Cusco · Month comparison

February vs May

May ranks #1 overall vs February at #11. The dry season arrives — clear skies, the Inca Trail fully open, and Machu Picchu at its most reliably beautiful.

Cusco February — Peruvian women in traditional colourful dress with a llama against an Andean sky

February

#11 of 12 months

Avoid

The Inca Trail closes entirely for maintenance — the wettest month, cheapest prices, and Machu Picchu by train only.

  • ↑The lowest prices of the year for accommodation across Cusco — genuinely budget-level rates at properties that charge three times as much in July
  • ↑Machu Picchu remains accessible by train from Aguas Calientes; the site is as uncrowded as it ever gets, and the cloud-wreathed ruins in mist have a very particular drama
Cusco May — Plaza de Armas with the cathedral and dramatic clouds over the ancient colonial square

May

#1 of 12 months

Best match

The dry season arrives — clear skies, the Inca Trail fully open, and Machu Picchu at its most reliably beautiful.

  • ↑Dry season proper begins: 44mm of rain is minimal, skies are consistently clear, and the mountain views from Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley are sharp and unobscured
  • ↑Inca Trail permits are still available in May (unlike the July–August peak when they sell out months ahead) — the optimal window for hiking with full conditions and manageable crowds
FactorFebruaryMay
Weather score
2
9
Value score
8
6
Crowd score
8
6
Events score
4
7
Atmosphere
4
8
Avg high temp19°C20°C
Monthly rain161mm44mm
Daily sunshine4.1hrs7.8hrs

February trade-offs

  • ↓The Inca Trail closes entirely in February for annual maintenance — the classic four-day trek is not an option under any circumstances this month
  • ↓The wettest month of the year: 161mm with near-daily heavy afternoon and overnight rain; sunshine averages only 4.1 hours daily
  • ↓Landslides occasionally disrupt the Aguas Calientes train line in very wet years — always check conditions and have contingency plans when visiting Machu Picchu in February

May trade-offs

  • ↓Nights are cold (4°C) and can catch visitors off guard; altitude at 3,400m intensifies the chill — warm layers are non-negotiable
  • ↓Prices begin rising as the dry season is recognised; May is still moderate but more expensive than the wet-season months
  • ↓Inca Trail permits for the popular Classic Trail sell out in advance — book at least two to three months ahead for May departures
See all 12 months for Cusco →February in detail →May in detail →
Scores compare months within Cusco. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →