Barbados in December: Weather, Christmas and Car Rental
The weather in Barbados in December is warm, breezy and mostly dry, with daytime highs of about 30°C (85°F) on average and short showers rather than long rainy days. It is also the month the island slips into holiday mode. Lights go up on chattel houses, churches fill on Christmas Eve, and from the middle of the month the peak season brings fuller hotels, busier beaches and more demand for rental cars. Here is what the numbers say, what is on, and how to plan your car for the busiest weeks of the year.
Weather in Barbados in December: the averages
The most reliable figures come from the Barbados Meteorological Services, which publishes 30 year averages (1991 to 2020) for its station at Charnocks in Christ Church, close to the airport. For December, the averages look like this:
- High of about 30°C (85°F) and a low of about 24°C (75°F)
- About 91 mm (3.6 inches) of rain, spread over roughly 11 rain days
- Just over 8 hours of sunshine a day
- Humidity of about 78 percent, down from 82 percent in October and November
These are averages, not a forecast. One December can be drier than usual, another can bring a soggy week. The pattern is still clear. November averages about 173 mm of rain at the same station, and January drops to about 68 mm. So the first days of December can feel like the tail of the wet season, while the second half usually feels like the start of the dry season.
Showers and trade winds
December rain tends to arrive in quick bursts. A dark cloud rolls in off the Atlantic, it pours for a short while, then the sun comes back. A rain symbol on your weather app is not a reason to cancel a beach day. Check the radar, drive to the other coast, or wait it out over a coffee.
The easterly trade wind blows steadily, at about 12 knots on average (roughly 22 km/h or 14 mph). That breeze keeps the heat comfortable and decides what the sea looks like. The east coast around Bathsheba takes the full Atlantic swell, which makes it spectacular to look at and often unsafe for swimming because of strong currents. The west coast, from Holetown up to Speightstown, sits in the shelter of the island and is usually calm. The south coast around Rockley, Worthing and St. Lawrence Gap falls in between.
The end of hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November. By December the main risk is behind you, and storms outside the official season are rare. If you fly in during the first days of the month, check the forecast before you leave and pick flexible bookings where you can. On TropicDrive you can cancel your car for free up to 48 hours before pickup. For a month by month view of the whole year, read our guide to the best time to visit Barbados.
Christmas in Barbados: traditions, food and holidays
Christmas in Barbados is a family and church holiday first and a tourist event second. You see the island at its most local, as long as you plan around the days when much of it closes.
Christmas morning in Queen's Park
Churches across the island hold services on Christmas Eve night and early on Christmas morning. After church, many Barbadians head to Queen's Park in Bridgetown, dressed in their best, for Christmas Morning in the Park. Local media trace the tradition back more than a century. The band of the Royal Barbados Police Force traditionally plays from early in the morning, and the crowd grows as the services finish. Visitors are welcome. Arrive early and allow time to find parking.
The days before Christmas are busy too. Shopping streets in Bridgetown fill with people buying gifts and food, and many homes and neighbourhoods put up Christmas lights. A slow evening drive through a village of lit chattel houses is one of the small pleasures of a December trip.
Great cake, jug jug and baked ham
Bajan Christmas food is rich and very particular. Three dishes come up on almost every list:
- Great cake, a dark fruit cake soaked in rum
- Jug jug, made with pigeon peas and guinea corn flour, cooked with salted meat and herbs, and often said to have Scottish roots
- Baked ham, the centrepiece of many Christmas tables
To drink, look for sorrel, a deep red seasonal drink made from a type of hibiscus.
Boxing Day and Old Year's Night
Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026 and Boxing Day on Saturday 26 December 2026. Both are public holidays, according to the official 2026 public holiday list from the Barbados Labour Department. Expect many shops, banks and offices to close on both days, and some supermarkets and petrol stations to open shorter hours.
Boxing Day is for family, the beach and, for many people, the races. The Barbados Turf Club traditionally holds a Boxing Day race meeting at the Garrison Savannah, just south of Bridgetown. Check the club's fixture list for the start time.
Old Year's Night is what Barbadians call New Year's Eve. Hotels and busy spots along the west and south coasts put on fireworks at midnight, and Holetown is one of the liveliest places to be. New Year's Day is a public holiday as well, so plan a slow morning.
Things to do in Barbados in December by car
December is good driving weather. Most days are dry, the breeze keeps a parked car from turning into an oven, and the island is small enough to cross in about an hour.
The first two weeks of the month are usually calmer than the run up to Christmas. Independence Day on 30 November, the 60th anniversary in 2026, brings celebrations at the very end of November. After that the island settles for a couple of weeks before the holiday rush, so early December gives you similar weather with more room on the beaches.
Beach days on three coasts
Spend calm mornings on the west coast, where the water is often flat enough to snorkel straight from the sand. Head to the south coast for a livelier afternoon around St. Lawrence Gap and Oistins, where the fish fry is busiest on Friday nights. Save one day for the east coast. Drive up to Cherry Tree Hill for the view over the Atlantic, then down to Bathsheba to watch the waves break on the rocks. Look, take photos, and keep out of the water there.
The sun sets early in December, at around 5:30 to 5:40 pm, so a beach bar near Holetown makes an easy end to the day. Our guide to the best beaches in Barbados by car covers each coast in more detail.
Run Barbados, 4 to 6 December 2026
The Run Barbados Marathon and Wellness Weekend takes place from 4 to 6 December 2026, according to Visit Barbados, and marks 43 years of the event. The programme includes a fun mile, a 5K run and walk, a 10K, a half marathon and a full marathon, on a route through historic Bridgetown. Not running? Expect road closures and slower traffic around Bridgetown on race mornings, and check the route before you drive into town that weekend.
