The month in detail
What to expect in December
In the height of summer, Maputo sees high temperatures (30°C). Heat is a factor for outdoor activities. Rain risk remains low (24% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. May (8.9/10) is significantly better if possible.
December ranks 10 out of 12 months in Maputo. Compared to November: +2°C daytime, +0.5h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
9 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
muggy at times
21°
Sea
29°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
13.6h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 22
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Maputo is May (8.9/10), 3.2 pts higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Maputo
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Maputo
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Mozambique
🗣️LanguagePortuguese
💶CurrencyMetical mozambicain (MT)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJanuary · 30°C
❄️Coolest monthJune · 25°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘFebruary · 27%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Maputo ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
MozambiqueTropical climate with a 8.9 → 5.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
25.97°S · 32.57°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Maputo?
May is the best month with 26.0°C highs, 18.0°C lows, 8.2h of sunshine and 9.0% rainy days. The months of May & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Maputo get in May?
Maputo averages 8.2 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.5/10.
What is the rainiest month in Maputo?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Maputo in May?
In May, overnight lows reach 18.0°C, while afternoon highs average 26.0°C.
Is Maputo good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Maputo scores 5.4/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 8.5/10.
When should you avoid Maputo?
January is the most difficult month to visit Maputo, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Maputo in December?
In December, the sea averages 29°C in Maputo: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Maputo in December?
The average UV index reaches 9 in December in Maputo (very high), with about 13.6h of daylight. Protection essential.