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Ubon Ratchathani - Things to Do in Ubon Ratchathani in December

Things to Do in Ubon Ratchathani in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Ubon Ratchathani

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70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

  • Cool-season comfort makes December one of the most pleasant months to visit - mornings around 18-20°C (64-68°F) are genuinely comfortable for walking around temples and markets without the oppressive heat that defines most of the year. You'll actually want to be outside before 10am.
  • The Mekong River runs high and wide from recent monsoon runoff, making boat trips along the Thai-Lao border particularly scenic. The water level typically peaks in late November through December, which means riverside temples like Wat Pha Tak Suea look dramatically different than during the dry months when sandbars appear.
  • December sits right between the tourist-heavy Candle Festival period (July) and the quieter months, so you get a sweet spot of available accommodation without needing to book months ahead, plus locals are more relaxed and willing to chat since they're not overwhelmed with visitors.
  • The northeastern Thai food scene is at its peak - December marks mushroom season in the surrounding forests, and you'll find fresh termite mushrooms (het khon) at morning markets. Night markets also feature seasonal items like grilled river fish that are fattier and tastier after the rainy season feeding period.

Considerations

  • Those 10 rainy days aren't predictable - December sits in a transition period where the monsoon has mostly finished but occasional weather systems still push through from the South China Sea. Rain can arrive without warning and last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours, which makes planning outdoor activities a bit of a gamble.
  • Morning temperatures around 18-20°C (64-68°F) might sound perfect, but most guesthouses and budget hotels in Ubon don't have heating. If you're used to warm climates, those early mornings can feel surprisingly chilly, especially since buildings here are designed to shed heat, not retain it.
  • The 70% humidity combined with variable conditions means your clothes never fully dry if you're hand-washing in your room. That damp-laundry smell becomes your constant companion unless you're paying for hotel laundry service or staying somewhere with actual dryers, which is rare outside international chain hotels.

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Best Activities in December

Mekong River Border Exploration

December water levels make this the best time for boat trips along the Thai-Lao border. The river runs deep and wide, allowing access to riverside temples and viewpoints that become inaccessible during dry season when sandbars emerge. The cooler mornings (18-20°C or 64-68°F) mean you can comfortably spend 2-3 hours on the water without getting scorched. The occasional afternoon rain actually adds atmosphere rather than ruining the experience - watching storms roll across the Lao mountains from the river is genuinely spectacular.

Booking Tip: River tours typically run ฿800-1,500 per person for half-day trips. Book 3-5 days ahead through guesthouses or look for current options in the booking section below. Morning departures (7-8am) give you the best light and calmest water before afternoon weather systems potentially roll in. Make sure life jackets are included and boats have covered sections for the 60% chance of afternoon showers.

Temple Circuit Cycling

The network of temples within 15-20 km (9-12 miles) of the city center becomes actually rideable in December. During hot season (March-May), cycling in 35-40°C (95-104°F) heat is miserable, but December mornings are cool enough that you can cover 30-40 km (19-25 miles) without heat exhaustion. Start at 7am when it's around 18°C (64°F) and you'll have 3-4 hours of comfortable riding before temperatures climb. The humidity at 70% is noticeable but manageable while moving.

Booking Tip: Bicycle rentals run ฿150-300 per day for decent touring bikes. Book the night before so you can start early - most rental places open by 6:30am if you arrange ahead. Look for bikes with fenders since those 10 rainy days mean wet roads even when it's not actively raining. GPS apps work fine here, but download offline maps since rural temple areas have spotty coverage. Check current cycling tour options in the booking section below.

Pha Taem National Park Sunrise Visits

December offers the clearest morning skies for the famous Mekong sunrise viewpoint, about 90 km (56 miles) northeast of the city. The park sits at 300-400 m (984-1,312 ft) elevation, which means mornings can drop to 15-17°C (59-63°F) - bring an actual jacket. The prehistoric rock paintings are best photographed in morning light, and December's lower humidity (compared to 85-90% during monsoon) means less haze obscuring the Lao mountains across the river. The variable weather actually works in your favor here - dramatic cloud formations make for better photos than flat blue skies.

Booking Tip: Day trips typically cost ฿2,500-3,500 including transport, guide, and park fees. Book 7-10 days ahead since sunrise trips require 4am hotel pickup and operators need minimum group sizes. Alternatively, rent a car for ฿1,200-1,800 per day and drive yourself - the road is excellent and well-signed. Park entrance is ฿200 for foreigners. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Morning Market Food Exploration

December is mushroom season in Isan, and Ubon's morning markets (opening 5:30-6am) showcase ingredients you won't see other times of year. Fresh termite mushrooms (het khon), bamboo shoots, and river fish are at their peak. The cool mornings make wandering markets actually pleasant rather than sweaty and overwhelming. Markets wind down by 9-10am, so the December weather window is perfect - you can explore for 2-3 hours in comfortable temperatures before the midday heat builds.

Booking Tip: Food walking tours run ฿1,500-2,500 for 3-4 hours including tastings. Book 5-7 days ahead, especially on weekends. If going solo, bring ฿300-500 in small bills - most vendors don't take cards or large notes. The main Ubon Market near Thung Sri Muang Park is largest, but locals prefer the smaller neighborhood markets like Talat Nai Mueang for better quality and prices. Check the booking section below for current food tour options.

Sam Phan Bok Canyon Exploration

The Grand Canyon of Thailand sits 120 km (75 miles) north and December water levels are crucial - too high and the rock formations are submerged, too low and they're less dramatic. December typically hits the sweet spot where the Mekong has receded enough to expose the sculpted sandstone but pools of water remain in the deeper holes, creating mirror-like reflections. The variable weather means you might get moody skies instead of harsh sun, which actually makes for better photography of the 3,000 holes (sam phan bok means 3,000 holes).

