.6°C 164.8mm 9.6h 26
9/10
April Best 16.6°C 6.7°C 73.4mm 10.1h 15
10/10
May Best 16.7°C 5.7°C 39.9mm 10.2h 9
10/10
June Best 17.3°C 4.6°C 4.1mm 10.6h 1
10/10
July Best 18.5°C 4.7°C 7.4mm 10.9h 2
10/10
August Best 18.8°C 5.3°C 18.2mm 11.1h 6
10/10
September Best 18.7°C 6.4°C 36.8mm 10.8h 11
10/10
October Best 19.0°C 7.4°C 73.2mm 10.9h 19
10/10
November Best 18.7°C 8.1°C 128.0mm 10.3h 22
9/10
December Best 17.4°C 8.3°C 192.4mm 9.3h 27
9/10

Cusco Climate

Cusco has a alpine climate — cool summers and cold winters at high altitude. Check the annual climate overview for Cusco for the full year picture, or read the dedicated Cusco rainy season guide.

Counting down to your trip? Use our holiday countdown timer at LeftToTime to track the days. Owners often keep a Cusco travel guide to hand for planning on the go. Check clothing sizes in Peru at 247Sizing before you shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to visit Cusco?

The best month to visit Cusco is January, when temperatures average 16.4°C and conditions score 8/10 for comfort.

What is the weather like in Cusco in January?

In January, Cusco sees average highs of 16.4°C (61.5°F) and lows of 7.7°C. Conditions are cool and very wet, with around 28 rainy days, with roughly 9.2 hours of sunshine a day. This is peak season for good reason — conditions are close to ideal.

When is rainy season in Cusco?

Rainy season in Cusco runs January, February, March, November, December. Expect heavy downpours and high humidity. Full rainy season guide →

Is Cusco good to visit in winter?

Yes — winter (June, July, August) averages 18.5°C highs with a 10/10 comfort rating, making it a solid time to visit.

More Cusco trip essentials

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Packable Down Jacket

Climate-matched travel essential for Cusco.

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Travel first aid kit

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Last updated:

Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.