South America

Peru in December

Holiday travel bumps crowds despite the rain. Fine for a Cusco-plus-train trip with flexible days; less fine for multi-day treks.

TradeoffsWet season proper, Cusco highs near 68F (20C); Lima brightening into summer

Machu Picchu, Peru — PeruPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Peru. Holiday travel bumps crowds despite the rain. Fine for a Cusco-plus-train trip with flexible days; less fine for multi-day treks.

Weather: Wet season proper, Cusco highs near 68F (20C); Lima brightening into summer
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What December is like in Peru

December is wet season proper in the Andes, with Cusco highs near 68F (20C) and regular rain. Holiday travel bumps crowds and prices despite the weather. Lima brightens into summer, sunny and warm. Occasional landslides can interrupt trains and trails, so build in slack days.

It suits families on holiday doing a flexible Cusco and Machu Picchu trip by train, and anyone who wants Lima's summer. It is less suited to multi-day treks, when trails turn slippery and views disappear into cloud. For the classic trails, wait until May or September.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Peru this month.

Christmas in Cusco

The city's markets and plazas are festive for the holidays, a lovely time to be in town.

Lima's summer begins

The coast turns sunny and warm, ideal for long lunches and ocean walks.

Green Andes

The rains turn the mountains a deep green, great for photos between showers.

What to pack for December

A waterproof jacket
Waterproof shoes
Warm layers for chilly nights
Summer clothes for Lima

Our timing tip

Book Machu Picchu tickets and trains early for the holiday weeks, and keep a flexible day after.

Book Peru for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Peru
Opens a hotel search for Peru in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Peru
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Peru
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Peru for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Peru

Full guide

Machu Picchu

Entry runs on timed tickets and fixed circuits, with daily caps; buy weeks or months ahead in high season. First-slot mornings and late afternoons are the calm ends of the day.

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The Inca Trail

The classic four-day approach through cloud forest and ruins to the Sun Gate. Permits are capped and sell out months ahead for May through September, and the trail closes every February.

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Cusco

The Inca capital wearing a baroque colonial shell: Qorikancha, the San Pedro market, and stone alleys at 11,150 feet. Arrive two days before any trek to acclimatize.

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The Sacred Valley

Pisac's market and ruins, Moray's crop-circle terraces, the Maras salt pans, and Ollantaytambo's fortress. Sleeping in the valley beats commuting from Cusco.

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A Salkantay or Lares trek

The great Inca Trail alternatives: higher and wilder on Salkantay, more village-based on Lares, with far easier booking and the same dry-season calendar.

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The Peruvian Amazon

Fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado for accessible lodges, or deeper via Iquitos. Warm and wet all year; dry-season months bring lower rivers and easier wildlife trails.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Aim for May or September: both sit inside the dry-weather window while dodging the June-through-August permit scramble and price peak.
At Machu Picchu, book the first morning entry or the final afternoon slots: the site breathes at the ends of the day, while late morning belongs to the train-tour wave.
Sleep in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo the night before your visit rather than day-tripping from Cusco: you gain the quiet hours and lose the 4am bus panic.
Choose the Salkantay or Lares treks over the Inca Trail if permits are gone: comparable scenery, a fraction of the booking stress, and quieter campsites.

Know before you go

The Inca Trail closes for all of February, every year, for maintenance during the rains. Machu Picchu itself stays open year-round, reachable by train and bus, and alternative treks like Salkantay continue operating, weather permitting.
Machu Picchu runs on strict daily caps, timed entries, and defined walking circuits, with add-on peaks like Huayna Picchu capped even tighter: in high season, tickets must be secured weeks to months ahead, not at the gate.
Wet-season disruption is real but manageable: January through March can bring landslides that occasionally interrupt the rail line and close trails; build slack days around any rainy-season Machu Picchu visit.
Altitude is the invisible gatekeeper: Cusco sits at about 11,150 feet, higher than most visitors have ever slept. Plan two easy days before trekking, hydrate, and consider starting in the lower Sacred Valley.

Peru in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Peru?

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Peru. Holiday travel bumps crowds despite the rain. Fine for a Cusco-plus-train trip with flexible days; less fine for multi-day treks.

What is the weather like in Peru in December?

Wet season proper, Cusco highs near 68F (20C); Lima brightening into summer.

Is Peru crowded in December?

Crowds in Peru are moderate in December; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.