Things to Do in Chiang Mai in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
High Season · Book Early
December Weather in Chiang Mai
Long-run averages for December
84°F (29°C)
High Temp
62°F (16°C)
Low Temp
0.6 inches (15 mm)
Rainfall
75%
Humidity
1
Rainy Days
7
Sunny-Day UV
Making the most of December in Chiang Mai? Browse tours and activities in Chiang Mai on GetYourGuide.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The air is crisp and clear, free from the infamous smoky season haze that plagues Chiang Mai from February onward, so you get those postcard-perfect views of Doi Suthep from the moat. Snap now.
- + Cooler mornings and evenings are tailor-made for cycling the Old City's lanes; you can smell the frangipani in the air without sweating through your shirt before the first temple stop. Bliss.
- + December marks the start of the cool season harvest, so you'll find sticky rice steamed in bamboo, fresh lychees, and northern Thai coffee at the markets that taste of a specific, fleeting sweetness. Catch it.
- + While it's the start of the high season, the crowds in early December are still manageable, and you can find a quiet moment in Wat Chedi Luang without having to navigate a tour group. Relief.
Considerations
- − The chill after sunset, dipping to around 16°C (62°F), catches first-timers off guard, after a day in the sun. The thin cotton shirts sold at the night markets won't cut it. Pack fleece.
- − This is Chiang Mai's peak tourist season, so by late December, the line for the well-known khao soi at Khao Soi Mae Sai can stretch down the block, and hotel prices tend to climb. Book early.
- − Those ten rainy days usually mean a brief, sharp afternoon downpour that can turn a walking tour of the Old City into a soggy dash for cover if you're not prepared. Carry jacket.
Settled on December? Compare hotel prices in Chiang Mai for your dates on Trip.com.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
In Chiang Mai, the December air is clear and dry. Temperatures invite a light jacket in the early morning. You won't need it by mid-day. It is the peak of the city's cool season. The oppressive heat of March and the saturated humidity of August are just memories. Throughout Chiang Mai, residents wear knits and scarves in the evenings. This is a novel, temporary luxury. The days fill with the gentle, persistent light of the Thai winter sun. This weather makes the month good for active exploration. You can pedal through the Old City's lanes. You can trek to the hill tribe villages in the surrounding mountains. Visitors find a rhythm here. It is less about escaping the elements. It is more about fully engaging with them. You will smell woodsmoke in the early hours. You will see crisp, star-filled darkness after sunset. It is a distinct chapter in the calendar. The city enjoys a seasonal respite. Alive with quiet energy.
4 in 1 Elephants Long Neck Rafting and Sticky Waterfall Tour
adventureAn organized tour combines interaction with elephants at a sanctuary, a journey down a river on a traditional bamboo raft, and a chance to walk across and behind the mineral-rich cascades of Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall. The sequence moves you from the cool, muddy paths of the elephant habitat to the smooth rock surfaces of the waterfall. The unique travertine deposits provide a grippy texture underfoot. You can climb directly up the flowing water.
It condenses several well-known northern Thai adventures into a single, well-structured day outside of Chiang Mai. Good for visitors with limited time.
Insider tip: Bring a change of clothes and a towel. The sticky waterfall climb is a fully immersive experience. You will want dry clothes for the van ride back to Chiang Mai.
LIFECYCLING - Half Day City Bike Tour
guided_experienceThis half-day cycling tour weaves through the historic core of Chiang Mai. You will navigate narrow sois beside ancient brick walls. You will pass glittering temple compounds. Then you cross the river into quieter, residential neighborhoods rarely seen by visitors. The pace is gentle. Stops punctuate the route at family-run shops and lesser-known wats. You can hear the low chant of monks. You can smell the faint, sweet smoke of incense coils.
It has a local's perspective on the layout and life of the city. You move at a human speed. You absorb details missed from a car window.
Insider tip: Opt for the morning tour. You will enjoy cooler temperatures and more active street life. Vendors set up their stalls. Monks make their morning alms rounds.
