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As December moves towards its second half, the change is felt more in the evenings than in the temperature itself. Kerala in winter is mild rather than cold, with warm afternoons and nights that are comfortable enough for time outdoors. In Kottayam, where Kumarakom sits, December averages a daily high of 32.4°C and a low of 22.4°C.
The rain, meanwhile, becomes much less of a presence. December averages around 45.5 mm of rainfall, a small fraction of what the southwest monsoon brings. Thulavarsham, the northeast monsoon, arrives around mid-October and may linger into December, but its hold weakens as the month progresses. Kerala's temperatures broadly range from 22 to 34°C through the year, while annual rainfall averages around 1,100 mm. For a December stay, that usually calls for light, breathable clothes, with a rain layer tucked away for the occasional shower.
By the time December settles in, Kerala starts revealing a different side of itself. Searches for the best places to visit in Kerala in December often bring up the familiar names, but the month is really about how those places feel once the heavier rains begin to recede. In Munnar and Thekkady, clearer skies open up the hill views, while the tea estates emerge from the cloud and mist.
Further down, the backwaters begin to settle after the choppier months, making a cruise a calmer experience. Trails that stay difficult during the heavy rains become easier to explore, and outdoor plans no longer need to revolve around the weather. The places themselves have not changed. December simply leaves more of Kerala open to you.
December is when Kumarakom’s backwaters settle into the rhythm most visitors come looking for. On Lake Vembanad, calmer water and clearer skies make a late-afternoon cruise worth planning the day around. The light fades quickly, though, and the final hour before sunset is when the lake takes on its best mood.
There is another reason to head out early. December falls within the migratory season at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, which runs from November to February. Siberian cranes, teals, pintails, and flycatchers join the resident species during these months, bringing more life to the 14-acre sanctuary along the lake shore. Walk it in the morning, when the day is still cool and the birds are most active.
December rewards a little advance planning, especially as the month moves towards Christmas and New Year. A Kerala trip in December falls within the busiest travel season, so rooms, flights, and popular stays start filling well ahead of time.
When to Book: Aim for around 6 to 8 weeks ahead. For the final 2 weeks of December, book even earlier.
A Week-long Route: Kochi-Munnar-Thekkady-Kumarakom brings together the coast, hills, forests, and backwaters without rushing between them.
Where to Slow down: Keep Kumarakom for the end of the trip. After the movement of the hills and forests, a few days by the backwaters give the journey a quieter finish.
Once You Arrive: The Kumarakom sightseeing itinerary helps shape your days around the places worth seeing.
The Festive Side of December in Kerala
December is quieter on Kerala’s festival calendar than the months shaped by Onam and Vishu, but the state takes on a different energy as Christmas approaches. Christmas is widely celebrated across Kerala, with the final week of the month bringing more activity, gatherings, and travel.
The mood shifts again as the year draws to a close. Events around 31 December, including the Cochin Carnival, belong to the New Year in Kerala celebrations, making the last few days of December the liveliest stretch of the month.
If December is drawing you towards the water, staying on Lake Vembanad keeps that experience close. Rhythm Kumarakom is a backwater resort on Lake Vembanad, with 46 rooms and villas across 4 categories. Most look towards either the lake or the pool, with choices ranging from Lakeview Terrace Rooms and Poolside Cottages to Poolside Villas with Plunge Pool and Lakefront Villas with Plunge Pool.
The swimming pool stretches across the grounds and is India’s longest in a resort. A sunset cruise on the lake is included with every room rate, along with high tea and Wi-Fi, keeping the backwaters part of the stay itself. Once the day winds down, Spaveda, our Ayurvedic spa, offers a quieter way to end it.
