How to be Prepared for Cusco Region Weather

The weather in the Cusco region is different from some other parts of the World. We have 2 seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy season begins usually in December and last until April. May through November is dry season. That does not mean that it never rains in the dry season but it is mostly dry with an occasional light shower. In the rainy season, we have heavy tropical showers frequently.
The Cusco region has a tropical high mountainous type of weather. That means our weather can change quickly from sunshine to a rain shower within a few minutes. A few clouds form (usually in the afternoons), it rains for a few minutes and then out comes the sun again. We do not usually have rain all day long, only occasionally in the rainy season. The weather reports are very misleading. It can show that it is raining every day; but all that means is that somewhere in our mountainous region there will be a shower. It can be rainy in one area of Cusco and completely dry in another area.

Our overall high temperature does not vary much all year round from around 18° centigrade (65° Fahrenheit) to 22° (72° Fahrenheit) high. What varies is the low temperature at night. In the months of May, June, July, and August our winter, the temperature can drop to freezing at night or below. In winter, we can have intense sunshine around the middle of the day but at 5pm to 6pm when the sun drops, the temperature drops very quickly. The nights and mornings are cold but when the sun come out it can get very warm quickly. In the rainy season, our spring and summer, the nights are not as cold, but in January, February and March when we have many afternoon rain showers, it can be cold during the day due to the lack of lots of sunshine because of cloud cover. Out type of rain during this season is intense tropical downpours, usually in the afternoon for 20 to 30 minutes that can flood the streets and then the storm move on and the sunshine may return.

When you come to the Cusco Region, it is important to be aware of when it is dry season and when it is rainy season. In the dry season you must dress in layers because it can be quite cold at night and in the morning but by noon you can be in short sleeves and short but when the sun drops you will need a jacket with you. In the rainy season, you also need to dress in layers and be prepared for a rain shower especially in the afternoons. Thus, a rain jacket is important and when it rains, it gets colder, so you need a sweater or a fleece jacket.
Please review the charts below to better understand month by month how to be prepared for the weather and be able to enjoy our beautiful Cusco Region.