1 Hour Deep Tissue Thai Massage with Balm - Free Transportation
otherA focused treatment targets deep muscle tension. Skilled therapists perform it using warmed herbal compresses and potent balms infused with ingredients like camphor and menthol. The experience begins and ends with a quiet drive through Chiang Mai's streets in a shared van. The van collects you from and returns you to your hotel.
It provides serious therapeutic relief for travel-weary muscles. A valuable reset after long flights or active days of trekking.
Insider tip: Communicate your desired pressure level clearly at the start. Traditional Thai massage can be quite intense. Therapists appreciate knowing your preference.
Half-Day Cooking Class
foodA hands-on introduction to central Thai cuisine, typically held in an open-air kitchen. You will learn to pound fresh curry pastes with a mortar and pestle. You will master dishes like khao soi or pad Thai under the guidance of an instructor. The class often includes a visit to a local market in Chiang Mai. You will see mounds of busy herbs. You will smell the pungent dried shrimp and fish sauce that form the backbone of these flavors.
It equips you with the skills and recipes to recreate the distinct, aromatic tastes of Chiang Mai long after you return home.
Insider tip: Come hungry. You will be cooking and eating several full dishes. Lunch is the main event here.
1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang
culturalA private car journey south to Lampang province. You will visit Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, a temple complex dramatically situated atop a series of limestone peaks. This requires a short truck ride and a walk up hundreds of steps. The reward is a collection of pristine white chedis perched on narrow rock spires against a backdrop of endless green forest. The only sounds are the wind and distant bells.
It accesses a spectacular, less-visited site that feels remote and spiritual. You get a sense of discovery far from the more crowded temples of Chiang Mai.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes with good grip for the final ascent. The steps are steep and uneven.
This month: The clear December skies and lower humidity provide optimal conditions for the hike up to the hilltop temples and for the panoramic views from the summit.
Chiang Mai 4WD Hilltribe Coffee: Jungle Trek, Roast & Brew.
adventureA full-day expedition into the forested hills near Chiang Mai. You will visit a working coffee farm run by a local hill tribe community. The experience includes a guided jungle walk to see the coffee plants. You will have a hands-on session roasting the beans over an open fire. This fills the air with a rich, smoky aroma. The day culminates in learning to brew and taste the final product.
It connects the finished cup of coffee directly to the land and people who cultivate it. You gain a tangible understanding of the agricultural life in northern Thailand.
Insider tip: Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on unpaved, sometimes slippery forest trails.
This month: December's dry, cool weather makes the trek through the jungle more comfortable and ensures the outdoor roasting and brewing activities are not disrupted by rain.
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday; National Day; National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday (in lieu); National Day (in lieu); National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Granted in lieu when the holiday falls at a weekend. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Constitution Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
New Year's Eve
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday; National Day; National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday (in lieu); National Day (in lieu); National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Granted in lieu when the holiday falls at a weekend. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Constitution Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
New Year's Eve
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's Birthday; National Day; National Father's Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Constitution Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Constitution Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Granted in lieu when the holiday falls at a weekend. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
New Year's Eve
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Packing Checklist
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View Chiang Mai Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Hit the khao soi stall at 2 PM. Locals have finished, tour buses gone. Broth has been building flavor since dawn.
Forget the Sunday Night Market inside the walls. Drive to Wualai Road on Saturday. Smaller crowds, real crafts, silversmiths hammering behind the stalls.
Rent a motorbike mid-week. Weekend riders from Bangkok swarm the mountain road to Doi Suthep. Mid-week roads breathe.
December mist is real. Hire a car and driver before dawn. Reach Mon Cham farms. Watch the valley fill with white. Worth the alarm.
Avoid These Mistakes
Night temps plummet. Shorts and a tee at a rooftop bar? You will shiver through every bite.
A room on the moat sounds central. Traffic roars all night. Book a block inside the walls. Sleep arrives faster.
Do not jam trek, cooking class, and temples into one day. December air invites slow wandering. Rushing breaks the spell.
Short on time? See day trips around Chiang Mai on GetYourGuide.
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