Middle of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Cusco in August
Little changes in Cusco from July: highs stay near 62°F (17°C), lows near 39°F (4°C), and about 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain falls.
At 93/100 for comfort (the top score of the year), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 62°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 39°F (4°C)
- Rain
- 0.3 in (8 mm)
- Humidity
- 72%
- Cloud cover
- 41%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 33 min
- Comfort score
- 93/100 · Great
What August feels like
Highs near 62°F (17°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 13°C (23°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Rain is scarce: about 0.3 in (8 mm) for the whole month.
Plan around August
August is one of Cusco's best months on the climate data.
- Comfort holds steady from July (91 → 93/100).
- August sits inside the May – Sep window our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends.
What to pack for August
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 39°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Cusco in August
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Sacsayhuamán
Inca fortress of massive fitted stones above the city; covered by the tourist ticket.
Cusco Cathedral
16th-century cathedral with Cusco School paintings, including a Last Supper with guinea pig.
Cicciolina
Long-running upstairs restaurant and tapas bar blending Peruvian and Mediterranean cooking.
Mercado Central de San Pedro
Cusco's main market for fruit juices, soups, breads and local produce.
Museo del Pisco
Pisco bar with tasting flights and well-made pisco sours.
Nearby in August
- Sacred Valley in August~16 mi · highs 64°F, 0.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Machu Picchu in August~46 mi · highs 71°F, 0.4 in rain · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~3,740 m to Cusco's ~3,336 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Cusco in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Cusco?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 93/100. Expect highs of 62°F (17°C) and 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain. August is inside the May – Sep window our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends.
How cold is Cusco in August?
Average highs are 62°F (17°C) and average lows 39°F (4°C), making it the 4th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Cusco in August?
Not much: about 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.3 in (718 mm).
What should I pack for Cusco in August?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 39°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in August
- Cusco & Machu Picchu May – Sep
Planning Cusco in August?
Share this August plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.