What to do in December in Peru: Activities, Festivities and Must-See Places

If you are looking for activities or what to do in December in Peru, this is a wonderful month to visit Peru. It is a wonderful month to visit Peru, as it has a variety of activities, festivities and unmissable places to enjoy the spring season. We present you a complete guide to make the most of your trip to Peru, in the month of December.

Highlights in Peru during December

• Lima: Squares and streets are illuminated with Christmas decorations, participate in midnight masses and public celebrations in places such as the Parque de las Reservas, which often hosts special events.
• Cusco, the Imperial city, combines Andean traditions with Andean Christmas celebrations, enjoy the craft fairs and local gastronomy during these dates.
• Regions: Experience authentic celebrations in towns such as Ayacucho or Puno, where festivities include a variety of dances and music native to the area. Festivities or other Celebrations

a. Beaches and North Coast

Peru has several beach destinations, if you want to vacation in front of the sea, enjoy the sun, sand, this piece of Peruvian coast is for you:

• Mancora (Piura): with a dry-tropical climate, not as humid as in other regions, hot, with radiant sunshine, crystal clear blue-green waters, one of the most beautiful and well-known beaches in Peru due to its central location.
• Vichayito (Piura): It is an impressive beach where sky and sea meet, considered as the most acclaimed destination by tourists, is an incredible paradise on the shores of the Pacific, July is perfect to visit for surfing.
• Yacila (Piura): Located in Paita, white sand, with green waters at the bottom and transparent on the shore, surrounded by rocky walls conducive to adventure sports, is less known but a perfect place to relax and enjoy the local cuisine and tranquility.
• Zorritos Beach (Tumbes): It is characterized by having a wide beach front, with hills of medium and small height, its shores of fine sand and calm waters free of pollution, rich in ichthyological species (Robalo, sole, sea bass, white fish). near the border with Ecuador.
• Punta Sal (Tumbes): Small beach resort, with paradisiacal and quiet beaches, due to its location, Punta al enjoys bright sunshine throughout the year.
• Pimentel (Lambayeque): offers a range of activities for all tastes, water sports ideal for surfing, sport fishing, paddleboarding and windsurfing, has the most important and longest pier in Peru with 695 m in length.
• Huanchaco (La Libertad): officially recognized as a World Surfing Reserve, this designation is the first for a Latin American location and the fifth in the world, fluid waves, the use of Caballitos de totora is very popular.

Peru has many more beaches that are not very visited, we have a total of 247 beaches, of which 96 are approved to receive visitors, they have the security conditions, if you want to know more we can give you more information about them.

• Paracas: Visit the Paracas National Reserve and take a tour to the Ballestas Islands to observe marine fauna such as sea lions and guano birds, Paracas has become one of the most attractive tourist areas of the Peruvian coast.
• Huacachina: Home to the largest dunes on the continent, known as the “Oasis of America” the lagoon is surrounded by a huge desert, huge dunes perfect for sandboarding or sandskiing.

b. Adventure Tourism

• Trekking to Machupicchu Inca Trail (Cusco): Trekking of 4, 3, 2 days, the one we recommend you to do is the one of 4 days, considered one of the best routes with landscapes that combine history with nature, you will visit the ancient Inca sites, we recommend you to make your reservation in advance from 6 months to more.
• Salkantay Trekking: It is one of the most imposing mountains in the Andes Mountains, its summit reaches 6,271 meters above sea level, making it the fifth highest mountain in Peru. Throughout the hike travelers experience a variety of landscapes from glaciers to mountains and snow-capped mountains, an alternative if you did not manage to book the Inca Trail.
• Machupicchu: The city has an impressive structure with terraces, temples, plazas and roads, designed with great engineering knowledge, which made the structures resist earthquakes and the passage of time.
• Seven Colors Mountain: Also known as Vinicunca is an impressive natural destination located in the Peruvian Andes, this geological phenomenon has gained great popularity in recent years due to its incredible colorful appearance, which makes it a unique place in the world.
• Peruvian Amazon: it is an ideal place for Ecotourism, since it allows the traveler to enjoy in a responsible way a great variety of Flora and Fauna which attracts ecotourists, biologists and adventurers interested in nature observation, you can see species like the jaguar, the pink dolphin, spider monkeys, and a variety of birds such as macaws, toucans and parrots.

What to do in Lima in December

December is one of the best months to visit Lima, not only because of the Christmas holidays but also because of the summer weather.

