Mozambique
Maputo in December
🌦️ Shoulder (showers)Warm, a little humid and some showers.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · sunglasses & hat
Why December scores 8.5What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort50%8.0
- ✓Warm (31°C highs / 22°C lows)
- !Humid (dew point 20.4°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~85 mm rain)
- Air quality20%9.9
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~6 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards20%9.5
- !Tropical cyclone: Edge of the South Indian Ocean cyclone season
- Safety baseline10%6.0
- ·Increased caution
| Dec | Aug | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.5 Excellent | 9.6 Excellent |
| Season | 🌦️ Shoulder (showers) | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 31° / 22° | 27° / 15° |
| Rain | 85 mm | 15 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 20° | dew pt 13° |
| PM2.5 | 6 µg/m³ | 6 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Maputo weather-station normals. Rainfall: Maputo weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Family Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore MaputoEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyMozambique's capital is a relaxed seaside city on Maputo Bay, known for its Portuguese-era architecture, wide avenues, live music and excellent seafood. Travellers go for the food and nightlife, and as a base for the islands and beaches of the south.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
Heroes' DayEvery year3 February every year
A public holiday honouring national heroes.
Why go: Government offices and many businesses close for the day.
Where: Nationwide
Marrabenta FestivalDate variesUsually early February (dates vary)
A music festival celebrating marrabenta, Mozambique's signature dance music.
Why go: A good chance to hear live local music; check the line-up close to the date.
Where: Maputo and nearby Marracuene
Independence DayEvery year25 June every year
A national holiday marking independence from Portugal in 1975.
Why go: Expect official ceremonies and some closures of offices and shops.
Where: Nationwide, with ceremonies in Maputo
Maputo Central Railway Station
A grand early-20th-century station with a green dome and wrought-iron details, often counted among the most beautiful stations in Africa.
💡 Go in the morning for softer light on the facade and a quieter platform.
Fortaleza de Maputo
A small, restored Portuguese fort near the waterfront with a courtyard, cannons and historical displays.
Mercado Central (Municipal Market)
The city's historic covered market selling fruit, spices, cashews, dried fish and basketry.
💡 Bring small notes and keep valuables out of sight in crowded aisles.
Inhaca Island
An island across Maputo Bay with quiet beaches, mangroves and snorkelling, popular as a day or overnight trip.
💡 Boats leave from the city in the morning; check the return time before you go.
FEIMA craft market
A shaded park market of craft stalls and small restaurants, good for browsing carvings, capulanas and paintings in one place.
Matapa
Cassava leaves slowly cooked with ground peanuts, garlic and coconut milk, often served with rice and seafood.
💡 Local restaurants and home-style eateries around the city.
Prawns peri-peri
Large grilled prawns basted with garlic, lemon and hot peri-peri chilli sauce.
💡 Seafood restaurants along the Marginal and the fish market area.
Galinha à Zambeziana
Chicken marinated in lime, garlic, chilli and coconut milk, then grilled.
💡 Mozambican restaurants across the city.
Xima
A stiff maize-meal porridge eaten with stews and grilled fish or meat.
💡 Everyday local eateries and markets.
Capulana
Brightly printed cotton cloth worn as a wrap and used for clothing, bags and table linen.
💡 Mercado Central, street sellers and craft markets.
Makonde carvings
Intricate dark-wood sculptures from the Makonde tradition of northern Mozambique.
💡 FEIMA craft market and city craft stalls.
Cashew nuts
Mozambique is a well-known cashew producer, and roasted nuts are sold fresh in bags.
💡 Markets and roadside vendors.