Cusco in May
Dry season begins
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
May is the best month to visit Cusco.
May is a very good month: skies are mostly clear and crowds are lighter than July and August.
May in detail
What May actually feels like
- Weather
- 4–21°C
- Sunny days and cold nights.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday.
- Prices
- $$$
- Mid-range hotel rates.
+Clear skies and green hills.
–Cold nights.
My tip for May
Book Machu Picchu tickets well ahead.
- Machu Picchu
- Sacred Valley
- Hiking
How May compares
Against the other eleven months
1st of 12 overall in Cusco, 1st for weather, 8th for space, 8th for value. The emptiest month is February; the best value is February.
See all twelve months for CuscoWeather
Weather in Cusco in May
In May Cusco averages a high of 21°C (70°F) and a low of 4°C (39°F), with about 7 mm of rain or snow over 2 wet days. The warmest month is August (around 22°C) and the coolest is February (around 20°C); the wettest month is January.
- Average high
- 21°C
- 70°F
- Average low
- 4°C
- 39°F
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Wet days
- 2
Climate data: NOAA. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Cusco in May: the questions people ask
- Is May a good time to visit Cusco?
- May is the best month to visit Cusco. It ranks 1 of 12 months in Cusco overall (1 for weather, 8 for space, 8 for value). The main upside: Clear skies and green hills. The main downside: Cold nights.
- What is the weather like in Cusco in May?
- Average highs are around 21°C and lows around 4°C. Expect about 7 mm of rain or snow over roughly 2 wet days. Sunny days and cold nights. For comparison, the warmest month is August (around 22°C) and the coolest is February (around 20°C).
- Is Cusco crowded in May?
- Crowds are moderate. Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday. The quietest month is February.
- How expensive is Cusco in May?
- Prices are at level 3 of 5 ($$$). Mid-range hotel rates. The best-value month is February.
- When is the best time to visit Cusco?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, May is the best month overall (this month). The quietest month is February and the best value is February.