Peru In December (Your Ultimate 2025 Guide)

Is It Worth Visiting Peru In December?

Quick Answer: Marking the end of quite an eventful year throughout Peru, December invites both more festivities as well as a further change in climate.

Whilst the month of November in Peru saw the beginning of the wet season, showers now in December will be heavier and more frequent – and especially so around the Andes and Amazon regions. Hiking is still good to do as long as you bring a poncho and the right expectations, and is especially good for those who want to experience bright green vegetation along many routes like the Inca Trail. Temperatures will also continue to warm up in the Andes, which is another positive for those who dislike the colder temperatures of earlier months.

During Peru in December we can also enjoy a much more festive atmosphere. Christmas and New Years around Cusco is a very memorable time, where we can get involved with parades and buzzing atmospheres. Of course prices will generally be more expensive around this high season period – however if you love atmosphere then it’s the perfect time to visit!

Important Things To Know:

• December sees the beginning of the heavier rains in the Andes and Amazon that last until March.
• Peru in December is high season, so we can expect both more crowds and higher prices during this month.
• Early weeks in December can be good for those who want a more authentic experience traveling through Peru.

The Pros Of Visiting Peru In December:

• This month is ideal for visiting cities like Cusco, Lima and Arequipa for their festive Christmas atmospheres.
• Temperatures continue warming up in the Andes and Coastal regions.
• Usually-popular hiking routes like the Inca Trail are less crowded in earlier weeks.

The Cons Of Visiting Peru In December:

• Heavier rains can put off travellers who prefer having clear blue skies everyday or want predictable weather.
• Prices can be more expensive for flights and accommodation.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Peru In December

Below we’ll now explore what Peru in December is like. This includes what the weather will be like, the best things to do during this month as well as a solid Peru packing list for December.

Best Things To Do In Peru In December

Without a doubt, one of the best things you can do in Peru in December is enjoy the holiday season festivities within Cusco. Whilst the city has a good atmosphere year-round, it really goes into overdrive this month and peaks with parades and events between Christmas and New Years. It’s also a great time to head on the Four Day Inca Trail trek for fresh vegetation and little crowds, as well as visit other highlights like Rainbow Mountain.

Another thing that’s worth doing in December is exploring the coasts of Peru. Given rainfall is absent anyway, what we can most benefit from during this month is warmer temperatures. This is especially so in Lima, where we will have nice clear blue skies most days (remember the microclimate here is different to the rest of Peru!). It’s also great for hitting the beaches of Lima, and those around Trujillo, Chiclayo and Piura.

The Weather Of Peru In December

Moving deeper into the wet season for Peru, the weather is both wetter and warmer around the country. An important note though is that Lima is warmer and dry – so it’s the perfect month to visit the Peruvian capital.

Whilst the wet season officially began in November, this month has quite a noticeable increase in rainfall within the Andes and Amazon regions. Be sure to keep this in mind when heading to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Huaraz, Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado – and to pack waterproofs ready in case there are heavy showers during your treks. The good thing is that the coastal regions remain arid and dry – so rainfall won’t be a concern in destinations like Lima, Mancora, Nazca and Huacachina.

Temperatures continue to rise in December, and are amongst their overall hottest for the year around Peru. This makes it more comfortable to visit the higher altitude Andes – where evening temperatures won’t be as chilly as they are in earlier months (although you’ll still need a jumper and coat ready). Within the coastal and Amazon regions, temperatures can get very hot in certain regions. Be sure to have good sunscreen ready, and to keep reapplying since it’s easy to get sunburnt if you are not careful. 

Packing List For Peru In December

Now that you’ve decided you want to visit Peru in December, the next important decision is working out what you need to bring. 

December in Peru marks even wetter weather than the previous couple of months, which is especially true in the Andes and Amazon regions – so you’ll need to prepare properly before your trip. Below we’ll share an ideal starting point for getting together your own Peru packing list.

• Thin layers (such as Shorts and T-Shirts for the warmer coastal and jungle regions).
• Swimming trunks / Bikini.
• A warm coat.
• Waterproofs / Poncho (for hikes in the Andes and Amazon Jungle).
• Thick layers (such as thick jumpers and a coat as given evening temperatures will still be cold in the Andes).
• Comfortable hiking boots for treks.
• A baseball cap or Andean hat.
• A hand towel.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sun and glare.
• High SPF sunscreen (we suggest using a minimum of SPF 30).
• Be sure to bring a thick hat, scarf, and gloves (for high altitude treks over 4000m in altitude).
• Insect Repellent (for the Amazon Jungle regions).
• A reusable water bottle.
• A day pack to hold everything you need during your treks and day trips.
• A quality camera or mobile phone.
• Medication for personal use.
• Padlocks which you can use for your bags when on longer treks or on public transport.
• Charging adaptors and power banks
• Extra batteries for your camera.

