What's the weather like in Los Cristianos in December
December in Los Cristianos is cooling off considerably compared to the hot summer months, however it still enjoys a subtropical climate.
Temperature
The average high temperature is still somewhere around 73°F (23°C), while the nighttime lows still cannot be considered cold at 62°F (16°C).
Average Sea Temperature
The sea temperature at this time of year is still very pleasant at a positively warm 20°C. Which makes it the perfect climate to take part in water sports such as diving or windsurfing and of course swimming.
Outdoor activities such as golfing, hiking, or mountain biking are extremely popular at this time due to the cooler climate.
Furthermore, the cold season in Los Cristianos and the rest of Tenerife usually lasts from December 13th until March 11th, with average daily high temperatures around 22°C, so it is hardly cold compared to most of Europe.
Rain
The area sees very little rainfall, making it easy to plan activities without the threat of the weather ruining them.
There is an average of 75mm of precipitation during this month. This precipitation often comes in the form of light rain or even drizzle on just 4 days out of the month. Even though there are very few rainy days, December is actually the wettest month of the year in Los Cristianos and for most of Tenerife.
The average probability that some form of precipitation will be observed in a given day is only 16%, with little variation. As already mentioned, rainfall is usually very low at this time of year, however, in December 2013 flash floods hit Los Cristianos and other parts of Tenerife. Many of the main roads were completely flooded which disrupted people from getting to work or school. Reports suggest the floods were caused by two and half hours of torrential rainfall, which blocked up the local drain systems and caused serious flooding.
In other areas of Tenerife the flooding cut off electricity and severely affected Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where almost 224 litres of rain fell on the city. It was estimated that some 400 people were unable to reach their homes and had to spend the night in a convention centre.
Daylight Hours
Over the course of December the length of day stays essentially constant. There is an average of 10 ½ hours of daylight even this late in the year. The shortest day of the month is December 18th with 10:22 hours of daylight, whilst the longest day is December 1st with 10:30 hours of daylight.
Average Sunshine Hours
December also receives on average six hours of sunshine per day, which is the same as November. It is estimated that the Canary Islands as a whole receive more than 3000 hours of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest places on earth.
Cloud Cover
The cloud cover at this time of year is generally low, hovering around a partly cloudy 40%.
Humidity
The humidity is also reasonably comfortable during December as the relative humidity typically fluctuates between a mildly humid 50% and a humid 80%, rarely dropping below 33% or reaching as high as 93%.
On average, the air is driest around December 4th, at which time the relative humidity drops below a mildly humid 59% three days out of four. On the other hand, the air is most humid around December 18th, where humidity levels are expected to rise above a humid 74% three days out of four.
Wind
During December the typical wind speeds are relatively low and vary from 4 mph to 21 mph, which is considered as a light to fresh breeze. It is rather unlikely that the wind speeds will exceed 28 mph at this time of year. On average, the highest average wind speed of 12 mph, usually occurs around December 15th, at which time the average daily maximum wind speed is a fresh 21 mph. At this time of year the wind is most often coming from the east, followed by the northeast.
Los Cristianos Hotels in December
The Boutique Hotel H10 Big Sur is a stunning four-star adults only hotel located right on the seafront in Los Cristianos. This exclusive hotel offers bright and airy rooms with private bathrooms, satellite TVs and fans. Minibars and safes are also available on request. There are a number of facilities at this hotel including a swimming pool, poolside bar, buffet restaurant and relaxing spa offering massage treatments and a hair salon.
However, if you are here with the kids you may be interested in staying at the three-star Sol Princesa Dacil which is a Flintstones-themed hotel located just 200m away from Los Cristianos Beach. The hotel offers a buffet restaurant, two outdoor swimming pools for adults and children and a wide variety of children's entertainment.
On the other hand, the four-star Hotel Paradise Park boasts stunning panoramic views over Los Cristianos Bay and Teide National Park from its rooftop terrace. This luxurious hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, that feature either a private balcony or terrace, as well as a satellite TV and minibar.
