Punta del Este in December

In December, Punta del Este averages 24°C (76°F) during the day and 17°C (63°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (83 mm total).

Peak season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

December is a great month to visit Punta del Este: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

24°C
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
83 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Punta del Este

3rd
warmest month of the 12
7th
wettest month of the 12
7%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
14 h 29 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the warmest months in Punta del Este (3rd of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (7th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C above the annual average (20°C). December runs 2°C warmer than November (22°C) and warms a further 2°C into January (26°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Punta del Este

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:20 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:49 PM
Day length
14 h 29 min

Times shown for Punta del Este local time (America/Montevideo), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Punta del Este — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Punta del Este's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:20 AM – 5:00 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:09 PM – 8:09 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:09 PM – 8:49 PM

📅 When to book — Punta del Este in December

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Peak season) and Punta del Este's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-5 months
Flight prices are near their annual peak. Watch fare-alert tools, book directly when you see a fare under the typical range for this city.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
3-5 months
Reasonable selection still available at 3-4 months out, but central locations vanish first.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — December in Punta del Este

Peak season

Punta del Este is in peak season during this month — expect bigger crowds at famous sights, higher hotel and flight prices, and longer queues. Restaurant reservations a few days out are advisable, and any boutique hotels you have your eye on should be booked weeks ahead. The trade-off: most attractions, restaurants, and seasonal services are fully open, the weather is at its most reliable, and the city feels at its most alive.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Punta del Este

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.7
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural. Check current dengue/malaria advisories for the destination.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Punta del Este — December

20.3°C (69°F)
pleasant
warm enough for most swimmers without a wetsuit

Across the year Punta del Este's sea swings from 12°C (July) to 23.3°C (March) — December sits at 20.3°C.

Punta del Este in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 26°C / 79°F 20°C / 67°F 120 mm 8
February 26°C / 78°F 20°C / 67°F 102 mm 10
March 24°C / 75°F 18°C / 65°F 90 mm 10
April 21°C / 70°F 16°C / 61°F 109 mm 10
May 18°C / 64°F 13°C / 55°F 78 mm 9
June 15°C / 59°F 10°C / 50°F 82 mm 8
July 15°C / 58°F 9°C / 49°F 118 mm 11
August 16°C / 60°F 10°C / 49°F 104 mm 8
September 17°C / 62°F 11°C / 51°F 79 mm 8
October 19°C / 65°F 13°C / 55°F 88 mm 10
November 22°C / 71°F 15°C / 59°F 79 mm 8
December 24°C / 76°F 17°C / 63°F 83 mm 9

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Punta del Este in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Punta del Este in December?

In December, Punta del Este averages a high of 24°C (76°F) and a low of 17°C (63°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Punta del Este in December?

December sees occasional rain in Punta del Este, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Punta del Este?

December is warm. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Punta del Este in December?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full December packing list for Punta del Este for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Punta del Este on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.