Santa Marta in December

In December, Santa Marta averages 30°C (86°F) during the day and 26°C (78°F) at night, with around 6 days of rain (34 mm total).

Peak season

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

December is a great month to visit Santa Marta: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

30°C
Avg high
26°C
Avg low
6
Rain days
34 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Santa Marta

7th
warmest month of the 12
9th
wettest month of the 12
3%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
11 h 28 min
daylight on the 15th

December is in the middle of the year for warmth in Santa Marta (7th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. December runs roughly the same as November (30°C) and cools 1°C in January (29°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Santa Marta

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:07 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:36 PM
Day length
11 h 28 min

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

Photography light in Santa Marta — December

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:07 AM – 5:47 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:47 AM – 6:47 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:56 PM – 5:56 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:56 PM – 6:36 PM

📅 When to book — Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta'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 Santa Marta

Peak season

Santa Marta 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: comfortable tourism weather Christmas / New Year travel surge beach-season conditions

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Santa Marta

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
10.1
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. 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.

Santa Marta in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 29°C / 85°F 25°C / 77°F 9 mm 2
February 29°C / 85°F 25°C / 77°F 5 mm 1
March 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 77°F 18 mm 2
April 30°C / 87°F 26°C / 78°F 58 mm 8
May 30°C / 86°F 26°C / 79°F 109 mm 15
June 30°C / 86°F 26°C / 79°F 126 mm 17
July 30°C / 87°F 26°C / 79°F 90 mm 16
August 30°C / 87°F 26°C / 79°F 138 mm 19
September 30°C / 86°F 26°C / 79°F 135 mm 20
October 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 78°F 217 mm 24
November 30°C / 85°F 25°C / 78°F 161 mm 18
December 30°C / 86°F 26°C / 78°F 34 mm 6

Other cities with similar December weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Santa Marta in December?

In December, Santa Marta averages a high of 30°C (86°F) and a low of 26°C (78°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in Santa Marta in December?

December sees occasional rain in Santa Marta, with about 6 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Santa Marta?

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 Santa Marta in December?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full December packing list for Santa Marta for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Santa Marta on the interactive map

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