Cusco New Years Eve

James Bustamante( Travel Writer )

James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.

www.journeymachupicchu.com

Last Updated on November 29, 2021 by James Bustamante

Every year thousands of people flock to the city’s main square (Plaza de Armas) to celebrate Cusco New Years’ Eve. Hopefully, this year after many tribulations will be no different.  

Tourists from all over Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the United States pour into the city of Cusco to join in the yearly celebrations and festivities.

Typically, a vast crowd swells up and fills the famous Plaza de Armas; happy people dance and scream “Feliz Año” (meaning happy new year in Spanish) to one another over the c course of the night.

It’s genuinely a perfect time for the locals and the thousands of travelers who come independently or with an organized Machu Picchu travel package.

Cusco New Year’s Eve, What to Consider

There are a few things you should take into account for the Cusco New Years’ eve celebrations. Following certain local traditions is one of them. One of the preferred New year’s eve traditions in most of Peru is to wear clothing of a particular color. Therefore, the color Yellow is preferable on this day.

So what’s the deal with Yellow? The people of Cusco have long believed that it brings good luck throughout the rest of the year, an Inca tradition. While in Peru you’ll run into many people wearing yellow shirts, t-shirts, for this occasion.

Upon walking down the street, you’ll see many street vendors selling yellow panties and briefs, handkerchiefs, and other items as well.

You’ll even see some people wearing yellow underwear over their pants, hoping to spice up their love life! Wearing yellow clothing has gradually become a trend in all Latin countries which started in Peru.

Most Cusco New Year’s eve accessories such as hats and goggles are sold exclusively in yellow. They are also very inexpensive to purchase. Using these small accessories help in keeping the tradition going, and locals like it when travelers take part in them.

Fireworks on New Years Eve

 Let’s move on to one of the more flashy aspects of a Cusco New Year. 

The fireworks show you will undoubtedly see. Peruvians love their fireworks, so this tradition is not subject to only Cusco.

Don’t worry if you are going from Lima to Machu Picchu and decide to spend the holidays in the capital. You will find firework shows in just about every district in Lima, the best place to see them is usually on a roof in Miraflores. 

Unlike in the US, you can buy and light your fireworks here. The sale of fireworks is perfectly legal in Cusco, and there are no restrictions on using them. The fireworks range from small crackers to an incredible variety of colorful aerial fireworks. You can also buy rocket sticks for three soles from the street vendors. 

These sticks contain 15 rockets that will sparkle as you hold them up in the air. Bottle rockets are also very common but be careful that these tiny flying objects can be somewhat dangerous!

Some of the local fireworks shows are run by families, with each trying to outdo the other. As a result, some of these rustic fireworks demonstrations can compete with professional shows in other countries.

Cusco New Years Eve Parties

Now, if you’re more into the partying scene, you should know that people will drink without too many restrictions throughout the city. Again this is true for all of Peru. You can buy your own choice of liquor and bring it in. However, if you did not bring alcohol, don’t worry. Cusqueña beer is sold virtually everywhere you turn at the main square in Cusco.

Plenty of other beers and alcoholic beverages are sold by street vendors during the Cusco New Years’ eve celebrations. If you can’t hold your bladder for long, or if you like to sit down and snack, there are many bars in and near this square.

Since it is a special occasion, there will most likely be a cover price of around 50-100 Peruvian ($15 – $30 US) soles to enter these bars. We highly recommend reserving a balcony table in one of these bars so that you can go back and forth for snacking and partying. You can even leave the bars to see what’s happening in the main square and then come back as long as your table is reserved.

A Safe Place for New Years Celebrations

Cusco is a very safe place to visit year-round. However, as with any country, remember to stick to well-lit areas and not venture into the unknown. 

Remember to take registered taxis while going back to your hotels. Peruvian people are usually amicable and helpful to tourists, especially in Cusco.

You’ll see more about Peruvian hospitality throughout your Peru tours and, ultimately, your Machu Picchu hike.

Tours Leading Up to New Years Eve

If you are spending a day leading up to the celebrations for the new year, then we recommend the following tours.

• The Cusco City Tour
• The Sacred Valley Tour
• The Rainbow Mountain Tour

All three of the day hikes mentioned are full-day tours that start early in the morning and end back at your hotel by 6:00 or 7:00 pm. They all include necessary permits, bilingual guides, transportation, and even lunch. 

There is an order to each, though. If you just arrived in Cusco a day ago, we recommend starting with the Sacred Valley tour. It takes you to a lower elevation than Cusco and might help with the sudden pressure you might feel from the altitude.

If you have been in Cusco for over 24 hours, we recommend taking the Cusco city tour. It’s a full day touring through a city at over 10,000 (3,200 meters)feet above sea level, so the first two days to acclimate will surely help.

Lastly, if you have spent 3+ days in Cusco already, feel free to take the Rainbow mountain tour. It is also a full-day tour, just like the previous 2. However, this one takes you to over 17,000 feet above sea level (5,000 meters).

You will want to be perfectly acclimated before engaging with this demanding full-day hiking tour. If you plan on heading into Machu Picchu around the end of the year, make sure to either book a complete Machu Picchu tour package or book your Machu Picchu reservations on your own ahead of time.

The end of the year is a popular time to visit Machu Picchu, so planning is critical. If you ever get a chance to visit Peru, visit Cusco on New Year’s Eve. You will have an unforgettable night.

If you want to know anything else about Cusco or Machu Picchu, contact one of our travel advisers below or view our Peru tour packages.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Years Even in Cusco