When to go · Cusco, Peru
Best time to visit Cusco
The sweet spot is October, April and May — averages 13°C, 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
May–September, the dry season, for clear skies and the Inti Raymi festival on 24 June. The Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance.
Highland subtropical: dry season days are sunny and mild (19–21°C) with cold nights near freezing; the wet season (November–March) brings afternoon rain.
The short answer
13°C · 8 rainy days · mid season
12°C · 8 rainy days · mid season
11°C · 3 rainy days · high season
Hardest months: February and January. averages 13°C, 16 rainy days, few other visitors.
Month by month
| Month | Avg temp | Rain days | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C | 18d | low | Wet |
| February | 13°C | 16d | low | Wet |
| March | 13°C | 14d | low | Wet |
| April | 12°C | 8d | mid | Chilly |
| May | 11°C | 3d | high | Chilly |
| June | 10°C | 2d | high | Chilly |
| July | 10°C | 2d | high | Chilly |
| August | 11°C | 3d | high | Chilly |
| September | 12°C | 5d | high | Chilly |
| October | 13°C | 8d | mid | Mild |
| November | 13°C | 11d | mid | Mild |
| December | 13°C | 15d | low | Wet |
Verdicts are read off the three columns to their left — temperature distance from 21°C first, then rainfall, with crowds breaking ties. Averages, so any given week can differ.
If you'd rather go cheap than perfect
January, February, March and December are low season in Cusco — thinner crowds, and the months where accommodation is easiest to book late. Budget travellers already work to about $30–55 a day here; low season is where the accommodation share of that goes furthest.
Book the month you picked
Fares move with the same seasons as the crowds — the quiet months above are usually the cheap ones to fly.