Cusco (also spelled Cuzco) doesn’t get nearly enough credit as a New Year’s Eve destination—and honestly, that’s exactly what makes it so special. I’m a huge advocate for making New Year’s Eve memorable, and spending it abroad in a brand-new city is my favorite way to do that. New Year’s Eve in Cusco delivers a kind of vibrant, chaotic, joyful energy that only a Latin American city can pull off.
Between the massive street celebration at the Plaza de Armas, the color yellow tradition, late-night dancing, and surprisingly great food and cocktail scene, celebrating New Year’s Eve in Cusco is unforgettable. This is my complete, firsthand guide to Cusco for New Year’s Eve—including what the weather is really like, what to pack, where to eat, where to party, and where to stay.
Is New Year’s Eve a Good Time to Visit Cusco?
Technically, late December falls during Peru’s rainy season, which usually signals the slow season. But New Year’s Eve in Cusco is the exception. There’s a noticeable surge in visitors around Christmas and New Year’s, and not just international travelers.
Many of the people we met during our trip were actually Peruvians traveling domestically—especially from Lima. Despite Lima being the capital, Cusco is the more popular New Year’s Eve destination in Peru. That combination of international travelers and locals creates an incredible atmosphere, but it also means things book up fast.
Hotels, tours, and Machu Picchu tickets should ideally be booked at least 4–6 weeks in advance if you’re visiting Cusco for New Year’s Eve. I’m usually a very last-minute traveler and felt proud of myself for booking this trip a month and a half out—only to discover I snagged the last two Machu Picchu tickets for December 30th!
Weather in Cusco in December: What to Expect
December is summer in Peru, but don’t let that fool you. Cusco sits at over 11,000 feet in elevation, and the rainy season makes it feel much cooler than you’d expect.
It rains every day. Sometimes lightly, sometimes aggressively, sometimes even sideways. I’ve traveled through rainy seasons all over the world and usually luck out with decent weather—this time, my luck finally ran out. My rain jacket was used and abused during this trip. Cusco in December is chilly, wet, and unpredictable.
On New Year’s Day, the sun came out for exactly two hours. Excited by the prospect of finally some warmer weather, I left my rain jacket in the hotel, wore a short-sleeve top, and promptly froze when the wind and rain returned during our walking tour. Yes, I was the only idiot in short sleeves in Cuzco that day. Learn from my suffering.
Bottom line: Never leave your hotel without rain protection. If you forget, don’t worry—locals sell cheap plastic ponchos everywhere, and they truly save the day, though it’s not an attractive look walking around in essentially colored garbage bags.
What to Pack for New Year’s Eve in Cusco
Must-haves:
- Rain jacket (or two). I brought both a raincoat and a lighter rain jacket and used them every single day in Cuzco.
- Packable puffer coat. Especially essential at night. I layered my puffer under my rain jacket for New Year’s Eve at the Plaza de Armas.
- Sturdy boots. Cusco’s cobblestone streets are no joke. Waterproof hiking boots or combat style boots are ideal.
- Sneakers. You can wear sneakers (I did on NYE so I could dance comfortably at the club later), but they won’t love the rain.
- Layers. There are brief sunny moments when you’ll want to shed a layer.
What to leave at home:
- High heels. Pointless in Cuzco.
- Skimpy clothes. People dress more a little more conservatively (probably due to the cold).
What to Wear on New Year’s Eve in Cusco
This was my biggest planning question—and it’s a tricky one. What you wear depends on whether you plan to:
- Spend midnight at the Plaza de Armas
- Go to a restaurant
- Hit a club afterward
Most people do all three.
The overall vibe is much more casual than other major cities. Think pants and a nice top, layered with a rain jacket or puffer. No one wears heels. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are key.
That said, my friend and I were hilariously overdressed in a dress and a fancy jumpsuit. While we definitely stood out, it earned us plenty of compliments at the restaurant and club—so overdressing isn’t a crime, just expect to be noticed.
Why Everyone Wears Yellow on New Year’s Eve in Peru
Wearing yellow for New Year’s Eve in Peru is believed to bring good luck—and people take this tradition seriously. Yellow underwear is especially popular (yes, really), but many people also wear yellow clothing, accessories, or gold accents.
I went all in: gold sequins on my jumpsuit, yellow underwear, and yellow nail polish. You don’t have to participate, but it’s fun—and very common!
If you forget to pack yellow, no worries. In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, vendors sell yellow flower necklaces, yellow hats, yellow glasses, yellow masks, and more throughout Cusco.
You’ll also encounter yellow confetti everywhere. It rains down at midnight and lingers in the streets for days in piles. Fair warning: it can stain white clothing and shoes. My friend’s shoes did not survive sadly.
Where to Go on New Year’s Eve in Cusco
Plaza de Armas: The Main Event
The Plaza de Armas is the heart of Cusco and the epicenter of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Every year, thousands of people gather here for a massive street party with a free concert.
Despite heavy rain, the plaza was absolutely packed—wall-to-wall people. Trying to avoid standing in the rain longer than we have to, we tried to arrive close to midnight. We assumed the weather might thin the crowd, but it did not. We had to fight our way to the middle of the crowd, closer to the concert stage. It was like salmon swimming upstream, but totally worth it for the electric energy.
