Climate of Machu Picchu

The climate in Machu Picchu is one that people who like variety will certainly appreciate. This is because the Inca city, located high in the Andes, has a subtropical mountain climate characterized by wide temperature variations.

Climate averages for the whole year

Day: the average daily temperature during the day is between 20°C and 23°C
Night:the average nighttime temperature is between 1°C and 8°C
Rain: it rains 223 days and there is a total of approximately 737 mm rainfall
Sun hours: throughout the year there are 3335 sun hours

Maximum temperature:	between 20°C and 23°C
Warmest month:	23°C in October
Coldest month:	20°C in January
Night temperature:	between 1°C and 8°C
Dry days:	142 days
Days with rain:	223 days
Days with snow:	0 days
Total rain sum:	737 mm
Hours of sunshine:	3335 hours

Machu Picchu's subtropical mountain climate stems from the city's high location in the Andes, at an altitude of about 2,400 meters above sea level. This altitude causes large temperature variations between day and night, and between seasons. In addition, its proximity to the ocean affects humidity and rainfall can occur, especially in the summer.

Summer

In the summer, from December through March, Machu Picchu is hot and humid. The average daily temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius, but the high humidity can make it feel like it's warmer. Rainfall is also quite common during this period, so don't forget your raincoat if you go then.

Autumn

In autumn, from April through June, Machu Picchu is cooler and drier. The average daily temperature drops to about 15 degrees Celsius and the humidity decreases. This is a good time to go if you like milder weather and less chance of rain.

Winter

In winter, from July through September, Machu Picchu is cold and dry. The average daily temperature can drop below 10 degrees Celsius and there is little to no precipitation. This is the best season if you enjoy hiking in a cold climate and enjoying bright, sunny days.

Spring

In spring, from October through November, the weather in Machu Picchu is unpredictable. The temperature can fluctuate between warm and cold days and there can be both rain and sunshine. This is a good time to go if you are flexible and open to what the weather has to offer.

Climate of Machu Picchu
Temperature graph
Precipitation graph
Climate chart of Machu Picchu
The best travel time for Machu Picchu
Climate of Machu Picchu by month
Experiences with the weather of Machu Picchu

Temperature graph

This graph shows the average maximum temperature (red) and minimum temperature (blue) for Machu Picchu.

Precipitation graph

This graph shows the average amount of rainfall per month for Machu Picchu.

Climate table of Machu Picchu

In this climate table you can see at a glance what the average weather per month is for Machu Picchu. The data has been collected over a 30-year period, from which an average per month has been derived. From year to year the differences may be larger or smaller, but with this climate table you have a good idea of what the weather for Machu Picchu might be like in a given month.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Day temp. (°C)	20	20	20	21	21	20	20	21	21	23	23	21
Night temp. (°C)	8	8	8	6	4	2	1	3	5	7	7	8
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Precipitation (mm)	155	120	116	41	9	19	9	10	18	44	78	118
Days with rain	22	20	22	20	16	11	11	16	20	22	21	22
Dry days	9	8	9	10	15	19	20	15	10	9	9	9
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sun hours per day	8	8	8	9	10	10	10	10	10	10	9	9
Wind force (Bft)	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
UV-index	4	4	3	4	3	3	3	4	4	4	4	4

Best time to visit Machu Picchu

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season, which runs from April through October. The rainy season, from November through March, can be very wet and foggy, which can make visiting this famous Inca ruin less appealing.

During the dry season, Machu Picchu is also less crowded, so if you want to avoid the crowds, it is advisable to go during this period. However, keep in mind that the summer months of July and August are traditionally the busiest months, so if you want a truly quiet experience, it's better to travel during the shoulder months.

Another advantage of visiting Machu Picchu during the dry season is that weather conditions in this part of Peru are generally fairly stable. Although you can expect occasional showers, the chances of bad weather are much lower than during the rainy season.

In terms of temperatures, it is usually warm in Machu Picchu during the dry season. Temperatures can reach about 25 degrees Celsius during the day, so be sure to bring plenty of water and carry protection from the sun. At night it can cool down a bit, so bring a warm jacket if you plan to watch the sunset at Machu Picchu.

All in all, the best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season, from April through October. This offers the best chance of good weather and fewer crowds, and ensures that you can see this beautiful historic site at its best.

Climate of Machu Picchu by month

What is the average climate in a given month for Machu Picchu? Click on a month to see all monthly averages for sunshine, maximum and minimum temperatures, percent chance of rain per day, snowfall and number of rainy days.

January