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Cusco

Culture Corner

Region and Population

Cusco (population 300,000) is considered the Inca capital of Peru. It is located in the department of Cusco, along the Andean mountain line. The Spaniards conquered it in the 16th century, preserving the basic structure, but building Baroque churches and palaces over the ruins.

Climate

THE ANNUAL AVERAGE IN THE CITY GOES FROM 10.3° AND 11.3° C (50.54° TO 52.34° F). THE TEMPERATURE IS RELATIVELY STABLE DURING THE SUMMER AND WINTER. USUALLY, IT IS COLD AT NIGHT AND DURING THE FIRST MORNING HOURS. MAY THROUGH JULY IS THE COLD SEASON, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CAN DECREASE BELOW 0° C.

BE EXPECTED TO PACK A RANGE OF CLOTHES FOR DURING THE DAY WHEN IT’S NICE AND SUNNY TO THE COLD MORNINGS AND EVENINGS.

ALSO, THERE ARE TWO WELL-DEFINED SEASONS: THE RAINY SEASON IS FROM NOVEMBER TO MARCH AND THE DRY SEASON IS FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER. CUSCO HAS A SPECIAL WEATHER DUE TO THE HEIGHT AT WHICH IT IS LOCATED AS WELL AS ITS CLOSENESS TO THE EQUATOR.

Average monthly highs and lows (degrees in Fahrenheit) and rainfall (in inches) in Cusco:

TypeJanFebMarAprMayJuneJulAugSeptOctNovDec
Highs6869.869.871.669.869.869.869.871.671.673.471.6
Lows44.644.644.639.235.633.830.233.839.242.842.844.6
Avg. Rainfall9.959.156.653.110.920.310.310.611.534.034.648.36