December is rainy season in Cusco and Machu Picchu, with showers most afternoons, but mornings are often clear and the Inca Trail is still open. On the coast it is the start of summer: Lima, Paracas and Huacachina are sunny and warm. Book early if you travel over Christmas or New Year.
| Season | Rainy season in the Andes · summer starts on the coast |
|---|---|
| Lima weather | Around 19-26 °C (66-79 °F), sunny |
| Cusco & Machu Picchu | Around 7-19 °C (45-66 °F), frequent afternoon rain |
| Crowds | Low in early December · high from Dec 20 to Jan 2 |
| Highlights | Santurantikuy market in Cusco (Dec 24) · New Year on the beach |
| Huacachina & Ballestas from Lima | From US$85 per person |
December in Peru is two trips in one. Up in the Andes it is the heart of the rainy season, with dramatic clouds and bright green valleys. Down on the coast, summer begins and Lima fills with sunshine, ceviche and beach days.
Here is what our local team tells travelers who ask us about December: what the weather really means for your plans, what is special about Christmas in Peru, and how to avoid the holiday price peak.
Table of Contents
Is Peru In December A Bad Idea?
No, as long as you plan around the rain. In Cusco and Machu Picchu it rains on many days, usually in the afternoon. Mornings tend to be clearer, so early starts make a big difference, and the landscapes are at their greenest.
If your trip is mostly about the coast, December is excellent. Lima’s grey winter is over, and the beaches, the Ballestas Islands and the desert oasis of Huacachina enjoy reliable sunshine. The only real downside is the holiday period: from about December 20 to January 2, flights, hotels and Machu Picchu tickets sell out and prices go up.
The Weather Of Peru In December By Region
Lima And The Coast
Summer starts on December 21, but it already feels like summer from the first week. Expect sunny days around 25 °C (77 °F) in Lima and hotter weather in Ica and Huacachina. It practically never rains on the coast.
Cusco, The Sacred Valley And Machu Picchu
This is the wet season. Rain often comes in the afternoon or overnight, and some days are fully cloudy. Temperatures are mild in the day and cool at night. Trails can be slippery, so good shoes with grip matter more than in any other month.
The Amazon
Rain is frequent and heavy at times, and rivers are high. Lodges keep operating and the jungle is full of life, but plan some flexibility in your excursions.
Christmas In Peru: What To Expect
Christmas in Peru is a family celebration that peaks on the night of December 24. At midnight families toast with sparkling wine, eat roast turkey and share panetón with hot chocolate, even in the summer heat of Lima.
In Cusco, the main square hosts Santurantikuy on December 24, a huge traditional market where artisans from the Andes sell handmade nativity figures, ceramics and textiles. It is one of the most beautiful days of the year to be in Cusco.
Is The Inca Trail Open In December?
Yes. The classic Inca Trail is open in December and only closes in February for maintenance. Permits are limited, though, and December dates sell out months in advance, so book as early as possible. If you cannot get a permit, the train to Machu Picchu runs every day and the Short Inca Trail is a good alternative.
The Best Things To Do In Peru In December
Beach Days And Food In Lima
December is the month locals start going to the beach. Combine a morning food tour in Miraflores with a sunset walk through Barranco, and try a cold chicha morada or a pisco sour as the day cools down.
Ballestas Islands, Wine And Huacachina
Sunny skies on the south coast make December one of the best months for a full day from Lima: sea lions and penguins in the Ballestas Islands, a pisco and wine tasting in Ica, and sandboarding in Huacachina at sunset.
An Early Morning At Machu Picchu
Take the earliest train and the first entrance slot you can get. You will have a better chance of clear views before the afternoon rain.
Santurantikuy And Christmas In Cusco
If you are in Cusco on December 24, spend the morning at the Santurantikuy market in the Plaza de Armas and join the celebrations at night.
What To Pack For Peru In December
- A reliable rain jacket and a small backpack cover for the Andes.
- Warm layers for cool nights in Cusco.
- Light summer clothes, swimwear and a hat for Lima and the coast.
- Strong sunscreen: the summer sun on the coast and at altitude burns fast.
- Shoes with good grip for wet trails at Machu Picchu.
Local buddy tip
If you travel over Christmas or New Year, book Machu Picchu entrance tickets and trains as soon as your dates are fixed: they are the first thing to sell out. For New Year’s Eve, many limeños head to the beaches south of Lima, while in Cusco people wear yellow for good luck and walk around the Plaza de Armas at midnight.
Full Day to Ballestas, Huacachina and Vineyards
About 15 hours, from Lima · From US$85 per person
Boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, a traditional winery in Ica and dune buggy + sandboarding in Huacachina, with transport from Lima.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the Andes, yes: Cusco and Machu Picchu are in the rainy season, with showers most afternoons. The coast, including Lima, Paracas and Huacachina, is sunny and dry.
Yes. Machu Picchu is open every day of the year. Book entrance tickets and trains early if you travel between Christmas and New Year.
Yes. The classic Inca Trail is open in December and closes only in February for maintenance. December permits sell out months in advance.
Families celebrate on the night of December 24 with roast turkey, panetón and hot chocolate. In Cusco, the Santurantikuy artisan market fills the main square on December 24.
Overview
December brings the rainy season to Cusco and Machu Picchu and the start of summer to Lima and the coast. Plan Andean visits early in the day, book Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail well ahead if you travel during the holidays, and enjoy sunny beach days, the Ballestas Islands and Huacachina on the coast. Christmas Eve in Cusco, with the Santurantikuy market, is a unique experience.
