Cusco in December: weather, Christmas and tips
December is Cusco's festive, green and quietly rewarding month. It's the start of the rainy season, so the landscapes glow emerald and crowds thin — and the city fills with Christmas spirit, including one of South America's great Christmas markets. Here's what to expect and how to plan around the rain.
December weather in Cusco
December marks the beginning of the green (rainy) season. Don't picture all-day downpours: mornings are often clear and bright, with rain arriving as afternoon showers. Temperatures are mild and nights are less bitterly cold than the dry season. The hills turn lush and green, and Machu Picchu takes on a moody, atmospheric beauty.
| Aspect | December |
|---|---|
| Rain | Moderate — afternoon showers likely |
| Daytime | Mild, often bright mornings |
| Nights | Cool but milder than June |
| Scenery | Lush, green, dramatic skies |
Santurantikuy and Christmas in Cusco
December's cultural highlight is Santurantikuy on 24 December — one of the largest traditional artisan markets in the Americas, when the Plaza de Armas fills with hundreds of craftspeople selling nativity figures, ceramics and Andean Christmas decorations. The city is festive and atmospheric throughout the month, with a uniquely Andean take on Christmas. It's a wonderful, authentic time to visit.
Fewer crowds, lower prices
Outside the Christmas and New Year peak, December is quieter and cheaper than the dry-season months — fewer crowds at Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, and better value on flights and hotels. The late-December holidays are an exception, when domestic travel picks up. If you want the green-season calm, early or mid-December is ideal.
How to plan a December trip
Schedule your key activities for the morning, when skies are clearest, and keep a flexible buffer day for weather. Lower, sheltered experiences — Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the markets — are reliable; treat high exposed day trips like Rainbow Mountain as a bonus. Note the Inca Trail stays open in December (it only closes in February). Pack a good rain layer — see our rainy-season guide and packing list.
Visiting in December?
Green-season calm and festive markets — we'll plan around the weather.
Frequently asked questions
December can be excellent: lush green scenery, festive Christmas markets, fewer crowds and lower prices. It's the start of the rainy season, so expect afternoon showers and plan key activities for the morning.
December is the early green season — bright mornings with afternoon showers, mild temperatures and nights less cold than the dry season. The landscapes turn lush and green.
Santurantikuy is a huge traditional artisan market held in Cusco's Plaza de Armas on 24 December — one of the largest in the Americas, selling nativity figures, ceramics and Andean Christmas crafts.
Yes, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are both open in December. Only the Classic Inca Trail closes, and that is in February, not December.
