December in Cusco is rainy season, but it is a good time to travel: days are around 21 °C, nights are around 8 °C and the rain comes mostly in the afternoon, as showers. The landscape is green, the first half of the month is quiet and the month ends with the two most awaited festivities in the city: Santurantikuy, the Christmas fair on the 24th in the Plaza de Armas, and New Year in the same square. Here are the weather, which tours work best and how to plan those days.
Cusco weather in December
By day, in the sun, it is about 21 °C; at night it drops to about 8 °C, less cold than in the dry months. It rains on about 17 days of the month, usually in the afternoon and at night: mornings tend to start clear. In the mountains above 4,500 metres it can snow before dawn. These are averages for Cusco airport (NOAA 1991–2020 normals); the other months are in the best time to visit Cusco guide.
For your bag: layers, a proper waterproof jacket, a poncho and shoes that do not soak through. The full list is in what to pack for Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Is December a good time to visit Cusco?
Yes, if you plan your days around the afternoon rain. The good and the less good:
- For: a very green landscape, fewer people than from June to August, especially in the first half of the month, and the city festivities. Machu Picchu is open and so is the Inca Trail: it only closes in February.
- Against: rainy afternoons, slippery trails on the hikes and a chance of snow or cloud on the rainbow mountains.
- Keep in mind: in the second half, with the year-end holidays, more travellers arrive, and trains to Machu Picchu sell out sooner from December to January. Book train and ticket in good time; check the Machu Picchu ticket availability.
Which tours to do in December
| Tour | In December |
|---|---|
| City Tour | Runs all year. Best in the morning: rain usually arrives in the afternoon. |
| Sacred Valley | A very green valley and fewer people. Bring a waterproof. |
| Machu Picchu | Open. Early-morning mist usually clears by mid-morning: a ticket from that time is a good idea. |
| Rainbow Mountain | It can dawn with snow covering part of the stripes. Tours still go and the colours appear once the sun clears it. |
| Humantay Lake | The lake is still turquoise, but the trail is slippery and clouds can hide Salkantay. Tours still go. |
| Food tour | Largely indoors: a good plan for a rainy afternoon. |
An order that works: city and valley tours in the morning, free afternoons for the centre, markets and museums, and the high-altitude excursions after two or three days of acclimatisation.
Santurantikuy: the Christmas fair on 24 December
Santurantikuy, Quechua for «buying oneself a saint», is the great Christmas fair of Cusco. Every 24 December the Plaza de Armas fills with stalls of artisans from different parts of the country selling nativity scenes, figures for the crib and, above all, images of the Niño Manuelito, the Child Jesus whom people in Cusco dress as an Inca king. It used to be set up on the steps of the Cathedral.
Its origin goes back to the evangelisation of the 16th century, when demand for religious images made the workshops of local artisans grow. In 2009 it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation (National Directorial Resolution 1406/INC-2009). The main day is the 24th, although in recent years the stalls start going up days before. It is a good time to buy crafts directly from the people who make them; bring cash and watch your belongings in the crowd. The Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral are covered in the Cathedral and Plaza de Armas guide.
New Year in Cusco
On the night of the 31st the party is also in the Plaza de Armas: about 50,000 people welcomed 2025 there, with fireworks at midnight. Many wear something yellow and, after midnight, walk around the square for luck in the new year; some do it carrying a suitcase, to travel more. For the change from 2024 to 2025 the authorities limited the celebrations in the square to 2:00, so it is worth checking the rules each year.
If you want to do an excursion on 1 January, choose a relaxed one without an early start: the Sacred Valley or the South Valley work better than a mountain before dawn.
Tips for visiting Cusco in December
- Start early: mornings are the best part of the day. Keep afternoons for indoor plans.
- Book the second half of the month early: hotel, train and Machu Picchu ticket. Which train to choose, in the Machu Picchu train guide.
- Do not count on one fixed day for the mountain: if you have some slack, keep Rainbow Mountain or Humantay for the day with the best forecast.
- If you travel for Christmas or New Year, arrive two or three days before to acclimatise and enjoy the festivities without altitude fatigue.
Frequently asked questions
Does it rain a lot in Cusco in December?
It rains on about 17 days of the month, but mostly in the afternoon and at night, as showers. Mornings are usually clear and tours run normally.
Is it cold in Cusco in December?
Less than in winter: about 21 °C by day and about 8 °C at night. On the mountain excursions, before dawn, it is cold and it can snow.
Is Machu Picchu open in December?
Yes, Machu Picchu does not close in any month. The Inca Trail is also open in December; it only closes in February.
Can you visit Rainbow Mountain in December?
Yes. It can dawn with snow covering part of the stripes, but tours still go and the colours appear once the sun clears it. Bring a waterproof, hat and gloves.
What is Santurantikuy and when is it?
It is the Christmas craft fair in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, Cultural Heritage of the Nation since 2009. The main day is 24 December.
Where is New Year celebrated in Cusco?
In the Plaza de Armas, with fireworks at midnight and the tradition of walking around the square. About 50,000 people welcomed 2025 there.
Message us on WhatsApp with your December dates and we will put together a plan that makes the most of the mornings and the festivities.
