Machu Picchu Weather in December 2026: what to expect (4.1/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in December

Even in winter, Machu Picchu enjoys 21.0°F. A real asset for escaping the European cold. With 96.0% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.

December ranks 9 out of 12 months in Machu Picchu.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

UV index

8 · very high

protection essential

Feels like

comfortable

14°

Daylight

12.8h of daylight

Air quality

excellent

AQI 19

Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Machu Picchu is July (7.7/10), 3.6 pts higher than December.

See July →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Machu Picchu, at 7,900 ft altitude, is the world's most famous Inca archaeological site: 6000 visitors/day capped via timed tickets. July is my favorite month (7.9/10): 52-70°F, 34% rain, Peruvian dry season, generally clear skies.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Machu Picchu

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

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🎟️ Activities & tours · Machu Picchu

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.

Country · Peru

🗣️LanguageSpanish

💶CurrencyPeruvian Sol (S/)

🚗DrivingRight-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate

📈Climate trend ⓘStable

🔥Hottest monthJanuary · 70°F

❄️Coolest monthJune · 68°F

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘFebruary · 98%

🏛️ City break

📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August

☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round

🚇Public transportGood

Explore

Other destinations in December

If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

FijiFiji

São ToméSão Tomé and Príncipe

Nearby

Other top picks

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Machu Picchu ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

Peru

Temperate climate with a 7.7 → 4.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

13.16°S · 72.55°W

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?

July is the best month with 70°F highs, 52°F lows, 7.1h of sunshine and 34.0% rainy days. The months of July & June offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Machu Picchu get in July?

Machu Picchu averages 7.1 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.2/10.

What is the rainiest month in Machu Picchu?

January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Machu Picchu in July?

In July, overnight lows reach 52°F, while afternoon highs average 70°F.

Is Machu Picchu good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Machu Picchu scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 7.2/10.

When should you avoid Machu Picchu?

January is the most difficult month to visit Machu Picchu, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Do you need sun protection in Machu Picchu in December?

The average UV index reaches 8 in December in Machu Picchu (very high), with about 12.8h of daylight. Protection essential.