The month in detail
What to expect in May
In May, Cusco sees 17°C during the day with 7.7h of sunshine per day. Rain is virtually absent (7% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if June (7.8/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 4 out of 12 months in Cusco. Compared to April: 17 pts fewer rainy days, +0.7h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
dry air
5°
Daylight
11.4h of daylight
Air quality
excellent
AQI 18
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Cusco is June (7.8/10), 0.3 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Cusco
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Cusco
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · Peru
🗣️LanguageSpanish
💶CurrencyPeruvian Sol (S/)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 18°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 16°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJanuary · 63%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Cusco ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
PeruTemperate climate with a 7.8 → 4.0 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
13.52°S · 71.97°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Cusco?
July is the best month with 18.0°C highs, 4.0°C lows, 8.3h of sunshine and 4.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Cusco get in July?
Cusco averages 8.3 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.4/10.
What is the rainiest month in Cusco?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Cusco in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 4.0°C, while afternoon highs average 18.0°C.
Is Cusco good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Cusco scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 7.4/10.
When should you avoid Cusco?
January is the most difficult month to visit Cusco, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Cusco in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Cusco (high), with about 11.4h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.