Cusco events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Qorikancha and Santo Domingo, Cusco Cathedral, plus Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco. December in Cusco averages 21°C / 70°F highs, 8°C / 46°F nights, and about 16 rainy days.
Expect 21°C/70°F days and about 16 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Qorikancha and Santo Domingo★ 4.7 · 20.7k reviewsThe Inca Temple of the Sun was overbuilt by the Santo Domingo convent, leaving precise stone walls visible inside the colonial complex.
- Cusco Cathedral★ 4.6 · 2.2k reviewsThe cathedral was built from the 16th to 17th centuries on the site of an Inca palace.
By TripSapien · Updated November 3, 2026
Cusco in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
70°F / 46°F
21°C / 7.9°C
RainPrecipitation
16d
4.7in · 120mm
LightDaylight
12.8h
December is wet and festive, with holiday demand and rain delays affecting rail and road plans.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 24
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival calendar
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 8Immaculate ConceptionPublic holiday
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 5-Dec 8Long weekend with bridge day
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
About Cusco
City overview
Cusco sits at about 3,400m in the Andes, where Inca stonework, Spanish churches, San Blas lanes, and Sacred Valley logistics all meet. The first-trip map is Plaza de Armas and the historic center for museums and churches, San Blas for artisan streets, and the Sacsayhuamán ridge for the closest archaeological sites.
Food & drink
Cusco food reads like a high-altitude Andean map: cuy is usually roasted or fried whole, rocoto relleno stuffs a hot pepper with seasoned meat, and chiri uchu is a cold Corpus Christi festival plate with guinea pig, chicken, sausage, cheese, seaweed, and corn. San Pedro Market, San Blas cafes, Plaza de Armas dining rooms, and picanteria-style lunches add alpaca, quinoa soup, lomo saltado, tamales, choclo con queso, and coca tea.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco
- 2Museo Inka
- 3San Blas
- 4Plaza de Armas
- 5Sacsayhuamán
- 6Twelve-Angled Stone
- 7Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay
- 8San Pedro Market
1Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco
4.7★ · 529indoorClosed SunThe textile center documents Andean weaving traditions, community techniques, and regional clothing. It stands near Avenida El Sol and is a good source for non-generic souvenirs.
2Museo Inka
4.2★ · 2,074indoorClosed SunThe museum occupies a colonial mansion and covers Inca history, pre-Inca cultures, ceramics, mummies, textiles, and conquest-era material. It sits near the cathedral.
3San Blas
mixedThe hillside artisan quarter climbs above the center with galleries, steep lanes, cafes, workshops, and small plazas. It is beautiful but demanding on the first day at altitude.
Show 5 more sights
4Plaza de Armas
Cusco main square was the ceremonial center of the Inca capital and later the Spanish colonial city. The cathedral, Church of the Society of Jesus, arcades, restaurants, and tour offices face the plaza.
5Sacsayhuamán
The huge stone fortress and ceremonial site rises above Cusco, with zigzag walls and views back over the city. It is close enough to walk from San Cristobal, but altitude makes a taxi start reasonable.
Wikipedia6Twelve-Angled Stone
The famous fitted stone sits in an Inca wall on Hatun Rumiyoc, now part of an old palace wall below San Blas. It is a quick stop that shows the precision of Cusco masonry.
Wikipedia7Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay
These archaeological sites sit northeast of Cusco along the road above Sacsayhuamán. They work as a half-day circuit by taxi, tour, or horseback route.
8San Pedro Market
The market near the train tracks has juice stalls, soup counters, fruit, textiles, flowers, and daily grocery commerce. It is the practical food stop in the historic center.
Neighborhoods
1Centro Historico
The historic center is dense, high, and walkable, with Plaza de Armas, cathedral, Qorikancha, museums, arcades, hotels, and constant tour movement.
2San Blas
San Blas is steep and artistic, with workshops, cafes, galleries, viewpoints, guesthouses, and stone lanes that punish rushed altitude pacing.
3San Pedro and Santiago
Southwest of the plaza, San Pedro and Santiago feel market-driven and local, with the food hall, rail tracks, busier commerce, and cheaper eats.
Show 27 more neighborhoods
- 4San Cristobal and Sacsayhuamán slope
The upper slopes above the center are quiet and scenic, with church viewpoints, stairs, ruins access, and strong sunsets over Cusco roofs.
