Peru Travel In December
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on June 26, 2023 by James Bustamante
Peru travel in December can be exciting. Travelers would visit the country during the coastal springtime, going into the summer, and traveling to Cusco and Machu Picchu right before the heavy rains hit the highlands.
December is also a low-travel month in Peru, so if you intend to avoid long lines and multitudes of crowds, it might be a perfect time. However, towards the end of December, this changes when Cusco is flooded with travelers (mostly locals from Lima) to participate in the new year’s celebrations. Below are some of the critical points for Peru travel in December.
Peru December Weather
December in Peru is a time of contrast regarding the weather. The weather in Lima, for example, is usually warm during December. We have an average temperature of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (16-21 centigrade) with mostly sunny skies.
By the end of December and the first weeks of January, Peruvians are already enjoying summer throughout the coastal region. Therefore, it is n fantastic time to visit the city of Lima or any other location in western Peru.
The highlands are a completely different story regarding the weather in December. We are into the rainy season, and it shows. In Cusco and Machu Picchu, you’ll find early morning and afternoon showers; some days might have heavier rain than others. Temperatures can vary from the ’50s to the 70’s Fahrenheit (14-21 centigrade) throughout the day.
December is still an excellent time to visit Machu Picchu, and you can still take a Machu Picchu Hike like the Inca Trail without any issues. If you want to take a hike like the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in December, we recommend bringing a rain poncho and preparing for early morning rain. Any point in December is the latest we recommend taking any hike across the Andes before a January and February break.
Peru Travel in December is Perfect For Avoiding Large Crowds
Crowds during December are minimal and perfect for anyone that prefers to travel during the least hectic months. The long lines or large groups of travelers you typically find during July in Machu Picchu are nonexistent.
You are also much more likely to be able to get Huayna Picchu permits to include in your trip; this is typically something you’d have to book several months in advance. Granted, you won’t get that perfect early morning Machu Picchu photograph of the sun rising over the Andes in the background, but that shot is challenging to get at any point in the year.
If you want to join a group tour but typically shy away from large crowds, Peru travel in December will have small groups of fewer than 5-6 people. As a result, destinations like the Sacred Valley, The Rainbow mountain, or Humantay lake will seem almost deserted at certain times. The only tradeoff is that it might drizzle throughout the day, and in some cases, you might have a full-fledged thunderstorm. Rainy days are more common after mid-January and all of February, but there is always a slight chance of a December storm.
Peru Celebrations in December
December might not be the most festival-focused month for Peru regarding local holidays. The biggest celebrations you’ll find are the same as in most of the world, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. There are a few particular celebrations, like The Anniversary of Madre de Dios or the Santurantikuy artisan celebration. Still, they are not the big parties that typically occur between April and August in the highlands.
The celebrations might not be particular to Peru, but New Year’s eve in Cusco is a sight to behold. Cusco tends to be a popular new years destination for “Limenos” and other Peruvians due to the Andean theme the celebration seems to acquire. Parties and festivities are going on throughout the city of Cusco, in the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and many other localities. People dress in yellow to welcome the new year and celebrate until the following day.
A few travelers also prefer to take a different approach to end-of-the-year celebrations in Cusco and Machu Picchu. Many opt to take a multiway hike like the Inca trail that lets them enter the Inca citadel on the first, just in time to be one of the few people to have a Machu Picchu tour on January 1st.
So, Is December a Good Month For Peru Travel?
Yes. December is an excellent month to travel to Peru due to the great weather in the coastal region and the availability and access to many activities in the highlands that would generally bring crowds. In addition, you can plan to have a few days in ima and visit some southern destinations like the Nazca Lines, the Paracas nature reserve, and the Ica vineyards.
Afterward, you can fly to Cusco for a few days by joining day trips and hikes before heading to Machu Picchu for the guided tour. If you aren’t bothered by the rain and the mostly gray skies, December is a pleasant month to travel around Peru.
Packing List For December Travel To Peru
Traveling to Peru in December will put you in a unique scenario where you can bring summer clothing for the Lima portion of the trip and a completely different set of clothes to deal with the typical rainy days in Cusco and Machu Picchu. Below is a list of both destinations.
Packing List For Lima and Coastal Region
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Hat or cap
- T-shirts/shirts/pants
- Jacket (evenings)
- Camera
Packing List For Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Hat or cap
- T-shirts/shirts/pants
- Hiking style pants
- Coat (evenings)
- Camera
- Insect repellent
- Chapstick or lip balm
- Rain poncho
Conclusion
Peru Travel in December can be an enjoyable experience in any destination in the country as long as you understand the pros and cons. Yes, it will be rainy in Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the rest of the highlands, but there will be fewer tourists and almost no lines. In addition, Lima and the Peruvian coast will be in spring but going into the summer so expect warmer weather. Contact our expert travel advisers today for more information on traveling to Peru in December or any other time of the year.
Cover Photo by Jacob Thorson
