Month guide · Cusco · Peru
Cusco in October
What October is really like in Cusco: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 5°C (41°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 12.4 hours of daylight. Showers start to return, but many days are fine; a good shoulder month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 5°C (41°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 2nd-warmest month in Cusco: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 5°C (41°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with September (21°C (70°F)), October is about as warm; by November highs stay near 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 05:21
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 17:45
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
Dry season (May–September). Sunny days, clear skies and freezing nights; peak season for Machu Picchu and treks, with festivals in June.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
October has no major recurring festival in Cusco, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Museum · Historic Centre
Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco
This non-profit centre on Avenida El Sol works with weaving communities around Cusco.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
- Rainy day
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
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 5°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Cusco?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Cusco in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Cusco?
It is a shoulder-season month. Showers start to return, but many days are fine; a good shoulder month.
+How warm is Cusco in October?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cusco in October?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.