Month guide · Cusco · Peru
Cusco in December
What December is really like in Cusco: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chalisimo5, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 6°C (43°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 12.9 hours of daylight. Rainy, but the Christmas market fills the Plaza de Armas on 24 December.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 6°C (43°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 12.9 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 7th-warmest month in Cusco: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 6°C (43°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with November (21°C (70°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:16
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 18:11
- Daylight
- About 12.9 hours
Shoulder season (April and October). Mostly dry with occasional showers, green landscapes in April and fewer crowds.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Santurantikuy — Christmas craft market in the Plaza de Armas (24 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Street · Historic Centre
Hatun Rumiyoc and the Twelve-Angled Stone
This narrow street between the Plaza de Armas and San Blas is lined by the wall of an Inca palace, later the Archbishop's Palace.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · San Blas
San Blas quarter
Come in the late afternoon and have coffee on a terrace looking down over the city's roofs.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Couples
- Shopping
Religious site · Historic Centre
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús
The Jesuit church on the Plaza de Armas, built on the palace of the Inca Huayna Capac, has an elaborate baroque façade designed to outshine the cathedral.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Art
Market · San Pedro
San Pedro Market
Grab a fruit juice blended to order at the juice stalls, and keep your bag in front of you.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Photo spot
- Shopping
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 6°C and 15 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Cusco?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Cusco in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Cusco?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Rainy, but the Christmas market fills the Plaza de Armas on 24 December.
+How warm is Cusco in December?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cusco in December?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.