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Recife · Pernambuco Good time to visit Summer High season

Recife in December

Short answer

In December, Recife averages highs of 31 °C (88 °F) and lows of 23 °C (73 °F), with about 62 mm of rain spread over roughly 8 days. December has moderate rainfall, usually in quick showers that do not spoil the whole day. Crowds tend to be high this month.

Climate · INMET (updated 2026)
Most reviewed activity in RecifeRecife & Olinda Tour★ 8.7 · 118 reviews · from US$ 22 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Temperature
31 / 23 °C
high / low
Rain
62 mm
8 days
Daylight
12h35
sunset at 17:32
Crowds
High
1 public holiday

What to expect in Recife in December

Myllena Vieira, editor at Visite
Editor's tip

December finds Recife in the middle of summer. In Brazil the seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Highs reach 31 °C (88 °F): the heat calls for early starts, sunscreen, and spending the middle of the day in the shade or in the water. It is one of the busiest times of the year: the destination fills up, rates go up and the best hotels sell out early. Book ahead or choose weekdays. Rain, when it comes, is usually brief and does not spoil the day. If the dates line up, it is worth fitting New Year's Eve in Boa Viagem into your itinerary: it is what livens up the destination at that time of year.

Myllena Vieira · Editor at Visite
Crowds
Crowd level: high

December is high season: the destination fills up, the most popular attractions have lines, and it pays to book ahead.

Prices
Rates: high · ~R$ 254

High season: higher rates and heavy demand. Book ahead. The average nightly rate for lodging in Recife is around R$ 254 (Brazilian reais), depending on the date.

Tours and tickets

Things to do in Recife in December

booking on Civitatis
Recife & Olinda Tour
8.7· 118 reviews

Recife & Olinda Tour

Discover the rich heritage of Recife and Olinda on this walking tour in which you'll learn the origin and evolution of these two cities.

7 h
from US$ 22
Book →
Porto de Galinhas Day Trip
8.5· 101 reviews

Porto de Galinhas Day Trip

Spend a day relaxing in a tropical paradise on this Porto de Galinhas Day Trip! We'll leave Recife behind and visit Brazil's favourite beach destination.

8 h
from US$ 25
Book →
Maragogi Day Trip
8.6· 59 reviews

Maragogi Day Trip

Coral reefs, crystal-clear beaches... On this day trip to Maragogi from Recife, you'll enjoy one of the most idyllic spots on Brazil's coast.

8 h
from US$ 32
Book →
Carneiros Day Trip
8.8· 52 reviews

Carneiros Day Trip

Step away from the usual beaches and discover Carneiros Beach on this day trip from Recife, a natural setting ideal for relaxation.

8 h
from US$ 29
Book →
Cabo Santo Agostinho Day Trip
8.1· 15 reviews

Cabo Santo Agostinho Day Trip

On this buggy tour, you’ll explore Cabo Santo Agostinho, a natural paradise known for its crystal-clear waters, on a route combining scenery and adventure.

8 h
from US$ 25
Book →
Igarassu & Itamaracá Day Trip
9.7· 8 reviews

Igarassu & Itamaracá Day Trip

Discover paradisiacal beaches on this incredible Igarassu and Itamaracá Trip. We'll spend the day exploring these beautiful spots on the Brazilian coastline!

8 h
from US$ 25
Book →
See all activities in Recife
Where to stay

Hotels in Recife

December is high season in Recife: the best hotels fill up and rates rise as the date approaches. It is best to lock in your room as soon as the trip is decided.

Hotel Atlante Plaza in Recife 9 ★★★★★ · 145 reviews Hotel Atlante Plaza See on Booking → Mar Hotel Conventions in Recife 9 ★★★★ · 70 reviews Mar Hotel Conventions See on Booking → Beach Class Convention By Mai in Recife 8.6 ★★★★ · 76 reviews Beach Class Convention By Mai See on Booking → Encantos do Mar Hostel in Recife 9.7 ★ · 6 reviews Encantos do Mar Hostel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Recife

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

What happens in December

New Year's Eve in Boa Viagem
New Year's Eve on the Boa Viagem waterfront, with concerts and fireworks by the sea.
Public holidays in December: Christmas (25/12). Expect more people and higher prices around these dates.

What to pack in December

Light clothing and a cap · highs of 31 °C (88 °F) Rain jacket or umbrella · 8 days of rain in the month Sunscreen and sunglasses · strong sun on the tours Comfortable walking shoes · you will be on foot much of the day
Looking for better weather?

Where the weather is good in December

These destinations have the best weather comfort for December, scored with the same calculation of rain, heat and humidity. Tap to see what the month is like in each one.

Fernando de Noronha 75
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Pernambuco · see December →
Jericoacoara 72
Jericoacoara
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João Pessoa 70
João Pessoa
Paraíba · see December →
Natal 69
Natal
Rio Grande do Norte · see December →
See all destinations by month

Torn between Recife and another destination?

See Recife next to the destinations that usually compete for the same trip: month-by-month weather, driving cost, ideal length of stay and travel style, side by side.

Recife or Porto de Galinhas? Recife or Tamandaré? Recife or Arraial d'Ajuda?
see all comparisons →

Questions about Recife in December

What is the weather like in Recife in December?
In December, Recife averages highs of 31 °C (88 °F) and lows of 23 °C (73 °F), with about 62 mm of rain spread over roughly 8 days. December has moderate rainfall, usually in quick showers that do not spoil the whole day. Crowds tend to be high this month.
Does it rain a lot in Recife in December?
In December, Recife gets about 62 mm of rain spread over around 8 rainy days, one of the driest months. Rain tends to come in quick showers that do not ruin the day.
Is December high season in Recife?
Crowds in December tend to be high. High season: higher rates and heavy demand. Book ahead.
What is happening in Recife in December?
December brings New Year's Eve in Boa Viagem. Confirm the dates and book early if they overlap with your trip.
Does it usually rain all day in Recife in December?
INMET's climate normals record the number of rainy days and the total millimeters, not the hours of each day, so they do not say how long the rain lasts. What they show for Recife in December: 8 rainy days in a month of 31 days (about 26% of the days) and 62 mm over the month, which works out to an average of about 8 mm per rainy day. Compared with the rest of the year, December is one of the driest months at the destination. Rain tends to come in showers, but it is smart to have an indoor backup plan.
What is the temperature in Recife in December, and what should you pack?
According to INMET's climate normals, the average high in Recife in December is 31 °C and the average low is 23 °C, with air humidity of around 72%. Compared with the rest of the year, the temperature in December is typical for the destination. For your suitcase, here is what those numbers call for: light clothing and a cap; rain jacket or umbrella; sunscreen and sunglasses.
Is Recife worth visiting in December?
Good time to visit. On our weather comfort index, which weighs rain, heat and humidity from INMET's climate normals, December scores 60 out of 100 and ranks No. 2 among the 12 months. The most comfortable month is November (66) and the least comfortable is May (36). As for crowds, in December they tend to be high.
November see the full year January