Panama Canal weather in December

[Maksim]

Have anyone done partial transit in mid December, say Dec 12 or Dec. 18? I read that the rainy season is in November, but does it go into December as well?

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

It's practically the same. The canal area gets a lot of rain and they depend on it for the canal so be prepared on any date.

[G&T Cruisers]

We did the canal on the Island over Christmas and it was hot and humid with sunny sky's .

Happy Cruising.

[Merlinite]

think tropical! Panama Canal is amazing

[ggprincess2004]

Panama Canal is amazing, it is also hot and humid. Period. Take plenty of bug repellent and do not leave your balcony doors open. Bugs get in your room.

Other than that, have a fantastic cruise. We've been through the canal a number of times now and it never gets boring or old, it just continues to be an incredible experience.

[Love.II.Cruise]

Weather is hard to predict. We sailed Dec 29th on a partial transit. It poured rain during the morning transit. It was a relief because it ended up not being as hot of a day. The humidity was still there, but I think it would have been there even had it not rained.

[Maksim]

Panama Canal is amazing, it is also hot and humid. Period. Take plenty of bug repellent and do not leave your balcony doors open. Bugs get in your room.

Other than that, have a fantastic cruise. We've been through the canal a number of times now and it never gets boring or old, it just continues to be an incredible experience.

 

Thank you so much. About the bugs: is it really that bad the whole cruise? We usually like our balcony open so we can breathe fresh ocean air. I read that the best time to go is Jan - Feb. or is it the same all year round? We also preferred full transit but there is only two of them this year that is not convenient time wise. That's why we are leaning towards mid December.

[Corfe Mixture]

Done it three times now.

 

We have always done a full transit and never had any problem whatsoever with bugs. Having said that, on a full transit, the ship does not anchor up in Lake Gatun and stationary ships might be more prone to 'visitors'

 

We have also done the passage in December before and are doing it again this year and, so far, it has not rained on us whilst in the Canal.

 

Full transits take place between dawn and late afternoon and I can honestly say that, once through the locks, we spend most of the day, and had food, on our balcony and we have never seen a bug either on the balcony or in the room whilst in the canal.

 

The rainy season can extend into early December, but rain needs to be put into context. The main difference between the dry season and rainy season is a change in prevailing wind direction which results in increased the frequency of showers. However, it can rain at any time even in the dry season, but there will also be plenty of sun, even in the rainy season.

 

As others have said, think tropical, or as they say in Barbados, 'We never have fain, just liquid sunshine'

 

If you have not done it before, and have the option to do a full transit, then do not underestimate the difference between a partial transit and a full transit. Lake Gatun is beautiful and the experience of going through the locks is a 'bucket list' item for many of us, but the actual canal, as opposed to the lake, with the Panama railway running alongside the canal, the support infrastructure and, most of all, the cut through the continental divide is something not to be missed.

 

 

Whatever, whether you take the full transit or the partial transit, you will enjoy both the experience and the weather.

[BillB48]

The beginning of Dry Season in Panama is Dec. 21, which is the Winter Solstice and any date after that there will not be any rain! OK, the last part of that sentence is a huge exaggeration:), but the date has been the meteorological mark on the wall for the start of Dry Season. Usually December is a very pleasant month and rain not a huge problem,but of course every once in awhile the outgoing season makes one last hoorah. Back in mid December 2010 the Canal was closed for about 18 hours due to record breaking rains... that would not have been so nice if that was your scheduled day on the Canal!

 

Don't let any of the above deter you for one minute, sure it can rain, probably won't and if it does it certainly won't be a deal breaker. December is a great month! Go... it will be great.