Things to Do in Haiti in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Haiti
Long-run averages for December in Port-au-Prince
89°F (32°C)
High Temp
73°F (23°C)
Low Temp
0.6 inches (15 mm)
Rainfall
60%
Humidity
7
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Late December sometimes brings the Harmattan. A dust-laden wind from the Sahara. It hazes the air. It can hurt air quality and views for a few days.
Making the most of December in Haiti? Browse tours and activities in Haiti on GetYourGuide.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December ranks among the driest months. You get crisp beach mornings and star-heavy mountain nights. No tropical downpours will wash out your day.
- + Average highs hit 89°F (32°C). That tropical heat justifies every plunge into the Caribbean. You skip the oppressive humidity that smothers summer.
- + Crowds hit a sweet spot. Popular sites stay open and ready. You miss the peak holiday rush creeping toward Christmas. Better availability follows.
- + December light is sharp and golden. Candy-colored gingerbread houses in Port-au-Prince seem to glow from within. The Citadelle's stonework catches it exactly how photographers dream.
Considerations
- − High season starts now. Crowds stay manageable. Still, accommodation prices run higher than true off-season months like May or October.
- − Harmattan winds from the Sahara occasionally cross the Atlantic in late December. No guarantee. When they hit, a fine dusty haze mutes the vivid blues of sky and sea for days.
- − December 18th marks Jour de Vertières, a major national holiday commemorating the final battle for independence. Fascinating culturally. But businesses and all government offices close. Some roads clog or block for parades.
Short on time in December? See day trips around Haiti on GetYourGuide.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Mountain Fortress Hikes in the North
Dry, mild December weather suits the steep, shaded ascent to Citadelle Laferrière. The trail spans roughly 8 km (5 miles) of rugged switchbacks from Milot. Far less slippery than wet months. Your boots crunch dry earth. Cool mountain air replaces coastal heat. Views from the ramparts sometimes reach all the way to the ocean.
Booking Tip: Local guides are mandatory for the hike. Provided at the site. For a full-day experience from Cap-Haïtien including the Palace of Sans-Souci, book a licensed tour operator one to two weeks ahead. Current options appear in the booking section below.
Coastal Waterfall Explorations near Jacmel
Minimal rainfall keeps rivers feeding waterfalls like Bassin Bleu clear but not flooded. You can swim the surreal turquoise pools without strong currents pulling at you. Down in the gorge, hear water dripping from ferns and occasional parrot calls. A rare quiet in Haiti. The walk in stays a bit muddy even now, but manageable.
Booking Tip: These prove hard to find independently. Booking a guided trip from Jacmel remains standard and safest. Seek operators including transportation and a local guide who knows the trail. Check the booking widget for current guided adventures.
Artisan Workshops & Iron Market Visits in Port-au-Prince
Cooler, dry December air makes exploring chaotic open-air markets and metalworking ateliers far more pleasant. In Croix-des-Bouquets, charcoal forge smells mix with sawdust as artists hammer recycled steel into intricate sculptures. At the well-known Iron Market (Marché en Fer), vendors chatter rhythmically. Hand-carved mahogany feels textured under your fingers. Sensory overload, but fascinating.
Booking Tip: First-timers should book a guided tour. Navigation matters. So does cultural context and negotiation. These tours often pair the Iron Market with Grand Rue artists' galleries. Book a few days ahead through a reputable company. See what's available in the booking section.
Beach & Reef Days along the Côte des Arcadins
Arguably the year's best beach weather. Calm seas. Strong sun, not scorching. Rainstorm odds sit lower than any other month. Water clarity peaks, good for spotting fish along fringing reefs. Taste salt on your lips. Feel fine white sand. Hear gentle waves lap the pier at Kyona or Wahoo Bay.
Booking Tip: Most beach clubs charge day-pass fees. For seclusion, consider boat tours or snorkeling trips departing from the coast. Pleasant season means booking specific boat outings a couple days ahead helps. Browse current coastal tour options below.
Where to Stay in Haiti in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Découverte d'Haïti
Known in English as Discovery Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Noël
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Découverte d'Haïti
Known in English as Discovery Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Noël
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Découverte d'Haïti
Known in English as Discovery Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Noël
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Haiti Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Hit the Iron Market in Port-au-Prince mid-morning on a weekday. The light cuts through the Victorian ironwork just right. The morning crush has passed. Vendors have time to talk.
Flying north? Take the 45-minute hop between Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien. Skip the long, grinding drive. The coastal and mountain views from above are worth it. You save a full day.
For a local December fix, find shops selling 'jus de canne'. Fresh sugarcane juice, pressed on the spot. Sweet. Grassy. Perfect against the midday heat.
When you bargain for art or crafts, know the opening price is ritual. Counter at about 60%. The goal? Both you and the artist walk away smiling. Talk. Don't fight.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't underestimate the sun. That 89°F (32°C) feels great. Without protection, you burn fast. The water and high altitudes trick you. The breeze hides the intensity.
Avoid cramming too much into a short trip. Distances look small on maps. Travel times in Haiti drag. Port-au-Prince to Jacmel is under 50 km (31 miles). It can take two hours plus.
Don't hide in all-inclusive resorts or the Pétion-Ville bubble. Haiti's real beauty lives outside them. Mountain villages. Artist communities. Local bars thumping with kompa. Go there.
Ready to plan your trip to Haiti?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.
Explore More Activities in Haiti
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Haiti.
See All Haiti Tours on Viator