Best time to go to Cusco

Cusco is a destination full of magic. If you want to get to know it in depth you should know that the climate here is one of the most important factors to take into account when organising your trip. The city has a dry season and a rainy season. From December to March you are very likely to encounter heavy rainfall, while the rest of the year is usually much drier, with warm and pleasant temperatures.

In this article I will tell you everything you need to know to choose the ideal time to visit Cusco and get the most out of your trip. There are many things to see and do in Cusco, and many of them are outdoors, so a good climate is essential. Visiting Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley or the city's historic centre, for example, are unique experiences not to be missed. Read on and you will know when to travel to Cusco.

Definitely, the best time to visit Cusco is during the dry season, that is between mid-April and the end of November. With so many outdoor activities, such as visiting the ruins of Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Sacsayhuaman or the Temple of the Sun, it is extremely important to know that we will not have rain.

Although you have to know that the high season in Cusco is from June to August, when the weather is dry and sunny, it is a very busy period when accommodation prices are usually higher.

The mid-season from April to May and September to December can be a good option, as there are fewer tourists, the weather is pleasant and prices are much more reasonable. Finally, the low season is from December to March, when there is more rain and the temperatures are much cooler, but prices are lower, although nothing guarantees that you will be able to do all the excursions.

If you want to know when is the best time to see the majestic Inca ruins of Machu Picchu greened, let me tell you that everything here has to do with the rains. The months of December to March tend to be very unstable, with a lot of rainfall. It is for this reason that Machu Picchu closes in the month of February due to the inaccessibility of the route, and to carry out any necessary maintenance.

As it rains throughout this period, it is natural that the following months (i.e. April and May) allow you to appreciate a greened landscape. To come across the ruins in the middle of such an orchard is without doubt an incredible experience, and is highly recommended if you are a photography enthusiast. However, before booking an excursion, I always recommend that you check the weather in Cusco to make sure you don't have any surprises.

In the month of May there are still few people who dare to visit Cusco, the shadow of the rains is still close, and although rainfall is not very common during this month, temperatures tend to remain unpredictable, with some cold days and quite humid. If you're not the kind of person who needs 25 degrees Celsius to have a good time, May is a good option as it's still low season, so you're guaranteed lower prices and far fewer tourists.

You can enjoy the main attractions, such as exploring the Temple of the Sun, tasting the delicious Peruvian cuisine or simply strolling around the historic centre of the city, which is definitely one of the top 10 things to do in Cusco.

May is also a good month to visit Cusco with children

Although in May the temperatures are not the warmest, the rainy season has come to an end and the natural environment of the city of Cusco is brimming with greenery. This is why it can be one of the best times to visit Cusco with children. You will be able to enjoy some of the best activities to do in the city with much less people, less queues, and at cheaper prices.

Travelling with children is always an adventure, and in Cusco they will be fascinated by the Inca culture, its stone constructions, its traditions, the colours that flood the city. If you visit Cusco in May, don't miss a city tour of the city centre, so that the guide can tell them the incredible stories that the city treasures.

If you are interested in experiencing the culture and history of Peru, then visiting Cusco during the months of May and June are ideal, as the festivities of Corpus Christi (at the end of May) and Inti Raymi (on the 24th of June) take place.

Corpus Christi is a Catholic celebration that takes place 60 days after Easter Sunday. In Cusco, it is celebrated with an impressive procession that includes hundreds of participants dressed in traditional costumes, carrying banners and flags. This procession culminates at the Cusco Cathedral, where a special mass is held.

On the other hand, Inti Raymi is an Inca celebration that marks the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere and takes place on 24 June at the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, just outside Cusco. During Inti Raymi, traditional ceremonies, dances and processions are performed in honour of the sun and Pachamama (Mother Earth). Pachamama is the deity that represents the earth for the native cultures of the Andean region.

Keep in mind that these are very popular festivities in Cusco, so it is the perfect opportunity to feel part of the city and its people. Besides, the colour that covers everything at this time of the year is beautiful, perfect for some great pictures.

Cusco is a popular tourist destination all year round, but during the carnivals, this city is full of life, colour and music, making it a must-see place to visit in Peru. The Cusco Carnivals take place in January and March, coinciding with the celebration of Lima's carnival.

However, in Cusco, the carnival has a unique touch, which makes it especially interesting for travellers who want to experience the local culture and history of Peru.

During the celebrations, the streets of Cusco are filled with troupes, musicians and dancers who bring the city to life with their dancing and singing. The festival begins with the Ch'alla or ceremony of the blessing of the earth, in which offerings are made to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) to ask for her protection and fertility.

Afterwards, the city becomes a great stage for dance and music. The streets fill with people who join the comparsas to dance to the rhythm of traditional Andean music, such as the huaylia or the carnavalito. There are also sports competitions, traditional games and costume contests, in which the people of Cuzco show their creativity and skills.

If you want to experience the Andean version of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, then the month of December is the ideal time to visit Cusco. It is a unique experience not to be missed. During these dates, the city is filled with celebrations and rituals that combine the Catholic religion with ancestral Andean traditions. In the main square, a large Christmas tree is installed and the streets are decorated with lights and garlands.

December 24th is a very important date for Peruvians, and in Cusco it is celebrated with the traditional Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass) in the cathedral. If you have the opportunity to visit the city on this date, you can try some of the typical dishes of the region, such as stuffed turkey, shrimp chupe or aji de gallina.

On December 31st, the city prepares to welcome the New Year with a big party in the Plaza de Armas. Here, you can enjoy live music, traditional dances and fireworks. It's also the perfect opportunity to try ponche, a hot drink consumed during the Christmas season.

But the celebrations don't end there. On January 6th, the traditional "Bajada de Reyes" is held, where the images of the Three Kings are carried in procession from the cathedral to the church of La Merced. This is an opportunity to appreciate the religiosity and devotion of the people of Cuzco.

Here is a table comparing the dry season and the rainy season in Cusco. You will see that although the thermal difference is not very marked and the temperatures remain quite cool throughout the year, the average number of dry days in both seasons is very different:

Beyond the rains and the weather in general, Cusco, like other tourist destinations, has its low season and its high season. It is very important, when organising your trip, to know the difference between the two, since in low season you will be able to get good accommodation options for much lower prices. You will also find much less tourist crowds, which will allow you to explore the city in a much more relaxed way.

High season

In Cusco, the months of June, July and August are considered high season, which translates into more pleasant weather and many more people in the city, higher prices for accommodation, and a greater difficulty in booking a tour of its main attractions, such as Machu Picchu, the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, the Sacred Valley, or any of the many destinations you can explore on a full day tour from Cusco. Depending on what you are looking for in your trip, it can be a very good option to organise it in high season.

Low season

The months of November, December, January, February and March are considered low season, meaning you are more likely to encounter several days of rain, lower temperatures, better prices on accommodation and less hassle when booking a city tour. This time of year is perfect if you already know the main highlights of the city and don't mind a little rain, as Cusco can be really fascinating to visit during these months.

In any case, you can always do indoor activities, such as visiting some of Cusco' s best museums or, for those who love local flavours, take a Peruvian cooking class.

As you can see, it's always a good time to visit Cusco. Whether you are travelling with children, you are interested in excursions to the main Inca ruins or you just enjoy strolling around the city centre, visiting this jewel of Peru is an experience you won't forget. Come on, Cusco is waiting for you.