Things to Do in Ubon Ratchathani in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Ubon Ratchathani
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
88°F (31°C)
High Temp
65°F (18°C)
Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December hands Ubon Ratchathani its finest weather. Humidity drops, mornings turn crisp, and temple walks feel like a reward. Pack light layers. The air smells of dry grass and incense. You will walk farther without noticing.
- + Pha Taem's waterfalls still thunder from monsoon storage. Yet the trails are dust dry and grippy. October's ankle deep mud is gone. Trek without sliding. Photograph the cascade. Rivers run gin clear.
- + Loy Krathong ended in November. But tiny temple fairs still flare up. Jasmine garlands perfume the night. Moo ping smoke drifts between fairground lights. No tour buses. Just locals. Eat, wander, smile.
- + High season has not hit yet. Rooms stay available and cheaper. The city exhales. Mekong pace returns. Monks chant at dawn from Wat Thung Si Muang. Traffic thins. Life slows.
Considerations
- − Sudden twenty minute cloudbursts still crash in. Chayangkul Road steams after the sun returns. Carry a shell. Dry fast. Keep sandals handy. These showers rarely spoil a day.
- − Night can dip to 65°F (18°C). After 88°F (31°C) afternoons, the drop feels sharp. Riverfront restaurants drag tables indoors. Bring a light jacket. Enjoy the cool. Sleep comes easier.
- − Local families travel too. Some beloved noodle shops close for a short break. Check Facebook pages. Have backup spots. Street stalls fill the gap. Flavors still deliver.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Pha Taem National Park Cliffside Hikes
December is the only sane month to hike Pha Taem's cliffs. Heat is gone. Mud is gone. Haze is gone. Views into Laos stretch forever. Wind hums past rock art. Sao Chaliang waterfall still roars. Yet pools stay calm.
Booking Tip: The park sits 90 km (56 miles) from town. Licensed vans handle the drive, entry fee, and a simple lunch. Reserve two days ahead. Walk up to tour desks. Compare prices. Lock in early.
Mekong River Sunset Boat Trips
The Mun River swells, calm, and glows copper at dusk. Longtails leave Khong Chiam pier around four. Engine thumps echo. Birds cry. City noise disappears. Bring a jacket for the ride back.
Booking Tip: Hire boats at the pier or book a guided tour. English speaking skippers explain fishing traps and sandbar villages. Depart about 4 PM. Return after sunset. Check the booking widget for options.
Wat Nong Bua Luang Temple & Cultural Exploration
Wat Nong Bua's sand pagoda and lake shine in dry air. Shade feels cool, not sticky. Walk for hours. Watch monks chant outdoors. Prayer flags flutter. December light is soft gold.
Booking Tip: Temple entry is free. Pair it with the Candle Sculpture Museum. Tour desks sell half or full day loops with transport. No need to self drive. Sit back. Listen to the guide.
Night Market Food Crawls at Thung Si Muang
Night market at Thung Si Muang Park buzzes after 6 PM. Catfish crackles over coals. Mortars pound som tam. Khao tom mad steams sweet. Eat slowly. The air stays kind to foodies.
Booking Tip: Just arrive hungry. For deeper insight, join a guided food walk. Guides decode laab pla duk and sai krok Isan. Tours start around 6 PM. Check the booking section for schedules.
Cycling the Countryside Lanes
Harvested rice fields glow gold or sprout green shoots. Concrete farm lanes lie empty. Cycle past straw stacks and barking dogs. Only your tires crunch. The province reveals its quiet face.
Booking Tip: Shops rent solid mountain bikes and marked route maps. Guided rides add coffee stops in village homes. Book a day ahead. Bring sunblock. Refill water bottles. Ride slow, look around.
Where to Stay in Ubon Ratchathani in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Ubon Ratchathani Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
For the best morning light and temperatures, plan your temple visits for right after sunrise, around 7 AM. You'll have Wat Thung Si Muang or the City Pillar Shrine almost to yourself, with only the sound of monks chanting and sweeping novices.
Skip the generic hotel breakfast. Instead, head to the morning market behind the bus station for khao tom (rice soup) or a vendor selling kanom krok (coconut-rice pancakes) straight off the cast-iron griddle. That's what the locals do.
If you're heading to Pha Taem or other national parks, bring a small towel and a change of socks. The opportunity to wade in a clear, cool pool at the base of a waterfall is too good to pass up, and hiking in wet socks is miserable.
Ubon Ratchathani's bus station has a reputation for confusing schedules. For day trips to nearby provinces like Yasothon or Amnat Charoen, consider hiring a car and driver for the day. It's often more efficient and not as expensive as you might think, if you're in a small group.
Avoid These Mistakes
Underestimating the sun intensity. That 'cool season' label is relative. A December sunburn in Ubon Ratchathani is just as painful as a July one. Hat, sunscreen, seek shade between 11 AM and 2 PM.
Assuming everything is open late. Ubon Ratchathani is not a 24-hour city. Most restaurants outside the night markets are closed by 9 PM, and the city quietens down early. Plan your dinners accordingly.
Trying to do too much in one day. Distances between attractions in Ubon Ratchathani province are greater than they look on a map. A trip to Pha Taem is a full-day commitment. Rushing means you'll spend your day in a van, not experiencing the place.
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