December is the UAE’s most comfortable month, but the country is not uniform: the gap between the warmest beach and the coldest mountain top can exceed 15°C on the same night. This ranking orders the regions by typical December daytime temperature, names a town in each and gives one hotel we would book. Figures are long-run averages, and hotel rates are approximately figures as of 2026 for non-peak December weeks; the Christmas and New Year fortnight costs considerably more.
Live forecasts are published by the UAE National Center of Meteorology at ncm.gov.ae.
The Ranking at a Glance
| Rank | Region | Day | Night | Sea | Town | Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fujairah and Khor Fakkan | 25-27°C | 16-18°C | approx. 24°C | Khor Fakkan | Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort |
| 2 | Dubai | 24-26°C | 16-18°C | approx. 23°C | Dubai Marina / JBR | Atlantis The Palm |
| 3 | Abu Dhabi | 24-26°C | 14-17°C | approx. 23°C | Saadiyat Island | Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi |
| 4 | Ras Al Khaimah coast | 23-25°C | 13-16°C | approx. 22°C | Al Marjan Island | Rixos Bab Al Bahr |
| 5 | Al Ain and Liwa | 24-26°C | 8-12°C | no sea | Al Ain | Hilton Al Ain |
| 6 | Jebel Jais summit | 15-19°C | 5-9°C | no sea | Jebel Jais | Day trip from Ras Al Khaimah |
1. Fujairah and Khor Fakkan: Warmest and Calmest
The Gulf of Oman coast is the winner by one to two degrees. The Hajar Mountains block the cool northwesterly winds that sweep the Gulf side, and the sea runs approximately 24°C in December. The coast is also the best place for snorkelling, with Snoopy Island at Dibba and the rocks near Khor Fakkan offering reef fish. Fujairah town itself is workmanlike, so base yourself on the beach strip at Al Aqah. Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort is a long-established resort on that sand; rates typically run from approximately AED 600-1,000 per night in non-peak weeks as of 2026. Read the Fujairah guide and search hotels in Fujairah.
Trade-off: it is a 90-120 minute drive from Dubai, with fewer restaurants and almost no nightlife.
2. Dubai: Warm With the Widest Choice
Dubai days sit at 24-26°C with clear skies, ideal for beach clubs, boardwalk dining and Marina walks. The sea of around 23°C is fine for swimming on sunny days. Atlantis The Palm has a private beach and an extensive pool complex, with non-peak December rates from approximately AED 1,300-2,200 per night as of 2026. Read our Dubai in December guide and the Dubai city guide, or compare hotels in Dubai.
3. Abu Dhabi: Same Sun, Quieter Beaches
Abu Dhabi is within a degree of Dubai, with slightly cooler nights around the desert edge. Saadiyat Beach is its best swimming beach, and the island holds Louvre Abu Dhabi. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas sits on the island’s Saadiyat Beach; expect approximately AED 1,200-2,000 per night outside peak weeks as of 2026. See Abu Dhabi in December, the Abu Dhabi city guide and hotels in Abu Dhabi.
4. Ras Al Khaimah Coast: Cooler but Cheaper
The northernmost beach emirate is 1-2°C cooler than Dubai by day and noticeably cooler at night, with the sea at approximately 22°C. Al Marjan Island has the beach resorts; Rixos Bab Al Bahr is an established all-inclusive option from approximately AED 700-1,300 per night in non-peak weeks as of 2026. The attraction is value and access to Jebel Jais. Read the Ras Al Khaimah guide and compare hotels in Ras Al Khaimah.
5. Al Ain and Liwa: Warm Days, Cold Desert Nights
Days reach 24-26°C, but with no sea and no cloud cover, nights drop to approximately 8-12°C. That swing makes December ideal for oasis walks and desert camping, but it is the wrong choice if warm evenings are the aim. Hilton Al Ain sits near the city centre, typically from approximately AED 350-550 per night as of 2026. See the Al Ain guide and hotels in Al Ain.
6. Jebel Jais: The Coldest Day Out
The UAE’s highest peak, at 1,934 metres, runs roughly 8-10°C cooler than the coast, with a December summit of 15-19°C by day and often single digits at night. We treat it as a day trip, not a base; stay on the coast and drive up. Read Jebel Jais adventure for the zip line and route details.
Which Place Should You Choose?
- Warmest sea and calm beaches: Fujairah or Khor Fakkan.
- Warm weather with restaurants and nightlife: Dubai.
- Beach plus culture: Abu Dhabi.
- Budget beach resort: Ras Al Khaimah.
- Clear starry nights: Liwa or Al Ain.
For the same comparison across November to February, use the UAE winter sun guide, and for festive week details see Christmas in Dubai. Our UAE in December page covers events and the full month plan. Browse UAE tours to add day trips between regions.
Packing for the Temperature Spread
Take light days wear everywhere, a sweater for evenings in Dubai and the coast, and a real jacket for Liwa, Al Ain and Jebel Jais, because the temperature difference after sunset is the surprise most visitors report.
Plan Your Trip
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