Another great place to take the little ones is the three-star Aguamar; this affordable holiday complex features self-catering apartments that include living areas, fully-equipped kitchenettes, and of course a TV and safe. Other facilities include table tennis, mini-golf, a children's play area and an outdoor swimming pool which can be used throughout the year, due to Tenerife's unbeatable year-round weather.
Los Cristianos Beach for December
Playa de las Americas is a purpose-built holiday resort located next to Los Cristianos. The resort offers a family-friendly sandy beach that is lined by a vast array of bars, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. The beach also offers a variety of amenities including sun beds, parasols and toilets during the summer months. Even during December the south of Tenerife is still warm enough to go swimming in and maybe even sunbathe.
Whilst staying in Los Cristianos you should definitely visit the resort's beach. This beautiful golden sand beach is one of the most popular beaches on the whole island and also offers a number of restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from, as well as a promenade that lines the beach. This is the perfect place to come to to watch the sunset.
Bars and Restaurants
Why not celebrate the festive season during December in one of the many bars and clubs in the area.
If you are planning on eating out on Christmas day it is advised to book beforehand, as they can get booked up very quickly, especially in the local hotels and restaurants.
The Original Bistro serves up a fantastic roast dinner on Christmas day and throughout the year they offer a great range of classic dishes for all tastes and pockets. They also offer an outdoor seated area, which is perfect on a sunny day. Even during December you can still sit outside in Los Cristianos as the temperatures can still reach the early to mid 20s.
Whilst staying in Tenerife you should definitely try some of the local cuisine. The Willows located in Los Cristianos is a delightful little eatery that serves a variety of different tapas dishes including Spanish tortilla, king prawns, garlic mushrooms, grilled pepper and much more. During December it is highly recommended to book early as this place can get very busy.
O'Neill's is located down the famous Veronicas strip in the heart of Playa de las Americas. This highly popular nightclub and bar offers an air-conditioned dance floor, cage dancers, dance poles and of course a resident DJ pumping out the latest tunes. This place is the perfect spot for a girls or lads night out!
However, if you're looking for somewhere a lit bit quieter you should go to the Market Tavern in Los Cristianos. This place is a particular favourite with British holidaymakers and expats. The best of the islands' cabaret artists also appear throughout the week at this bar. They also provide a karaoke machine that features over 25,000 songs to choose from, where you can sing your heart out to some of the best Christmas hits.
Things to do in Los Cristianos in December
As Tenerife is a relatively small island you can travel to most major attractions within an hour by car or coach.
When visiting Tenerife you should definitely visit Mount Teide and the Teide National Park on a clear day. This spectacular dormant volcano is Spain's highest peak measuring at approximately 3718 metres above sea level. You can reach the summit via foot but it is recommended to take the cable car to save time and energy. The terrain of the National Park is truly breathtaking as it is made up of lava formations and interesting flora and fauna.
Another stunning natural attraction to go to is the Masca Valley, located next to the Teno Mountains in Tenerife. If you want to avoid the crowds it's best to arrive later in the day or go early in the morning, however, at this time of year it is relatively quiet. There are a number of hiking trails located around the valley, just make sure to bring along some suitable shoes.
Tenerife offers so many beautiful natural attractions so it would be a shame not to visit at least one or two. Another great hot spot to put on your list is the Millenium Drago tree located in Icod de los Vinos. There are rumors this tree is over 5000 years old, however, its age is still unknown.
If you want to discover what lurks beneath the water in Tenerife you should head over to Diving Tenerife. This place offers scuba diving tours and lessons to some of the best diving spots found off the coast of Tenerife, including volcanic columns, which are teeming with exotic marine life, including sea turtles and Moray Eels. Who knows you may even see a shipwreck too!
Dates for the diary
On Christmas Eve, families in Los Cristianos traditionally gather together for lengthy meals. This is followed by everyone attending midnight mass. After mass, bands fill the streets with a traditional song, "El Baile del Nino," or "the dance of the child."
New Year's Eve is celebrated across the island on December 31st, with many events and parties in most towns. The biggest and most popular is in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna, both of which feature superb fireworks displays when the clock chimes midnight!
Be careful if you are visiting Los Cristianos on December 28th. On this day, the citizens celebrate the Day of the Innocent Saints, similar to April Fools' Day!
