Machu Picchu Weather
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on August 26, 2020 by James Bustamante
Hiking to Machu Picchu is an incredible experience, and just like any other tourist destination, certain times of the year are better than others in terms of Machu Picchu weather.
This can be harrowing as most people just want to get their Machu Picchu reservations and take one of the many variations of the Inca Trail.
Most travelers don’t want to worry about the Machu Picchu climate, which is very consistent, with nearly constant temperatures year-round.
Unlike North America, seasons in Peru aren’t really split into 4 distinct times of the year. In Peru, it is more like two seasons: The dry season and the wet season.
The rainy season in Machu Picchu extends from around October and April, while the dry season usually runs from around May and September if the weather is willing.
This means that it’s usually better to visit Machu Picchu during this time of the year.
However, this tends to coincide with the high season, which means bigger crowds and a higher price, usually July and August.
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Machu Picchu Weather During the Dry Season
Temperatures during the dry season can be quite comfortable, with the lows in the high 40s and highs in the 80s, though the temperature can drop to freezing in some cases.
Given how high up you’ll be and its exposure to the sun, it can get quite hot in Machu Picchu.
Try to remember to bring sunscreen unless you want a mean sunburn.
However, you should note that it may well rain during the dry season.
When it does rain though it is never for more than an hour or 2. Most showers will be rather quick and take no more than 20 minutes.
The humidity levels between these months are lower than the dry months, making a trip to Machu Picchu in the morning with high visibility an easier feat.
During the dry months, the hours of sunlight are double that of during the rainy season, making an early rise to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu a better prospect.
The average temperature during the dry season ranges from about 60 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit (17 – 19 degrees Celcius).
At nighttime, temperatures may drop very low, sometimes even below freezing due to the cloudless skies letting the heat escape.
Machu Picchu Weather During the Wet Season
The rainy season in the highlands extends from late November through late March. These are actually considered the summer months on the Peruvian coast.
Oddly enough, the coast doesn’t get much rain during this time of the year.
If you plan on visiting Machu Picchu from November – March get ready, as it will rain daily for the most part.
If possible, the time to avoid visiting Machu Picchu is between these months, accounting for about 80% of the annual rainfall in this period.
The level of rainfall is cut in half when March turns to April, before finally halting when the dry season comes around.
During this period of heavy rainfall, the humidity level gets to 91% which is relatively high.
During this time, Machu Picchu may be masked by a layer of fog. This thick fog usually rises from the rainforest and covers the canopy.
Even with the high levels of rain around this time the average temperature is still around 21 degrees. This is very different from Cusco.
Note that travel to Machu Picchu is still open for visitors unless there are storms that may lead to there being road maintenance.
Temperatures tend to be mostly the same as in the winter, with lows in the 50s and highs in the upper 80s.
Rain falls throughout the summer, with the most falling in the months of January and February.
It’s typically clear and dry in the mornings, with heavy rain falling in the afternoons.
Roads to Machu Picchu can be closed at this time of year, due to flooding.
Machu Picchu Highland Weather Can be Unpredictable
Machu Picchu is part Mountain, part Amazon jungle, meaning it can rain during all seasons.
The location of Machu Picchu in the mountains makes it prone to receiving cold winds and its surrounding humid tropical jungle adds another unpredictable element.
We recommend visitors bring appropriate clothing during whichever season they go.
There is a strong sun season (April to October), with a notable increase in temperature, so shorts and t-shirts could save the day.
Whenever you visit, keep in mind that the high elevation means that the sun is stronger than what you are used to – be sure you have sunglasses, sunscreen, and a good hat.
The dry sunny Machu Picchu weather also brings with it an abundance of mosquitos, making mosquito spray a must!
Traveler’s Tip: Make sure you reapply your mosquito spray at least once every 45 minutes to make sure you keep those pesky insects off.
In the rainy season, all of these should still be brought except maybe the sunglasses and sun cream.
An umbrella and waterproof boots will also be needed to help protect against the rain.
You can plan, and think the weather will be a certain way, but only mother nature truly knows what it has in store for us on a day to day basis.
Come with an open mind, and the willingness to go with the flow as it will make your experience in Cusco and Machu Picchu that much more enjoyable.
As always there are some items which should definitely be taken while on your trip of beautiful Machu Picchu:
- Updated passport.
- Sunglasses.
- A sweater or jacket.
- Hat or cap.
- Raincoat in the rainy season.
- Boots or walking shoes without heels.
- Bathing suit for the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.
- Insect repellent (very important).
- Sunscreen (even more important).
For more information on Machu Picchu weather, Peru Tour Packages, or anything else related to Cusco and Machu Picchu Travel, contact one of our travel specialists at Journey Machu Picchu.
Frequently Asked Questions About Machu Picchu Weather
Machu Picchu can be found at the top of the mountain near Aguas Calientes.
You can travel to Machu Picchu via a train that takes you either from the Cusco city center or a bit further away from Ollantaytambo, eventually reaching Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes is a small town at the foot of Machu Picchu. Thousands of tourists travel here as their last stop before hiking up to Machu Picchu the following morning.
If it’s sunny it can be quite warm in the 80s but can reach the mid-40s if it gets cloudy.
It has 2 different seasons, the dry season that takes place from May to October, and the rainy season, which takes place from November to April.
The best time to go would be around the months from May to August, however, that is also during the high season so there are many more travelers.
Aguas Calientes is about 3 hours away from Cusco.
Machu Picchu is about 3.5 hours from Cusco, only a 20-minute hike from Aguas Calientes
