When to visit Cusco without the crowds
Cusco (Peru) is calmest in January, February and April: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in June, July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January and February: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Mar & Nov
When everyone heads home
The week after Easter.
Tip
The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 18 °C (65 °F) | New Year's Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 18 °C (64 °F) | |
| March | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 18 °C (64 °F) | Holy Week (Mar/Apr, varies), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday |
| April | 2/5 · calm | 18 °C (65 °F) | |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 18 °C (65 °F) | Labour Day |
| June | 4/5 · busy | 18 °C (65 °F) | Inti Raymi (Jun 24) & Corpus Christi, Saint Peter and Saint Paul |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 19 °C (66 °F) | Fiestas Patrias (Jul 28–29), Air Force Day, Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 19 °C (66 °F) | Battle of Junin, Santa Rosa de Lima |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 20 °C (67 °F) | |
| October | 3/5 · moderate | 20 °C (68 °F) | Battle of Angamos |
| November | 3/5 · moderate | 20 °C (68 °F) | All Saints Day |
| December | 3/5 · moderate | 19 °C (66 °F) | Immaculate Conception, Battle of Ayacucho, Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Andean rainy season (Dec–Mar): roads and trains can be cut.
- The Inca Trail closes all of February for maintenance (Machu Picchu stays open).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Cusco without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually February (crowds 1/5). In February the average high is 18 °C (64 °F). All the calm months: January, February and April.
When is Cusco most crowded?
The busiest season is June, July and August. The week after Easter.
What is the weather like in Cusco?
Average highs range from 18 °C (64 °F) in February to 20 °C (68 °F) in October, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Cusco?
Andean rainy season (Dec–Mar): roads and trains can be cut. The Inca Trail closes all of February for maintenance (Machu Picchu stays open).
What festivals are there in Cusco?
The main ones: Holy Week (Mar/Apr, varies) (March); Inti Raymi (Jun 24) & Corpus Christi (June); Fiestas Patrias (Jul 28–29) (July).
More places in Peru
- Lima calm in February, May, June, September, October and November; busiest in July and December
- Arequipa calm in January, February, March, June, September, October and November; busiest in July and August
- Puno calm in January, March, April, May, June, September, October and December; busiest in July and August
- Iquitos calm in January, February, March, April, May, October and November; busiest in July, August and December
- Paracas calm in May, June, September, October and November; busiest in January and July
- Huaraz calm in January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Máncora calm in May, June, September, October and November; busiest in January, February and July
- Trujillo calm in April, May, June, August, October and November; busiest in January
- Nazca calm in January, February, March, April, May and June; busiest in July and August
- Puerto Maldonado calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August