Aruba (Kingdom of the Netherlands), Central America & Caribbean

Aruba in December

The first half is good value. Christmas through New Year is the most expensive stretch of the year, with fireworks and pagara firecracker traditions.

TradeoffsWarm, highs near 86F (30C), some showers

Divi divi tree on Eagle Beach, Aruba — ArubaPhoto: SIryn, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Aruba. The first half is good value. Christmas through New Year is the most expensive stretch of the year, with fireworks and pagara firecracker traditions.

Weather: Warm, highs near 86F (30C), some showers
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Aruba

December is warm, with highs near 86F (30C) and some showers. The first half of the month is good value, with quiet beaches and holiday lights going up. Christmas through New Year is the most expensive stretch of the year, with fireworks and pagara firecracker traditions.

This month suits families who want a festive beach holiday and couples who book early. Book early for the holiday weeks, since hotels fill fast. For the best value, go in the first two weeks. For the same weather with lower prices, look at April or May.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Aruba this month.

Pagara firecrackers

Aruba's tradition of long firecracker strings adds noise and color to the holidays.

New Year's fireworks

Fireworks light up the sky around the island.

Early December value

The first two weeks have good weather and softer prices.

What to pack for December

Reef-safe sunscreen
Swimsuits
A light layer for breezy evenings
Earplugs for firecracker nights

Our timing tip

Book early December if you want holiday decorations without peak holiday prices.

Book Aruba for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Aruba
Opens a hotel search for Aruba in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Aruba
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Aruba
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Aruba for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Aruba

Full guide

Eagle Beach

Wide, soft sand with the island's signature fofoti trees. Quieter than Palm Beach, with low-rise hotels and plenty of room.

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Arikok National Park

Desert trails, the Fontein and Quadirikiri caves, and the rugged north coast. Start early; there is little shade and the midday heat is intense.

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The Natural Pool (Conchi)

A rock-enclosed pool on the wild coast, reached by 4x4, horseback, or a hot hike. Swimming depends on sea conditions.

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Palm Beach

The high-rise strip: water sports, beach bars, and restaurants. Busy and lively, especially in winter.

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Baby Beach

A shallow, calm lagoon at the island's southeast tip. Great for small kids and first-time snorkelers.

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Snorkeling and diving the west coast

Boca Catalina, Malmok, and the Antilla shipwreck, one of the Caribbean's largest wreck dives. September has the calmest seas.

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Beat the crowds

Go after Easter: late April through June delivers peak-season weather at shoulder prices.
Stay at Eagle Beach instead of Palm Beach for more space and a calmer vibe, even in peak season.
Visit Arikok and the Natural Pool at opening, both to beat the heat and to get ahead of the 4x4 tour convoys.
Use Aruba as your hurricane-season plan: August through October brings low prices and dependable weather while other islands carry storm risk.

Know before you go

Aruba runs at full speed year-round. There is no real off-season shutdown; a few restaurants take short vacations in September or October.
The Natural Pool and some north-coast spots are unsafe or closed when the sea is rough; tour operators decide on the day.
Carnival parade days close streets in Oranjestad and San Nicolas, and the day after the Grand Parade is quieter than usual.
Public holidays such as Betico Croes Day, Flag Day, and Carnival Monday close government offices and some shops, but resorts and restaurants stay open.

Aruba in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Aruba?

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Aruba. The first half is good value. Christmas through New Year is the most expensive stretch of the year, with fireworks and pagara firecracker traditions.

What is the weather like in Aruba in December?

Warm, highs near 86F (30C), some showers.

Is Aruba crowded in December?

Aruba is busy in December, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.