Chiang Mai · Thailand
December
Peak season returns: 15mm rain, 13°C nights, mountain views clear — and prices to match the conditions.
Strong option
#4 of 12 months
There are better months for Chiang Mai — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
27.5°C
Low
13°C
Rain
15mm
Sun
8.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How December scores in Chiang Mai
Weather
Outstanding
Value
Average
Crowds
Below average
Events
Good
Atmosphere
Outstanding
What you gain in December
- ↑Only 15mm of rain: the second driest month — near-guaranteed clear days for elephant sanctuary visits and national park trekking
- ↑Coolest temperatures of the year: 13°C nights make evening market-going genuinely pleasant without heavy clothing
- ↑Loy Krathong (if it falls in December) or its afterglow adds festive temple atmosphere throughout the month
What you sacrifice
- ↓Peak Christmas–New Year demand: boutique old-city guesthouses at maximum rates and full occupancy
- ↓Doi Suthep temple and Elephant Nature Park at their busiest — timing and booking essential
- ↓International flights to Chiang Mai more expensive and less flexible over the holiday period
How December compares to November (best month)
| Factor | December | November ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 9 | 10 |
| Value | 4 | 5 |
| Crowds | 3 | 5 |
December in other destinations
Lisbon (14.4°C)Barcelona (13.8°C)Tokyo (12°C)Bali (30.3°C)Santorini (14.5°C)Paris (6.9°C)New York (5.1°C)Marrakech (18.1°C)Amsterdam (6.4°C)Maldives (30°C)Rome (11.7°C)Bangkok (30.4°C)Istanbul (9.4°C)Vienna (3°C)Seoul (3.7°C)Dubrovnik (11.6°C)Rio de Janeiro (29.5°C)Kyoto (11.3°C)Phuket (31.8°C)Cape Town (25.6°C)Prague (3°C)Amalfi Coast (13°C)Mexico City (21°C)Medellín (28°C)Fiji (30°C)London (8°C)Sydney (26°C)Iceland (2°C)Tulum (28°C)Dubai (25°C)Singapore (30°C)Hoi An (24°C)Miami (25.6°C)Florence (9.8°C)Queenstown (21°C)Madrid (9.5°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Chiang Mai, not across destinations. Methodology →