Kerala in December 2026: Weather, Best Places, Houseboats and Christmas

Short answer: Kerala in December is warm, mostly dry and at its best for a first trip. IMD normals for Kochi give 33°C days, 22°C nights and only about two rainy days in the month, while Munnar in the tea hills runs near 22°C by day and 12–13°C at night. Houseboats, beaches and Periyar all work. The catch is demand: the last ten days of December, from Christmas to New Year, are the most booked of the year.

Is December a good time to visit Kerala?

Yes. December is the first fully settled month after two monsoons. The southwest monsoon ends in September, and the northeast monsoon (locals call it thulavarsham) brings most of its rain in October and November. By December it is usually down to a few evening showers. The numbers show the change: IMD’s 1991–2020 normals for Cochin airport give 175.9 mm of rain over 7.4 rainy days in November, but only 53.4 mm over 2.2 days in December, and 1.8 mm in January.

That makes December the start of Kerala’s main season. The sea on the Varkala and Kovalam side calms down, the backwaters are full after the rains, the tea hills are green and the air in Munnar is cool and clear in the mornings. Humidity on the coast is lower than in the monsoon but still noticeable, so expect sticky afternoons in Kochi and Alleppey.

The trade-off is crowds and cost in the holiday weeks. School holidays in many states and Christmas–New Year travel push houseboat and resort rates to their yearly high, especially from 20 December to the first days of January. The first half of December is noticeably calmer.

What is the weather like in Kerala in December?

Kerala has two climates in one small state: the hot, humid coast and backwaters, and the cool Western Ghats. Pack for both.

Sources: Kochi (Cochin airport) IMD normals 1991–2020; Thiruvananthapuram climate table (Wikipedia); Munnar averages from weather2travel (CRU/Met Office data), approximate. Daily weather varies; check the IMD forecast a few days before you travel.

Which places are best in Kerala in December?

Munnar: the tea hills at their clearest

December is one of the best months for Munnar. The rains have washed the tea slopes bright green, and morning mist lifts by mid-morning for views over the estates. Nights are cold enough for a jacket, and the higher estates can feel close to freezing on clear nights in late December and January. Eravikulam National Park, home of the Nilgiri tahr, is open in December; it is the February–March breeding season when the park usually shuts (it was proposed to close from 1 February to 31 March 2026, Onmanorama, 6 January 2026). Two nights is the right stay.

Thekkady and Periyar

Thekkady, about three hours south of Munnar by road, is the base for the Periyar Tiger Reserve. In December the lake boat ride, guided nature walks and the spice plantations around Kumily are all running. Sightings of elephants and bison at the lakeside are common in the dry season; tigers are rare, so go for the forest and the boat, not a guaranteed sighting.

Alleppey and Kumarakom: the houseboat month

The backwaters are at their fullest after the northeast monsoon, the sky is clear and the evenings are calm, which makes December prime houseboat season. An overnight cruise is the classic choice: board around noon, cruise through the afternoon, moor at dusk and return the next morning. Our Alleppey houseboat guide explains overnight vs day cruises, what is included and how to pick a boat. For Christmas week, book the boat as early as you book flights.

Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi is worth a full day: the Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Mattancherry’s Jew Town and synagogue, the Dutch Palace and an evening Kathakali show. In December it fills up for the Cochin Carnival, which ends with the burning of the giant Pappanji effigy at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Varkala and Kovalam

The southern beaches come into season in December. Varkala’s red cliffs, cafés and quieter sands suit couples and slower travellers; Kovalam is closer to Thiruvananthapuram airport and has more resort options. The sea is calmer than in the monsoon, but currents are still strong in places, so swim only where lifeguards are on duty.

What happens in Kerala in December 2026?

Sabarimala dates from the 2026–27 temple calendars (Divine Hindu, updated 20 October 2026; Prokerala); the Travancore Devaswom Board announces the final schedule. Carnival detail from Onmanorama, 11 December 2025. Check before travel.

