Month guide · Jeju · South Korea
Jeju in December
What December is really like in Jeju: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 11°C (52°F), lows of 6°C (43°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 9.9 hours of daylight. Windy and grey on the north coast, with snow on Hallasan; camellia gardens in the south are at their best and tangerines are everywhere.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 11°C (52°F) / 6°C (43°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 9.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Jeju: days average 11°C (52°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 6°C (43°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with November (16°C (61°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:31
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:28
- Daylight
- About 9.9 hours
- Sea
- 17°C (63°F)
Winter (December–February). Cool, windy and damp on the coast with snow on Hallasan; camellias, tangerines and low hotel prices, but grey days are common.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Camellia season in southern gardens (December–February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Market · Jeju City Old Town
Jeju Dongmun Traditional Market
Jeju City's main traditional market sells hairtail, abalone, hallabong and dried seafood under covered lanes, and its night market section fills with stalls selling black-pork skewers, grilled abalone and tangerine drinks.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Museum · Jocheon
Jeju Stone Park
Start in the indoor museum to understand the island's geology, then walk the outdoor circuit, which takes about an hour.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Outdoors
Museum · Hamdeok and Gujwa
Haenyeo Museum
In the diving village of Hado-ri, this museum tells the story of Jeju's women free-divers through their cotton diving clothes, tools, boats and recorded songs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Jeju City
Jeju 4.3 Peace Park
Allow time for the exhibition hall, which is clearly laid out with English panels, and visit before rather than after a beach day.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 11°C, lows near 6°C and 15 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Jeju?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Jeju in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Jeju?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Windy and grey on the north coast, with snow on Hallasan; camellia gardens in the south are at their best and tangerines are everywhere.
+How warm is Jeju in December?
Average highs are around 11°C (52°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Jeju in December?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.