Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Panama Canal & Central America cruises in December
The dry season usually arrives in Panama by mid-December, bringing sunny days, breezier afternoons and cooler nights. Holiday transits over Christmas and New Year are popular, priced high and sell out early. Costa Rica’s Pacific coast turns golden as the rains end, while the Caribbean side around Puerto Limón can stay showery.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 85°F
- 11 hrs daylight
Photo: User:Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Panama Canal & Central America in December: Best time to go
The dry season usually arrives in Panama by mid-December, bringing sunny days, breezier afternoons and cooler nights. Holiday transits over Christmas and New Year are popular, priced high and sell out early. Costa Rica’s Pacific coast turns golden as the rains end, while the Caribbean side around Puerto Limón can stay showery.
Across Panama Canal & Central America cruise ports, December brings average highs around 85°F (29°C) and lows near 78°F, with about 2.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Mainly October to April; driest mid-December to April. Few sailings in summer.
- Average high / low
- 85°F / 78°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.8 in
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 11 nights for a partial transit; 14 to 18 nights for a full transit
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms.
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Panama Canal & Central America weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8429 | 8530 | 8730 | 8731 | 8731 | 8630 | 8730 | 8731 | 8730 | 8630 | 8530 | 8529 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7624 | 7625 | 7725 | 7926 | 8027 | 8027 | 8127 | 8127 | 8127 | 8027 | 7926 | 7825 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.641 | 1.026 | 1.538 | 3.077 | 7.1181 | 8.8223 | 7.1180 | 7.6193 | 8.3211 | 8.7220 | 6.9175 | 2.870 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colón | 84°F | 81°F | 4.8 in | 12 h |
| Fuerte Amador (Panama City) | 86°F | 79°F | 4.2 in | 12 h |
| Cartagena | 86°F | 81°F | 1.2 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Limón | 83°F | 78°F | 12.9 in | 12 h |
| Puntarenas | 87°F | 77°F | 2.5 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Quetzal | 89°F | 76°F | 0.4 in | 11 h |
| Puerto Chiapas | 85°F | 82°F | 0.7 in | 11 h |
| Huatulco | 94°F | 73°F | 0.1 in | 11 h |
| Cabo San Lucas | 81°F | 70°F | 0.7 in | 11 h |
| Aruba | 83°F | 81°F | 1.4 in | 11 h |
| Curaçao | 83°F | 81°F | 1.9 in | 11 h |
| Fort Lauderdale | 76°F | 72°F | 2.5 in | 11 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in December
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Antarctica in December
- Southeast & East Asia in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Panama Canal & Central America in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Panama Canal & Central America?
Yes, it's one of the best months. The dry season usually arrives in Panama by mid-December, bringing sunny days, breezier afternoons and cooler nights. Holiday transits over Christmas and New Year are popular, priced high and sell out early. Costa Rica’s Pacific coast turns golden as the rains end, while the Caribbean side around Puerto Limón can stay showery.
What is the weather like on a Panama Canal & Central America cruise in December?
Across Panama Canal & Central America cruise ports, December brings average highs around 85°F (29°C) and lows near 78°F, with about 2.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Panama Canal & Central America cruise in December?
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Panama Canal & Central America?
Mainly October to April; driest mid-December to April. Few sailings in summer.. The best months are usually January, February, March, December.
Where else can I cruise in December?
December is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.