At midnight, there’s a full 360-degree fireworks show in the sky, yellow confetti falling like rain, people cheering, dancing, and toasting with whatever drinks they brought. Some follow the Spanish tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight for good luck (our hotel thoughtfully gave us twelve grapes each!).
It was genuinely one of the most magical New Year’s moments of my life. It was a real pinch me moment, this can’t be my life. I was definitely overwhelmed with gratitude.
The crowd does feel a bit overwhelming at the beginning, so if you struggle with crowds, mentally prep for that experience. Luckily, after midnight it starts to thin out gradually as people head to bars, clubs, and parties to continue the celebration indoors. We stayed for about half an hour after midnight to enjoy the free concert.
Crowd tip: Cell service is terrible because of the concentration of people. Download offline maps and stick with your friends.
New Year’s Eve Dinner in Cusco: Restaurants With a View
Cusco has an excellent food scene. As with everywhere around the world, New Year’s Eve dinner requires some strategy. Many restaurants offer special prix fixe menus or limited service, and reservations fill quickly.
I waited until the day of to figure out restaurant reservations, trying to Whatsapp message restaurants for their availability and menus. After panicking and getting nowhere, I ended up winging it without a reservation—with success.
It was a gamble that paid off. My goal was to find somewhere with a view for our New Year’s Eve dinner in Cuzco. The hillside neighborhood of San Blas neighborhood is your best bet for restaurants with views overlooking the city. After striking out at our first choice, Aura Restobar (incredible view, but limited drinks-only menu), we were directed to Limbus Restobar.
There was a small cover (30 soles / $10), but the full menu was available. Because we arrived early around 8:30pm, we scored a terrace table with one of the best nighttime views I’ve ever seen. I’m going to let the photo do all the talking, because words don’t do it justice.
The food was fantastic—huge portions, especially the slow-cooked Malaya beef. Limbus Restobar also has a super cool and unique cocktail menu that is organized by the four elements: Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. Each element-inspired drink was beautifully crafted and delicious.
Combining great food with even better views, Limbus Restobar is my top pick for New Year’s Eve dinner in Cusco. Just arrive early or book ahead.
Best Clubs in Cusco for New Year’s Eve
You have to go all out on New Year’s Eve! After midnight, the celebration moves indoors. Cusco’s nightlife is lively, varied, and so much fun.
We missed out on a popular ticketed event called Forest Festival (sold out), so if you want a curated party, research events and book tickets ahead of time.
After walking around with no cell service and then Google Maps leading us astray, we found ourselves just north of the Plaza de Armas on a street lined with bars and clubs and followed the energy into Chango, one of the most popular clubs in Cusco. The cover was 100 soles ($30 USD), but the vibe was worth it!
The dance floor was full of beautiful people dancing to a mix of reggaton and latin hits. Shortly after 2am, a dancing man in a monkey mask came out on stage and started pouring shots into people’s mouths while balloon noodles where handed out to everyone to sway to the beat. It was such a blast! To top things off, the drinks were some of the strongest I’ve ever had in a club, not the usual watered down stuff.
There are many other clubs and bars to choose from in the area too. Some charge a cover, some don’t. Some are more chill, whereas others are very lively. There is something for everyone! You can do some research, but it’s best to walk around and feel the vibes in person. We almost went to the highly recommend Museo del Pisco, but noticed in passing that the vibe was more upscale and mature, attracting the over 40 crowd.
The map below shows where you can find the street with several clubs and bars, including Chango Club Cusco!
Where to Stay in Cusco for New Year’s Eve
Cusco is extremely walkable, especially around the historic center. Staying within 15 minutes of the Plaza de Armas is ideal since most everything happens around there.
We chose San Blas, which offers a quieter, less-touristy feel while still being close to the action. It’s artsy, charming, and filled with great restaurants—but be prepared for stairs and narrow streets. We had to walk a couple of blocks to get to our tour van on two separate occasions.
We stayed at Mistico San Blas, a charming boutique hotel with an incredibly personable staff. (Full review linked here.)
Altitude Sickness: Don’t Let It Ruin Your Trip
Cusco’s altitude is no joke. To avoid altitude sickness, we took Diamox every 12 hours, starting two days before arrival and continuing until leaving for the Sacred Valley.
It made a massive difference. Coca tea and candies help, but they’re often not enough if you’re coming from sea level. I missed one dose after getting stranded overnight in Aguas Calientes due to the Inca Rail crash and immediately felt awful when we got back to Cuzco—tingling face, dizziness, and fatigue. Luckily, a dose of Diamox and coca tea fixed it quickly and I was back to normal.
If you’re unprepared, pharmacies in Cusco sell medication and portable oxygen canisters. Arriving a few days before New Year’s Eve also helps with acclimation, so you can fully enjoy the celebrations.
Final Thoughts: Is Cusco Worth It for New Year’s Eve?
Absolutely! Cusco is one of the most magical places to ring in the New Year. With a little planning, the right clothing, and altitude preparation, you’ll experience one of the most memorable New Year’s Eves imaginable in the former capital of the Incan Empire.
