Machu Picchu
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Machu Picchu Weather in March

March in Machu Picchu brings moderate temperatures, with highs of 16°C (61°F) and nights dropping to 7°C (45°F). The rainy season is in full swing this month, so frequent downpours are part of the picture.

Rainfall in Machu Picchu in March

As part of the rainy season, Machu Picchu sees around 15 days of rain in March, with an average of 253 mm (10 in). Showers during the rainy season tend to be heavy and can come down intensely. An umbrella is often not enough, so a poncho or waterproof jacket is a better choice.

Temperature in Machu Picchu in March

Machu Picchu in March gets highs of 16°C (61°F) during the day and drops to 7°C (45°F) at night. Even when the weather is stable, mornings and evenings can still feel distinctly cool. With overnight lows of 7°C (45°F), nights are cold. The cold air does make for deep, comfortable sleep if you have enough blankets.

Sunshine in Machu Picchu in March

The city usually sees around 170 hours of sunlight, indicating a moderately sunny period (despite it being part of rainy season).

If you prefer dry days with pleasant temperatures, March may not be the ideal month to visit Machu Picchu. Our weather planner can help you explore destinations with more pleasant weather conditions.

Machu Picchu Temperature in March

Min Temperature
7°C (45°F)
Max Temperature
16°C (61°F)
Chance of Rain
50%
Precipitation
253 mm (10 in)
Rainy days
15 days
Humidity
66% *
Sunshine
170 hours *
Percentage Sunshine
*
* Data from: Cusco, Peru (73 KM, 45 Miles).

Machu Picchu Weather by Month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Machu Picchu - and find the best time to visit.

Daily Historical Temperatures

49-year average (1976-2025)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in Machu Picchu typically stay consistent throughout March, with daily highs averaging around 16°C (61°F). Nights are cold, with lows around 8°C (46°F).

Average temperatures in March

Daily Historical Precipitation

49-year average (1976-2025)

Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.

Average precipitation in March

Historical weather records for Machu Picchu in March

Browse day-by-day weather records for Machu Picchu spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.

Machu Picchu historical weather extremes in March

Based on 40 years of weather observations in Machu Picchu between 1986 and 2026, these are the recorded extremes.

  • The warmest day in March was on March 6, 1998, with a maximum of 25°C (77°F).
  • The coldest March day was on March 15, 1986, with a maximum of 11°C (52°F).
  • The coldest night in March in Machu Picchu was on March 3, 2014, with a minimum of 3°C (37°F).

Best Places in Peru in March

Find out more about the weather in Peru and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of Peru in March →

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

What to Wear in Machu Picchu in March

The weather can be unpredictable in March, so pack clothes you can easily mix and match. You could bring jeans, other long pants, and a few t-shirts. A light jacket or light sweater will be pleasant for the cooler moments. Also bring a poncho, it will rain a lot! Waterproof everything you can. It won't hurt to bring your sunglasses along, as you'll see some sunny periods.

What To Do in Machu Picchu in March

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

  • Swimming
    5/10
  • Cycling
    5/10
  • Walking
    5/10
  • Camping
    3/10

Machu Picchu 3-Day Forecast

More climate data for Machu Picchu

Popular in March

Where to go in March - average daytime high across popular destinations.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.