Middle of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Cusco in May
Little changes in Cusco from April: highs stay near 60°F (16°C), lows near 41°F (5°C), and about 0.4 in (9 mm) of rain falls.
May opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 88/100 (5th of 12).
- Avg high
- 60°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 41°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 0.4 in (9 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 47%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 22 min
- Comfort score
- 88/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs near 60°F (16°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Lows average 41°F (5°C).
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.4 in (9 mm) of rain.
Plan around May
May is one of Cusco's best months on the climate data.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: May – September.
- Comfort improves from 81/100 in April to 88/100.
- May sits inside the May – Sep window our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 41°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Cusco in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Qorikancha
Inca Sun Temple with precise stonework inside the Santo Domingo convent.
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 May
- Sacred Valley in May~16 mi · highs 62°F, 0.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Machu Picchu in May~46 mi · highs 68°F, 0.4 in rain · 4°C (7°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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Cusco?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 88/100. Expect highs of 60°F (16°C) and 0.4 in (9 mm) of rain. May is inside the May – Sep window our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends.
How cold is Cusco in May?
Average highs are 60°F (16°C) and average lows 41°F (5°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Cusco in May?
Not much: about 0.4 in (9 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.3 in (718 mm).
What should I pack for Cusco in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 41°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in May
- Cusco & Machu Picchu May – Sep
Planning Cusco in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.