Month guide · Luang Prabang · Laos
Luang Prabang in December
What December is really like in Luang Prabang: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Luang Prabang. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 10.9 hours of daylight. Cool, dry and busy, with cold early mornings; book rooms early around Christmas and New Year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 27°C (81°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Luang Prabang: days average 27°C (81°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with November (29°C (84°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:39
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:35
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
Late rains (August–October). The wettest weeks give way to clearer weather in October, with full waterfalls, boat races and the festival of lights.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Hmong New Year celebrations in surrounding villages (often around December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Religious site · Old Town centre
Wat Sene
A brightly painted red-and-gold monastery on Sakkaline Road dating from the early 18th century, home to long racing boats used in the annual boat festival.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Museum · Around Wat Visoun
Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
Visit before shopping at the night market to learn how to recognise authentic textiles.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Luang Prabang town
UXO Laos Visitor Centre
This small exhibition explains how more than two million tonnes of ordnance were dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973 and how unexploded bombs still affect rural communities.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Experience · Mekong riverfront
Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre
Book a natural-dye class to take home a scarf you coloured yourself; free tours of the workshops run through the day.
- Time needed
- 2 hours to a full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Shopping
What to pack
For highs near 27°C, lows near 14°C and 2 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Luang Prabang?
One of the best months to visit Luang Prabang, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are January–February and November. Compare every month.
Luang Prabang in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Luang Prabang?
It is one of the best months to visit Luang Prabang. Cool, dry and busy, with cold early mornings; book rooms early around Christmas and New Year.
+How warm is Luang Prabang in December?
Average highs are around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Luang Prabang in December?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.