Cusco November — the cathedral on the cobblestone Plaza de Armas at dusk with warm light and gathering clouds

Cusco · Peru

November

Wet season building — rain is regular but mornings are often clear; affordable and uncrowded.

Strong option

#8 of 12 months

There are better months for Cusco — see the full ranking below.

See when to go instead →

Climate

High

21°C

Low

7°C

Rain

87mm

Sun

5.8hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How November scores in Cusco

Weather
Above average
Value
Very good
Crowds
Very good
Events
Average
Atmosphere
Above average

What you gain in November

  • Crowds are minimal and prices are affordable — the combination of unpredictable weather and quiet season creates a genuinely unhurried experience at Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley sites
  • Mornings are often clear before the afternoon rain builds; an early start allows most outdoor sites to be visited comfortably
  • The landscape is greening up as the wet season takes hold — a vivid, photogenic contrast to the dry-season brown

What you sacrifice

  • 87mm of rain concentrated in heavy afternoon downpours is enough to disrupt outdoor plans; a flexible itinerary is essential
  • Sunshine has dropped to 5.8 hours daily and the mountain views from Machu Picchu are cloud-obscured on a significant proportion of days
  • The Inca Trail is open but muddier and less rewarding than the dry season; serious hikers will want to wait for May or September

How November compares to May (best month)

FactorNovemberMay
Weather
5
9
Value
7
6
Crowds
7
6

November in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Cusco, not across destinations. Methodology →