Cusco in December
Visiting Cusco in December: rainy-season weather, Christmas and the Santurantikuy market, New Year in the Plaza de Armas, day trips and what to pack.
By J. José Rodríguez, Founder / CEO
Cusco in December is green, festive and wet. It is the rainy season, so expect showers most afternoons, but mornings are often bright and the city fills with Christmas life: nativity scenes, hot chocolate, the famous Santurantikuy market on Christmas Eve and a lively New Year in the Plaza de Armas. The first half of the month is quiet; from around December 20 the holiday crowds arrive. This guide covers the weather, what is on, what to do and how to plan.
Cusco in December at a glance
| Season | Rainy season |
| Weather | Average high 21 °C, low 8 °C; showers most days, often in the afternoon |
| Rain | 125 mm on average, on about 17 days |
| Crowds | Low in early December, high from about December 20 to early January |
| Main events | Santurantikuy (Dec 24), Christmas, New Year’s Eve in the Plaza de Armas |
| Machu Picchu | Open every day; December 30–31 are high-season capacity dates in 2026 |
| Inca Trail | Open (it closes in February) |
| Booking | Book hotels and trains early for Christmas and New Year |
1991–2020 averages for the Cusco airport weather station (WMO climate normals, NOAA). High hikes such as Rainbow Mountain and Humantay are much colder.
Weather in Cusco in December
December is in the middle of the rainy season, which runs from November to March. A typical day starts sunny or partly cloudy, with showers building in the afternoon and evening. Days are mild, with average highs of about 21 °C, and nights are cool, around 8 °C on average, but rarely freezing as they are in June or July.
At 3,400 m the sun is strong even on cloudy days, so wear sunscreen. Streets can be slippery when wet, especially the stone steps of San Blas.
Machu Picchu, lower and warmer, has similar rain in December. Read Machu Picchu in December if you are combining both.
Christmas and New Year in Cusco
- Chocolatadas (all month): communities, schools and charities share hot chocolate and panetón with children, a much-loved Christmas tradition in the Andes.
- Immaculate Conception (December 8): a national holiday in Peru.
- Santurantikuy (December 24): a huge market in the Plaza de Armas where artisans sell handmade nativity figures, ceramics, textiles and the Niño Manuelito, Cusco’s version of the Christ Child. It is busy, colorful and one of the best days of the year to be in the city.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: families gather for a late dinner and midnight mass; on December 25 many shops are closed and the city is quiet.
- New Year’s Eve (December 31): crowds fill the Plaza de Armas at midnight, many wearing yellow for good luck and walking around the square for a year of travel. Fireworks light up the hills.
Things to do in Cusco in December
- Explore the historic center in the morning, when the weather is usually better: the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Qoricancha and the twelve-angled stone. Our Cusco city tour covers the main sites in an afternoon.
- Plan indoor options for rainy afternoons: the Museo Inka, the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, a chocolate workshop or a Peruvian cooking class.
- Visit San Pedro market for fruit juices, Christmas bread and local food.
- Take a day trip to the Sacred Valley, green and lower than Cusco. See our Sacred Valley guide.
- Visit Machu Picchu, ideally with a night in Aguas Calientes for more time if the morning is misty, as on our Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour.
More ideas in Is Cusco safe? and our list of Cusco tours.
Day trips and hikes in December
High-altitude hikes are possible but less predictable in December:
- Rainbow Mountain: clouds or snow can hide the colors. Go only if you have flexible dates.
- Humantay Lake: open, but the trail is wet and slippery; the lake can be in the clouds.
- Inca Trail: open in December, with fewer hikers than in the dry season. It closes for all of February.
If you have only one day for a hike, keep a backup plan, such as the Sacred Valley.
Pros and cons of Cusco in December
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Christmas atmosphere and the Santurantikuy market | Rain most afternoons |
| Quiet first half of the month | Busy and more expensive around Christmas and New Year |
| Green landscapes and mild nights | High hikes can be clouded or snowy |
| Easy availability early in the month | Trains and hotels sell out over the holidays |
Booking tips for December
- Christmas and New Year: book hotels, trains and Machu Picchu tickets as early as you would for the dry season.
- Early December: one of the easiest times of the year to find space, often just one or two weeks ahead.
- Keep a flexible day at the end of your trip in case rain delays a train or closes a road.
- Travel insurance with cancellation cover is worth having in the rainy season.
What to pack
A waterproof jacket or poncho, quick-dry layers, a warm fleece for the evenings, shoes with good grip, sunscreen, a hat and a small umbrella for the city (umbrellas are not allowed inside Machu Picchu). See our full packing list.
Other months
Comparing dates? Read Cusco in November and Cusco in January, or see Machu Picchu that month in Machu Picchu in December.
Tours
Plan this with a local team
Cusco day tour
Cusco City Tour
Half-day guided tour of Cusco: Qoricancha, the Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán and three nearby Inca sites. All entrance tickets included.
Machu Picchu journey
Machu Picchu 2 Days
Spend a night in Aguas Calientes and enter Machu Picchu early. Train, hotel, subject to availability ticket and guide included. Huayna Picchu add-on available.
Cusco day tour
Sacred Valley Tour
Full-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas with buffet lunch and every entrance fee included. Classic or Maras & Moray route.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Cusco?
Yes, if you do not mind some rain. Cusco is green and festive in December, quiet in the first half of the month and busy over Christmas and New Year.
What is the weather like in Cusco in December?
Rainy season: average highs of about 21 °C, lows of about 8 °C and showers most days, usually in the afternoon. Mornings are often sunny.
What is Santurantikuy?
A huge Christmas market held on December 24 in Cusco's Plaza de Armas, known for handmade nativity figures, crafts and the figure of the Niño Manuelito.
Is Cusco busy at Christmas and New Year?
Yes. From around December 20 to early January, hotels, trains and Machu Picchu tickets sell out faster. December 30–31 are high-season dates for Machu Picchu capacity.
Can I visit Machu Picchu from Cusco in December?
Yes. Machu Picchu is open every day, and the Inca Trail is open in December. Expect rain and mist, and keep a flexible day in case a train is delayed.
What should I wear in Cusco in December?
Layers, a waterproof jacket or poncho, shoes with good grip, sunscreen and a warm layer for the evenings.