A Breakdown Of Peruvian Regions In December 

Are you still wondering what each particular destination will be like in December? Although we can’t cover them all in just one post (there’s hundreds throughout Peru), below we’ll explore the main destinations and what to expect with each.

The Coastal Regions

December in Peru’s coastal regions marks the true start to summer. Lima especially will benefit from more clear blue skies – which is perfect for heading out and enjoying the warmer temperatures. Given it virtually never rains in the capital, it’s ideal to head to many of the beaches found just south of Lima – including San Bartolo, Asia and Punta Negra. Places like these, along with Huacachina can get quite hot, so be sure to keep drinking lots of water and regularly reapplying sunscreen. December is also a nice time to head further north along Peru’s coasts too, where we can explore beaches, ancient ruins and ideal surfing conditions in both the beaches of Trujillo and Chiclayo. At the very north we’ll find Piura which has a more tropical feel – although be aware that temperatures here can get very hot in the peak of Peru’s summer season.

The Andes Regions

Whilst months like September and October in Peru saw a steady increase in temperatures for the Andes regions, here in December we can enjoy a much warmer climate. During the day this means hot temperatures in cities like Cusco and Huaraz, and around the Sacred Valley region. Nighttimes are still cold as always so you’ll need several layers ready – however they won’t be as extreme at what they can be between May and September. Rainfall levels begin to increase too during this month, so keep this in mind when heading on high altitude hikes and be sure to bring high quality hiking boots as well as a poncho and waterproofs. Sites like Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain can get quite crowded in the latter weeks – so if heading to either then be sure to book a tour with an early entrance to beat the crowds.

The Amazon Jungle Regions

Temperatures remain somewhat stable as we move into December, however the biggest change will be the levels of rainfall. Like with the Andes, during this month showers are both more frequent and heavier. Thankfully in the Amazon this extra rainfall does a good job of cooling us down during these hot temperatures – however you’ll still want to bring waterproofs and a poncho ready on your jungle treks. River levels will rise as a result, so December is quite a good time to spot many of the marine species found along the tributaries. In Iquitos this includes Pink River Dolphins and Anacondas, whilst in Tambopata you’ll have a better chance of seeing Giant River Otters and Caiman. Be aware that land transport can be difficult in these regions, given road conditions aren’t the best – so we highly suggest flying to these destinations if heading to the Amazon in December.

Our Top Tips For Visiting Peru In December 

The biggest question you’ll want to ponder – if you are considering heading to Peru in December – is which weeks are best for you and your plans. Firstly we have the first two weeks, which are generally quieter than the latter two. This, coupled with slightly less rainfall, makes it better to head to top bucket list destinations like Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail trek. You also won’t have to compete with giant crowds and tourist lines too within popular cities such as Cusco, Lima and Arequipa.

Your other choice is to head during the latter two weeks of December. This is when the atmosphere really amps up around the country, as we see many parades and celebrations for both the Christmas and New Years Holidays. This is a perfect time to visit Cusco if you want to get involved with the festivities, such as the famous runs around the Plaza de Armas when the clock strikes and marks the beginning of the new year.

Whatever time you choose to come, remember  to bring a variety of clothes if you plan on visiting multiple regions – as well as waterproofs for both the Andes and Amazon Jungle. Lastly, be sure to book your flights and accommodation far in advance for this month where possible, as prices start to increase further the closer we get to December. 

Overview Of Visiting Peru In December 

And that’s all for this guide to visiting Peru in December.

The final month of the year brings all kinds of magic and changes to Peru – regardless of where you are heading. Festivities and parades can be expected in the latter weeks, whilst overall warmer temperatures make it great to visit all of the regions. Of course we can expect more rainfall in the Andes and Amazon – so be sure to pack waterproofs ready for treks within these regions.

Visiting Machu Picchu is a must when heading to Peru, however in December there will be more crowds as it’s a peak season month. Book our Overnight Machu Picchu And Sacred Valley Tour, where you’ll get an early entrance to enjoy the site in peace before the tourist buses arrive – and also see many of the incredible ruins and towns of the Sacred Valley along the way.