Peru Cusco Weather in February — Climate Guide
February in Cusco is low
February is low for Cusco.
February is the single month the classic 4-day Inca Trail is officially CLOSED for annual maintenance — no exceptions, no workarounds. The trail itself, all alternate Inca Trail variants (2-day, etc.), and Wiñay Wayna section are shut. Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, and Choquequirao remain open and are the only multi-day trek options this month. Machu Picchu itself stays open, accessed via the standard PeruRail/IncaRail train and bus combo. Cusco proper sees the year's highest rainfall (slightly more than January), wettest Sacred Valley conditions, and serious landslide risk on the train line to Aguas Calientes (cancellations of 1-3 days happen 2-3x per year — budget for it). Trade-off: hotel rates 40-50% off peak — Belmond Monasterio drops below $400/night, Sacred Valley Sol y Luna villas drop below $400. Carnival across Sacred Valley villages (movable date, usually mid-Feb) is genuinely worth experiencing — water battles + masked parades in Pisac, Yucay, and Ollantaytambo.
Travel score
Inca Trail CLOSED — Salkantay/Lares are the only multi-day alternatives
February Weather at a Glance
February averages 66°F / 19°C highs and 45°F / 7°C lows with 17 rain days and 150mm rainfall — the second-wettest month. Humidity 75%, UV 11 (extreme), sunshine 4 hours. Mornings often clear; afternoon thunderstorms reliable. Sunrise 5:45 AM, sunset 6:35 PM.
February Travel Advice
If your trip is specifically for the classic 4-day Inca Trail, do NOT visit in February — book May-September with 6+ month lead time. If you must visit February: book Salkantay Trek (5-day, $400-600, no permits, same Machu Picchu finale) as the Inca Trail substitute, and add a buffer day to your Machu Picchu plan in case PeruRail cancels for landslide repairs. Mid-February Carnival in Sacred Valley villages (Pisac, Yucay, Ollantaytambo) is genuinely fun + authentic — water battles + masked parades + nearly zero tourists.
Flying In from Overseas
International visitors near year-low. South American summer holiday tail. Brazilian Carnival (movable, sometimes overlaps with Cusco Carnival) draws Brazilian visitors away from Peru. Direct flights Lima→Cusco $70-110 1.5h; Lima from US East Coast $350-650 6h. February is statistically the cheapest month to fly into Peru.
February Pricing Trends
Year-low: Belmond Monasterio $350-650, JW Marriott $220-450, Sacred Valley Belmond Río Sagrado $400-750, boutique Centro $70-140. Machu Picchu Vistadome $180 RT, Salkantay Trek 5-day $400-550, Lares Trek 3-day $350-450. Flights Lima→Cusco $70-100. Pisco Sour Day weekend (1st Sat Feb) slight bar premium ($15-25 vs $8-12).
Cusco February Weather Stats
Avg High
19°C
Avg Low
7°C
Rainy Days
17
150mm total
Sunshine
4h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
Very humid
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 22
Sea Temp
0°C
N/A altitude city
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
February Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
15 μg/m³
PM10
30 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
17°C
Nighttime
5°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for February
February Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheapest hotels of the year (40-50% off peak)
- Salkantay + Lares + Choquequirao still open
- Sacred Valley carnival authentic + nearly tourist-free
Cons
- Inca Trail CLOSED Feb 1-29 no exceptions
- Wettest month — 17 rain days
- PeruRail landslide cancellations 2-3x/season
February Events & Festivals
- Inca Trail CLOSED for annual maintenance (Feb 1-29)
- Carnival in Cusco + Sacred Valley villages (movable, usually mid-Feb)
- Pisco Sour Day (first Saturday of February — Peru national holiday)
Cusco in February — Full Picture
February is the single month the classic 4-day Inca Trail is officially CLOSED for annual maintenance — no exceptions, no workarounds. The trail itself, all alternate Inca Trail variants (2-day, etc.), and Wiñay Wayna section are shut. Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, and Choquequirao remain open and are the only multi-day trek options this month. Machu Picchu itself stays open, accessed via the standard PeruRail/IncaRail train and bus combo. Cusco proper sees the year's highest rainfall (slightly more than January), wettest Sacred Valley conditions, and serious landslide risk on the train line to Aguas Calientes (cancellations of 1-3 days happen 2-3x per year — budget for it). Trade-off: hotel rates 40-50% off peak — Belmond Monasterio drops below $400/night, Sacred Valley Sol y Luna villas drop below $400. Carnival across Sacred Valley villages (movable date, usually mid-Feb) is genuinely worth experiencing — water battles + masked parades in Pisac, Yucay, and Ollantaytambo.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Same as January — Gore-Tex shell, waterproof boots, fleece + down for nights. UV protection mandatory through cloud cover.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
19.7°C
5°C
9.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
19.3°C
1°C
2.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
20.7°C
4.7°C
7.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current19.3°C
7°C
16.7/mo
Cusco Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19° | 7° | 18d·160mm | 4h | 75% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 19° | 7° | 17d·150mm | 4h | 75% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 19° | 7° | 15d·130mm | 5h | 73% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| April (Best) | 20° | 5° | 9d·60mm | 7h | 65% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| May (Best) | 20° | 3° | 5d·20mm | 8h | 60% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| June (Best) | 19° | 1° | 3d·10mm | 8h | 55% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 19° | 0° | 2d·5mm | 8h | 50% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 20° | 2° | 3d·10mm | 8h | 50% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 20° | 3° | 4d·20mm | 7h | 55% | 12 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 21° | 5° | 8d·50mm | 7h | 60% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 21° | 6° | 11d·80mm | 6h | 65% | 12 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 20° | 7° | 15d·130mm | 5h | 70% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Cusco February Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is February a good time to visit Cusco?
Cusco in February is low. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Cusco in February?
Cusco February averages a high of 19°C and a low of 7°C.
Does it rain much in Cusco in February?
Cusco February averages 150mm of rainfall over about 17 rainy days.
What should I wear in Cusco in February?
Same as January — Gore-Tex shell, waterproof boots, fleece + down for nights. UV protection mandatory through cloud cover.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Cusco in February?
Cusco February sunrise is 05:45 and sunset is 18:35, with 12h 50m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Cusco in February?
Cusco February air quality (AQI) averages 40, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 15μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Cusco in February?
In February, Cusco is great for Salkantay Trek 5-day (Inca Trail substitute), Cusco museums + cooking classes, Sacred Valley carnival villages.
Is February peak season in Cusco?
Cusco February crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Cusco
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.