December is peak season in Palm Beach, and you'll feel it the moment you try to book a hotel along the 2-mile high-rise strip. Rates at properties between the Riu Palace Aruba and the Hyatt Regency climb 40 to 60 percent above annual averages, and beach chairs fill before 9 a.m. most mornings. That's the trade-off for visiting during what is, genuinely, one of Aruba's most comfortable months. The northeast trade winds pick up to 15-20 knots in December, turning 29°C (85°F) daytime heat into something that feels closer to 26°C on the skin. Humidity sits around 72 percent, which sounds high but reads dry compared to most Caribbean islands at this latitude. Rain falls on roughly 17 days, though a "rainy day" in Aruba tends to mean a warm 10-minute shower you can wait out under a palapa.
To be fair, the weather alone does not make December stand out. March and April are drier at 31mm and 22mm respectively, and both come with lower hotel rates. What December offers is atmosphere. Dande musicians start making their rounds during Christmas week, moving house to house through Noord and Oranjestad with drums, a wiri (a metal scraper instrument), and guitars. Oranjestad's waterfront lights up with holiday decorations by the first week of the month. The New Year's Eve fireworks display along Palm Beach draws thousands to the sand. If you're going to pay peak prices, the island at least gives you a reason beyond sunshine.
Aruba sits at 12°N latitude, roughly 29 km (18 miles) off the Venezuelan coast and well below the hurricane belt. December carries effectively zero tropical storm risk, which is a genuine advantage over St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, or the Bahamas, where late-season storms remain a concern into November. The water temperature hovers around 27°C (81°F), warm enough for long snorkeling sessions at Malmok without a wetsuit. The landscape is desert, not jungle. Expect divi-divi trees bent permanently sideways by the wind, columnar cactus, and white sand that stays cool enough to walk on barefoot even at midday.
Why visit in December
- Trade winds of 15-20 knots keep December's 29°C daytime heat comfortable, unlike the still, heavy air on humidity-prone islands further north in the Caribbean
- Zero hurricane risk. Aruba sits at 12°N, well below the storm belt that makes destinations like the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico a gamble through late November
- Water temperature holds at about 27°C (81°F) through December, warm enough for extended snorkeling at Malmok and Boca Catalina without a rash guard
- Holiday atmosphere with Dande musicians touring neighborhoods in Noord and Oranjestad during Christmas week, plus a major fireworks display over Palm Beach on New Year's Eve
Worth knowing
- Peak-season hotel rates run 40 to 60 percent above Aruba's annual average, with beachfront rooms along the high-rise strip commanding some of the highest nightly rates in the Caribbean
- The 2-mile Palm Beach strip gets congested by mid-morning, and pool loungers at the larger resorts require an early claim or a paid daily rental
- December's 53mm of rainfall over 17 days is moderate but noticeably wetter than March at 31mm or April at 22mm
- Dinner reservations at popular restaurants in Noord and along the hotel corridor need to be made 3-4 days ahead during Christmas week and New Year's
Best for
Think twice if
December in Palm Beach typically brings warm, steady days with highs around 29.4°C (85°F) and lows that rarely dip below 26°C (79°F). The northeast trade winds blow consistently at 15-20 knots, which keeps the heat from feeling oppressive despite 72 percent humidity. About 53mm of rain falls spread across roughly 17 days, though most showers last under 15 minutes and clear within the hour. Compared to November's 83mm, December feels noticeably drier. Mornings tend to start clear and bright, with brief showers more likely in the mid-afternoon. The ocean temperature holds at around 27°C (81°F), and the sun sets before 6:30 p.m.
