Cusco Weather by Month: Rain and Temperatures All Year

Cusco has two clear seasons: a dry season from May to September, with sunny days and cold nights, and a rainy season from December to March. Daytime temperatures barely change during the year; what changes is the rain and how cold the nights get. This guide gives the official averages for every month, compares them with Machu Picchu and explains what to pack. Data checked on 5 November 2026.

Quick answer

• Days: the average high stays between 20 and 22 °C (68–72 °F) all year.
• Nights: the average low goes from about 7 °C (45 °F) in January and February to below 0 °C (32 °F) in June and July.
• Rain: about 666 mm a year. Almost three quarters of it falls from December to March; January is the wettest month (146 mm) and June the driest (under 4 mm).
• Driest and sunniest: May to September. Rains come back gradually in October and November.
• Machu Picchu is different: it is warmer at night and much wetter, so pack for both.

Where the numbers come from

The figures are the official 1991–2020 climate normals for SENAMHI’s Granja Kcayra station, published by the World Meteorological Organization through NOAA. They are 30-year averages, not a forecast: any given year can be wetter, drier, warmer or colder. The station is at 3,214 m on the floor of the Cusco valley, about 12 km southeast of the Plaza de Armas in a straight line; the historic centre is at about 3,439 m (INEI), so readings in the city can differ somewhat. For the forecast of the next few days, check SENAMHI or your weather app.

Cusco weather month by month

Averages for 1991–2020 at SENAMHI’s Granja Kcayra station (3,214 m), from the World Meteorological Organization climate normals.

Cusco weather in January

The wettest month of the year: about 146 mm of rain on average. The average high is 20.2 °C and the low 7.4 °C, so nights are among the mildest of the year. Bring a rain jacket and plan outdoor visits with some flexibility.

Cusco weather in February

Still very rainy, with about 126 mm. Temperatures are the same as in January (20.2 °C high, 7.5 °C low). The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance, but Machu Picchu stays open; it was the quietest month there in 2025.

Cusco weather in March

The rain starts to ease (about 97 mm), with a high of 20.4 °C and a low of 6.8 °C.

Cusco weather in April

A transition month: rain drops to about 33 mm and nights cool down to an average low of 4.4 °C, with a high of 20.9 °C.

Cusco weather in May

The dry season begins: only about 6 mm of rain. Days are pleasant (21.3 °C) but the average low falls to 1.0 °C, so a warm layer for the evening becomes essential.

Cusco weather in June

The driest month, with under 4 mm of rain, and one of the two coldest: the average low is −0.8 °C and the high 20.9 °C. The Inti Raymi festival takes place on 24 June; see our Inti Raymi guide.

Cusco weather in July

The coldest nights of the year, with an average low of −1.3 °C, and almost no rain (about 4 mm). Days are still mild, around 20.8 °C. Clear skies, cold mornings and evenings: pack a warm jacket, gloves and a hat.

Cusco weather in August

Dry (about 5 mm) and slightly warmer, with a high of 21.5 °C and a low of 0.5 °C. It is one of the busiest months at Machu Picchu, with about 161,000 visitors in 2025.

Cusco weather in September

Still dry (about 15 mm) and warmer at night: the average low rises to 3.3 °C and the high to 21.9 °C.

Cusco weather in October

The rains return gradually, with about 44 mm. The high is 21.9 °C and the low 5.4 °C. October was the busiest month at Machu Picchu in 2025, with about 162,000 visitors.

Cusco weather in November

About 71 mm of rain and the warmest days of the year on average (22.2 °C), with a low of 6.3 °C. Pack for both sun and showers.

Cusco weather in December

The rainy season is back in full: about 115 mm. The high is 20.9 °C and the low 6.9 °C.

Dry season (May to September)

From May to September, rain adds up to only about 34 mm in five months, around 5% of the year’s total. Skies are usually clear, but the difference between day and night is large: in May the average high is 21.3 °C and the average low 1.0 °C. Dress in layers you can take off during the day and put back on in the late afternoon.

Higher places get much colder. On the high treks around Cusco, SENAMHI records winter lows of −8 to −4 °C, with frosts from May (see our Salkantay difficulty guide). Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake are also far above Cusco, so take extra layers on those day trips.

Rainy season (December to March)

From December to March about 484 mm of rain falls, roughly 73% of the year’s total. Nights are milder, with average lows of 7 to 7.5 °C in January and February. Tours run during these months; a good rain jacket and waterproof shoes make the difference. Keep in mind that the Inca Trail is closed in February.

Cusco vs Machu Picchu weather

Machu Picchu is about 1,000 m lower than Cusco (2,430 m against 3,439 m), and its weather is not the same:

• More rain: SENAMHI’s Machu Picchu station averages about 341 mm in January, more than twice Cusco’s 146 mm.
• Warmer nights: average lows at Machu Picchu stay between 9 and 12 °C all year, while in Cusco they drop below 0 °C in June and July.
• Similar days: average highs at Machu Picchu are 21 to 23 °C, close to Cusco’s.

Our guide to the best time to visit Machu Picchu has its month-by-month rain, temperatures and visitor numbers.

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What to pack for Cusco

• All year: layers (a T-shirt, a fleece and a warm jacket), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat; the sun is strong at this altitude.
• May to September: a warm jacket, gloves and a wool hat for mornings and evenings, when temperatures are close to freezing.
• December to March: a waterproof jacket or poncho and shoes that can get wet.
• October, November and April: both: showers are possible, and nights are cool.

More detail in our list of what to wear to Machu Picchu, which also works for Cusco. If you are arriving from sea level, read our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco too.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Cusco for the weather?

For dry weather, May to September: June, July and August each get under 6 mm of rain on average. Nights are cold in those months, so if you prefer mild nights and do not mind some showers, April and October are good compromises.

What is the rainiest month in Cusco?

January, with about 146 mm on average, followed by February (126 mm) and December (115 mm).

What is the coldest month in Cusco?

July, with an average low of −1.3 °C (29.7 °F), followed by June (−0.8 °C). Days are still mild in both months, around 21 °C.

How cold does it get at night in Cusco?

From May to August the average low is around or below 0 °C. From December to March it is about 7 °C.

What is the weather like in Cusco in December?

Rainy, with about 115 mm on average, an average high of 20.9 °C and a low of 6.9 °C.

Is Cusco hot?

No. Average highs are between 20 and 22 °C all year, and evenings are cool even in the rainy season. The sun can feel strong in the middle of the day.

Sources

• World Meteorological Organization, Climate Normals 1991–2020, published by NOAA NCEI: Peru, Granja Kcayra station (SENAMHI), 3,214 m (rain, average daily highs and lows).
• Altitude of Cusco: INEI, Compendio Estadístico Cusco 2025; altitude of Machu Picchu: see our Machu Picchu elevation guide.
• Machu Picchu rain and temperatures (SENAMHI 1991–2020) and visitors per month (MINCETUR DataTurismo, 2025): see the sources in our best time to visit Machu Picchu guide.
• Winter lows in the high areas: SENAMHI, as cited in our Salkantay difficulty guide.
• Inca Trail closure in February: Ministry of Culture; see our Classic Inca Trail guide.