Season guide · Cusco · Peru
Cusco in the peak rains
February–March: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: FrederickCusco, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The wettest months, with muddy trails, possible landslides and the Inca Trail usually closed in February. Expect highs up to 19°C (66°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F), with about 29 rainy days across February–March.
Key facts
- Months
- February–March
- Temperatures
- 6°C (43°F) to 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 29
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in the peak rains
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 19°C (66°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 15 | 12.6 h | 1/5 |
| March | 19°C (66°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 14 | 12.2 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 19°C (66°F) against a yearly 20°C (68°F), and 29 of the year's roughly 101 rainy days fall in these 2 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in the peak rains
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- February: Carnival celebrations (February or early March)
- March: Señor de los Temblores procession (Holy Monday, March or April)
Good choices for the peak rains
Museum · Historic Centre
Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP)
A compact, high-quality museum for an hour on a rainy afternoon; the courtyard restaurant is a calm place for lunch.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
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
Religious site · Historic Centre
Cusco Cathedral
Use the audio guide to find the Last Supper painting and the Señor de los Temblores, Cusco's patron crucifix.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Historic site · Historic Centre
Qorikancha and Santo Domingo
The Inca Empire's most important temple, dedicated to the sun god Inti, was once covered with sheets of gold.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Day trips in the peak rains
- Moray and the Maras salt pans (About 1.5 hours by road) — Moray's circular Inca terraces are thought to have been used for agricultural experiments, with temperature differences between levels.
- South Valley: Tipón and Andahuaylillas (About 1 hour by road) — Tipón has Inca terraces and water channels still flowing, while the church of San Pedro in Andahuaylillas, known as the 'Sistine Chapel of the Andes', has a painted and gilded interior.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the peak rains a good time to visit Cusco?
It is a trade-off: The wettest months, with muddy trails, possible landslides and the Inca Trail usually closed in February. The best months overall are May–September.
+What is the weather like in Cusco in the peak rains?
Highs of up to 19°C (66°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F), with about 29 rainy days over the season.