Seasonal caution
- UV index at 12°N latitude reaches 11-12 even on partly cloudy December days. Sunburn can happen within 15 minutes of unprotected exposure, and the trade wind breeze masks how strong the sun actually is. Reapply reef-safe SPF 50 every 90 minutes.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29 | 25 | 40 |
| Feb | 29 | 25 | 35 |
| Mar | 29 | 25 | 31 |
| Apr | 30 | 26 | 22 |
| May | 31 | 27 | 32 |
| Jun | 31 | 27 | 35 |
| Jul | 31 | 27 | 34 |
| Aug | 31 | 27 | 41 |
| Sep | 32 | 28 | 33 |
| Oct | 32 | 27 | 56 |
| Nov | 30 | 26 | 83 |
| Dec | 29 | 26 | 53 |
Best things to do in December
Snorkeling at Malmok Beach
water_sportsThe shallow reef at Malmok sits in 2-4 meters of water and stretches along a rocky limestone shore about 1.5 km north of the high-rise strip. Parrotfish, sergeant majors, and blue tang are common sightings. The entry is rocky, so water shoes help.
December's 27°C water temperature and calmer western-shore conditions make for longer, more comfortable sessions than the choppy months of June and July.Booking tipNo booking needed. Arrive before 10 a.m. to claim one of the limited parking spots along the roadside.
Sunset catamaran cruise off Palm Beach
toursSeveral operators run 2-3 hour catamaran trips departing from the pier near the Marriott. The route typically heads south past the hotel strip toward Arashi, with a snorkel stop and open bar on board. The wind fills the sails properly this time of year.
December's consistent 15-20 knot trade winds give a genuine sailing experience rather than the motor-driven drift you sometimes get in calmer months like September and October.Booking tipBook at least 3 days ahead during Christmas week. Operators fill up quickly between December 20 and January 2.
Diving the Antilla wreck
water_sportsThe Antilla is a 120-meter German freighter scuttled in 1940, sitting in 18 meters of water off Malmok. It's one of the largest diveable wrecks in the Caribbean. The hull is covered in tube sponges, brain coral, and sea fans, and green moray eels are regularly spotted inside the holds.
Visibility in December typically reaches 20-25 meters, among the best of the year. The water is warm enough at 27°C to dive comfortably in a 3mm shorty or even a rash guard.Booking tipTwo-tank dive trips run daily from operators based in Palm Beach and Oranjestad. Morning departures tend to have better visibility.
Walking Oranjestad's holiday waterfront
cultureThe linear park along L.G. Smith Boulevard in Oranjestad fills with holiday lights and decorations starting in early December. The path runs from the Renaissance Marina past the Parliament building toward the cruise terminal, roughly 1.5 km of waterfront. Street vendors sell pastechi and fresh fruit juices from small stands along the route.
The holiday lighting and decorations are December-specific. Dande musicians often perform near the waterfront during Christmas week evenings.Arikok National Park hiking
natureArikok covers roughly 20 percent of Aruba's total land area on the island's windward side. The Cunucu Arikok trail is a 3 km loop through cactus-dotted terrain past old cunucu houses and Arawak cave paintings at Fontein Cave. The landscape looks nothing like the beach side of the island.
December temperatures of 29°C are warm but manageable with the trade wind breeze. The rainy season adds a touch of green to the normally brown desert scrub, making the park slightly more photogenic than in the bone-dry months of March and April.Booking tipThe park charges an entry fee. Bring at least 1 liter of water per person. Morning visits avoid the strongest midday sun.
Eagle Beach morning walk
natureEagle Beach stretches about 1 km south of Palm Beach, separated by the low-rise hotel zone. It's wider and less developed than Palm Beach, with the famous fofoti (divi-divi) trees leaning over the sand. The beach earned a consistent top-5 ranking on TripAdvisor's Caribbean beach lists.
December mornings at Eagle Beach are less crowded than Palm Beach, and the angled morning light on the fofoti trees draws photographers. The sand stays cool enough for barefoot walking until about 10 a.m.Booking tipNo booking needed. Limited parking along J.E. Irausquin Boulevard fills by 9 a.m. on weekends.
What to eat in December
On menus now
Pan bati
A flat, slightly sweet cornmeal pancake served alongside stewed meats and fish at local restaurants in Noord and San Nicolas. Available year-round, but December holiday menus at Aruban home-style spots tend to feature it more prominently alongside keri keri and stoba.