Car rental for Christmas in Barbados: live prices
December is the start of the high season, and the weeks around Christmas and New Year are when rental cars on the island are most in demand. Flights to Barbados in December follow the same rhythm, with seats for the holiday weeks tending to go first. Book the flight, then sort out the car straight away.
On 3 November 2026 we ran three test searches on TropicDrive, each for 7 days with pickup and return at Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).
| Car (example models) | 1 to 8 Dec 2026 | 20 to 27 Dec 2026 | 27 Dec 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (Suzuki Swift, Toyota Vitz) | US$392 (US$56 a day) | US$392 (US$56 a day) | US$392 (US$56 a day) |
| Compact SUV (Suzuki Fronx, Toyota Raize) | US$604 (US$86 a day) | US$604 (US$86 a day) | US$604 (US$86 a day) |
| Suzuki Jimny 4x4 | Not shown | US$604 (US$86 a day) | Not shown |
| Nissan Serena, 8 seats | US$725 (US$104 a day) | US$725 (US$104 a day) | US$725 (US$104 a day) |
| Cars shown in the search | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Two things stand out. The daily prices were the same in all three weeks, so in this test, booking for Christmas did not mean paying more. The choice was small, though. The search showed five or six cars per week, and the Jimny only appeared for the Christmas week. That is the real reason to book early. Prices change by date and availability, so treat this as a snapshot and search cars at BGI for the Christmas week, then adjust the dates to your trip.
The prices include all taxes, which covers the Car Rental Levy. At the time of writing, the levy is BBD 5 per day, capped at BBD 35 per rental (BBD 2 is about US$1). You pay a small part online, US$51 for the economy week in our test, and the rest at pickup. For budgets across the year, see how much car rental costs in Barbados. One traveler, Michael R., summed up the booking side: "Easy booking process and great customer service."
Picking up at BGI
Most December visitors land at Grantley Adams International Airport in Christ Church, on the south side of the island. The first drive to the south coast hotels is short. Every car in our test came with free delivery, so you can also have the car brought to your hotel if you would rather not drive after a long flight. Our Barbados airport car rental guide explains how the pickup works. Landing on 24 or 25 December? Confirm the pickup time with the rental company before you fly, because holiday schedules can be tighter.
Credit card, deposit and minimum age
In our test, every car showed no credit card needed and no deposit required, with a minimum driver age of 21. That held for these dates, not for every possible booking. Use the "No credit card needed" and "Minimum driver age" filters on the results page to see what applies to your search. A valid licence from home is enough to drive in Barbados since the Visitor Driving Permit was abolished on 15 October 2025, although some rental companies ask that you have held your licence for at least 2 years.
How the weather in Barbados in December affects driving
December roads are mostly dry and easy. Barbados drives on the left, there are plenty of roundabouts, and inland roads are narrow and winding. On top of that, a few things catch visitors out in this particular month.
Showers and early darkness
After a few dry days, the first rain makes the road surface slippery, especially on hills and at roundabouts. Slow down, leave more space and switch on your lights. If a downpour gets heavy, pull over somewhere safe and wait. It usually passes quickly.
With sunset around 5:30 pm, you will often drive back in the dark. Some rural roads have little street lighting, the edges can be rough, and people walk on the road where there is no pavement. If you are still getting used to driving on the left, head back before sunset. Watch out for buses and ZR minibuses, which move fast and stop suddenly to pick up passengers.
Holiday closures and party nights
Fill the tank and do your shopping on 24 December. With many shops closed on the 25th and 26th, the last thing you want is a hunt for an open petrol station on Christmas morning. Expect heavy traffic around Bridgetown in the days before Christmas, near Queen's Park on Christmas morning, and along the west and south coasts on Old Year's Night.
Do not drink and drive. If you plan to celebrate, leave the car at your accommodation and take a taxi. Taxis in Barbados are not metered, so agree on the fare before you get in. Buses cost BBD 3.50 per ride.
Ready to plan? Our Barbados car rental page shows cars from local rental companies on the island, with the full price before you book.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Barbados in December?
Warm and breezy. On average, highs reach about 30°C (85°F) and lows about 24°C (75°F), according to the Barbados Meteorological Services. Expect just over 8 hours of sunshine a day and short showers rather than long rainy spells.
Does it rain a lot in Barbados in December?
Less than in the months before. December averages about 91 mm (3.6 inches) of rain over roughly 11 rain days, around half of the November total. Most showers are short, and the second half of the month is usually drier than the first.
Is December hurricane season in Barbados?
No. The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on 30 November. Storms in December are rare, but it is still smart to check the forecast if you travel in the first days of the month.
What do people do for Christmas in Barbados?
Many Barbadians go to church on Christmas Eve or early on Christmas morning, then visit Queen's Park in Bridgetown, where the police band traditionally plays. The Christmas table usually includes great cake, jug jug and baked ham. Boxing Day is for family, the beach and, for many, the horse races at the Garrison Savannah.
Are shops open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in Barbados?
Both are public holidays, so many shops, banks and offices close. Some supermarkets and petrol stations open with shorter hours. Fill up and stock up on 24 December to be safe.
How early should I book a rental car for Christmas in Barbados?
As soon as your flights are booked. In our test searches for December 2026 the daily price stayed the same, but only five or six cars showed per week and the Jimny appeared for one week only. You can cancel for free up to 48 hours before pickup, so an early booking carries little risk.
