Yangon in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Yangon

32°C (91°F) High Temp

18°C (64°F) Low Temp

10 mm (0.4 inches) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Peak dry season with only 10 mm (0.4 inches) rainfall and crisp mornings at 18°C (64°F) - perfect for dawn pagoda visits and early morning photography
Tourist season crowds thin out after Christmas, making December 26-31 ideal for popular sites like Shwedagon Pagoda without the shoulder-to-shoulder experience
Cool evenings create perfect street food weather - vendors stay open later and food stays fresh longer in the 18-22°C (64-72°F) evening temperatures
Thingyan festival preparation season brings authentic cultural experiences as monasteries and communities prepare for April celebrations with special ceremonies

Considerations

Accommodation prices peak 40-60% higher than shoulder season, especially December 20-January 2, with budget guesthouses jumping from $15 to $25+ per night
Early morning fog from December 15-31 can delay domestic flights by 2-4 hours, particularly affecting Mandalay and Bagan connections
Popular restaurants and tea shops close unexpectedly for end-of-year family celebrations, leaving tourists scrambling for dinner options December 28-31

Best Activities in December

Shwedagon Pagoda sunrise and sunset tours

December's cool mornings make 5:30am sunrise visits comfortable, while dry weather guarantees unobstructed golden hour photography. The pagoda's marble surfaces aren't scorching hot like in March-May, allowing barefoot exploration. Clear skies provide perfect conditions for the famous golden reflection shots.

Booking Tip: Individual entry costs 10,000 kyat ($5). Arrive 45 minutes before sunrise to secure prime photography spots on the eastern platform. No booking required - pay at entrance gates. Bring headlamp for pre-dawn navigation.

Yangon circular train cultural journeys

Cool December weather makes the 3-hour, 39 km (24 mile) loop comfortable in non-air-conditioned carriages. Peak harvest season means trains are loaded with fresh produce from surrounding villages. Morning departures at 6:15am and 9:45am offer the best local interaction as commuters head to work.

Booking Tip: Purchase tickets at Central Railway Station for 200 kyat ($0.10). No advance booking needed. Board early for window seats. Trains run every 45 minutes but morning services offer better cultural immersion.

Yangon street food walking tours

December's comfortable evening temperatures of 22-25°C (72-77°F) make 3-4 hour food tours pleasant. Vendors operate longer hours in cool weather, keeping food fresher. Peak tourist season ensures all stalls are operating at full capacity with maximum variety.

Booking Tip: Self-guided tours work best - start at 19th Street BBQ area around 5pm when stalls open. Budget 15,000-25,000 kyat ($8-12) for full evening of sampling. Focus on Southeastasia and downtown areas for highest concentration of vendors.

Bago day trips with ancient pagodas

December's dry roads make the 80 km (50 mile) drive to Bago comfortable in 1.5 hours. Cool weather allows extended exploration of outdoor archaeological sites without heat exhaustion. Shwethalyaung Buddha and Kyaikpun Pagoda are best experienced in December's pleasant temperatures.

Booking Tip: Day trips typically cost 35,000-50,000 kyat ($18-25) including transport and guide. Book through hotel reception or licensed tour operators (see current options in booking section below). Depart early at 7am to maximize cool weather exploration time.

Inya Lake sunset cycling routes

December's cool evenings make cycling comfortable along the 8 km (5 mile) lake perimeter. University students return from break, creating busy lakeside atmosphere. Clear skies provide excellent sunset views over the water, particularly from the eastern shore near Yangon University.

Booking Tip: Bike rentals available near lake entrance for 3,000-5,000 kyat ($1.50-2.50) per day. Best cycling window is 4-6pm before sunset. No booking required - rent on arrival. Avoid weekends when local families crowd the pathways.

Thanlyin cross-river cultural experiences

December's calm weather makes river crossings on local ferries comfortable. Kyauktan Yele Pagoda, built on stilts in the Yangon River, is accessible via 30-minute boat rides. Cool temperatures make temple exploration pleasant, and dry season ensures reliable ferry schedules.

Booking Tip: Ferry crossing costs 500 kyat ($0.25) each way from Thanlyin jetty. Boats run every 30 minutes from 6am-6pm. Temple entry is free. Allow full day for round-trip including 1-hour each way travel from central Yangon. No advance booking needed.

December Events & Festivals

Mid to Late December

Independence Day celebrations

January 4th preparations begin in mid-December with street decorations and cultural rehearsals. Local communities practice traditional dances and music performances. Shwedagon Pagoda hosts special prayer ceremonies in the final weeks of December.

December 24-25

Christmas celebrations in colonial quarter

Yangon's Christian community celebrates with midnight masses at Holy Trinity Cathedral and St. Mary's Cathedral. Colonial-era buildings in downtown display Christmas decorations, creating unique East-meets-West atmosphere uncommon elsewhere in Myanmar.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight long pants - temple visits require covered legs, and December evenings can drop to 18°C (64°F)

Breathable cotton shirts with sleeves - protects from UV index 8 sun while respecting temple dress codes

Light jacket or fleece - early mornings and late evenings genuinely feel cool at 18-20°C (64-68°F)

Comfortable walking sandals with back straps - constant shoe removal at temples makes slip-ons essential

Small headlamp or flashlight - power outages are common and many pagodas have dimly lit areas

Portable phone charger - cool weather means more sightseeing time and heavy photo/map usage

High SPF sunscreen - UV remains intense despite cooler temperatures, especially during midday temple visits

Small umbrella - occasional brief showers and useful for sun protection during outdoor exploration

Cash in small bills - most attractions and food stalls don't accept cards, change is often difficult

Wet wipes - limited handwashing facilities at many pagodas and street food areas

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations before December 20th when Myanmar diaspora returns for holidays, causing price spikes and availability issues through January 2nd

Download offline maps before arrival - data speeds slow significantly during peak tourist season as networks become congested with visitor usage

Temple visits are most authentic 5-7am when locals perform morning prayers - tourists rarely appear before 9am, creating genuine cultural experiences

Exchange money at licensed gold shops in downtown Yangon for better rates than hotels - look for official licenses displayed near entrances

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all restaurants stay open during December 28-31 holiday period - many family-run establishments close unexpectedly for New Year preparations

Not bringing warm layers for early morning temple visits - December mornings at 18°C (64°F) feel genuinely cold after months of tropical heat

Booking domestic flights without buffer time - December fog regularly delays morning departures to Bagan and Mandalay by 2-4 hours