Things to Do in Venezuela in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Venezuela
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season conditions across most regions - December sits right in the sweet spot where rain has mostly cleared from the northern coast and Los Llanos plains, giving you consistently clear days for Angel Falls flights and beach time. You're looking at maybe 2-3 rainy days maximum in popular areas like Los Roques and Margarita Island.
- Christmas and New Year festivities are genuinely spectacular - Venezuelans take December celebrations seriously with parrandas (street music parties), elaborate nativity scenes called pesebres, and the unique tradition of roller-skating to early morning mass on Christmas week. You'll experience authentic cultural celebrations rather than tourist-focused events.
- Whale watching season peaks in Morrocoy National Park - humpback whales migrate through Venezuelan Caribbean waters December through March, and early December offers calmer seas and fewer boats compared to January. Tours typically spot mothers with calves, and visibility underwater reaches 18-24 m (60-80 ft) for snorkeling alongside them.
- Currency situation creates exceptional value despite being high season - As of 2026, the bolívar exchange rate through informal channels (widely used and tolerated) means your dollars stretch incredibly far. A beachfront posada that would cost 150 USD in Colombia runs 40-60 USD here, and spectacular meals cost 8-15 USD even in tourist areas.
Considerations
- Domestic flight availability becomes genuinely problematic - Venezuela has limited internal air service, and December books solid 6-8 weeks ahead for routes like Caracas to Canaima (for Angel Falls). You'll pay 3x normal prices if you wait, and might not get flights at all for your preferred dates. Land travel alternatives add 12-18 hours to your journey.
- Cash logistics require serious advance planning - Venezuela operates primarily on cash (bolivares and USD), ATMs rarely work for foreign cards, and credit cards are basically useless outside major Caracas hotels. You need to bring physical US dollars, preferably printed after 2013, and exchange them locally. Running out of cash mid-trip means scrambling to find Western Union locations.
- Coastal accommodations get booked by Venezuelan families early - December is when Caracas residents escape to the beach, and they book their favorite posadas and apartments months ahead. The best-value places in Los Roques, Choroní, and Morrocoy fill up by October, leaving tourists with either expensive last-minute options or less desirable locations far from beaches.
Best Activities in December
Los Roques Archipelago Island-Hopping
December offers the calmest seas of the year for exploring this national park's 350 islands and cays. Water visibility reaches 30 m (100 ft), and you'll have consistent 28°C (82°F) water temps perfect for snorkeling without wetsuits. The turquoise waters and white sand look impossibly photogenic, and December's steady trade winds make it ideal for kitesurfing if that's your thing. Morning departures get you to Cayo de Agua or Madrisquí before day-trippers arrive around 11am. The only downside is December popularity - expect to share anchorages with 4-6 other boats compared to September's solitude.
Angel Falls Overflight and Canaima Lagoon Tours
December sits at the tail end of high-water season, meaning Angel Falls still has impressive flow (unlike February-April when it can reduce to a trickle) but skies are clearing for reliable flight visibility. The 979 m (3,212 ft) cascade looks spectacular, and December's conditions give you 85-90% chance of clear views compared to November's 60%. You'll fly over the tepuis (table mountains) in small aircraft, and the rust-red Canaima Lagoon with its multiple waterfalls makes the trip worthwhile even before reaching Salto Angel. That said, afternoon clouds still roll in around 2-3pm, so morning flights are non-negotiable.
Morrocoy National Park Snorkeling and Beach Days
The calm December seas make this the ideal month for exploring Morrocoy's cays and coral reefs. You'll take boat transfers from Tucacas or Chichiriviche to islands like Cayo Sombrero or Cayo Muerto, where the water stays bathwater-warm at 27-28°C (81-82°F) and visibility reaches 15-20 m (50-65 ft). December's lack of rain means no sediment runoff clouding the water. Expect to see parrotfish, rays, and if you're lucky, sea turtles near the mangroves. The downside is December popularity with Venezuelan families - weekends get genuinely crowded with 200-300 people on popular cays, so aim for weekday visits.
Mérida Andes Páramo Hiking and Cable Car
December brings crisp, clear mornings in the Venezuelan Andes before afternoon clouds roll in around 1-2pm. The páramo ecosystem at 3,000-4,000 m (9,800-13,100 ft) looks stunning with frailejón plants in bloom, and you'll have excellent visibility for spotting the Pico Bolívar snowcap from the world's highest cable car. Morning temperatures start around 8-12°C (46-54°F) at higher elevations, warming to 18-22°C (64-72°F) in Mérida town by afternoon. December's dry conditions mean hiking trails are in excellent shape without the October-November mud. Worth noting the altitude hits some people hard - take it easy your first day.
Orinoco Delta Jungle Lodge Stays
December marks the transition to lower water levels in the delta, which actually improves wildlife spotting as animals concentrate around remaining waterways. You'll stay in basic lodges run by Warao indigenous communities, traveling by curiara (dugout canoe) through narrow channels spotting howler monkeys, capybaras, caimans, and over 300 bird species. December's reduced rainfall means fewer mosquitoes than October-November, though you'll still need serious bug protection. Temperatures hover around 28-32°C (82-90°F) with that sticky jungle humidity that makes you feel like you're breathing through a warm towel.
Caracas Food Tours and Mercado Municipal Visits
December brings seasonal specialties like hallacas (elaborate tamales wrapped in plantain leaves - basically Venezuelan Christmas), pan de jamón (ham-filled sweet bread), and dulce de lechosa (papaya preserve). The Mercado Municipal de Chacao and Sabana Grande areas buzz with energy as families shop for holiday meals. You'll find arepas for 2-4 USD, full meals at local restaurants for 8-15 USD, and the coffee scene has genuinely improved with specialty roasters showcasing Venezuelan beans. December's festive atmosphere means longer restaurant hours and special menus. That said, Caracas requires street smarts - stick to established neighborhoods like Las Mercedes, Altamira, and Los Palos Grandes, especially after dark.
December Events & Festivals
Feria de la Chinita (Maracaibo)
This massive festival honoring the Virgin of Chiquinquirá takes over Maracaibo during the first two weeks of December, peaking around December 18th. You'll experience gaita music (traditional Maracaibo folk music that sounds nothing like Colombian gaita), street parties running until dawn, elaborate light displays, and processions. The lakefront malecón transforms into a carnival atmosphere with food stalls selling typical Maracucho dishes. Hotels book solid for this period, and the city genuinely shuts down for celebrations - plan accordingly if you need to get anything done.
Parrandas and Patinatas (Nationwide)
Throughout December, especially December 16-24, neighborhoods organize parrandas - roving groups of musicians going house to house playing aguinaldos (Christmas carols) on cuatros, maracas, and furrucos. The unique Venezuelan tradition of patinatas involves roller-skating to early morning mass (4-7am) during the week before Christmas, with streets closed to traffic in major cities. Join locals for this genuinely odd and wonderful tradition - you'll see entire families skating through Caracas, Valencia, and Maracaibo in the pre-dawn darkness.
Año Viejo Celebrations
New Year's Eve brings the tradition of burning año viejo effigies at midnight - life-sized dolls representing the old year, often satirizing politicians or celebrities. Beach towns like Morrocoy and Los Roques host beach parties, while Caracas sees celebrations in Altamira and Las Mercedes neighborhoods. Expect fireworks, twelve grapes at midnight (one for each chime), and yellow underwear worn for good luck. Many Venezuelans travel for New Year's, so coastal areas get particularly crowded December 28-January 2.