What to drink
Ponche crema
Aruba's homemade holiday eggnog, made with condensed milk, eggs, rum, and vanilla. Every family seems to have its own recipe, and you'll find it at house parties, restaurants, and hotel bars throughout December. The texture is thicker and sweeter than North American eggnog, closer to a drinkable custard.
Festival food
Ayaca
Aruban tamales wrapped in banana leaves, traditionally prepared for Christmas Eve dinner. The filling mixes chicken, pork, raisins, capers, olives, and cashews in a cornmeal dough. Families in Noord and Oranjestad make these in large batches during Christmas week, and some local bakeries sell them by the piece.
Ham di Pasku
Christmas ham glazed with brown sugar, mustard, and cloves, roasted slowly and served at family gatherings on December 25. Most restaurants along the Palm Beach strip offer their own version during Christmas week.
Oliebollen
Dutch-style New Year's doughnuts, reflecting Aruba's ties to the Netherlands. These fried dough balls, dusted with powdered sugar and sometimes filled with raisins or currants, appear at bakeries and pop-up stands across Oranjestad and Palm Beach in the last week of December. Best eaten warm.
Regular events in December
Dande house-to-house performancesFree
Traditional Aruban musicians travel door to door in Noord, Oranjestad, and Santa Cruz during Christmas week, performing songs about the year's events with drums, guitar, and the wiri (a metal scraper). The tradition dates to the 19th century.
December 24-31New Year's Eve fireworks on Palm BeachFree
A large fireworks display launched over the water at Palm Beach draws crowds along the full 2-mile strip. Hotels along the beachfront host their own countdown events. The display typically runs 15-20 minutes starting at midnight.
December 31Oranjestad holiday light displayFree
Oranjestad's waterfront along L.G. Smith Boulevard is decorated with holiday lights and displays from early December through early January. The downtown area around the Renaissance Mall and Parliament building gets the heaviest treatment.
Early December through early JanuaryBest places this December
Malmok Beach
beachRocky limestone shore with shallow reef snorkeling in 2-4 meters of water. Less crowded than Palm Beach, with good visibility in December. The rocky entry requires water shoes.
MalmokAntilla Wreck dive site
divingA 120-meter German freighter scuttled in 1940, sitting in 18 meters of water. One of the Caribbean's largest accessible wrecks, covered in coral growth and home to green moray eels.
MalmokArikok National Park
natureCovers roughly 20 percent of the island on the windward side. Trails pass through cactus desert, Arawak cave paintings at Fontein Cave, and the Natural Pool (Conchi). A sharp contrast to the resort beaches.
Eagle Beach
beachWide, quieter beach south of Palm Beach with the iconic fofoti trees. Less commercial than the high-rise strip, with more open sand and a calmer atmosphere.
Eagle BeachOranjestad waterfront
cultureLinear park along L.G. Smith Boulevard from the Renaissance Marina to the cruise terminal. Decorated with holiday lights in December. Street food vendors, the trolley line, and the Parliament building sit along the route.
OranjestadBoca Catalina
beachSmall, sheltered cove between Malmok and Arashi with calm, clear water and easy snorkeling access. Sea turtles are spotted here with some regularity. Limited parking.
NoordCalifornia Lighthouse area
landmarkThe lighthouse at Aruba's northwestern tip sits on a hill overlooking Arashi Beach and the Tierra del Sol golf course. The sunset views from the hillside are among the best on the island. A small restaurant operates near the base.
Noord
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Insider tips
The west-facing beaches along Palm Beach and Eagle Beach stay calmer in December because the trade winds blow from the northeast. The windward (east) side of the island at spots like Boca Grandi gets heavy chop and is better suited for kitesurfing than swimming.
Aruba's tap water comes from one of the world's largest desalination plants and is perfectly safe to drink. You don't need to buy bottled water, which saves money and plastic over a week-long stay.
The Palm Beach strip itself has limited local food options. Noord, the residential area behind the hotels, has a higher concentration of Aruban-owned restaurants serving local dishes like keri keri (shredded fish) and stoba (stew). It's a 5-10 minute drive or a manageable walk from the strip.
