End of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Cusco in September
Little changes in Cusco from August: highs stay near 63°F (17°C), lows near 41°F (5°C), and about 0.7 in (18 mm) of rain falls.
At 90/100 for comfort (4th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 63°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 41°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 0.7 in (18 mm)
- Humidity
- 72%
- Cloud cover
- 53%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 56 min
- Comfort score
- 90/100 · Great
What September feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 63°F (17°C), good for long walks.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 41°F (5°C), about 12°C (22°F) below the afternoon high.
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.7 in (18 mm) of rain.
Plan around September
September is one of Cusco's best months on the climate data.
- Last dry month before the rain picks up: October brings 2.5 in (63 mm).
- Last of the best-scoring months: by October, the score drops to 83/100.
- Comfort slips from 93/100 in August to 90/100.
- September sits inside the May – Sep window our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends.
What to pack for September
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 41°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Cusco in September
September 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.
Plaza de Armas
Main square framed by the Cathedral and La Compañía church, built over the Inca plaza.
Chicha por Gastón Acurio
Gastón Acurio's Cusco restaurant for regional Andean dishes in a colonial building.
Cicciolina
Long-running upstairs restaurant and tapas bar blending Peruvian and Mediterranean cooking.
Museo del Pisco
Pisco bar with tasting flights and well-made pisco sours.
Nearby in September
- Sacred Valley in September~16 mi · highs 64°F, 0.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Machu Picchu in September~46 mi · highs 71°F, 0.9 in rain · 4°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 September: quick answers
Is September a good time to visit Cusco?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 90/100. Expect highs of 63°F (17°C) and 0.7 in (18 mm) of rain. September is inside the May – Sep window our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends.
How cold is Cusco in September?
Average highs are 63°F (17°C) and average lows 41°F (5°C), making it the 3rd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Cusco in September?
Not much: about 0.7 in (18 mm) of rain falls across September on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.3 in (718 mm).
What should I pack for Cusco in September?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 41°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in September
- Cusco & Machu Picchu May – Sep
Planning Cusco in September?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.