Central America & Caribbean

Barbados in December

Early December is good value. Christmas through New Year is the most expensive stretch of the year.

GoodDrying out, highs near 85F (29C)

The Atlantic coast at Bathsheba, Barbados — BarbadosPhoto: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Barbados. Early December is good value. Christmas through New Year is the most expensive stretch of the year.

Weather: Drying out, highs near 85F (29C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Barbados

December is when Barbados dries out and fills up. Highs sit near 85F (29C), the trade winds return and the west-coast water turns calm and clear. Early December is good value, but Christmas through New Year is the most expensive stretch of the whole year, with resorts fully booked.

Early and mid December suit families, couples and value hunters who want winter sun before peak rates. The holiday weeks suit those who book far ahead and do not mind paying top prices. If you want the best weather for less, January after the holidays or May is the smarter pick.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Barbados this month.

Early-December value

The first half of the month often brings dry weather at rates well below the holiday peak.

Christmas in the sun

Hotels and churches celebrate with carols and festive dinners, and a swim on Christmas morning is hard to beat.

Calm snorkeling returns

As the dry season settles in, the west coast and Carlisle Bay become clear and calm again.

What to pack for December

Reef-safe sunscreen and a sun hat
Snorkel gear
A smart-casual outfit for holiday dinners
A light layer for breezy evenings

Our timing tip

Book the first two weeks of December for dry-season weather at far lower prices than the Christmas to New Year stretch.

Book Barbados for December.

Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.

Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Barbados
Opens a hotel search for Barbados 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 Barbados
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 Barbados
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Barbados for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Barbados

Full guide

Harrison's Cave

A limestone cave system toured by tram, with streams, pools, and formations. A good option on a rainy day.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

St. Nicholas Abbey

A 17th-century plantation house and working rum distillery in the north, with a heritage railway.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Mount Gay Visitor Centre

Rum tastings and history near Bridgetown, from one of the world's oldest rum brands.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Carlisle Bay

Calm water near Bridgetown with shipwrecks for snorkeling and swimming with turtles on boat tours.

Tickets and tours →

Bathsheba and the east coast

Huge boulders and Atlantic waves, loved by surfers. Look, do not swim; the currents are dangerous.

Tickets and tours →

Oistins Friday Fish Fry

Grilled fish, music, and dancing every Friday night on the south coast. Busy but friendly.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Go in May for dry-season weather at lower prices and with fewer visitors.
Stay on the south coast instead of the west coast for lower prices and a livelier local scene, even in peak season.
Visit Harrison's Cave and Carlisle Bay early, before cruise passengers arrive from Bridgetown.
For Crop Over, book lodging and costume bands months ahead, or visit in early July for the fetes without the final crush.

Know before you go

September and October: some hotels and restaurants close for a few weeks of annual maintenance, especially on the west coast.
After Grand Kadooment in early August, the island enters its quietest period, and some businesses take their holidays.
Public holidays, including Emancipation Day on August 1, Kadooment Day, and Independence Day on November 30, close government offices and many shops.
East-coast beaches are for viewing, not swimming: strong currents make the Atlantic side dangerous year-round.