If you're renting a car, fill up at the station near the high-rise strip before heading to Arikok or the east coast. There are very few gas stations outside Oranjestad and the hotel zone.
The Bon Bini Festival in Oranjestad's Fort Zoutman runs on Tuesday evenings year-round, featuring local music, dance, and crafts. It's one of the few free cultural events that tourists can easily attend, and December's pleasant evening temperatures make it comfortable.
Avoid these mistakes
- Underestimating the wind on Palm Beach. The 15-20 knot trade winds that keep temperatures comfortable also blow sand into food, knock over umbrellas, and make reading a paperback on the beach an exercise in frustration. Bring a wind-resistant beach tent or sit on the leeward side of a palapa.
- Skipping sun protection because of cloud cover or breeze. The UV index at this latitude hits 11-12 regardless of clouds, and the wind cools the skin enough that you won't feel the burn developing until it's too late.
- Booking only Palm Beach restaurants for dinner during Christmas week without reservations. The hotel corridor restaurants fill up fast. Noord and Oranjestad have comparable food with shorter waits, but you'll still want to book 3-4 days ahead for the popular spots.
- Driving to the Natural Pool (Conchi) in Arikok in a standard rental car. The road requires a high-clearance vehicle or ATV. Standard sedans bottom out on the rocks, and most rental agreements void coverage for off-road damage.
- Assuming the south and east coasts have the same calm water as Palm Beach. The windward side has strong currents and rough surf. Swimming at unmarked east-coast beaches is risky, especially for children.
Practical tips for December
Book accommodations as early as possible for December stays. The Christmas-to-New-Year's window is the tightest booking period of the year across the entire island, and availability at the high-rise strip properties drops fast. Restaurants in Noord and along the hotel corridor fill dinner reservations 3-4 days out during that same period, so plan dining ahead. Car rentals also tighten in peak season, so reserve early if you want to explore Arikok or the north coast. Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) gets congested on Saturday changeover days when weekly resort bookings turn over. Aruba uses the Aruban florin (AWG) pegged to the US dollar at about 1.79 AWG per USD, but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere on the island. Credit cards work at all hotels and most restaurants, though small vendors in Oranjestad and San Nicolas may prefer cash. Tipping follows North American norms at roughly 15-18 percent, though some restaurants add a service charge automatically.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Palm Beach, Aruba?
December is one of the more comfortable months weather-wise, with 29°C highs tempered by steady 15-20 knot trade winds and effectively zero hurricane risk. The trade-off is peak-season pricing and crowds. Hotel rates run 40-60 percent above annual averages, and the beach strip gets busy by mid-morning. If budget is flexible and you want holiday atmosphere with warm Caribbean weather, December works well.
Does it rain a lot in Aruba in December?
December averages about 53mm of rainfall spread across roughly 17 days, which sounds like a lot but tends to mean very brief showers lasting 10-15 minutes. Compared to November's 83mm, December is noticeably drier. Most rain falls in quick mid-afternoon bursts that clear within the hour. It rarely disrupts a full beach day.
How warm is the ocean in Palm Beach in December?
The water temperature at Palm Beach holds at about 27°C (81°F) in December, warm enough for extended snorkeling and swimming without a wetsuit. A rash guard is useful for sun protection on longer sessions, but you won't get cold in the water.
What should I book in advance for a December trip to Aruba?
Hotels and car rentals should be booked as early as possible, especially for the December 20 through January 2 window. Dinner reservations at popular restaurants in Noord and the hotel corridor need to be made 3-4 days ahead during Christmas week. Catamaran cruises and dive trips also fill up, so booking those in the first day or two after arrival is a good idea.
Is Palm Beach too windy in December?
The trade winds blow at 15-20 knots most days, which keeps temperatures comfortable but does blow sand on the beach and can knock over umbrellas. The west-facing Palm Beach shoreline is partially sheltered since winds come from the northeast, so it's calmer than the island's windward east coast. Most visitors consider the breeze a fair trade for avoiding the still, humid heat you'd get without it.
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