Stay in Lima in December
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December is when Lima wakes up. The garúa, that stubborn grey coastal fog, smothers the city from May through November. By early December the cloud layer starts to break, and Limeños see genuine sunshine for the first time in months. Temperatures push into the low 20s°C (low 70s°F) during the day, with nights staying in the high teens Celsius (mid 60s Fahrenheit). The air still carries that damp, salt-edged weight off the Pacific, but without the bone-deep chill of July. If you've been picturing tropical December heat, recalibrate. Lima's coastal desert climate stays temperate even at the height of summer.
This is also the opening act of Peru's holiday season. Panetón boxes stack floor to ceiling in every Wong and Metro supermarket from early December onward, and the countdown to Nochebuena and Año Nuevo takes over the calendar. Hotel pricing in Miraflores climbs for the final 2 weeks, and availability tightens. Worth noting, many Limeño families leave the city during this period, heading north to beaches in Máncora or Punta Sal, so some residential neighborhoods feel quieter than you'd expect during the holiday itself.
To be fair, December sits in a transitional spot. You'll still get overcast mornings in Miraflores that don't burn off until noon. The clear-sky summer that January and February deliver hasn't arrived. If you have flexibility, late January through March gives warmer days and more consistent sunshine. But December has its own pull. The restaurant scene in Barranco and San Isidro operates at holiday strength, and the Malecón de Miraflores catches evening light past 6:30pm, near the latest sunset of the year.
Why visit in December
- The garúa lifts after months of grey overcast, and Lima gets its first sustained sunshine since April. Outdoor dining along the Malecón, cliff walks, and paragliding above Costa Verde all become viable again.
- Lima's restaurant scene, regularly ranked among the world's strongest, operates at holiday intensity through December. Seasonal tasting menus and Nochebuena specials appear at restaurants across Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro.
- Mild temperatures make sightseeing at the Larco Museum (founded 1926), Huaca Pucllana, and Centro Histórico comfortable without the sweat or sunstroke risk that cities like Cartagena or Guayaquil deliver in December.
- Beach season along Costa Verde opens up. The rocky coves from the Miraflores cliffs down to Chorrillos draw swimmers and sunbathers from mid-December onward, without the sardine-packed density of January.
Worth knowing
- Holiday pricing hits hard. Accommodation in Miraflores and Barranco rises well above shoulder-season levels for the December 20 to January 5 window, and domestic flights within Peru follow the same pattern.
- December 25 and January 1 shut the city down almost completely. Most restaurants, shops, and museums close, and public transit runs reduced schedules. December 24 closes early too, since Nochebuena is the main event.
- Morning overcast persists through mid-December. You might wait until noon for the cloud layer to break, which limits half-day sightseeing plans if you're on a short trip and hoping for blue skies in your photos.
- Pickpocket reports to Lima's tourist police tend to increase from mid-December through New Year's, especially in Centro Histórico and on crowded Metropolitano buses.
Best for
Think twice if
December marks Lima's transition from the grey, cool garúa season into summer. The marine cloud layer that defines the cooler months begins to break, though mornings still come in overcast more often than not. Afternoons tend to clear, especially in the second half of the month. You'll typically see about 2 rainy days, though 'rain' in Lima means thin drizzle, not downpours. Humidity sits at 81%, which you feel as a thin film of moisture on your skin rather than tropical heaviness. Day-to-day variation is small, with temperatures rarely straying far from the averages. The Pacific water temperature off Costa Verde reaches about 18-19°C, cool enough that most swimmers don't linger.
