Peru in December: Christmas in Cusco, Wet Season Deepens, and Amazon Flooding Begins

December is when Peru’s wet season accelerates and the Christmas cultural calendar fills Cusco’s colonial center with nativity scenes, processions, and holiday markets. The Inca Trail is operational but wet and muddy. Machu Picchu is frequently cloudy but occasionally spectacular. The Amazon is beginning its flood season. And Lima’s coastal spring sunshine is excellent for beach and city tourism. December spans two distinct Peru experiences depending on where you are.

Weather & Conditions

Cusco: 10–21°C. Wet season in full operation. Daily afternoon rain. Mornings still often have clear windows.

Machu Picchu: 14–22°C. Frequent cloud and rain. The lush green context of December Machu Picchu is beautiful in mist photography; frustrating in persistent rain.

Lima: 18–24°C. Excellent. The coast is sunny and the city is at its most livable.

Amazon: Flooding begins in December. River levels rising. The flooded forest access that peaks in January–March is beginning.

Paracas / Nazca coast: Dry year-round. Excellent for the coast.

What to Do

Christmas in Cusco: The month before Christmas fills Cusco’s Plaza de Armas with a Christmas market (Santurantikuy, December 24 market) — one of Peru’s most ancient Christmas fairs, where artisans sell hand-carved Nativity figures alongside Andean handicrafts. Midnight Mass at the Cathedral is elaborate. Hotels decorate in colonial Christmas style. December 24 Santurantikuy is the city’s most important annual market.

Machu Picchu Christmas: A specific tradition has developed of spending Christmas at Machu Picchu. The Aguas Calientes restaurants serve special Christmas menus; the citadel on Christmas morning with mist on the mountains is a memory. Book months ahead — Aguas Calientes hotels are at premium pricing for Christmas week.

Lima beach season: December–April is Lima’s summer on the coast. Miraflores and Barranco are warm, clear, and lively. The seafront Larcomar complex, the Circuito Mágico del Agua (world’s largest fountain circuit) in Parque de la Reserva, and the Larco Museum are all excellent.

Amazon entering flood season: December’s rising waters begin opening the flooded forest areas. Iquitos-based operators run Amazon tours that are transitioning toward the peak flood season experience. The giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica) are appearing. The pink river dolphins follow the rising water into the forests.

Inca Trail in December: Open and wet. Mud is significant but the trail is passable. December trekkers accept the wet conditions in exchange for lower permit demand and the specific beauty of the cloud forest in rain.

Festivals & Events

Santurantikuy (December 24, Cusco): The traditional Christmas artisan market on Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. Hand-carved nativity figures, pottery, textiles, and Andean Christmas decorations. Dating from the colonial period.

Christmas (December 25): National holiday. Midnight masses at churches across the country, family gatherings, and the Peruvian tradition of the chocolatada — hot chocolate with a gift distribution, particularly for children.

New Year’s Eve: Lima’s Costa Verde seafront and Cusco’s Plaza de Armas both run public celebrations with fireworks at midnight.

Practical Tips

Christmas week in Cusco (December 22–28): hotels and restaurants are at premium pricing. The experience is worth it if you specifically want the Christmas Cusco atmosphere — but book 4–6 months ahead.

Santurantikuy December 24: arrive at the Plaza de Armas by 6am for the best selection at the artisan stalls. The market runs from dawn and the best items sell out early.

Inca Trail December permits: available, but wet conditions are the honest warning. A rain jacket, waterproof boots, and pack cover are essential.

Who December Is For

Christmas cultural travelers who want the Santurantikuy experience and Cusco’s holiday atmosphere. Lima beach season visitors whose family travel windows fall in December. Amazon flood season early arrivals. And any traveler who wants the mist-and-rain version of Machu Picchu, which has a genuine beauty the dry season can’t replicate.