Cusco vs Lima

Cusco

Cusco has two main seasons: a dry season (May-October) and a wet season (November-April). Thanks to its high altitude, temperatures are moderate year-round during the day but drop sharply at night regardless of season.

Lima

Lima has a unique desert-coastal climate. It almost never rains (under 10 mm per year), but a persistent coastal fog called "garua" blankets the city from May through November. December through April are sunny and warm. The Humboldt Current keeps temperatures mild year-round.

Cusco

Cusco's historic center is compact and walkable, though the altitude makes uphills exhausting. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. There's no metro or formal bus system for tourists, but colectivos (shared minivans) connect to nearby towns.

Walkability: The historic center is very walkable but prepare for steep cobblestone streets and the effects of altitude on your stamina. The San Blas neighborhood is a beautiful but demanding uphill walk. Flat areas around the Plaza de Armas, San Pedro Market, and the main avenues are easy.

Lima

Lima's traffic is notoriously congested. The Metro Line 1 (above-ground) and the Metropolitano BRT (bus rapid transit) are the most efficient public transit options. Ride-hailing apps are the safest and most convenient way to get around. The city is working on expanding the Metro system.

Walkability: Miraflores and Barranco are very walkable with pleasant tree-lined streets and the coastal Malecon boardwalk connecting them. The Centro Historico is walkable during daylight hours. Between districts, you'll need transit — Lima is a sprawling city of over 10 million people.