Honest opinions about Aruba in December

[minky1225]

Hello fellow Aruba lovers! This year we are trying something different... We are going to Aruba from Dec. 3-10. This is our first time going in December. We usually go either in June or September but would love the experience of getting out of the cold NY weather and laying on the beach!

What is the weather typically like then? Will it be a lot more crowded? Are dinner reservations more difficult to get since it is almost prime season?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

[Andrea J.]

your dates are the very LOW season.
just as slow if not slower than sept or oct.

to avoid disappointment, make dinner reservations at places you would normally make those reservations....

weather..........well fall thru dec 2010 was very wet.
pretending that last fall did not happen..............
the weather is hot, humid, windy with a bit more rain than in the spring and summer.
after all oct, nov, dec, is the supposed rainy season

[jaw]

We have been going the first week of December for several years, and really can't compare with other seasons, because we always have gone if December. Last year was unusually wet for Sunday arrival. The roads were flooded. However, outside of some detours and driving through high water on Sunday and Monday, it was a good week weather wise. This time of year there are usually some showers, but they don't last long.

Agree with above that reservations should be made, but have found that most restaurants are not very busy.

[paulmorin]

I've been there in dec. for several yrs and will be again this year. not crowded, a meaningless shower now and then, perfect!

[Arubalisa]

December weather
Average high temperature 87 F.
Average low temperature 76 F.
Average temperature 80 F.
Average water temperature 81 F.
Average rainfall 3.3 inches (20.3 inches annual)

One year that we were in Aruba in December, it did rain every day it was in the form of showers and almost always early in the morning. The sun, all days but 2, was out by 10 a.m. The other 2 days were showery in the a.m. and then the sun peaked out in the afternoon. Made for a good break from the beach and time for snorkeling and touring.

[gaby]

we were there last december for 10 days, those dates. like someone above said, one day poured, flooding but by afternoon it was perfect. next day, late pouring shower, but by evening perfect. then the rest of the time was gorgeous. we are going for 2 weeks the beginning of december. so i guess we weren't deterred from last year's two days of weird weather, lol....

[Andrea J.]

last year's weird weather was very bizarre.

we spend lots of time saying things like "passing shower", brief shower, intermittent showers to people that ask on the forum about weather.

last fall and into early winter we were stunned and felt somewhat foolish at times.
like the time in sept 2008............we arrived the day after hurricane ivan made its attack. aruba did well as it was not a direct hit.
i try now never to to tell folks that aruba is not in the hurricane belt.
i now say it is in the far southern edge of the hurricane belt and hits are infrequent.

[ctfirewife-mjn109]

Oh yes, we flew in during a storm that created two waterspouts in August 2007 and flew out the day after Hurricane Felix grazed the island Happy Honeymoon!