Peru · tool
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, overcast | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Heavy rainfall can cause landslides and trail closures, including the Inca Trail. | |
| February | 10-20°C, very heavy rain, humid | low | low |
⚠ The Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. Many other trails may be impassable due to rain. | |
| March | 10-21°C, rain decreasing, clearing skies | low | low |
⚠ Inca Trail reopens mid-month. Weather can still be unpredictable. | |
| April | 8-20°C, minimal rain, sunny days | moderate | moderate |
| |
| May | 6-20°C, very dry, sunny days | moderate | moderate |
| |
| June | 3-19°C, dry and sunny, cold nights | high | high |
⚠ Inti Raymi (June 24th) causes significant crowds and price hikes around Cusco. | |
| July | 4-20°C, dry and sunny, cold nights | peak | peak |
⚠ Highest tourist season, book flights and accommodation well in advance. | |
| August | 6-21°C, dry and sunny, cooler evenings | peak | peak |
⚠ Still very busy due to international holidays. | |
| September | 8-21°C, transitioning to wetter, mostly sunny | moderate | moderate |
| |
| October | 9-21°C, rain increasing, sunny mornings | moderate | moderate |
| |
| November | 10-20°C, frequent rain showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Rainfall increases, potentially impacting travel plans and trail conditions. | |
| December | 10-20°C, frequent rain, humid | high | high |
⚠ Rain can be heavy, especially in the afternoons. Inca Trail can be busy despite rain. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
Solemn religious processions and vibrant cultural celebrations throughout Cusco.
A major Catholic festival featuring processions of saints' statues from various churches.
A spectacular reenactment of the ancient Inca winter solstice ceremony, held at Sacsayhuamán.
Celebrations honoring the patron saint of the Jesuits, often with cultural events.
A lively festival in Paucartambo with colorful dances, music, and religious parades.
A pilgrimage and religious festival honoring a revered Christ image in Calca.
Festivities commemorating the founding of Cusco, with parades and cultural events.
Insider timing tips
- •The dry season (April-October) offers the most reliable weather for trekking and sightseeing, but coincides with peak tourist numbers and prices.
- •February is the wettest month and sees the closure of the Inca Trail, making it the least advisable time to visit for hikers.
- •The shoulder months of April, May, September, and October provide a good balance of decent weather and fewer crowds compared to July and August.
- •While the rainy season (November-March) generally means more precipitation, it also brings lush green landscapes and significantly lower prices and crowds, with intermittent sunny days possible.
- •Local holidays, especially around Inti Raymi in June and Christmas in December, can lead to surges in domestic tourism and higher prices in Cusco itself.
Ready to plan your Cusco trip?
Get a full day-by-day itinerary with real places and bookable activities.
Best time to visit elsewhere