São Tomé and Príncipe in December

Turtles nesting; Christmas flights busy; short dry spell late in the month.

December is rated good. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatGravana starts: cooler, drier, good for Obo and Pico Cão Grande.
• JulyGreatDry season; 12 July Independence Day; whales offshore.
• AugustGreatBest walking weather; diaspora holidays fill flights; Auto de Floripes on Príncipe (15 Aug).
• SeptemberGreatEnd of gravana; still good for trekking.

• São Tomé north and east · São Tomé city, Guadalupe, Lagoa Azulfine

  Drier and sunnier in the rain shadow; gravana (June–September) is cooler and cloudy-bright; a short dry gravanito around December–January.

• São Tomé south and west, Obo forest · Porto Alegre, Ribeira Peixe, Obo, Pico Cão Granderainy

  Among the wettest places in Africa — several metres of rain a year; even the dry season brings showers.

• Príncipe · Santo António, Bom Bom, Sundyfine

  Hot and humid; the north is drier than the forested south.

• São Tomé30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 11 rain days
• Santo António29 °C (84 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• São Tomé Day

  21 Dec

  Feast of the island's patron saint.

• Christmas

  25 Dec

  Diaspora visits; flights busy.

Crowds · São Tomé and Príncipe

Medium

Prices · São Tomé and Príncipe

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in São Tomé and Príncipe, side by side.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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Rated best or good this month

• Santo António

  Best months: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb