Things to Do in Liberia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Liberia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
77°F (25°C)
High Temp
68°F (20°C)
Low Temp
2.0 inches (51 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Harmattan dust reduces visibility and can trigger respiratory issues December 10-30. Plan around it. Mask up.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The dry season has settled in, so roads to Sapo National Park are passable - 4WD vehicles can reach the park headquarters without the axle-deep mud that traps cars from May through October.
- + Surf at Robertsport hits its most consistent shape in December - Atlantic swells roll in at 1-1.5 m (3-5 ft) with offshore winds, giving beginners gentle left-handers at Cotton Trees and experts the punchy rights at Fisherman's Point.
- + December 16 marks the start of Monrovia's annual Kukatornon Festival at the National Cultural Center, where masked dancers from Lofa County perform the stilt-legged devil dance against backdrops of palm-frond torches.
- + Room rates across Liberia drop 30-40% after the UN conferences wrap up in late November - you'll find beachfront guesthouses in Buchanan with hammocks strung between coconut palms at shoulder-season pricing.
Considerations
- − Harmattan winds blow in from the Sahara starting mid-month, carrying fine dust that turns sunsets orange but coats everything - including camera lenses - with a gritty film that takes daily cleaning.
- − The dry season coincides with generator season in Monrovia, meaning 6-hour power cuts become 12-hour cuts as diesel supplies dwindle before Christmas, forcing most restaurants to close by 8 PM.
- − Liberia's December school holidays create a domestic tourism increase - Liberian families pack weekend beach trips to Silver Beach and Thinker's Village, doubling traffic on the Robertsfield Highway.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Feb | 31°C | 21°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| May | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Jul | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Sep | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Sapo National Park Wildlife Tracking Tours
December's dry season transforms Sapo from an inaccessible swamp into Africa's most underrated wildlife park. Pygmy hippos wallow in the Sinoe River at dawn, forest elephants crash through secondary growth near the old logging roads, and Diana monkeys chatter overhead in cathedral-like hardwood stands. The park's 1,800 km² (695 square miles) contain West Africa's largest primary rainforest - you'll walk 5-8 km (3-5 miles) daily on firm laterite soil instead of December's knee-deep mud.
Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead through licensed operators in Monrovia - the park limits visitors to 12 per day and December fills fast with expat families. All tours include mandatory armed EPA rangers and canoe transport across the Sinoe.
Robertsport Surf and Fishing Charters
Atlantic trade winds switch offshore in December, grooming beach breaks into peeling perfection. Morning sessions from 6-9 AM offer glassy conditions at Cotton Trees, while afternoon glass-off brings longboard heaven at Fisherman's Point. Local fishing pirogues double as surf taxis to reef breaks 2 km (1.2 miles) offshore, where barracuda shadow your board and pelicans dive for breakfast.
Booking Tip: Charter boats operate from the main beach - look for captains with radios and life jackets, not just painted fiberglass. Surfboard rental available at Nana's Lodge, but bring reef booties for the urchin-covered reef access.
Monrovia Street Food Night Tours
December evenings cool to 23°C (73°F) - good for walking the capital's food corridors. Start at Camp Johnson Road for pepper soup thick with goat and cassava leaf, follow the smoke to Randall Street where women fan charcoal grills of split snapper basted with ginger-lime sauce, finish at Waterside Market for sweet potato pone wrapped in banana leaves. The dry season means vendors can keep fires going.
Booking Tip: Licensed food tours start at 6 PM from Providence Island - wear closed shoes and bring hand sanitizer. Most tours include 6-8 stops over 3 km (1.9 miles) of walking.
Buchanan Beach Horseback Riding
December's firm sand creates perfect riding conditions along Liberia's longest beach - 12 km (7.5 miles) of untouched Atlantic coastline. Morning rides at 7 AM catch fishermen hauling seine nets while pelicans circle, afternoon gallops at 4 PM race the 2 m (6.5 ft) tides that expose tide pools full of starfish and the occasional octopus. The dry season eliminates the biting flies that plague riders from May to October.
Booking Tip: Horses stabled at Libassa Ecolodge - book the day before for morning or sunset rides. All horses are former polo ponies, so experienced riders can canter while beginners stick to walking.
Kpatawee Waterfall Hiking
The 45-minute drive from Gbarnga to Kpatawee becomes possible only after November's rains stop - the laterite road firms up enough for regular cars. The 30 m (98 ft) waterfall thunders less dramatically than in rainy season. But the swimming hole beneath becomes crystal clear instead of muddy brown. Local guides lead 2 km (1.2 mile) hikes through coffee plantations where December harvest scents the air with roasted beans.
Booking Tip: Day trips from Monrovia take 4 hours each way - better to overnight in Gbarnga and combine with a village homestay. Guides meet visitors at the Kpatawee junction, USD cash only for village fees.
Where to Stay in Liberia in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
December 16-18
Kukatornon Festival
Liberia's premier cultural festival transforms Monrovia's National Cultural Center into a living museum of traditional performance. Masked dancers from Lofa County's Loma and Gbandi tribes perform the stilt-legged devil dance, their 3 m (10 ft) stilts clicking against the concrete while drums pound rhythms that echo off the Executive Mansion. Food stalls serve cassava leaf with smoked fish, palm wine flows from plastic jugs, and local tailors sell country cloth made on traditional looms.
December 23
Caroling by Candlelight
Every December 23rd, Liberian church choirs gather at Providence Island for an open-air concert that blends traditional Christmas carols with Vai and Bassa folk melodies. Battery-powered candles illuminate faces as the St. Thomas Episcopal choir harmonizes with Muslim youth groups, creating the kind of interfaith celebration that makes headlines elsewhere but feels completely natural here.
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View Liberia Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The Lebanese-run supermarkets in Sinkor stock Lebanese flatbread that's good for beach picnics. Grab a stack from Stop'n'Shop before heading to Silver Beach and thank yourself later.
Local surf instructors at Robertsport will trade surf lessons for English conversation. Show up at 6 AM with coffee and you'll likely get a private session for the cost of caffeine.
The best jollof rice in Monrovia comes from a woman named Mamawa who sets up at UTC roundabout at 11 PM. Her cast iron pot has been seasoning for fifteen years and locals queue for an hour.
December 15th is payday for government workers. Every restaurant in Monrovia will be packed solid that evening, so eat early or book ahead or resign yourself to street food.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't assume December means no rain. Afternoon thunderstorms still hit 20% of days and can strand you on beach roads that turn to mud instantly, swallowing tires whole.
Trying to use credit cards outside Monrovia is futile. Even in Liberia's second-largest city Buchanan, only the gas stations take cards and ATMs are often empty, so cash is king.
Avoid booking flights out on December 24th or 31st. The Lebanese-owned travel agencies close early for Christmas and New Year's, leaving you scrambling for rebooking.
Skip white clothing entirely. Harmattan dust turns everything orange within hours, and the red laterite stains permanently, ruining your Instagram aesthetic forever.
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Top-rated things to do in Liberia this December
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