Cusco

Cusco Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Cusco, Peru in December.

Thinking about venturing to Cusco, Peru this December and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Cusco in December

Cusco, Peru is a region in Peru. December in Cusco generally has temperatures that range from mild to pleasant, with heavy precipitation.

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is mild in Sicuani at 14°C (57°F) and pleasant in Quillabamba at 21°C (70°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 13°C (55°F) in Quillabamba and 2°C (36°F) in Sicuani. On average, December is the month with the highest temperature of the year in Cusco, Peru.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Cusco, Peru, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From heavy rainfall in Cusco with an average of 208 mm (8.2 in) to heavy rainfall in Quillabamba with 322 mm (13 in).

Average sunshine

Most places get a reasonable amount of sunshine. Take Cusco as an example - it receives around 155 hours of sunlight, offering a nice mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. Want to compare this with brighter destinations? Try our weather planner to explore your options.

Explore Cusco by month

Best Places to Visit in Cusco in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Cusco.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Cusco

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Cusco, Peru?

Temperature range in Cusco (December)

Precipitation variation in Cusco (December)

Cusco

In December Cusco generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
16°C (61°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
6°C (43°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly sun hours
193 hours
155 hours
141 hours
Monthly rainfall
128 mm (5 in)
208 mm (8.2 in)
242 mm (9.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
15 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Machu Picchu

In December Machu Picchu generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
16°C (61°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
193 hours
155 hours
141 hours
Monthly rainfall
200 mm (7.9 in)
259 mm (10 in)
279 mm (11 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
14 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Urubamba

In December Urubamba generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C (57°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
14°C (57°F)
14°C (57°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
5°C (41°F)
5°C (41°F)
Monthly sun hours
193 hours
155 hours
141 hours
Monthly rainfall
170 mm (6.7 in)
236 mm (9.3 in)
257 mm (10 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
17 days
20 days
Weather conditions

Ollantaytambo

In December Ollantaytambo generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C (57°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
14°C (57°F)
14°C (57°F)
14°C (57°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
5°C (41°F)
5°C (41°F)
Monthly sun hours
193 hours
155 hours
141 hours
Monthly rainfall
192 mm (7.6 in)
245 mm (9.6 in)
262 mm (10 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
16 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Pisac

In December Pisac generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
15°C (59°F)
15°C (59°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
6°C (43°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly sun hours
193 hours
155 hours
141 hours
Monthly rainfall
163 mm (6.4 in)
243 mm (9.6 in)
274 mm (11 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
16 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Cusco, in Peru.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Cusco in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Cusco 16°C (61°F) 6°C (43°F) 208 mm (8.2 in)
Machu Picchu 16°C (61°F) 8°C (46°F) 259 mm (10 in)
Urubamba 14°C (57°F) 5°C (41°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Ollantaytambo 14°C (57°F) 5°C (41°F) 245 mm (9.6 in)
Pisac 15°C (59°F) 6°C (43°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Huaran 14°C (57°F) 5°C (41°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)

Cusco weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Cusco, Peru in December?

December in Cusco, Peru brings poor weather. In Cusco, daytime temperatures are typically around 16°C (61°F) and nighttime lows hover near 6°C (43°F).

What is the average temperature in Cusco, Peru in December?

Cusco averages a daytime maximum of 16°C (61°F) in December, with overnight lows close to 6°C (43°F).

Does Cusco, Peru get a lot of rain in December?

Yes. December brings heavy rainfall to Cusco, Peru, with Cusco averaging around 208 mm (8.2 in). Expect frequent showers and pack accordingly.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Cusco, Peru?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Cusco, December may not be the ideal time to visit Cusco, Peru.

On average, the best time to visit Cusco, Peru is in June, July and August with generally pleasant weather in Cusco. The weather in January, February, March and December, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Cusco.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Peru? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Peru.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.