- 5Avenida El Sol and Wanchaq
This modern spine has banks, agencies, hotels, transit offices, the Qorikancha edge, and practical services beyond the old lanes.
- 6Lucrepata and Recoleta
East of San Blas, these residential hills add guesthouses, cafes, views, and a calmer base for travelers staying longer before treks.
- 7Asoc Virgen Concepcion
- 8Avenida El Sol
- 9Balconcillo
- 10C.p Pisac
Pisac is a Peruvian town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, known for its Incan ruins and a large market. It sits on the Urubamba River, with places like Pisac Market and Sofra Culinary Cafe.
- 11Coripata
- 12Cusco Region
Puka Pukara, ruins of a fort that defended the Inca Empire, overlooks the Cusco valley and Tambomachay. The region offers archaeological sites and city parks.
- 13Distrito de Wánchaq
- 14Magisterial
A commercial area with dining and shopping options. It contains Ekeko Grill Peruano, Cervecería Zenith, and Amantani Alpaca Knitwear on Calle del Medio.
- 15Mercado Vinocanchon
- 16Qosqo Ayllu
- 17Quispicanchi
- 18Rosaspata
- 19San Jerónimo
- 20San Sebastián
- 21Santiago
- 22Susucalle
- 23Ttio
A pizzeria called Del tío Al.
- 24Urb Atoqsaycuchi
- 25Urb Conquistadores
- 26Urb los Marqueses
- 27Urb San Sebastian
- 28Urb Uchullo Grande
- 29Villa San Blas
Villa San Blas in Cusco features the Q'enco Archaeological Complex, an ancient megalithic site with Incan temple remains and rock-carved tunnels. Nearby there are hamburger restaurants, archaeology museums, and spots like JC's Cafe Cusco and Chakruna Native Burgers.
- 30Wanchaq
Wanchaq has local stops such as Mercado de Ttio and Mercado Wanchaq, where vendors sell organic products and crafts. The area also features Artesanias Llancaqmaki, known for souvenirs, alpaca items, and traditional textiles.
Day trips
110km / 3.5-4h by train via Poroy or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes plus bus
Machu Picchu
The Inca citadel is the headline trip, but tickets, train times, and entry circuits must be booked in advance. Many travelers sleep in Aguas Calientes or the Sacred Valley to reduce the day pressure.
35-70km / 1-2h by car, bus, or colectivo from Cusco
Sacred Valley: Pisac and Ollantaytambo
Pisac terraces, markets, Ollantaytambo fortress, and valley villages make the best acclimatizing day before Machu Picchu.
100km / about 3h by van plus high-altitude hike from Cusco
Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca is visually striking but sits above 5,000m, so acclimatization, weather, and physical limits matter more than photos.
Getting around
Cusco historic core is walkable but steep, and taxis or colectivos are useful for Sacsayhuamán, bus terminals, Poroy station, and Sacred Valley departures. Spend the first day slow at altitude before booking hard hikes or dawn departures.
Planning a Cusco trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Cusco in December
- Best rainy-day things to do in Cusco in December
December averages 16 rainy days in Cusco, so keep these indoor stops as realistic backups.
- Qorikancha and Santo Domingo — The Inca Temple of the Sun was overbuilt by the Santo Domingo convent, leaving precise stone walls visible inside the colonial complex. It stands a short walk southeast of Plaza de Armas.
- Cusco Cathedral — The cathedral was built from the 16th to 17th centuries on the site of an Inca palace. Its chapels, carved choir, paintings, and silver altar define the Spanish layer of the plaza.
- Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco — The textile center documents Andean weaving traditions, community techniques, and regional clothing. It stands near Avenida El Sol and is a good source for non-generic souvenirs.
- Museo Inka — The museum occupies a colonial mansion and covers Inca history, pre-Inca cultures, ceramics, mummies, textiles, and conquest-era material. It sits near the cathedral.
- What to pack for Cusco in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Cusco checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 21°C / 70°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 8°C / 46°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 16 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Cusco
- 4 days covers the main Cusco highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
Show 1 more question
- Is Cusco worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in Cusco averages 21°C / 70°F highs, 8°C / 46°F nights, and about 16 rainy days.
Ready to plan Cusco?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Cusco plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.