Port of Spain in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Port of Spain

31°C (88°F) High Temp

23°C (73°F) Low Temp

150 mm (5.9 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Peak festival season with Christmas illuminations throughout downtown Frederick Street and Accra lasting through New Year's - locals call it the most beautiful month to see the city
Dry season begins mid-December with morning temperatures of 23°C (73°F) making 6am-10am perfect for hiking the Northern Range trails without oppressive heat
Tourism is at its lowest before Christmas week, meaning this destination, Banjul, and this destination have minimal crowds and vendors offer better prices on crafts and souvenirs
Peak season for traditional Christmas foods - you'll find the best pastelles, black cake, and sorrel at every corner shop, plus cooking classes are widely available at local community centers

Considerations

Accommodation prices jump 40-60% during Christmas week (December 20-31) as diaspora returns home, and many smaller guesthouses require 3-night minimums
Heavy rain showers still occur 10 days per month, typically 2pm-4pm, lasting 45-90 minutes and making outdoor activities unpredictable without indoor backup plans
Many government offices, banks, and some attractions operate on reduced hours from December 15th onward, potentially affecting tour bookings and currency exchange

Best Activities in December

Caroni Bird Sanctuary Mangrove Tours

December marks peak viewing season for Scarlet Ibis - flocks of 200+ birds return to roost between 5:30pm-6:30pm when humidity drops to 65% making boat tours comfortable. Early morning tours at 6am offer the best wildlife photography light and avoid afternoon rain patterns.

Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead through licensed boat operators. Tours typically cost TTD 200-350 per person. Look for operators with covered boats and binoculars included. Peak viewing slots (5pm-7pm) fill fastest. Reference booking widget below for current tour availability.

Port of Spain Food Walking Tours

December brings seasonal specialties like fresh-made pastelles, ponche crema, and Christmas ham. Morning food walks (9am-12pm) avoid afternoon rain and showcase downtown markets at their most active. Vendors have the widest selection of traditional foods unavailable other months.

Booking Tip: Self-guided food tours work well - start at Central Market by 9am, then Frederick Street vendors by 11am. Budget TTD 100-200 for tastings. Organized food tours typically cost TTD 300-500. Book through local cultural organizations for real feels rather than hotel concierges.

Northern Range Hiking Trails

Cooler morning temperatures of 23°C (73°F) make December ideal for trails like Paria Waterfall and Blue Basin. Rain probability drops significantly before 11am, giving you 4-5 hours of optimal hiking conditions. Waterfalls are at moderate flow - not too heavy, not dried up.

Booking Tip: Most trails accessible without guides, but group tours cost TTD 250-400 per person including transport. Start by 7am to avoid afternoon rain. Bring 2-3 liters of water per person. Book transport through licensed tour operators 5-7 days ahead during December.

Christmas Village Cultural Experiences

December-only parang music performances happen throughout local communities, especially weekends in Belmont, Laventille, and St. James. These neighborhood celebrations offer authentic cultural experiences with traditional music, food, and craft demonstrations unavailable to tourists other times of year.

Booking Tip: Community-based cultural tours cost TTD 150-300 per person. Contact local community centers directly or book through cultural tourism operators. Weekend evening tours (6pm-9pm) showcase the best parang performances. No advance booking usually needed, but call ahead.

Maracas Beach Day Trips

December's lower humidity and frequent morning sunshine make beach time comfortable before 2pm. Water temperature stays around 27°C (81°F). Popular with locals on weekends but quiet weekdays. Perfect weather for the famous bake and shark vendors who operate extended December hours.

Booking Tip: Public transport via maxi-taxi costs TTD 20-30 round trip. Private transport tours typically TTD 400-600 including beach time and meal stops. Go weekdays for fewer crowds. Beach chair rentals TTD 50-75 per day. Pack for sudden rain showers.

Queen's Park Savannah Evening Activities

December evenings are perfect for the Savannah's walking track - temperatures drop to 25°C (77°F) by 6pm. Christmas decorations light up the space, and vendors sell seasonal treats. The pitch perfect for cricket matches and football games locals organize during December holidays.

Booking Tip: Free activity - just show up. Vendor food costs TTD 25-75 per item. Best time is 5:30pm-7:30pm when it's cooler but still light. Weekend evenings have more activity and food vendors. Parking costs TTD 20-30 in nearby lots.

December Events & Festivals

Throughout December weekends

Parang Festival Celebrations

Traditional Venezuelan-influenced Christmas music performed throughout December in neighborhoods and community centers. Features acoustic guitars, cuatro, and call-and-response singing. Most authentic cultural experience available to visitors during December.

December 15-31

Christmas Markets Downtown

Frederick Street and Accra host expanded Christmas markets with local crafts, traditional foods, and holiday decorations. Peak time for buying authentic Trinidad crafts and sampling seasonal specialties like black cake and sorrel.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket with ventilation - afternoon showers last 45-90 minutes and humidity stays at 70%

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 even on cloudy days

Quick-dry hiking pants for Northern Range trails - regular jeans stay damp for hours in 70% humidity

Breathable cotton or linen shirts - avoid polyester which becomes uncomfortable in humid conditions

Waterproof day pack for protecting electronics during sudden rain showers

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - sidewalks get slippery during rain

Light sweater for evening - temperatures can drop to 23°C (73°F) after rain

Insect repellent with DEET - mosquitoes are more active during rainy periods

Cash in small bills - many vendors and maxi-taxis don't accept large denominations or cards

Umbrella - more practical than rain jacket for quick market visits and street food stops

Insider Knowledge

Banks close early (2pm) starting December 15th and some close entirely December 24-26 - exchange money before mid-December or use hotel exchange services

Maxi-taxis increase frequency during December school holidays, making public transport actually more convenient than other months for reaching beaches and attractions

Local families prepare pastelles (like tamales) throughout December - ask vendors at Central Market about cooking classes, usually offered informally for TTD 200-300

this destination vendors extend hours during December and offer the year's best variety of local snacks and fresh fruit juices

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking tours for 2pm-5pm when rain probability is highest - morning tours from 7am-11am have much better weather success rates

Expecting attractions to maintain normal hours after December 15th - many reduce hours or close entirely December 24-26, disrupting planned itineraries

Underestimating December accommodation demand during Christmas week - diaspora returns home and prices jump 40-60% with limited availability