Month guide · Cusco · Peru
Cusco in September
What September is really like in Cusco: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: FLASHPACKER TRAVELGUIDE, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Cusco. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Still mostly dry and warmer at night; crowds start to thin.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in September
September is the 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 4°C (39°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 30 days. Compared with August (20°C (68°F)), September is about as warm; by October highs stay near 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 05:42
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 17:43
- Daylight
- About 12 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, September rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: September is one of the pricier months.
Events in September
September has no major recurring festival in Cusco, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in September
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Street · Historic Centre
Hatun Rumiyoc and the Twelve-Angled Stone
Walk the street early or late to avoid crowds around the stone, and continue uphill into San Blas.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · San Blas
San Blas quarter
Cusco's artisan quarter has cobbled lanes, workshops making religious images, and the small San Blas church, which holds one of the finest carved wooden pulpits in the Americas.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Couples
- Shopping
Religious site · Historic Centre
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
Climb to the choir loft or bell tower for a view straight over the Plaza de Armas.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Art
Museum · Historic Centre
Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP)
In a colonial mansion on the Plazoleta de las Nazarenas, this museum displays a selection of pre-Columbian ceramics, gold, silver and woodwork from the Larco Museum's collections, shown as art in well-lit rooms.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 4°C and 5 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Cusco?
One of the best months to visit Cusco. The other best months are May–August. Compare every month.
Cusco in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Cusco?
It is one of the best months to visit Cusco. Still mostly dry and warmer at night; crowds start to thin.
+How warm is Cusco in September?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cusco in September?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.