The New Year’s celebration in Cusco includes great dining options, friendly people, local traditions, and the opportunity to observe and participate in fireworks. Be sure to read our detailed guide for a memorable experience all year long!
If you are considering traveling to Peru in December, we recommend experiencing the New Year’s Eve celebration in Cusco, as the city becomes vibrant with joyful crowds filling the bars and restaurants. The transition to the new year is a time filled with anticipation, marked by festive gatherings and traditional customs.
In order to have a memorable New Year’s Eve experience in Cusco, we have compiled details on the top parties, accommodation options, activities to do, and dining recommendations for a special night. Keep reading to plan ahead and make your reservations for an unforgettable evening.
In this article, you will find:
- Where can you celebrate New Year’s Eve in Cusco?
- Accommodations in Cusco for New Year’s Eve
- What activities are available in Cusco?
- Dining options for New Year’s Eve in Cusco.
- Is it worthwhile to spend New Year’s Eve in Cusco?
- Find additional advice on Cusco.
- Commonly Asked Questions
Where is the best place to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Cusco?
We have compiled the top locations to fully enjoy the New Year’s Eve celebration in Cusco. Explore all the details and find out about events that should definitely be included in your travel plans.
Main Square
The Plaza de Armas in Cusco is the most vibrant spot, especially at midnight. A good idea is to have dinner at one of the restaurants close to the square and, just before midnight, look for excited individuals wearing yellow in the plaza. Similar to how people in Brazil often wear white on New Year’s Eve, in Peru, the tradition is to wear yellow. So, make sure to wear your yellow outfit! 😉
Another popular tradition involves running around the square counterclockwise at midnight to bring good luck for the upcoming year. The event is festive and relatively peaceful. If you wish to keep celebrating, there are many bars located around the square where you can enjoy the rest of the night.
The main drawback of the new year is that anyone can set off fireworks, requiring our columnist, Barbara Tigre, to remain vigilant and frequently change locations to avoid getting hit.
“Regardless, the New Year’s celebration in Cusco was unforgettable and I suggest it to anyone in Peru during that period! Just make sure to reserve your dinner ahead of time.”
Have a great time during your journey to Cusco and experience the top tours available in the area.
“Angel who has fallen”
Specifically designed for the LGBTQIA+ community, Fallen Angel offers an ideal New Year’s Eve celebration filled with joy and entertainment. Among its attractions is the themed event “Love and Peace,” where guests are encouraged to dress in red and white. At this venue, attendees can enjoy live music, drag queen performances, and a selection of delicious beverages.
Our suggestion is to keep an eye on Fallen Angel’s official Instagram account for updates on ticket sales to guarantee a memorable evening.
Have a great time on your journey to Cusco and experience the top tours available in the area.
Pisco Museum
The Pisco Museum is a popular destination for tourists throughout the year due to its tasty beverages. To celebrate the New Year, the museum provides various package options which may include snacks, complimentary drinks, and a complete dinner. Along with having a great time and savoring a delicious meal, visitors also have the chance to sample Pisco, the iconic drink of the country.
Text: During the busy New Year’s Eve period, we recommend visiting the official website of restaurants to make a reservation ahead of time to avoid any inconvenience.
Have a great time in Cusco and make the most of the top tours available in the area.
Paraphrase: The establishment is known as the Belmond Hotel Monasterio.
chsyys/DepositPhotos
Staying at Belmond Hotel Monasterio provides an enjoyable stay with various entertainment options like horseback riding and cycling trails. Guests can also enjoy dining at two restaurants with special holiday schedules.
The hotel’s main attraction is its close proximity to Plaza de Armas, which offers guests the opportunity to easily access a great dinner and watch the square’s fire show. For those seeking a romantic getaway, we recommend making a reservation for dinner at El Tupay, while families may enjoy dining at Illariy, both conveniently located on the hotel premises.
Have a great time in Cusco and make the most of the top tours available in the area.
Restaurant of Divine Comedy
For those seeking a refined and peaceful New Year’s celebration in Cusco, the Divine Comedy Restaurant offers a great option. Guests can delight in a superb dinner on New Year’s Eve featuring an opera performance and Andean vocal music, served with carefully prepared dishes and quality beverages.
In addition to the delicious food, the restaurant’s excellent customer service is also a standout feature. The Divine Comedy Restaurant welcomes reservations for groups of up to 10 people, ensuring a wonderful experience for all diners.
