Recife in December

In December, Recife averages 29°C (85°F) during the day and 25°C (76°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 25 days of the month see precipitation (66 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

December offers comfortable temperatures in Recife, with some rain to plan around.

29°C
Avg high
25°C
Avg low
25
Rain days
66 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Recife

5th
warmest month of the 12
12th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
12 h 35 min
daylight on the 15th

December is in the middle of the year for warmth in Recife (5th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (28°C). December runs roughly the same as November (29°C) and stays flat into January.

December sunrise & sunset in Recife

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
4:57 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:32 PM
Day length
12 h 35 min

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

Photography light in Recife — December

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
3:57 AM – 4:37 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
4:37 AM – 5:37 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:52 PM – 5:52 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:52 PM – 6:32 PM

📅 When to book — Recife 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 (Shoulder) and Recife's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ 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 Recife

Shoulder

Recife is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Recife

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.4
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

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 Recife — December

28.8°C (84°F)
bath-warm
tropical and comfortable for hours

Across the year Recife's sea swings from 26.7°C (July) to 30.1°C (March) — December sits at 28.8°C.

Recife in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 29°C / 85°F 25°C / 76°F 81 mm 29
February 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 77°F 81 mm 25
March 29°C / 85°F 25°C / 76°F 115 mm 29
April 29°C / 84°F 25°C / 76°F 120 mm 27
May 28°C / 83°F 24°C / 75°F 195 mm 30
June 27°C / 81°F 23°C / 74°F 186 mm 28
July 27°C / 80°F 23°C / 73°F 146 mm 30
August 27°C / 80°F 23°C / 73°F 100 mm 29
September 27°C / 81°F 23°C / 74°F 72 mm 27
October 28°C / 83°F 24°C / 75°F 54 mm 27
November 29°C / 85°F 25°C / 76°F 50 mm 25
December 29°C / 85°F 25°C / 76°F 66 mm 25

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Recife in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Recife in December?

In December, Recife averages a high of 29°C (85°F) and a low of 25°C (76°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Recife in December?

December is quite rainy in Recife, with about 25 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Recife?

December is warm but on the rainy side. 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 Recife in December?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full December packing list for Recife for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Recife on the interactive map

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