Seasonal caution
- UV radiation in Lima is deceptively strong year-round due to the city's proximity to the equator and the thinning ozone layer over the Andes. December's clearing skies expose visitors to levels that don't match the mild temperature. Apply sunscreen even on overcast mornings, and reapply after the cloud burns off at midday.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24 | 20 | 7 |
| Feb | 25 | 21 | 16 |
| Mar | 25 | 20 | 11 |
| Apr | 23 | 19 | 1 |
| May | 21 | 17 | 1 |
| Jun | 20 | 15 | 1 |
| Jul | 19 | 14 | 0 |
| Aug | 19 | 14 | 1 |
| Sep | 19 | 14 | 1 |
| Oct | 19 | 15 | 1 |
| Nov | 21 | 16 | 1 |
| Dec | 22 | 18 | 8 |
Holidays and festivals in December
Public holidays
- Immaculate Conception(Inmaculada Concepción)8 December 2026
- Christmas Day(Navidad)25 December 2026
Best things to do in December
Sunset paragliding from the Miraflores cliffs
adventureTandem paragliding launches from the clifftop park above Costa Verde. You soar over the Pacific with Lima's skyline behind you, about 80 meters above the waves. Flights typically last 10-15 minutes, and the operators handle everything. No experience needed.
The garúa lifts in December, and late-afternoon visibility improves dramatically after months of grey. Thermal conditions strengthen as summer approaches, giving pilots longer, smoother flights than during the winter.Booking tipWalk-up operators line the Malecón near Parque del Amor. Weekday afternoons have shorter waits than weekends, and the light between 4pm and 5:30pm tends to be best for photos.
Evening tour of Huaca Pucllana
cultureThis illuminated pre-Inca adobe pyramid sits in the middle of Miraflores, flanked by modern apartment buildings. The nighttime visit lights the stepped terraces in amber against the city skyline. The adjacent restaurant serves Peruvian fine dining with the pyramid as a backdrop, and the warm glow from the ruins bleeds into the dining terrace.
December's warmer evenings make the outdoor walking portion of the night tour comfortable for the first time since April. The site's lighting shows best against partly cloudy December skies rather than the thick grey ceiling of winter.Booking tipNight tours run Wednesday through Monday. Book the last slot of the evening for smaller groups and cooler air.
Christmas food crawl through Surquillo and Miraflores
foodWalk from Mercado de Surquillo through the surrounding streets into Miraflores. Taste seasonal tamales, panetón from competing bakeries, fresh Piura mangoes, and ceviche. The market's stalls pack in extra holiday stock by mid-December, and the smell of roasting corn and frying seafood carries from the entrance.
Seasonal holiday foods like tamales navideños and panetón appear only from late November through early January. The market hits peak inventory in the 2 weeks before Christmas, and you won't find this selection in any other month.Booking tipGo before 10am on weekday mornings for the best selection and smallest crowds. No booking needed.
Coastal walk from Miraflores to Barranco
outdoorThe Malecón clifftop path runs about 4km from Parque del Amor in Miraflores south to the Puente de los Suspiros in Barranco. The route passes parks, sculptures, and lookout points with Pacific views. End at a Barranco bar for pisco sours as the sun drops below the water.
December's clearing skies bring back the sunsets that Lima's overcast winter hides for months. The walk in the late afternoon catches golden light over the Pacific, with sunset around 6:20-6:30pm.Booking tipNo booking needed. Start walking by 4:30pm to reach Barranco in time for sunset. Wear shoes with some grip, since the path has sandy patches near the Barranco end.
Larco Museum visit
cultureThe Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre houses over 45,000 pre-Columbian artifacts across a restored 18th-century vice-royal building. The underground erotic pottery gallery is unlike anything in any other museum on the continent. The garden cafe serves lunch surrounded by bougainvillea, and the collection spans ceramics, textiles, and gold work from cultures that predate the Inca by centuries.
December's mild, dry weather makes the museum's garden areas and outdoor cafe genuinely enjoyable rather than damp and grey. The museum sees fewer visitors in early December than during the January-February peak tourist season.Booking tipVisit on a weekday morning. The museum opens at 10am and the first 2 hours tend to be quietest. Allow 2-3 hours for the full collection.
