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Best time to visit Cusco
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Best time to visit Cusco, Peru
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10-20°C, frequent heavy rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Inca Trail and many other treks are often closed or rerouted due to heavy rain and mud. | |
| February | 10-20°C, very heavy rain | low | low |
⚠ The Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. Many roads can be impassable. | |
| March | 10-21°C, rain decreasing | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Still a chance of rain, especially early in the month. | |
| April | 8-21°C, mostly sunny with brief showers | moderate | moderate |
| |
| May | 6-20°C, dry and sunny | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Nights can be cold, especially at higher altitudes. | |
| June | 5-19°C, dry and sunny | high | high |
⚠ Book accommodations and tours well in advance due to Inti Raymi. | |
| July | 4-19°C, dry and sunny | peak | peak |
⚠ Peak tourist season, expect higher prices and crowds. | |
| August | 5-20°C, dry and sunny | peak | peak |
⚠ Still very busy; book ahead. | |
| September | 7-21°C, mostly sunny | moderate | moderate |
| |
| October | 8-21°C, sunny with occasional showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Rain increases towards the end of the month. | |
| November | 9-20°C, increasing rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Rainfall becomes more frequent, potentially impacting outdoor activities. | |
| December | 10-20°C, rainy season begins | high | high |
⚠ Start of the heavy rainy season; some trails may be affected. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
A large traditional market selling religious art and nativity figures on the Plaza de Armas.
Local celebrations with music, dancing, and water-throwing, though less intense than in other parts of Peru.
Religious processions and events commemorating Easter week, with solemnity in Cusco.
A major Catholic festival where saints' statues are paraded through the city, culminating in a grand procession.
The Festival of the Sun, a major Inca religious ceremony reenacted with great spectacle at the Sacsayhuamán fortress.
Celebrated in many towns with bonfires and traditional festivities.
A vibrant festival in the town of Ollantaytambo celebrating its Inca heritage with music and dance.
Insider timing tips
- •The dry season (May to October) offers the most reliable weather for exploring Cusco and its surrounding Inca sites, with July and August being the busiest and most expensive.
- •The shoulder months of April, May, September, and October provide a good balance of decent weather, fewer crowds, and more reasonable prices.
- •The rainy season (November to March) can significantly impact trekking opportunities, with the Inca Trail often closed in February due to maintenance and risk of landslides.
- •While Cusco itself has fewer closures during the rainy season, travel to more remote areas or mountain passes can be disrupted by heavy rainfall.
- •Book Machu Picchu tickets and train transport at least 3-6 months in advance, especially if traveling during the peak season (June-August) or around major festivals like Inti Raymi.
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