San Salvador in December

In December, San Salvador averages 30°C (85°F) during the day and 19°C (67°F) at night, with around 10 days of rain (10 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

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

30°C
Avg high
19°C
Avg low
10
Rain days
10 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in San Salvador

5th
warmest month of the 12
10th
wettest month of the 12
1%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
11 h 19 min
daylight on the 15th

December is in the middle of the year for warmth in San Salvador (5th of 12) and one of the driest months (10th of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. December runs 1°C warmer than November (28°C) and warms a further 1°C into January (30°C).

December sunrise & sunset in San Salvador

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:12 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:31 PM
Day length
11 h 19 min

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

Photography light in San Salvador — December

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:12 AM – 5:52 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:52 AM – 6:52 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:51 PM – 5:51 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:51 PM – 6:31 PM

📅 When to book — San Salvador 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 San Salvador'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 San Salvador

Shoulder

San Salvador 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.

Why this tier: Christmas / New Year travel surge

Sun & mosquito risk — December in San Salvador

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
9.7
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural.

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.

San Salvador in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 30°C / 86°F 19°C / 66°F 5 mm 8
February 31°C / 88°F 19°C / 67°F 5 mm 6
March 31°C / 88°F 20°C / 69°F 17 mm 13
April 31°C / 87°F 21°C / 70°F 66 mm 22
May 29°C / 83°F 21°C / 70°F 230 mm 29
June 28°C / 82°F 21°C / 70°F 246 mm 28
July 29°C / 85°F 21°C / 70°F 156 mm 28
August 28°C / 83°F 21°C / 70°F 236 mm 29
September 27°C / 81°F 21°C / 69°F 287 mm 30
October 27°C / 81°F 20°C / 69°F 251 mm 29
November 28°C / 83°F 20°C / 68°F 76 mm 19
December 30°C / 85°F 19°C / 67°F 10 mm 10

Other cities with similar December weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is San Salvador in December?

In December, San Salvador averages a high of 30°C (85°F) and a low of 19°C (67°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in San Salvador in December?

December can be fairly wet in San Salvador, with about 10 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit San Salvador?

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

What should I pack for San Salvador in December?

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

Open San Salvador on the interactive map

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