Things to Do in Port of Spain in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Port of Spain
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December marks the start of the dry season in Trinidad, meaning you'll catch the tail end of the rainy period with noticeably less rainfall than October or November. Those 10 rainy days are typically short afternoon showers that clear quickly, not the all-day downpours you'd get earlier in the year. The vegetation is still lush from the wet months, but the trails are actually walkable again.
- Parang season is in full swing throughout December, which is genuinely the most culturally immersive time to visit Port of Spain. This Venezuelan-influenced Christmas music tradition means you'll find parang bands performing in neighborhoods, community centers, and rum shops across the city. It's not manufactured for tourists - locals actually participate in this, and you'll hear the distinctive cuatro guitar and maracas everywhere you go.
- The humidity drops from the oppressive 80-85% you'd experience in September to a more manageable 70%, which actually makes a noticeable difference when you're walking around downtown or hiking in the Northern Range. You'll still sweat, obviously, but it's the kind of warmth where you can comfortably explore from morning to late afternoon without feeling completely drained.
- December sits right before the Carnival preparation madness intensifies in January and February, so you'll see the city in its more authentic daily rhythm. Accommodation prices haven't hit their Carnival peak yet - you're looking at 30-40% less than what you'd pay in February - and the major attractions like Fort George or the Botanical Gardens are pleasantly uncrowded on weekdays.
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable, and when the showers hit in the afternoon, they can disrupt outdoor plans for 30-45 minutes at a time. The drainage in parts of downtown Port of Spain is honestly not great, so you'll encounter flooded sidewalks on Charlotte Street and Independence Square after heavy rain. If you're planning a hiking trip to the Asa Wright Nature Centre or Maracas waterfall, you'll want backup indoor options.
- December is peak shopping season for locals preparing for Christmas, which means downtown Port of Spain - particularly Frederick Street and around the Grand Bazaar - gets genuinely crowded and chaotic on weekends. Traffic congestion increases noticeably, and what should be a 15-minute taxi ride from the Savannah to the port can easily stretch to 40 minutes on Saturday afternoons.
- The UV index of 8 is no joke at this latitude, and tourists consistently underestimate it. You're 10 degrees north of the equator, so the sun is more direct than what most North American or European visitors are used to. Even on cloudy days, you'll burn faster than you expect, and locals will notice tourists by their lobster-red shoulders within the first two days.
Best Activities in December
Northern Range hiking and birdwatching expeditions
December weather makes the Northern Range trails accessible after the heavy rains taper off, though paths can still be muddy in shaded sections. The forest is incredibly lush right now, and the birdwatching is exceptional - you'll spot tufted coquettes, white-bearded manakins, and if you're lucky, the Trinidad motmot. Early morning hikes starting around 6am let you avoid both the afternoon heat and the brief showers that typically roll in between 2-4pm. The temperature at higher elevations like the Hollis Reservoir trail drops to around 21°C (70°F), which feels refreshing compared to the coastal heat.
Maracas Bay and beach hopping along the north coast
The north coast beaches are at their most beautiful in December with calmer Caribbean seas compared to the rougher mid-year conditions. Maracas Bay has smaller waves, making it actually swimmable for families, while Las Cuevas Bay further east tends to be even gentler. The famous bake and shark vendors at Maracas are in full operation, and you'll want to get there before 11am on weekends to avoid the crowds of locals who descend on the beach. The 40-minute drive over the Northern Range from Port of Spain is stunning, with lookout points offering views down to the coast through the rainforest canopy.
Downtown Port of Spain food walking routes
December is perfect for exploring the downtown food scene on foot because the slightly lower humidity makes walking around the city more tolerable, especially in the early evening from 5-7pm when the heat breaks. You'll find the best doubles vendors setting up before dawn on Independence Square and Ariapita Avenue, serving this iconic chickpea curry sandwich for TT$6-12. The lunch spots around Charlotte Street and Frederick Street serve roti, pelau, and callaloo that locals actually eat, not tourist versions. The Syrian Lebanese influence shows up in places serving shawarma and kibbeh that reflect Trinidad's genuinely diverse food culture.
Caroni Bird Sanctuary evening boat tours
The Caroni Swamp boat tours to see the scarlet ibis returning to roost at sunset are genuinely spectacular in December, and the drier conditions mean fewer mosquitoes than you'd encounter in the wet season, though you'll still want repellent. The tours depart around 4pm and take you through mangrove channels where you'll spot caimans, tree boas, and various herons before reaching the roosting site where thousands of brilliant red ibis arrive around 6pm. The sight of them against the sunset is worth the hour-long boat ride. December's earlier sunset time around 5:45pm means tours finish before full darkness, which is actually preferable.
Queen's Park Savannah evening lime and street food circuit
The Savannah comes alive in December evenings when locals come out for their evening lime - the Trini term for hanging out that you'll hear constantly. From about 5pm onward, the street food vendors set up along the western side serving oysters, corn soup, barbecue, and coconut water fresh from the nut. The cooler evening temperatures around 25°C (77°F) make this the perfect time to join locals jogging, playing football, or just sitting on the grass. The Magnificent Seven colonial buildings along the Savannah's edge are beautifully lit at dusk, and you'll get a genuine sense of how Port of Spain residents actually spend their leisure time.
Chaguaramas peninsula and offshore island day trips
The Chaguaramas area west of Port of Spain offers calmer waters in December for kayaking, sailing, and boat trips to the offshore islands like Gaspar Grande with its sea caves. The Chaguaramas boardwalk is pleasant for evening walks, and the area has a more laid-back vibe than downtown. December's reduced rainfall means better visibility for the caves and snorkeling spots around the islands. The drive out to Chaguaramas takes you past the Western Main Road with views of the Gulf of Paria, and you'll see the yacht services and marinas that make this Trinidad's boating center.
December Events & Festivals
Parang season celebrations
Parang is Trinidad's Christmas music tradition with roots in Venezuelan and Spanish colonial culture, and it runs throughout December with performances happening in community centers, homes, and public spaces across Port of Spain. You'll hear the distinctive sound of cuatros, mandolins, guitars, and maracas playing aguinaldos - Christmas songs in Spanish and English. The National Parang Competition typically happens in early December, and various communities host parang festivals and lime sessions. This is participatory culture, not a staged tourist show - locals actually attend these events, drink rum, and sing along.
Christmas markets and bazaars
December sees various Christmas markets and craft bazaars pop up around Port of Spain, particularly at the Grand Bazaar on Independence Square and in the Normandie Hotel area. These markets sell local crafts, Christmas decorations, and food items, and they reflect the genuine local shopping culture rather than tourist-oriented craft markets. You'll find homemade black cake soaked in rum, ginger beer, sorrel drink, and pastelles - the cornmeal pockets stuffed with meat that are a Christmas staple. The atmosphere gets festive without being overwhelming.