Makassar Weather in December

December: wet and close

December is hot, sticky and very cloudy, and rain falls on most days, often in heavy bursts. With so little sunshine, the sea-level heat can make a walk around Losari feel tiring. Keep your outdoor sightseeing flexible, because a dry morning can turn wet by the afternoon.

Fort Rotterdam is a good pick when the sky opens up. Afterwards, duck into a café for coto Makassar, a local beef soup. Save longer walks or boat trips to Samalona Island for a clearer spell, since rain can disrupt the ride.

Holidays and crowds

Christmas brings church services and family gatherings for Makassar's Christian community, and New Year adds more local travel and celebrations. The city isn't a major December festival destination, but you'll notice more movement around the holidays. Expect fares and room rates to rise at Christmas and New Year.

If you're travelling in school holidays, leave extra time for wet-weather changes. December is far wetter than November, which had 173 mm of rain, and only slightly wetter than January's 360 mm. If you can choose your dates, the July to September window is the better bet.

Make room for rain

Rain doesn't usually wash out the whole day, but the cloud and damp can make outdoor plans less rewarding. Keep Losari's waterfront for a break in the weather, and use Fort Rotterdam or a long lunch as your backup. A bowl of coto Makassar is especially welcome when the rain settles in.

Budget travellers may find December quieter than the drier months, but holiday dates cost more, so you'll need to weigh the two. For the Paotere harbour area, check conditions before setting out by boat, since rain may affect trips and a flexible plan matters here.