Month guide · Cusco · Peru
Cusco in July
What July is really like in Cusco: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
July is one of the best months to visit Cusco. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 11.4 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and very busy; book Machu Picchu tickets and trains well ahead.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 11.4 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in July
July is the coolest month in Cusco: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with June (19°C (66°F)), July is about as warm; by August highs stay near 20°C (68°F).
- Sunrise (15 July)
- About 06:12
- Sunset (15 July)
- About 17:36
- Daylight
- About 11.4 hours
Peak rains (February–March). The wettest months, with muddy trails, possible landslides and the Inca Trail usually closed in February.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, July rates 5 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: July is one of the pricier months.
Events in July
- Virgen del Carmen festival in Paucartambo (around 16 July)
- Fiestas Patrias — Independence holidays (28–29 July)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in July
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Historic site · Sacred Valley
Chinchero
Visit on a Sunday morning, when the village market is at its busiest.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Shopping
Experience · Cusco hills
Planetarium Cusco
A small family-run planetarium in the hills above the city explains how the Inca read the stars and dark constellations of the Milky Way, followed by stargazing through telescopes when the sky is clear.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- After dark
- History
Historic site · San Cristóbal
Sacsayhuamán
Walk up from San Cristóbal early in the morning; the site is included in the Boleto Turístico.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Outdoors
Historic site · Cusco hills
Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay
A string of smaller Inca sites in the hills above Cusco: Q'enqo, a carved limestone shrine with a cave altar; Puka Pukara, a reddish stone outpost; and Tambomachay, where Inca water channels still feed fountains.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Outdoors
- Active
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 0°C and 1 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is July a good time to visit Cusco?
One of the best months to visit Cusco, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are May–June and August–September. Compare every month.
Cusco in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is July a good time to visit Cusco?
It is one of the best months to visit Cusco. Dry, sunny and very busy; book Machu Picchu tickets and trains well ahead.
+How warm is Cusco in July?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cusco in July?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.