Please make sure to book in advance on the official website as demand is high.
Have a great time on your journey to Cusco and experience the top tours available in the area.
Accommodations in Cusco for New Year’s Eve.
Now that you are aware of the top attractions of the New Year’s Eve celebration in Cusco, we have compiled a list of the highest-rated hotels in Cusco located near the main events, allowing you to be conveniently close to your preferred party.
To assist with your budget planning, we have already updated the daily rates for December 31. Take a look:
Accommodations close to Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is the city’s most renowned area, providing numerous dining establishments, cafes, stores, and attractions within close proximity, including the Church of the Society of Jesus. If you wish to explore the city on foot and witness the New Year’s Eve fires in Cusco, these accommodation choices are ideal.
- Katari offers daily stays at Plaza de Armas Cusco starting from $89, with a rating of 8.6.
- Casa Andina Standard Cusco Cathedral is available for daily stays starting at US$ 110, with a rating of 8.5.
- Hotel Plaza de Armas Cusco is available for booking every day starting at $124, with a rating of 8.8.
- The Virrey Boutique offers daily rates starting at $95, with a rating of 8.8.
View all available hotels in Cusco.
Accommodations close to the Fallen Angel.
Providing vibrant events for all guests, Fallen Angel is a well-regarded dining venue that also provides accommodations. Therefore, we recommend reserving a stay near this attraction to fully experience the area. The following choices are budget-friendly, offer excellent service, and feature cozy amenities.
- Archaeologist Exclusive Boutique Hotel offers daily rates starting at $149, with a rating of 8.5.
- Cusco Plaza Nazarenas is available daily starting at $63, with a rating of 8.1.
- Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel & Spa is available daily starting at $396, with a rating of 9.6.
- Monasterio, a Belmond Hotel in Cusco, is available daily starting at $539 with a rating of 9.7.
View all available hotels in Cusco.
Accommodations close to the Pisco Museum
Visitors to Cusco are aware that the Pisco Museum provides distinctive beverages and engaging activities, along with exciting events during the New Year’s celebration. There are convenient lodging choices near this attraction that feature comfortable rooms, breakfast, attentive service, and a prime location in the heart of the city. Explore the available accommodations:
- Maytaq Wasin Boutique Hotel is available for booking at a rate of $84 per day, receiving a rating of 8.8.
- MOAF Cusco Boutique Hotel is available for booking every day starting from $92, with a rating of 9.4.
- House Biru Boutique Hotel – Priced at $128 per day, with a rating of 8.3.
- JW Marriott El Convento offers rooms starting at $329 per day, with a rating of 9.3.
View all available hotels in Cusco.
Accommodations close to the Divine Comedy Restaurant
For individuals looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Divine Comedy Restaurant in Cusco, we recommend reserving one of the accommodations listed below. These stays are conveniently located near the restaurant and offer amenities such as breakfast and comfortable facilities. Some options even feature a wellness center.
- Archaeologist Exclusive Boutique Hotel is available daily starting from $149, with a rating of 8.5.
- Hotel TIKA AYNA offers daily rates starting at $48, with a rating of 8.4.
- Kori Gems Inn offers accommodations starting at $75 per night with a rating of 9.0.
- Boutique hotel Gold Garden offers rooms starting at $86 per day, with a rating of 8.8.
View all available hotels in Cusco.
What activities can be done in Cusco?
There are a variety of things to do in Cusco, with options ranging from one to two days to a week. Tours cover a range of activities, including those within the city and others in nearby areas like Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
While you’re visiting, make sure to immerse yourself in the local culture by exploring the San Pedro Market and discovering the enchanting Qorikancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Pre-Colombino Art Museum as well. In addition, there are numerous archaeological sites in the area, such as Saqsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Q’enqo, and Puka Pukara. A cost-effective way to explore these sites is by using the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
To ensure you don’t miss out on anything and enhance your New Year’s Eve celebration in Cusco, familiarize yourself with the following excursions.
- Main square
- Document for Tourism in Cusco
- Text: Qorikancha, Temple of the Sun
- Market of San Pedro
- Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
- San Blas text:
Have a great time on your journey to Cusco and explore the top tours available in the area.
Dining options for New Year’s Eve in Cusco
Images: Barbara Tigre
There are fantastic dining choices available in Cusco during New Year’s Eve, given that Peru is renowned globally for its exceptional food. Some of the must-try traditional dishes include Ceviche, which consists of raw fish marinated in lemon and flavorful spices, and Pisco Sour, a delightful cocktail crafted with lemon and pisco, a popular local beverage.