A 6-day Kerala itinerary for December

1. Day 1 – Kochi: arrive at Cochin International Airport, afternoon in Fort Kochi, sunset at the fishing nets.
2. Day 2 – Kochi to Munnar (about 4 hours): stop at the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls on the way up; evening in the estates.
3. Day 3 – Munnar: Eravikulam National Park in the morning, tea museum, Mattupetty and Echo Point.
4. Day 4 – Munnar to Thekkady (about 3 hours): spice plantation walk, Kathakali or Kalaripayattu show in Kumily.
5. Day 5 – Thekkady to Alleppey: Periyar lake boat ride early, then down to the backwaters and board the houseboat by noon; overnight on the water.
6. Day 6 – Alleppey to Kochi: disembark after breakfast and drive to the airport (about 2 hours), or add two nights in Varkala.

This is close to our Kerala honeymoon package (6 days / 5 nights, from ₹22,500 per person on our live packages page). Shorter trips fit the Kerala Highlights tour (5 days / 4 nights), and a slower week with more time in Kochi fits the Kerala Royal Tour (7 days). For Guruvayur and Padmanabhaswamy darshan, see the Kerala temple tour. All of them run with a private AC car and driver; prices for Christmas–New Year dates are quoted on request because houseboats and hill resorts charge peak rates that week.

What should you pack for Kerala in December?

• Light cotton or linen for the coast and backwaters, plus a hat and high-factor sunscreen.
• A fleece or light jacket for Munnar evenings and early mornings; a warmer layer if you stay in the high estates.
• A compact umbrella or rain shell for the odd shower, especially in the first half of the month.
• Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples and churches; many Kerala temples also have their own dress rules for men and women.
• Mosquito repellent for the backwaters and Periyar, and sandals that can get wet.

Our India packing list by season and region has a full checklist.

How do you avoid the Christmas–New Year rush in Kerala?

Three things help. First, travel between 1 and 18 December if your dates allow: the weather is nearly the same and houseboats and resorts are easier to get. Second, if you must go over Christmas, fix the houseboat night and Munnar hotel before anything else, ideally by mid-November, and avoid putting the houseboat on 24, 25 or 31 December when demand peaks. Third, spend New Year’s Eve away from Fort Kochi unless the carnival is the point of your trip; the roads around the beach are barricaded that night and cabs are hard to find.

If you are still choosing between the south and the hills, our best places to visit in December in India guide compares Kerala with Goa, Rajasthan, Kashmir and Himachal, and Goa in December covers the beach alternative.

Frequently asked questions

Does it rain in Kerala in December?

A little. December is at the tail end of the northeast monsoon, so short showers are possible, mostly in the first half of the month and more in the south than the north. IMD normals for Kochi give about 53 mm of rain over roughly two rainy days, against 176 mm in November. Rain rarely spoils a full day.

Is Munnar cold in December?

Cool rather than cold by north Indian standards. Days are around 22°C and nights about 12–13°C in Munnar town, colder in the higher tea estates, especially on clear nights late in the month. A fleece or light jacket is enough for most travellers; frost is a January possibility at the highest points, not something to plan around.

Is December a good time for a houseboat in Alleppey?

It is one of the best months. The backwaters are full after the rains, the skies are clear and evenings are calm. The only problem is demand: boats for 20 December to 2 January sell out early and cost the most. Book as soon as your dates are fixed and avoid Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve if you can.

Is Eravikulam National Park open in December?

Yes. Eravikulam, the Nilgiri tahr park near Munnar, is open in December. It usually closes in February and March for the tahr’s calving season; for 2026 the proposed closure was 1 February to 31 March (Onmanorama, 6 January 2026). Go early in the morning to avoid queues for the park bus in the holiday weeks.

How many days do you need for Kerala in December?

Five to seven days covers the classic loop: Kochi, two nights in Munnar, one in Thekkady and a houseboat night in Alleppey, with a beach stay in Varkala or Kovalam if you have a week. Kerala’s roads are slow and winding in the hills, so plan no more than one long drive a day.

Will Sabarimala season affect my Kerala trip?

Only on certain roads. The Mandala season runs from the evening of 16 November to the Mandala Pooja on 27 December 2026, and brings heavy pilgrim traffic through Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Kumily. Expect slower drives on the Thekkady route, especially at weekends. Munnar, the backwaters and the beaches are not affected.

Is Kerala expensive in December?

The first half of December is priced like normal high season. From about 20 December to early January, houseboats, Munnar resorts and beach hotels charge their highest rates of the year and often set minimum stays. Booking early and avoiding the 24th, 25th and 31st for the houseboat night keeps costs down.