How warm is Panama's Caribbean coast in December?

Typical highs are about 81°F and the sea is about 84°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in Panama's Caribbean coast in December?

In a typical year seaweed is low in December. It is usually lightest in June and July and heaviest in April and September. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.

Is December hurricane season in Panama's Caribbean coast?

No. Storm risk is very low in December.

How crowded is Panama's Caribbean coast in December?

Typically busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Panama's Caribbean coast in December

December is a middling month for Panama's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C+, the 9th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 81°F, water around 84°F and about a 89% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in December. Beaches are typically busy (Christmas & holiday break).

Typical dayC+9th of 12 months

Highs / water81°FSea 84°F

Rain chance89%on a given day

SeaweedLowtypical year

CrowdsBusyChristmas & holiday break

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

Panama's Caribbean coast month by month

Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.

November: B- · December: C+ · January: B-. The best months are usually January, March and April, and the weakest are August and September.

Best beaches in Panama's Caribbean coast in December

Resorts with the best typical December, and their grades for the next few days.

Beach	Typical Dec	Seaweed	This week
Radisson Colón 2,000 Hotel & Casino	B	Very low	SatCSunB+MonB-TueB+WedB+
Guna Yala (San Blas) Island Lodges	B-	Very low	SatBSunBMonB+TueB+WedB
Red Frog Beach Resort	B-	Low	SatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedA-
Bambuda Lodge	B-	Low	SatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedA-
Portobelo Beach Resorts	B-	Very low	SatC-SunCMonCTueC+WedC
Ordovician Beach Resort	B-	Very low	SatC-SunCMonCTueC+WedC
Hotel Isla Grande	B-	Very low	SatCSunC+MonB-TueB-WedC+
Cocoplum Eco Lodge	B-	Very low	SatC-SunC+MonCTueB-WedC+

Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.

Better beach options in December

Elsewhere in Central & South America, Panama's Pacific beaches (A-), Belize (B+) and Colombia's Caribbean coast (B) usually grade higher in December. Further afield: Huatulco (A), Puerto Vallarta (A) and Los Cabos (A). Every destination in December.

Questions

Is December a good time to visit Panama's Caribbean coast?: December is a middling month for Panama's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C+, the 9th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 81°F, water around 84°F and about a 89% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in December. Beaches are typically busy (Christmas & holiday break).
How warm is Panama's Caribbean coast in December?: Typical highs are about 81°F and the sea is about 84°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in Panama's Caribbean coast in December?: In a typical year seaweed is low in December. It is usually lightest in June and July and heaviest in April and September. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.
Is December hurricane season in Panama's Caribbean coast?: No. Storm risk is very low in December.
How crowded is Panama's Caribbean coast in December?: Typically busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Plan it

Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 20 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.