• Living Christmas in Lima is magical, one of the places is the Historic Center of the city, where the streets are illuminated, the emblematic buildings are dressed up, you can walk through the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace you will be surprised with the lighting for the Christmas holidays, you can also find food stalls, Christmas crafts.
• Part of our gastronomy is also an important part of Christmas, we offer numerous dishes, special typical menus as well as creative fusions, from the traditional stuffed turkey, paneton, delicious desserts, various cultural activities and Christmas festivals are organized.
• Lima as a capital offers you different visits, such as museums, squares, markets, as well as the Sato Domingo Convent, the Urban Art Festival in Barranco, or closing the year in the Main Square of Lima.

What to do in Arequipa in December

Arequipa or “Ciudad Blanca” (White City) likewise celebrates Christmas, a city that lives with fervor the arrival of the Child Jesus, which over the years has been undergoing transformations, the good night December 24 and it is customary for the family to go out to do Christmas shopping for a Christmas dinner.

• One of the most awaited traditions to enjoy is the celebration of the Yunza, a cultural event where dance and music are mixed in a healthy competition, where participants decorate a tree with gifts and perform a dance around the tree.
• Go for a stroll through Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas and enjoy a night walk, adorned with Christmas lights and decorations, as well as a walk through the Arequipa countryside and contemplate the majestic Misti volcano.
• Visit the Colca Canyon and have a night in the Colca, enjoy the starry nights, and if you are very lucky enjoy the flight of the condors.

What to do in the Peruvian Jungle in December

• December is considered one of the rainy months, in the Peruvian jungle concentrates the highest rainfall, 80% of the rainfall in the region, the Amazon jungle of Peru is divided into 2 high jungle and low jungle, consisting of the departments of Amazonas, Loreto, San Martin, Ucayali, Madre de Dios, and part of the department of Cusco and Puno.
• We can visit the Amazon, and one of the places that we recommend the KUELAP, located in the district of Tingo, province of Luya, an archaeological site, shows an enigmatic construction, with its narrow streets, has administrative spaces, religious, ceremonial, and housing, you could say it was a city, for its great walls, and its strategic location, surrounded by nature, so we also have the LAKE OF THE CONDORS OR LAKE OF THE MONKEYS, It is located in the province of Chachapoyas, private conservation area of the Chilchos, in the rural community of Leymebamba, tourist destination for adventurous men and women, able to make their way through swampy terrain, steep and slippery slopes, this hike can be 3 or 4 days to know the sacred sepulchral mausoleums of more than 1200 years, to go boating, trout fishing, an excellent place for adventurers.
• We have the Sauce Lagoon (San Martin), where you can enjoy thermal spa treatments, explore natural areas, and experience wildlife. The Quistococha Tourist Complex (Loreto) is a recreational center featuring a stunning white-sand area, recognized as a “National Tourist Park.” The Manu National Park (Madre de Dios), a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Cusco and Madre de Dios regions, is home to an exquisite biodiversity. It is globally renowned for protecting a wide variety of flora, with 2,000 to 5,000 species ranging from high Andean grasslands to diverse types of forests, including cloud forests—a truly marvelous destination.
• The Boquerón del Padre Abad (Ucayali) is a 3-kilometer-long canyon, named after Father Abad, who discovered it in 1757. It is characterized by natural vegetation covering high mountain hills with a variety of species, making it the perfect place to breathe fresh air.

Festivities and Celebrations in December in Peru

December, the upcoming celebrations in Peru.

• Sunday, December 8, Immaculate Conception, considered as a national religious holiday, date on which commemorates the conception of the Virgin Mary, and it is tradition that on this date the younger schoolchildren receive the Sacrament of First Communion.
• Monday, December 9, commemorates the Battle of Ayacucho, which commemorates the historical confrontation that consolidated the Independence of Peru.
• On December 24, Christmas Eve, mothers go to the market to prepare the Christmas dinner, which can be a delicious suckling pig, turkey, broth Cusqueño, and the inevitable chocolate and paneton, which are already part of our traditions.
• The most important festival of Cusco in these dates of the Birth of Jesus, Christmas Cusqueña- SANTURANTIKUY, this festival has fair days on 23, 24 December, a festival where artisans from all neighborhoods of Cusco and other districts are concentrated, done expose their works, Christmas works made in various techniques such as ceramics, silverware, textiles, imagery and many others. You will be able to see works in ceramics such as Niños Manuelitos, the central character of the Fair, accompanied by Cusquenian nativity scenes, clothes to dress the Manuelitos children.
• While Cusco, and other parts of Peru are celebrating the Christmas holidays, in the District of CHUMBIVILCAS, department of Apurimac is celebrated on December 25 THE TAKANAKUY, celebration of the community, which is faced by men, women who can hit, throw kicks, but it is forbidden to hit an opponent when he is on the ground, a manifestation of courage and a means to resolve disputes.
• On December 31, it is common for families to gather at home to celebrate the new year, perform the cabalas buying yellow flowers, eat grapes, wear yellow clothes, and enjoy the Lechon, Caldo, Chocolate, and it is very traditional and common for people to walk around the Plaza de Armas.

