Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Cusco in December
The year's rain peaks now, with about 5.4 in (137 mm) falling in Cusco, alongside highs near 62°F (17°C) and lows of 43°F (6°C).
Its comfort score of 68/100 is still Good, though it ranks 10th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 62°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 43°F (6°C)
- Rain
- 5.4 in (137 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 81%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 48 min
- Comfort score
- 68/100 · Good
What December feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 62°F (17°C), good for long walks.
Nights cool to an average low of 43°F (6°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.4 in (137 mm) falls in the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 81%.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – September.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 15.5 in (393 mm) in total.
- Longest days of the year, about 12 h 48 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 80/100 in November to 68/100.
- Our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends May – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 43°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Cusco in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Cusco Cathedral
16th-century cathedral with Cusco School paintings, including a Last Supper with guinea pig.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 5.4 in of rain.
San Blas
Steep artisan quarter of whitewashed lanes, workshops and a small colonial church.
Why now A good rainy-day backup in December.
Chicha por Gastón Acurio
Gastón Acurio's Cusco restaurant for regional Andean dishes in a colonial building.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.4 in of rain.
Cicciolina
Long-running upstairs restaurant and tapas bar blending Peruvian and Mediterranean cooking.
Why now Easy to slot in when December's rain moves in.
Museo del Pisco
Pisco bar with tasting flights and well-made pisco sours.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter December days.
Nearby in December
- Sacred Valley in December~16 mi · highs 64°F, 5.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Machu Picchu in December~46 mi · highs 68°F, 5.3 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~3,740 m to Cusco's ~3,336 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Cusco in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Cusco?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 68/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are May – September. Expect highs of 62°F (17°C) and 5.4 in (137 mm) of rain. Our Cusco & Machu Picchu route recommends May – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Cusco in December?
Average highs are 62°F (17°C) and average lows 43°F (6°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Cusco in December?
Yes: about 5.4 in (137 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.3 in (718 mm).
What should I pack for Cusco in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 43°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Cusco in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.