Can You Climb Machu Picchu In December?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Is it open? The first point to be made clear is that

both the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are open during December

. In fact, Machu Picchu remains open all year-round and the Inca Trail is only closed in February for yearly repairs. Therefore, hiking to Machu Picchu in December is certainly an option.

Is December a good time for Inca Trail?

For obvious reasons, the dry season or the shoulder seasons is the ideal time of year for trekking the Inca Trail. December to April:

The rainy season starts in December, and continues to March

. January and February are the rainiest months.

How cold is Machu Picchu in December?

The difference between temperature highs and lows is not much this month: you’ll have highs around 68° F (20° C) and

lows around 45° F (7° C)

. December sees this swathe of the Andes approach its highest rainfall of the year, although there are always breaks in the showers.

Is December a good time to go to Peru?

Visiting Peru in December — February


December to February can be the best time of year to visit Peru if you are travelling to the coastal regions, especially in the north

. You can expect temperatures to be hot and sunny at around a pleasant 29 ̊C. There will be very little rainfall in coastal regions.

What is Peru like in December?

The desert strip: Peru’s coast in December is

sunny, dry, and warm

—noticeably more so than previous months. This region includes Mancora, Trujillo, Lima, Paracas, and Arequipa. Lima is pleasant in December and averages highs of 75° F (24° C) and lows of 64° F (18° C).

Is December a good time to visit Cusco Peru?


The best time to visit Cusco is from June to mid-September

. Though temperatures hover in the mid- to upper 60s throughout the year, the city sees fewer rain showers during its winter months. Still, this is peak tourist season, so expect plenty of fellow trekkers beside you as marvel at iconic sites.

How rainy is Peru in December?

The amount of rain in December is

high with an average of 120mm (4.7in)

. It rains on average a total of 16 days. The average maximum daytime temperature lies around 20.9°C (69.62°F). This makes December the hottest month of the year.

How is Costa Rica in December?

The beaches and lowlands experience

high temperatures in the seventies to mid-eighties and low temperatures in the sixties to mid seventies

. A day or two of temperatures in the mid nineties is possible at low elevations and especially on the Nicoya coast during December.

What should I wear to Machu Picchu in December?

  • Warm jackets for the early morning and late arrival back to Cusco.
  • Long pants are recommended for the whole trip.
  • Comfortable shoes for hiking.
  • Light, long sleeve shirts for Machu Picchu warm weather.
  • Hat, cap, or something to protect against the strong sun in Machu Picchu.

What is the best month to visit Machu Picchu?

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is the shoulder seasons;

April, May, September, October, and November

. There is still little rain expected during these months, and it is away from the cold winter nights of the dry season. Also, during these months there will be fewer visitors.

Is January a good time to visit Machu Picchu?


January is one of the rainiest times of year to visit Machu Picchu

(after February, the height of rainy season, and tied for second-wettest with March)—but it is also one of the warmest months in the Peruvian highlands, with highs around 66°F (19°C) and lows around 45°F (7°C).

What is the best time of year to visit Machu Picchu?

The

winter (May – September)

is the driest season and therefore the best time of year to travel, especially if you’re planning to visit Cusco or trek to Machu Picchu. The summer (December – March) is warmer of course, but is also the wettest season, with frequent heavy showers.

How hot is Peru in December?

Weather in December


Lima stays around 75°F

, and temperatures rise as you head north towards the equator. Rain falls but temperatures stay moderate (68°F during the day) across the mountain regions, such as Cusco and Huaraz. Nighttime temperatures remain mild, at around 45°F.

Which is the best country to visit in December?

Some of the best countries to visit during this festive month of December are the USA (especially New York and Vegas for New Year’s Eve), Czech Republic (for its fairy tale Christmas in Prague), Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand; as well as Dubai, Hong Kong and Malaysia for amazing shopping!

How hard is Machu Picchu?

The easiest approach is by train from Cusco along the floor of the Urubamba Valley, then by bus up to the entrance of the ruins. Alternatively, from the station at Aguas Calientes you can opt to take a strenuous walk up to Machu Picchu –

expect it to take 90 minutes to two hours

.

What is the coldest month in Peru?

Average Temperature in Peru

The cold season lasts for 3.3 months, from December 4 to March 13, with an average daily high temperature below 37°F. The coldest month of the year in Peru is

January

, with an average low of 12°F and high of 27°F.

What is the best month to go to Peru?

The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season between

May and October

, especially if you plan to go on a trek. It is a wonderful time, with sunny days and bright blue skies, but early booking is crucial because it’s the peak season.

Is Lima worth visiting?


Lima is worth seeing

It’s home to more than a quarter of Peru’s roughly 30 million people, has wonderful food, the beautiful Miraflores district (where you can drink while overlooking beaches lined with small rocks that form eye-catching patterns each time the tide rolls out) and excellent museums.

Do you have to pay to use the bathroom in Machu Picchu?

5. There Are No Bathrooms Beyond the Main Entrance. You’ll find a small snack bar, restaurant and bathroom just outside the gate at Machu Picchu before you enter the site — which

costs one sol, or about 30 cents to use

— but that’s all folks.

What is winter like in Peru?

In winter (June to October) you can expect

cloudy skies, day temperatures of around 30°C (86°F) and cooler temperatures as low as 16°C (61°F) at night

. The central and southern Peruvian coast, however, is heavily influenced by the cold Humboldt Current.

Is Peru expensive to visit?

For us independent travelers,

Peru can be a very inexpensive destination

, even though you will have to blow your budget to hike the Inca Trail or get out to Machu Picchu on the train and back. For a backpacker, yes, Peru is still a cheap place to travel.

How do you get from Lima to Machu Picchu?

There is no direct connection from Lima to Machu Picchu. However, you can take the taxi to Lima airport, fly to Cuzco, take the taxi to Cusco, take the bus to Ollantaytambo, take the walk to Ollantaytambo, then take the train to Machu Picchu.

What’s the weather like in Argentina in December?

December Weather in Buenos Aires Argentina.

Daily high temperatures increase by 4°F, from 78°F to 82°F, rarely falling below 71°F or exceeding 89°F

. Daily low temperatures increase by 4°F, from 65°F to 69°F, rarely falling below 57°F or exceeding 75°F.

Is Costa Rica safe in December?

Serene, wild and marvellous, Costa Rica is admired by many tourists and is

a safe place for holidaying as well

. Truly an adventure paradise, Costa Rica boasts national parks, active volcanoes, and beaches.

Is December cold in Costa Rica?

December Weather in San José Costa Rica. Daily high temperatures are around 77°F, rarely falling below 73°F or exceeding 80°F.

Daily low temperatures are around 64°F, rarely falling below 61°F or exceeding 67°F

. The highest daily average low temperature is 64°F on December 23.

Is December dry in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica Weather in December

This happens in much of Central America during this time of the year.

Areas around San José are relatively dry during December

, receiving around 1.6 inches of rainfall, but other regions like Manuel Antonio on the Pacific side and Limón on the Caribbean side receive much more.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.