Weather in Peru in December: What to Expect?

Peru is divided into 3 regions: coast, highlands and jungle, while the highlands and jungle are in rainy season, sometimes with sunny days, rainbow outings, visits to tourist sites will take place normally with the necessary precautions, in the north of Peru if you are looking for sun and a warmer climate you can enjoy the squares of the coast, boating and sports in the sea of Peru.

Popular Tourist Places for December in Peru

Peru offers a diverse range of climates, and in December, you can choose between warm weather or cooler destinations. Some places you might consider visiting include:

• Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lagoon, and many other sites around the city of Cusco.
• Chavín Archaeological Site in the Ancash region.
• Huascarán National Park in the Ancash department.
• Lima, featuring its Historic Center.
• Nazca Lines and Geoglyphs in the Ica region.
• Colca Canyon and the Santa Catalina Convent in Arequipa.
• Lake Titicaca in the Puno region.
• The northern coast of Peru, known for its stunning beaches.

Tips for Traveling to Peru in December

Depending on the destination you choose to visit in Peru:

• Get travel insurance that offers you the best coverage.
• The first and most important thing is that, depending on your travel destination, you may need certain vaccines. If you’re traveling to the Amazon or areas with malaria, or planning a trip across Peru, you will need vaccines for typhoid, dengue, hepatitis A and B, rabies, and other routine vaccinations.
• Keep in mind that in Peru, your passport is not stamped upon entry, so make sure to note the date of your arrival. Agencies and hotels will ask for this information.
• Depending on the place you choose and the dates, which are important, make sure to book in advance, especially for Machu Picchu, and consider purchasing Circuit 2, which we highly recommend.
• If you’re traveling to high-altitude places, such as Rainbow Mountain, Colca Canyon, or areas above 3,000 meters, and even up to 5,000 meters, it’s important to consider the altitude. We recommend taking care of your health and allowing at least 2 days for your body to adjust. Start at a lower altitude, avoid excessive or fatty foods, and drink plenty of fluids like water or coca tea to help your body adapt gradually.
• Once you have a clearer idea of how many days you’ll stay in Peru and plan for a longer stay, we recommend spending about 3 weeks in the country to explore all three regions of Peru.
• December is the rainy season in the Peruvian highlands. We recommend bringing warm clothing, rain ponchos, and proper hiking shoes.
• The currency used in Peru is the Sol. While you can pay with a credit card, we recommend carrying cash. ATMs are available everywhere, but not all of them are the same. Be mindful of where you withdraw your money, as some, like the GlobalNet ATMs at the airport, may charge up to $10 per transaction.

Recommendations for December and New Year’s in Cusco, Peru

• For Christmas dinners: If you want to enjoy a Christmas dinner with your partner or family, it’s recommended to make your reservation at least a month in advance. Between December 15th and 25th, many corporations, universities, and other groups make reservations for their holiday dinners, so finding a place that suits your preferences can be very difficult.
• Christmas at your hotel in Cusco and other parts of Peru: Many 4-star hotels offer Christmas Eve dinners on the 24th, complete with shows and party favors. These are not included in the hotel rate and are not exclusive to hotel guests. If you’re staying at a 2- or 3-star hotel, don’t worry—these dinners can be reserved through your travel agency or directly by you.

Entrance to Machu Picchu in December

If you’re planning to visit Machu Picchu between December 20th and 25th, you should be cautious and make your reservations in advance. These dates are in high demand, and if you’re unable to secure an entrance ticket, there are other options to access Machu Picchu (consult with a preferred and registered agency).

Why are the tickets to Machu Picchu not on sale at the end of the year?

The tickets to Machu Picchu starting from December 26th are still not on sale, as the Ministry of Culture is closing out the current year and preparing for the new one. In fact, travel agencies like ours are not informed either, and we must wait for the system to open up and begin the ticket sales. Possible reasons for the delay include finalizing new rates, route changes, etc. For these and many other reasons, we recommend making your reservation in advance, and as a travel agency, we do our part by staying on top of things to help you avoid the stress caused by the uncertainty of securing tickets to Machu Picchu.