Our writer Barbara Tigre decided to have dinner at InkaGrill, a restaurant in Cusco. Even though the restaurant doesn’t have a balcony, it has a great menu and is situated in Plaza de Armas. She also looked at other options like Limo and Calle del Medio, but Limo was fully booked and she didn’t like the menu at Calle del Medio as much, despite it offering a night party.
“I requested a table close to the window with a view of Plaza de Armas, where the fires started well before midnight.”
The writer selected Shrimp Vol-au-vent as the starter, followed by Lomo (a popular Andean meat) with saffron risotto and mushroom sauce as the main course, and finished with cheesecake for dessert. To wrap up the meal, the restaurant provided a dish containing 12 grapes per person to be eaten at midnight, a customary Peruvian tradition.
All the food was delightful! The meal also featured a bottle of water, a choice of white or red wine, a pisco sour (a local beverage), and a glass of sparkling wine.
Around the end of the year, we recommend visiting the official websites of the restaurants you are interested in to view their schedules and make reservations in advance. Here are some of the top restaurants in the city that we recommend.
- Restaurant named Divine Comedy
- InkaGrill – a restaurant specializing in Incan cuisine.
- Cusco Dining Establishments
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- Middle Street
Is it worth celebrating New Year’s Eve in Cusco?
If you are still unsure about whether spending New Year’s Eve in Cusco is worthwhile, the answer is definitely yes! Celebrating this occasion in a foreign country allows you to fully experience a different culture, as each country has its own distinct characteristics.
In Cusco, the Yellow Réveillon is a well-known tradition where everyone dresses in yellow to bring luck, prosperity, and happiness for the upcoming year. Another custom to attract wealth is to eat 12 grapes right after midnight. This tradition is so widespread in the region that restaurants often provide grapes to their customers after dinner.
If you prefer not to relax on New Year’s Day, we recommend watching the sunrise with your friends at one of the lively bars in Plaza de Armas. Following a night of festivities, there’s nothing like beginning the year by traveling to a destination as amazing as that one, right?
Have a great time in Cusco and experience the top tours in the area.
Explore additional recommendations for Cusco.
The tips are not finished yet! Below, we provide a list of detailed posts to assist you in organizing your trip.
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- Accommodation options in Cusco
- Hotels in Cusco
- Activities to enjoy in Cusco
- Exploring Cusco through guided tours
- Where to dine in Cusco
- Activities to experience in Peru
- What items should be brought along for a trip to Peru?
- Article: Activities to Enjoy in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Accommodations available in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- Text: Valley of the Incas considered to be holy
- How to reach Machu Picchu
- Inca Rail – a company providing train services
- PeruRail – information about the train service in Peru
- Text: Machu Picchu
- Accommodation options in Machu Picchu
- Accommodations available in Machu Picchu
- Spending a romantic getaway in Machu Picchu for your honeymoon.
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- Activities in Lima to check out
- Accommodation options in Lima
- Accommodations available in Lima
- Article: Where to dine in Lima
Commonly Asked Questions
If you are unsure about what to include in the script, you can find additional FAQs and answers about the destination.
The New Year’s celebration in Cusco is lively and bustling, with popular gathering spots including the Plaza de Armas, Fallen Angel, Museo del Pisco, Belmonte Hotel Monasterio, and Divine Comedy Restaurant. Be sure to read our guide for things to do in Cusco.
The top cities in Peru to celebrate the New Year are Cusco and Lima, where you can find excellent dining options and vibrant parties. In Cusco, we recommend having dinner near the Plaza de Armas and witnessing the bonfires. In Lima, it’s recommended to stay in the neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco to enjoy the lively bar and restaurant scene. Check out more recommendations on things to do in Lima and Cusco.
December marks the start of the off-peak season in Cusco due to the rainy summer weather. During this time, there are fewer tourists, making it possible to find more affordable accommodations. Our editor, Nátalie Guimarães, visited the city in December and encountered rain during some excursions, but it did not hinder her experience.
It is recommended to visit Cusco between May and September during the winter months, which is the dry season and peak tourist season. To ensure accommodations, we advise booking a hotel in Cusco ahead of time.
The most well-known tradition in Cusco involves wearing yellow attire for New Year’s Eve to bring luck, prosperity, and happiness for the upcoming year.
