Your December weather guide

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Weather in Varadero in December

Varadero in December is a good choice for warm days and swimming without the expectation of intense heat. Average daytime highs reach 25.6°C, the sea is around 26°C, and there are about 6 rainy days across the month. For a UK traveller, that means a clear change from winter weather at home. The catch is that warmth is more dependable than uninterrupted sunshine, so go for comfortable outdoor time rather than guaranteed cloudless days.

Long-term climate averages for Varadero, not a forecast · 1991-2020

Varadero, month by month

Your snapshot

At a glance

The useful details for Varadero.

Average daytime high
25.6°C
9 in 10 days stay below 28°C
Average night-time low
21.8°C
coldest 10% of nights: 19°C or lower
Compared with London
+17.9°C
London averages 7.7°C in December
Sea temperature
26.0°C
year to year: 25°C to 27°C
Sunshine per day (est.)
6.0h
57% of 10.6 h of daylight
Rainy days (1 mm+)
6
26 mm over the month
Humidity
75%
Days over 25°C
69%
0% over 30°C
Record high 1991-2020
30.7°C
2018-12-02
Record low 1991-2020
13.9°C
2010-12-15
Flight from London
≈ 10 h
7414 km, long-haul (estimate for a direct flight)

Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.

How December compares

December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Varadero and ranks 36th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Varadero is 17.9°C warmer by day and 19.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Varadero peaks at 25.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 28.1°C or more. About 69% of days top 25°C and 1 in 333 pass 30°C. Nights average 21.8°C; one night in ten drops to 19.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 30.7°C (2018-12-02) and the coldest night 13.9°C (2010-12-15).

Rain in December

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 6 days with 1 mm or more, 26 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 1995 with 98 mm, the driest 1992 with 5 mm. Humidity averages 75%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 26.0°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 25.4°C to 26.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (29.6°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.6 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:59 and sets about 17:42 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 43%.

Is December a good time to visit Varadero?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, manageable rain. The best months for Varadero on our scoring are February, March, April; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Warm days, with a light layer for evenings

December is towards the cooler end of Varadero's year, but that is relative: 69% of days reach 25°C. It suits travellers who want warmth without making very hot afternoons the focus of the holiday. Humidity averages 75%, so light, breathable clothing is still a sensible choice, particularly around midday. Nights average 21.8°C, making evenings generally mild rather than chilly. However, the coldest 10% of nights fall to 19.1°C or below, so pack a light layer rather than relying entirely on summer clothes. The warmer days reach 28.1°C or more, giving you some scope for hotter weather without treating it as a promise.

Good swimming conditions, but leave room for rain

The sea is a strong reason to choose December: its average temperature is 26°C, with a year-to-year range of 25°C to 27°C. That puts it comfortably in swimming territory, rather than making a dip something to endure. There is about 6.0 h of sunshine within 10.6 h of daylight, so expect some sunny time rather than clear skies throughout the day. Rain affects about 6 days during the month, which makes a flexible plan more useful than assuming every afternoon will be dry. Keep swimming and outdoor plans adaptable, and bring a light waterproof. The figures do not tell you when rain will arrive or how long it will last.

A little perspective

Varadero through the year

December is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.

Monthly climate averages

Swipe sideways on a phone; the month stays in view.

Varadero monthly climate averages, 1991-2020; December is the selected month.
MonthDayNightSeaSun/dayRain mmRainy daysDays 25°C+
January25.0°C20.7°C25.3°C5.931656%
Februarybest25.7°C20.9°C25.1°C7.323470%
Marchbest26.6°C21.5°C25.4°C7.823577%
Aprilbest28.1°C22.8°C26.2°C8.040794%
May28.9°C24.1°C27.2°C7.311314100%
June29.8°C25.4°C28.5°C4.914519100%
July30.4°C26.0°C29.3°C6.010018100%
August30.6°C26.1°C29.6°C5.412820100%
September29.8°C25.7°C29.4°C4.615223100%
October28.4°C24.8°C28.4°C5.01131898%
November26.6°C23.2°C27.0°C5.950983%
DecemberSelected25.6°C21.8°C26.0°C6.026669%

Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.

Day, night and sea

Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020

  • Day
  • Night
  • Sea
Bars show average daytime highs and night-time lows; circles mark the average sea temperature. Same scale for every month. Exact values are in the table.

Best months here

On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.

Keep exploring

Similar in December

Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.

A little more detail

Varadero in December FAQs

Plain answers, grounded in the averages.

Is Varadero hot in December?

Varadero is hot in December: the average daytime high is 25.6°C and nights average 21.8°C. About 69% of December days reach 25°C or more.

Can you swim in the sea in Varadero in December?

The sea around Varadero averages 26.0°C in December, which is warm enough for most people to swim comfortably. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 25°C to 27°C depending on the year.

How much does it rain in Varadero in December?

Varadero sees about 6 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 26 mm of rain in a typical December. The wettest December between 1991 and 2020 was 1995 (98 mm) and the driest was 1992 (5 mm).

How sunny is Varadero in December?

Varadero gets around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day in December out of 10.6 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).

How does Varadero compare with the UK in December?

Varadero is on average 17.9°C warmer than London by day in December (25.6°C against 7.7°C).

What is the hottest December on record in Varadero?

Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day in Varadero reached 30.7°C on 2018-12-02, and the coldest night dropped to 13.9°C on 2010-12-15.

How much warmer is Varadero than London in December?

Varadero's average daytime high is 25.6°C, compared with London's 7.7°C - a difference of 17.9°C. That is a substantial shift towards warm-weather clothing and swimming, although a light layer remains useful for cooler evenings.

Is December the best month to go for weather?

December is a good option for warmth and swimming, but February, March and April rate better overall. Choose December if the timing suits you; if your dates are flexible, those months are worth comparing before you commit.

About these averages

ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020

Averages computed from daily values at Varadero. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 2.8 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather