Caribbean in December: Weather, Crowds & What to Expect
Climate Map for December
Average temperature across Caribbean in December.
Country Weather in December
| Country | High | Low | Rain | UV | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuba | 27° | 19° | 63 mm | high | Mild |
| Haiti | 31° | 20° | 22 mm | very high | Warm |
| Dominican Republic | 31° | 20° | 79 mm | high | Warm |
| Jamaica | 30° | 21° | 90 mm | high | Warm |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 30° | 22° | 174 mm | very high | Warm |
| The Bahamas | 27° | 18° | 46 mm | moderate | Mild |
| Barbados | 29° | 24° | 169 mm | very high | Warm |
| Saint Lucia | 29° | 23° | 142 mm | very high | Warm |
| Grenada | 30° | 23° | 178 mm | very high | Warm |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | very high | ||||
| Antigua and Barbuda | 29° | 23° | 104 mm | high | Warm |
| Dominica | 30° | 22° | 163 mm | very high | Warm |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 29° | 23° | 88 mm | high | Warm |
Representative figures from each country's largest city. High / low are average daily temperatures (°C); “Feels” allows for humidity.
The Bahamas & Turks & Caicos (The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos)
Late in the year the islands settle into their dry season: December typically delivers sunny days, cooler nights and steady northeast breezes that make beach time pleasant across the chain. Holiday travel spikes - expect higher prices and fuller flights around Christmas and New Year’s, plus Boxing Day/Junkanoo events in Nassau. A light sweater for evenings and a bathing suit for daytime is the right compromise.
Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola - Dominican Republic & Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands)
December settles in as the start of high season: dry trade winds, sunny days and cooler nights make city touring and coastal escapes uniformly pleasant across the Greater Antilles. Expect busy holiday travel - book early for Christmas and New Year - and lively cultural events around Santo Domingo, Havana and San Juan. Layers for evenings and strong sun protection for daytime are the practical packing choices.
Leeward Islands (Northern Lesser Antilles: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe and surrounding islets)
December returns the region to its dry, breezy winter rhythm with steady trades, lower humidity and sunny days - a popular time for beach vacations and yachting. Expect lively marinas, higher hotel occupancy and festive holiday events; pack a light sweater for evenings and book popular activities well in advance.
Windward Islands & Southern Lesser Antilles (Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada)
December restores the islands’ drier, breezy winter atmosphere with comfortable daytime temperatures and cooler nights at elevation; beaches and trails are again reliable. Holiday periods become busier and pricier, especially later in the month; booking ahead for peak dates is wise. Lightweight layers for nights and reef equipment for daytime water activities are the typical packing choices.
ABC Islands & Southern Caribbean Coast (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuelan islands and mainland nearby coast)
December settles into dry, sunny days across the southern Caribbean, with Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao especially inviting for beach and diving trips away from the hurricane belt. Trinidad’s cultural calendar picks up again for seasonal festivals and markets; pack light layers for evenings but mostly expect warm daytime weather. Booking for peak holiday dates should be done early.
Western Caribbean & Central American Caribbean Coast (Yucatán Peninsula - Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum; Belize; Bay Islands of Honduras; Caribbean coasts of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama)
December returns many parts of the western Caribbean to dry, breezy conditions with comfortable temperatures - Cancun, Cozumel, Belize and Bocas del Toro are popular again for holiday travel. Expect busier resorts and booked excursions around Christmas and New Year, and plan for higher prices and earlier reservations. Layers for cooler coastal nights and sun protection for long beach days are recommended.