What to Wear in Cusco, Peru: Daily Outfit Guide
When it comes to travel clothing, I have two simple goals: comfort and minimalism. Since I was only traveling to Peru for a week, I knew I could manage with just a carry-on and a backpack.
In this post, I’m sharing all the details on the clothes I wore in and around Cusco, with pictures for inspiration! If you’re curious about my full Peru packing list (including toiletries, medications, and more), be sure to check out this post: Ultimate Packing List for a 6-Day Trip to Cusco, Peru.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or booking through one of my links—at no extra cost to you. This allows me to continue creating free content. Thank you for your support!
Cusco, Peru Trip Overview:
- Home Base: Cusco, Peru
- Length: 6 days, 5 nights
- Time of Year: May
- Weather: The temperature in Cusco ranged from low 40°F (4°C) in the early mornings and evenings to around 70°F (21°C) during the day. We didn’t have any rain!
What to Consider When Packing for Cusco
What you pack will depend a lot on the time of year you’re visiting. Peru’s weather is less about hot vs. cold and more about rainy season vs. dry season:
- Rainy Season (November to March): Expect afternoon showers and a need for more waterproof clothing.
- Dry Season (April to October): Cooler mornings and evenings, with lots of sunshine during the day.
No matter when you go, layers are your best friend. The weather in Cusco can be unpredictable, and having options to add or take off throughout the day is key.
P.S. If you’re curious about everything I packed, don’t miss the complete clothing list at the end of this post!
Day 1: Walking and Exploring Cusco (photo above)
Activities: Walking through Cusco, sightseeing tours, and grabbing dinner.
- Simple stretchy white top
- Tailored navy blue pants (lightweight and cute but functional)
- Blundstone boots (ideal for all the walking we did)
Day 2: Machu Picchu
Activities: Visiting the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu!
Layers! Early mornings in the Andes are chilly, so I started the day in:
- A tank top underneath
- An oversized button-down for an extra layer
- My lightweight Columbia jacket
- A beanie
- A buff
By the time we reached Machu Picchu, the weather had completely changed. The sun was shining and we were sweating after climbing around the ruins. Here’s how I adjusted:
- Swapped my beanie for a baseball hat to shield my face from the sun
- Took off the jacket and buff (stored in my backpack so I loved that the jacket was easy to roll up!)
For shoes, I wore my Blundstone boots, which were perfect.
Pro Tip: Peru’s weather can change dramatically throughout the day, so be prepared for anything! We lucked out with blue skies, but I was so glad to have packed both warm and sun-friendly options.
Day 3: Walking Cusco
Activities: Another day of walking through Cusco, eating good food, and taking in the culture.
- Baseball hat
- Lightweight cargo pants (comfortable and practical for all the walking)
- Black tank top
- Black cardigan (a perfect layering piece to have)
The weather was cooler than our first day in Cusco, but still warm enough for these lightweight layers.
Day 4: Shopping and Walking
Activities: Browsing Cusco’s markets, shopping for souvenirs, and relaxing at a cafe.
- Black joggers
- White tee
- Jean shirt/jacket (lightweight and easy to layer)
- Chacos (perfect for staying cool on a warmer day)
Day 5: Horseback Riding
Activities: Exploring more of Cusco on foot, followed by an incredible horseback riding experience. (Read my Ultimate 5-Day Peru Itinerary: A First-Timer’s Guide to learn more).
- Athletic leggings
- Stretchy quarter-zip top (breathable and easy to layer)
- Tank top underneath
- Blundstone boots
- Columbia jacket (a must-have as the sun started to set and it got a little cooler)
This outfit was a win for the day’s mix of activities! The layers made it easy to adjust as the temperatures changed, and the boots were perfect for both walking around town and horseback riding.
Day 6: ATV Adventure
Activities: Riding ATVs through the beautiful Andes Mountains (lots of dust!).
- White tee
- Black lightweight joggers
- Button-up shirt (the same one I wore to Machu Picchu)
- Chacos (perfect for staying cool, it was too warm for boots this day)
Knowing my clothes would get dirty, I stuck with pieces I had already worn earlier in the trip. The button-up was a great layer to have and was easy to take off when it got warmer. By the end of the ride, I was definitely dusty, but it was so worth it!
Packing List Summary: What to Wear in Cusco Peru
Here’s a breakdown of everything I packed, organized by category and layers:
Shoes (2 pairs)
- Blundstone boots
- Chacos
Outerwear & Layers (5 items)
- Jean shirt/lightweight jacket
- Columbia jacket (lightweight but warm)
- Cropped athletic quarter zip
- Button-down oversized shirt
- Black cardigan
Pants & Bottoms (4 pairs)
- Black joggers
- Navy tailored pants
- Black athletic leggings
- Brown cargo pants
Tops/Base Layer (5 tops)
- White tee
- White fitted, stretchy top
- Black tank top
- Cream tank top
- White athletic tank
Accessories (5 items)
- Beanie
- Baseball hat
- Buff
- Crossbody purse
- Sunglasses
This packing list covered everything I needed clothing-wise for a week in Peru and made layering for changing weather super easy. To see my full packing list, check out my post: Ultimate Packing List For a 6-Day Trip To Cusco, Peru.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it gave you some ideas of what to wear in Cusco Peru! Here are some other posts that you may find helpful as you plan your trip. Happy travels!
Madison is a Nashville-based traveler sharing itineraries, packing tips, and budget-friendly travel advice to help adventurous women plan epic trips and see the world.
