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Cusco

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Diego Delso
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City guide · Peru

Cusco

The Inca capital, gateway to Machu Picchu.

See the year in Cusco ↓

Inca history · Andes · Sacred Valley · Machu Picchu gateway

When to visit.

Compare monthly weather
Historical monthly weather

Select a month to plan your visit.

WarmestOct · 68°F (20°C)
WettestJan
Best windowMay–Sep
Jan
Feb
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Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Bar height: daytime high.Green underline: best window. Square outline: selected month.

Select a month for temperature, rainfall and modelled sunshine.
Weather data & source

2018–2023 averages, not a forecast. Wet days estimate days with at least 1 mm of rain or snow using a calibrated ERA5 threshold. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (AWS Open Data, CC BY 4.0). Sunshine measures daylight only. Open-Meteo

What to see

Start with the sights.

01What to seeCoricanchaExplore →
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Coricancha

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Håkan Svensson ( Xauxa )
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CC BY 2.5
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The Coricancha was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, and was described by early Spanish colonialists.

02What to seeChurch of the Society of JesusExplore →
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Church of the Society of Jesus

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Martin St-Amant ( S23678 )
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CC BY 3.0
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The Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús is a historic Jesuit church in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, in Cusco Region, Peru.

03What to seeCusco CathedralExplore →
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Cusco Cathedral

Photo
Martin St-Amant ( S23678 )
Licence
CC BY 3.0
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The Cathedral of Cusco or Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption is the main temple of the city of Cusco, in Peru and houses the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Cusco.

04What to seeQ'inquExplore →
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Q'inqu

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Haakon S. Krohn
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05

Sacsayhuaman

Colossal Inca stonework above Cusco, fitted without mortar.

Explore →
More sights (3)

Month by month

Cusco, month by month.

What to plan a trip around, month by month.

May in Cusco

Cusco in May. One of the best months to visit Cusco. Typical daytime highs around 63°F (17°C).

June in Cusco

What’s on in Cusco in June. One of the best months to visit Cusco. Typical daytime highs around 64°F (18°C).

July in Cusco

Cusco in July. One of the best months to visit Cusco. Typical daytime highs around 66°F (19°C).

August in Cusco

Cusco in August. One of the best months to visit Cusco. Typical daytime highs around 66°F (19°C).

September in Cusco

Cusco in September. One of the best months to visit Cusco. Typical daytime highs around 66°F (19°C).

Make a plan

Before you go.

Transport, fares & local advice

Getting there

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ).

Know before you go

  • Acclimatize a day or two before hiking, as the altitude is real.
  • Book Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail well ahead.
  • Coca tea helps with the altitude, as locals will tell you.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Cusco?

The best time to visit Cusco is May–Sep, in Peru.

Where is Cusco?

Cusco is in Peru. The nearest major airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ).

What is Cusco known for?

The Inca capital, gateway to Machu Picchu.

More places to explore

Explore these places for a longer trip. Distances are straight line; check the route and travel time before planning an outing.