Circuito Mágico del Agua at night
entertainmentThirteen illuminated fountains in Parque de la Reserva put on choreographed water and light shows after dark. The tallest fountain shoots water about 80 meters high. The park opened in 2007 and holds a Guinness record for the world's largest fountain complex in a public park. You can walk through several of the fountains, and the mist feels good on warm December evenings.
December evenings are warm enough to enjoy the outdoor fountain displays without the heavy jackets that winter visits require. The holiday period adds special Christmas-themed light programming to the regular shows.Booking tipArrive by 7pm to walk the full circuit before the main show. Weekend evenings draw larger crowds. Bring a towel if you plan to walk through the tunnel fountain.
Day trip to Pachacamac
cultureThis archaeological complex sits about 30km southeast of central Lima. It served as a pilgrimage site for over 1,500 years before the Spanish arrival. The Temple of the Sun perches on a bluff overlooking the Lurín Valley, and the on-site museum displays textiles and ceramics recovered from the ruins. The dry, desert landscape smells of dust and warm stone.
December's warmer temperatures and clearing skies make the exposed desert site more comfortable than winter visits, when the garúa turns the ruins damp and grey. Morning visits in the first half of the month avoid the stronger afternoon sun.Booking tipHire a taxi for the round trip rather than relying on infrequent buses. A half-day is sufficient for the ruins and museum.
What to eat in December
In season: fruit
Mango
Peruvian mango season starts in December. The Kent and Haden varieties from Piura and Lambayeque arrive at Mercado de Surquillo still warm from the north, with that dense, almost resinous sweetness that cold-chain imports lose entirely. Look for the smaller, fiber-heavy criollo variety too.
Chirimoya
Custard apple season overlaps with early summer in Peru. The fruit at Lima markets in December is fragrant, creamy, and at a price point that would shock European buyers. Mark Twain reportedly called it the most delicious fruit known to man. Eat it cold, split open with a spoon.
On menus now
Ceviche with summer corvina
Summer brings fresher, more varied catches to Lima's cevicherías. December corvina tends to be firmer and cleaner-tasting than winter stock. The acid of the leche de tigre hits differently when the weather is warm and you're eating at a counter in Chorrillos with salt air on your face and the sound of surf behind you.
What to drink
Chocolate caliente
Hot chocolate on Nochebuena is non-negotiable in Limeño households. Made thick, often with Peruvian cacao from the San Martín or Cusco regions, and served alongside panetón. Some families add a splash of pisco. The cacao has a rounder, less bitter profile than West African beans.
Festival food
Panetón
Peru consumes more panettone per capita than Italy. By December, every bakery and supermarket stocks dozens of brands. Donofrio and Milano are the local favorites. Limeños eat thick slices with hot chocolate on Nochebuena, and the boxes double as gifts through the month. The texture should be soft and eggy, not dry.
Tamales navideños
Homemade tamales appear at family tables for Christmas morning and Año Nuevo. Lima's version wraps seasoned pork or chicken with olives and hard-boiled egg in banana leaf. Market stalls in Surquillo and street vendors across Miraflores sell them fresh from early December, often from family recipes.
Regular events in December
Inmaculada ConcepciónFree
Public holiday across Peru. Religious processions wind through Centro Histórico, and many businesses close for the day. The Cathedral of Lima, which dates to 1535, holds a special mass that draws large crowds to Plaza Mayor.
December 8Feria del Libro Ricardo PalmaFree
Lima's annual outdoor book fair in Parque Kennedy, Miraflores. Publishers, booksellers, and authors set up stalls along the park's paths. It typically runs from late October into the first or second week of December, so you may catch the tail end.
Late October through early December (closing varies by year)Navidad (Christmas)Free
Nochebuena on December 24 is the main celebration for Limeño families, with late-night dinners of turkey, panetón, and chocolate caliente. December 25 is a quiet public holiday when the city largely shuts down. Plaza Mayor hosts a large nativity scene and Christmas lighting from mid-December.
December 24-25Año Nuevo (New Year's Eve)Free
Fireworks over the Pacific along Costa Verde, house parties across the city, and the tradition of wearing yellow underwear for good luck in the new year. Miraflores and Barranco host the largest public gatherings along the clifftops.
