Puerto Rico San Juan Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in San Juan is very-high
December is very-high for San Juan.
December is dry season recovery + year-peak tourist crush. Christmas-New Year week (Dec 22-Jan 5) brings year's maximum hotel pricing (+50-100% above shoulder), peak crowds at every attraction, and the famous Old San Juan NYE Plaza Colón countdown + fireworks party.
Weather conditions return to near-peak January quality: 10 rainy days, 110mm rainfall, sea calm and clear, Old San Juan walks at peak. December 1-19 is smart-money window: dry-season weather, pre-Christmas pricing, normal crowds before the holiday crush hits.
Travel score
Dry season + Christmas-NYE peak + Pernil + Coquito cultural canon
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 82°F / 28°C highs and 70°F / 21°C lows with 10 rainy days and 110mm rainfall — full dry season return. Humidity 77%. UV 8. Sunshine 7 hours. Sea 27°C ideal for swimming. Christmas Eve + Christmas Day + NYE atmospheric peak.
December Travel Advice
Christmas-NYE week (Dec 22-Jan 5): book 8-12 weeks ahead, expect +50-100% premium. Dec 1-19 is smart window — same weather, 60% of holiday pricing. NYE Plaza Colón fireworks: book sunset dinner + fireworks-viewing package 6+ weeks ahead. Christmas Eve Pernil dinner: most hotels offer Nochebuena fixed-price menu $80-150.
Flying In from Overseas
Year-peak inbound from US East Coast, Canada, UK, Europe. Direct flights from NYC $500-900, Boston $500-900, Toronto $600-1,100, London via Madrid $800-1,300. Korean + Japanese winter holiday begins via JFK/MIA. Most expensive flight window of the year.
December Pricing Trends
Year-peak pricing Dec 22-Jan 5: Condado oceanfront 4-star $400-800/night, La Concha + Condado Vanderbilt $600-1,400, El Convento $500-1,000. Vieques + Culebra +60-80%. Dec 1-19: 40-50% less than holiday week.
San Juan December Weather Stats
Avg High
28°C
Avg Low
21°C
Rainy Days
10
110mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
77%
humid
UV Index
8
Very high
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 32
Sea Temp
27°C
swimming-warm
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
15 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
30°C
Nighttime
22°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dry season + ideal weather
- Christmas-NYE festive atmosphere
- Old San Juan Plaza Colón NYE fireworks
- Sea 27°C ideal for swimming
- Coquito + Pernil + Pasteles cultural depth
Cons
- Year-peak pricing Dec 22-Jan 5 (+50-100%)
- Year's biggest tourist crush
- Reservation impossibility post-Christmas
December Events & Festivals
- **Christmas Eve + Christmas Day (Mexican-Caribbean family holiday — Pernil + Pasteles + Coquito)**
- **NYE Old San Juan fireworks** (massive Plaza Colón countdown + fireworks at midnight)
- **Three Kings Day prep (Jan 6 — PR's canonical holiday)**
- Year-peak pricing Dec 22-Jan 5
San Juan in December — Full Picture
December is dry season recovery + year-peak tourist crush. Christmas-New Year week (Dec 22-Jan 5) brings year's maximum hotel pricing (+50-100% above shoulder), peak crowds at every attraction, and the famous Old San Juan NYE Plaza Colón countdown + fireworks party.
Weather conditions return to near-peak January quality: 10 rainy days, 110mm rainfall, sea calm and clear, Old San Juan walks at peak. December 1-19 is smart-money window: dry-season weather, pre-Christmas pricing, normal crowds before the holiday crush hits.
PR Christmas tradition: Pernil slow-roasted pork shoulder + Pasteles (the labor-intensive Christmas tamale) + Arroz con gandules + Coquito (coconut-rum eggnog) is the canonical Nochebuena (Dec 24) meal. Three Kings Day (Jan 6) prep begins Dec 24 with parrandas (caroling parties).
What to Wear & What to Pack
Tropical perfect — T-shirt, shorts, swimwear, sandals. Light cardigan for evening sea breeze + Christmas Eve restaurants. Festive attire for NYE Old San Juan + Condado parties.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
30°C
22°C
7.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
32°C
24°C
11.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
31°C
23.3°C
12.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current28°C
21°C
8.3/mo
San Juan Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 28° | 21° | 8d·75mm | 7h | 76% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 28° | 21° | 7d·65mm | 8h | 75% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 29° | 21° | 6d·55mm | 8h | 74% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 30° | 22° | 7d·100mm | 8h | 75% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 31° | 23° | 10d·150mm | 8h | 76% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 11d·130mm | 8h | 78% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 12d·130mm | 8h | 78% | 12 | Busy | Peak | |
| 32° | 24° | 12d·150mm | 7h | 79% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 13d·160mm | 7h | 80% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 24° | 13d·165mm | 7h | 80% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| November (Best) | 30° | 22° | 11d·140mm | 7h | 78% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| December (Best) | 28° | 21° | 10d·110mm | 7h | 77% | 8 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
San Juan December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit San Juan?
San Juan in December is very-high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in San Juan in December?
San Juan December averages a high of 28°C and a low of 21°C.
Does it rain much in San Juan in December?
San Juan December averages 110mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in San Juan in December?
Tropical perfect — T-shirt, shorts, swimwear, sandals. Light cardigan for evening sea breeze + Christmas Eve restaurants. Festive attire for NYE Old San Juan + Condado parties.
What time are sunrise and sunset in San Juan in December?
San Juan December sunrise is 06:55 and sunset is 17:50, with 10h 55min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in San Juan in December?
San Juan December air quality (AQI) averages 40, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 15μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in San Juan in December?
In December, San Juan is great for Beach + swimming, Old San Juan UNESCO walks, Christmas Eve Pernil dinner.
Is December peak season in San Juan?
San Juan December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit San Juan
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.