Booking Tip: Tours run ฿2,800-4,000 including transport and local guide. Book 10-14 days ahead since access requires local knowledge - the canyon sits on the Lao border and some areas require permissions. Water levels change weekly, so operators can advise if conditions are optimal when you book. Bring water shoes since you'll be walking on wet rocks. The site requires moderate fitness for climbing in and out of formations. See current tour availability in the booking section below.

Night Market Circuit

December evenings are cool enough (22-24°C or 72-75°F) that eating at outdoor night markets is genuinely comfortable rather than a sweaty ordeal. The main night markets run 5pm-midnight, and December's weather means crowds are manageable since it's not peak tourist season. You'll find seasonal items like grilled Mekong catfish and som tam variations using December vegetables. The occasional evening rain clears out crowds temporarily, giving you better access to popular stalls.

Booking Tip: Night market food tours cost ฿1,200-2,000 for 3 hours with a local guide who knows which stalls are worth the queue. Book 3-5 days ahead. Going solo, budget ฿400-600 for a full evening of eating and trying different stalls. The Thung Sri Muang night market is most tourist-friendly, while the market near Wat Jaeng is where locals actually eat. Cash only at 95% of stalls. Check the booking section below for current food tour options.

December Events & Festivals

December 5

King Bhumibol Memorial Day

December 5th is a national holiday honoring the late King Rama IX. In Ubon, you'll see locals wearing yellow shirts and visiting temples to make merit. Wat Thung Sri Muang in the city center becomes a focal point with special ceremonies. Banks and government offices close, but restaurants and shops generally stay open. It's a respectful, quiet observance rather than a festival - worth experiencing to understand Thai reverence for the monarchy, but not a reason to specifically plan your trip around.

December 10

Constitution Day

December 10th marks Thailand's Constitution Day, another national holiday. Expect government offices and banks closed, but minimal impact on tourist activities. Some temples hold special merit-making ceremonies. It's mainly significant for understanding why certain services might be unavailable on this date rather than being a tourist attraction itself.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight long pants and long-sleeve shirts in breathable cotton or linen - temples require covered shoulders and knees, and the 70% humidity makes synthetic fabrics unbearable. You'll be changing clothes 1-2 times per day as sweat accumulates.
Actual rain jacket with hood, not just a poncho - those 10 rainy days can bring sudden downpours, and you'll want something packable that fits in a day bag. The afternoon showers last 20-90 minutes typically.
Two pairs of walking shoes that can get wet - one pair will always be drying from rain or river spray. Closed-toe is essential for temple visits and uneven surfaces. Waterproof hiking sandals work for some activities but not temples.
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours - the UV index of 8 is serious, and December's variable cloud cover tricks people into thinking they're protected. You'll burn through clouds.
Light jacket or fleece for early mornings - 18-20°C (64-68°F) feels genuinely cool when you're used to tropical heat, especially on boat trips or at higher elevations like Pha Taem. Most accommodations lack heating.
Quick-dry towel and multiple sets of underwear - the 70% humidity means nothing dries overnight in your room. Hotel laundry service runs ฿40-60 per kilo if you want actually dry clothes.
Insect repellent with DEET - December mosquitoes are less intense than monsoon season but still present, especially near the river and in rural temple areas. Dengue risk exists year-round in Isan.
Reusable water bottle with filter - tap water isn't drinkable, and buying plastic bottles constantly gets expensive and wasteful. Most hotels have filtered water dispensers for refills.
Small bills (฿20, ฿50, ฿100 notes) - markets, street food, and temple donations require cash, and vendors rarely have change for ฿500 or ฿1,000 notes. ATMs often dispense only large bills.
Portable battery pack - you'll be using GPS, translation apps, and taking photos constantly. Power outlets aren't common at markets or rural temples, and your phone battery drains faster in humidity.

Insider Knowledge

The morning temperature drop to 18-20°C (64-68°F) catches visitors off guard because nobody mentions it in tropical Thailand guides. Locals break out actual jackets and long pants. If you're doing sunrise activities or early morning temple visits, you'll genuinely want a layer. By 10am it's warm again, so dress in removable layers.
December sits in a weird pricing zone - it's not peak season like the Candle Festival (July), but accommodation prices haven't dropped to true low-season rates yet. You can often negotiate 10-15% off posted rates, especially for stays longer than 3 nights. Ask directly rather than booking online for the best rates.
The Mekong water level in December means boat trips access areas that become sandbars by March-April. If you're interested in river temples like Wat Pha Tak Suea or border viewpoints, December and January are your only realistic windows. By February, water starts receding and boats can't navigate certain channels.
That 70% humidity means your camera lens will fog when moving from air-conditioned spaces to outdoors. Carry a microfiber cloth and give your gear 2-3 minutes to acclimate before shooting. The variable weather also means dramatic sky conditions - some of the best photos happen right before or after rain showers when light gets interesting.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all of December is dry and cool - those 10 rainy days are unpredictable, and tourists who don't pack rain gear end up buying overpriced ponchos at markets or missing outdoor activities entirely. The rain isn't monsoon-level constant, but it's enough to disrupt plans if you're not prepared.
Booking only one pair of shoes or sandals - between river activities, rain, and general humidity, your footwear will get wet and won't dry overnight. Tourists end up wearing damp shoes for days, which leads to blisters and foot fungus. Bring backup pairs.
Scheduling outdoor activities in the afternoon without rain backup plans - December showers tend to hit between 2-5pm when they do occur. Tourists who book afternoon boat trips or cycling tours sometimes lose half their experience to weather. Morning activities (7-11am) have much better weather odds and more comfortable temperatures anyway.

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