December 31Best places this December
Malecón de Miraflores
parkThe clifftop walkway stretching about 10km along Lima's coast is at its best in December as the garúa lifts and Pacific sunsets return. Parque del Amor, with its Gaudí-inspired mosaic walls, sits near the midpoint. The path connects to paragliding launch points and lookouts over the surf breaks below.
MirafloresMercado de Surquillo
marketLima's workhorse food market, where locals shop for seafood, fruit, and spices. In December, the aisles fill with seasonal mangoes from Piura, Christmas tamales, and stacks of panetón. Prices run about half of what tourist-facing markets charge, and the ceviche counters serve some of the freshest fish in the city.
SurquilloPlaza Mayor and Centro Histórico
historic districtLima's colonial heart gets Christmas lighting and a large nativity scene from mid-December. The Government Palace's daily changing of the guard draws bigger holiday-season crowds. The surrounding pedestrian street Jirón de la Unión fills with holiday shoppers carrying bags of panetón and gifts.
Centro HistóricoBarranco
neighborhoodLima's bohemian neighborhood comes into its own on warm December evenings. The Puente de los Suspiros leads down to the Bajada de los Baños, and the surrounding streets hold galleries, bars, and street art. December's longer, warmer evenings let you linger on terraces in a way that the damp chill of winter never allowed.
BarrancoParque de la Reserva
parkHome to the Circuito Mágico del Agua, this park in the Santa Beatriz area works especially well for evening visits in December. The warm air and the mist from the fountains combine into something almost theatrical. The surrounding gardens are well lit and safe for families.
Santa BeatrizCosta Verde beaches
beachThe string of rocky coves and sandy stretches below the Miraflores and Chorrillos cliffs opens for beach season in December. Playa Makaha draws surfers, while Agua Dulce in Chorrillos is the most popular swimming beach. Water stays cool but the sand warms nicely by early afternoon.
Miraflores and ChorrillosParque Kennedy
parkMiraflores' central park fills with outdoor cafe tables in December as the weather improves. The resident cat colony lounges under benches in the afternoon warmth. If you arrive early enough in the month, you might catch the final days of the Feria del Libro Ricardo Palma book fair along the park's paths.
Miraflores
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Insider tips
Nochebuena (December 24) is the real celebration, not December 25. Most Limeño families gather for a late dinner on the 24th, then sleep through the 25th. If you want to eat out on Christmas Eve, book by early December. On the 25th itself, almost nothing is open, so plan accordingly.
Mercado de Surquillo sells the same seafood that tourist-facing cevicherías in Miraflores use, at roughly half the markup. Go to Surquillo for lunch ceviche from one of the market's small counters. The corvina is the same fish, prepared 20 minutes earlier.
Panetón quality varies wildly in Lima. Donofrio and Milano are the brands Limeño families buy for their own tables. The cheap supermarket house brands taste like sweetened cardboard. For the best version, look for artisanal panetón from bakeries in San Isidro, where they add more butter and candied fruit.
For New Year's Eve, the public fireworks along Costa Verde in Miraflores draw large crowds pressed against the clifftop railing. For a better vantage point with fewer people, watch from the Malecón in Barranco near the Puente de los Suspiros. The angle is higher and the walk home is shorter.
If the Feria del Libro Ricardo Palma in Parque Kennedy has already closed for the year by the time you arrive, Librería El Virrey in San Isidro is one of Lima's strongest independent bookshops, with a well-curated Spanish and English-language selection.
Avoid these mistakes
- Scheduling a full sightseeing day on December 25 or January 1 without checking what's open. Both are near-total shutdowns across Lima. Even the Larco Museum closes. Plan those days for the beach or hotel relaxation instead.
- Packing only shorts and tank tops because it's technically summer in the Southern Hemisphere. December mornings in Lima are overcast and cool enough for long sleeves. Visitors from tropical climates are often surprised by how mild and grey the first half of the day feels.
