What should I bring to wear in Cuzco, Peru?
Question by LisaH: What should I bring to wear in Cuzco, Peru?
I will be in Cuzco from July 15th through the 24th. I will be building houses for the majority of the afternoon, so I want to be prepared for that, but I’m not sure if the weather will really feel like 70 degrees when we’re at a higher elevation. Any advice?
Best answer:
Answer by dr_lager
That time of year it will feel hot while you’re in the sunshine (t-shirt weather), cooler in the shade (because of the altitude), and it will get cold every night. Jeans are good, and you can easily buy sweaters in the markets in Cuzco made of alpaca if you get too cold at nighttime.
I hope you have given yourself a day or so to get acclimated to the altitude before you start working – to help with sorroche (altitude sickness) don’t run around too much, and drink mate de coca.
August 11th, 2011 at 12:48 am
I was in Cusco the last week of July last year (before going to southern Peru to build houses!)
Depending on where you’re from, it can feel chilly to downright cold in the mornings; my travel clock has a built-in thermometer, and the temperature in my room in the morning was in the mid to low 50s!
The elevation didn’t have much effect on my perception of the temperature. Do be aware that the elevation really takes some adjusting to if you’re not accustomed to it. I arrived on a Wednesday morning and by dinnertime had quite a headache – a combination of the altitude, insufficient sleep the night before, and mild dehydration. It wasn’t until Friday that I felt good all day long – and that’s the day I went on my day trip to Machu Picchu, which is at a lower elevation than Cusco.
I was really glad that our build area was at a much lower elevation!
I’d advise taking layers of clothing so you can add and subtract as needed. The sun can be stronger than it feels at that elevation, so make sure to wear your sunscreen!
August 11th, 2011 at 12:54 am
i think is cold so… use whatever u want to make u warm