United States (Puerto Rico), Central America & Caribbean

Puerto Rico in December

The first half is calm and fairly priced. Christmas through New Year is the most expensive stretch of the year, and the island's parrandas are in full swing.

GoodDrying out, highs near 84F (29C)

Aerial view of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico — Puerto RicoPhoto: Coolcaesar, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Puerto Rico. The first half is calm and fairly priced. Christmas through New Year is the most expensive stretch of the year, and the island's parrandas are in full swing.

Weather: Drying out, highs near 84F (29C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Puerto Rico

December dries out, with highs near 84F (29C). The first half is calm and fairly priced. From Christmas through New Year, it is the most expensive stretch of the year. Parrandas, the musical house-to-house caroling, are in full swing, and the island celebrates with lechon and coquito. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day close government offices and many shops.

It suits families and couples who want a warm holiday with festive local culture. Book the holiday weeks early. If you want lower prices, come in early December, when the weather is already good.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Puerto Rico this month.

Parrandas

Christmas caroling from house to house, with music and food, is a local tradition you can often see or join.

Early December value

The first half of the month has good weather and fair prices.

Holiday lights in Old San Juan

The old city's streets and plazas are decorated and festive.

What to pack for December

Swimwear and a light layer
Reef-safe sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes
A nice outfit for holiday dinners

Our timing tip

Book holiday week hotels months ahead, since Christmas through New Year is the priciest time.

Book Puerto Rico for December.

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

What's on in December

Christmas and parranda season

Late November through mid January

Among the longest Christmas seasons anywhere, with parrandas (musical house-to-house caroling), lechon, and coquito.

Things to do in Puerto Rico

Full guide

Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal

The two great forts of San Juan National Historic Site. Go at opening before the cruise-ship wave, then fly a kite on El Morro's lawn like the locals do.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

El Yunque National Forest

Waterfalls, cloud forest, and the tower views from Yokahu and Mt. Britton. Check the forest's site for current access rules and reservations before you go, and start early to beat both crowds and afternoon rain.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Mosquito Bay, Vieques

Paddle a kayak through glowing water on a moonless night. Swimming is prohibited to protect the organisms; schedule around the new moon for the best show.

Tickets and tours →

Flamenco Beach, Culebra

A horseshoe of white sand regularly ranked among the best beaches in the Caribbean. Ferries from Ceiba fill fast on weekends and holidays; small planes are the backup.

Tickets and tours →

Old San Juan on foot

Calle del Cristo, the Paseo de la Princesa, and the city walls at sunset. Weekday evenings after the cruise ships leave are the calmest.

Tickets and tours →

Rincon and the west coast

The island's surf capital, busy with swells roughly November through March and glassy for snorkeling in summer. Sunsets here face the open sea.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the cruise schedule for San Juan: Old San Juan is noticeably busier on multi-ship days, so do the forts and Calle del Cristo on light days or after 4pm.
Aim for the post-Easter window in late April and early May, when winter weather mostly holds and hotel rates fall.
Do El Yunque at opening on a weekday. By late morning the main trail parking fills, and afternoon showers are common.
Book Vieques and Culebra ferries or flights well ahead for weekends and holidays, when locals fill the boats too; midweek is far easier.

Know before you go

September and October: some smaller hotels, restaurants, and tour operators close for a few weeks of maintenance or vacation, especially on Vieques and Culebra. Verify before building a trip around one.
The bioluminescent bays are best on moonless nights and can dim temporarily after heavy rain or storms. Tour operators will tell you honestly how the bay is glowing that week.
El Yunque's roads and trails can close after heavy rain or storm damage; check current conditions and any reservation requirement on the official forest site before driving out.
Major holidays (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Three Kings Day, Good Friday) shut government offices and many shops; restaurants in tourist areas mostly stay open.