Santa Catalina

Panama Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Panama in December.

Thinking about venturing to Panama this December and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Panama in December

December in Panama generally has temperatures that range from warm to very warm, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy.

Temperatures

The average highest temperatures fluctuate between warm in Cerro Punta at 24°C (75°F) to very warm in Santiago at 32°C (90°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 23°C (73°F) in Santiago and 17°C (63°F) in Cerro Punta. The temperatures mentioned for both day and night are typical averages. However some days might get even hotter. It's best to stay prepared by wearing cloths suitable for the warmth.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Panama, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Playa Blanca with an average of 96 mm (3.8 in) to heavy rainfall in Bastimentos with 341 mm (13 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is moderately available across various locations. In Panama City, you can expect around 119 hours of sunlight in December, which gives a pleasant combination of sun and shade. For those who want maximum sunshine, our weather planner can point you toward the sunniest places on Earth.

Explore Panama by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Panama - and find the best time to visit. (based on Panama City)

Best Places to Visit in Panama in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Panama.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Panama

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Panama?

Temperature range in Panama (December)

Precipitation variation in Panama (December)

Panama City

In December Panama City generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are good that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
141 hours
119 hours
226 hours
Monthly rainfall
249 mm (9.8 in)
116 mm (4.6 in)
27 mm (1.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
24 days
14 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Bocas del Toro

In December Bocas del Toro generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C (84°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
29°C (84°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
150 hours
220 hours
275 hours
Monthly rainfall
397 mm (16 in)
314 mm (12 in)
198 mm (7.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
21 days
18 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Boquete

In December Boquete generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 25°C (77°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 18°C (64°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are mixed that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
Min temperature
18°C (64°F)
18°C (64°F)
17°C (63°F)
Monthly sun hours
150 hours
220 hours
275 hours
Monthly rainfall
433 mm (17 in)
208 mm (8.2 in)
97 mm (3.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
21 days
18 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Bastimentos

In December Bastimentos generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 28°C (82°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
28°C (82°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
150 hours
220 hours
275 hours
Monthly rainfall
431 mm (17 in)
341 mm (13 in)
214 mm (8.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
21 days
18 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Playa Blanca

In December Playa Blanca generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are very good that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
24°C (75°F)
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly rainfall
265 mm (10 in)
96 mm (3.8 in)
20 mm (0.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
23 days
17 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Panama.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Panama in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Panama City 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Bocas del Toro 29°C (84°F) 24°C (75°F) 314 mm (12 in)
Boquete 25°C (77°F) 18°C (64°F) 208 mm (8.2 in)
Contadora 29°C (84°F) 26°C (79°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Santa Catalina 30°C (86°F) 25°C (77°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
David 30°C (86°F) 22°C (72°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)

Panama weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Panama in December?

In December, Panama generally has mixed weather conditions. Panama City sees daytime temperatures near 30°C (86°F), with nights cooling to roughly 24°C (75°F).

What is the average temperature in Panama in December?

Panama City averages a daytime maximum of 30°C (86°F) in December, with overnight lows close to 24°C (75°F).

Does Panama get a lot of rain in December?

Panama sees substantial rainfall in December. Panama City typically averages about 116 mm (4.6 in), a mix of wet and dry days, but bring an umbrella.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Panama?

Given the typically good weather conditions in Panama City, December might be a good time to visit Panama. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.

On average, the best time to visit Panama is in January, February and March with generally very good weather in Panama City. On the other hand, the weather in May, June, July, August, September and October tend to be less favorable.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Panama.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Panama? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Panama.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.