- Waiting until mid-December to book Miraflores or Barranco hotels for the holiday window. Rates climb and availability shrinks sharply after December 15. Booking by late November typically saves 20-30% and secures your preferred location.
- Skipping sunscreen on overcast mornings. Lima's near-equatorial latitude means UV radiation penetrates the marine cloud layer. Visitors get sunburned without ever seeing direct sun, especially during the Malecón walk or at exposed archaeological sites like Pachacamac.
Practical tips for December
Book Miraflores hotels by late November for the December 20 through January 5 holiday window. Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) is the main family celebration, not the 25th, so restaurants and shops close early on the 24th and stay shut all day on the 25th. The same pattern holds for New Year's. Banks and government offices also close for the public holiday on the 8th. The Metropolitano bus system runs reduced schedules on all 3 public holidays. If you're planning day trips to Pachacamac or archaeological sites outside the city, book transport by mid-December since operators fill quickly during the holiday fortnight. The exchange rate sits at roughly 3.38 soles per US dollar. ATMs in Miraflores dispense soles reliably, but market vendors and street-food stalls in Surquillo and Centro Histórico are cash-only, so carry small bills. Uber and taxi apps work well in Lima and are the safest option for getting between neighborhoods after dark. Tipping at restaurants is typically 10%, and it is not usually included in the bill.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Lima?
December is a genuinely good time to visit, ranking 4th out of 12 months overall. The coastal fog lifts, sunshine returns, and the restaurant scene operates at holiday intensity. The main drawbacks are higher prices in the final 2 weeks and near-total closures on the 25th. If your schedule is flexible, late January or February gives more reliable sun for slightly less money.
What is the weather like in Lima in December?
Mild and transitional. Daytime highs sit in the low 20s Celsius (low 70s Fahrenheit), with nights staying above the mid-teens. Rainfall is negligible for the whole month. Mornings tend to be overcast, especially in the first half of December, but afternoons usually clear. The humidity is noticeable but not oppressive. It is comfortable sightseeing weather, though you'll want layers for the cool mornings and sunscreen once the cloud burns off.
Is Lima crowded in December?
Yes, particularly in the final 2 weeks. Domestic tourism picks up for the Christmas and New Year holidays, and international visitors arrive for the food scene and improving weather. That said, many Limeño families leave the city for northern beaches, so residential neighborhoods can feel quieter than expected. Tourist areas like Miraflores, Barranco, and Centro Histórico are noticeably busier from around December 18 onward.
Is Lima safe for families visiting in December?
Lima scores 6.8 out of 10 for family friendliness (see the TTDI Family-Friendliness Index). Miraflores and San Isidro are the safest and most family-oriented neighborhoods, with parks, pedestrian-friendly streets, and restaurants that welcome children. Stick to rideshare apps after dark, avoid carrying visible valuables in Centro Histórico during the crowded holiday period, and you'll likely have a smooth trip. Parque Kennedy and the Circuito Mágico del Agua in Parque de la Reserva are good options for kids.
What should I book ahead for a December trip to Lima?
Hotels in Miraflores and Barranco for the December 20 to January 5 window should be booked by late November. Nochebuena dinner reservations at popular restaurants fill up by early December. Flights within Peru to Cusco or Arequipa spike in price and availability during the final 2 weeks. Day trips and paragliding along the Malecón don't require far-advance booking, but December weekends fill faster than weekdays.
Things to Do in Lima in December
Free cancellation Premium Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima with Sunset Toast
Day trip: 16 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Day Tour From Lima: Paracas, Huacachina, Pisco Vineyard & Sunset
Outdoor experience: 18 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups)
Day trip: 3.5 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Paracas and Huacachina Exclusive Sunset Picnic Tour
Outdoor experience: 17 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!
Cooking class: 2.5 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Full Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip from Lima: Sunset Experience
Day trip: 17 hours, free cancellation.
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