Dubai in December offers sunny days, mild evenings, and a blend of luxury, culture, and desert adventure. It’s the perfect time to explore skyscrapers, beaches, souks, and safaris without the scorching heat. But packing for Dubai means balancing modesty, comfort, and climate.
Expect warm daytime temps, cooler nights, and strict dress codes in certain areas. You’ll want light, airy clothes that also provide coverage for mosques or malls—and glam outfits for Dubai’s luxe nightlife.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Dubai in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Average: 18°C to 27°C (64°F to 81°F)
- Warm during the day, breezy in the evening 🌞
- No rain expected, but humidity can spike ☀️
- Dress modestly in public places 👗
- Beachwear allowed at pools and resorts only 🏖️
What to Pack for Dubai in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Spinner suitcase – smooth airport transitions 🧳
- Carry-on – protect electronics & valuables 🛄
- Day bag – stylish and secure 🎒
- Packing cubes – for outfit planning 📦
- Shoe bags – keep sand out 👞
- Toiletry organizer – leakproof 🧴
- Travel wallet – store ID, cash, and metro card 💼
- Foldable tote – for shopping in souks 🛍️
- Laundry pouch – desert dust can be clingy 🧺
- Luggage lock – added hotel security 🔐
- Quick-dry towel – beach or desert 🧻
- Neck pillow – great for long transfers 🛌
- Sleep mask – for brighter hotel rooms 😴
👗 Clothes
- Loose maxi dresses (2–3) – modest and breathable 👗
- Long-sleeve blouses (2–3) – sun and cultural protection 👚
- Lightweight pants (2–3) – flowy fabrics preferred 👖
- Midi skirts – breezy and respectful 🩳
- Jeans – stylish for cooler nights 👖
- Cardigan or shawl – AC is freezing indoors 🧥
- Evening outfit – for dinner or rooftop bar 🌃
- Swimsuits (1–2) – for resorts and water parks 👙
- Cover-up – must for walking to the pool 🧣
- Sleepwear – breathable cotton 🛌
- Undergarments – lightweight for heat 👙
- No shorts, crop tops, or cleavage in public places 🚫
💆 Skincare
- High SPF sunscreen – UAE sun is strong ☀️
- Aloe gel – after-sun cooling 🌿
- Gentle cleanser – combat dust & sweat 🧼
- Hydrating toner – skin gets thirsty 💧
- Moisturizer – lock in hydration 🧴
- Lip balm with SPF – dry desert air 💋
- Eye cream – for red-eye recovery 👁️
- Makeup remover – micellar or oil 🧽
- Sheet masks – desert detox 🧖
💄 Makeup
- Tinted SPF base – no-fuss coverage 🌞
- Concealer – for long travel days 👁️
- Blush – peachy glow for photos 🌸
- Highlighter – golden desert glam ✨
- Waterproof eyeliner – no smudge in heat 🖤
- Neutral eyeshadow palette – chic tones 🎨
- Lip stain or gloss – soft and low-maintenance 💄
- Setting spray – heat-friendly option 🔒
💇 Hair Care
- Wide-tooth comb – beach & desert friendly 💇
- Hair ties & clips – updos for heat 🌀
- Sulfate-free shampoo – protect from dryness 🚿
- Hydrating conditioner – restore shine 💁
- Frizz control spray – dry climate savior 🌬️
- Dry shampoo – between outings 🌿
- Mini heat tool – sleek evening styles 🔌
- Serum or oil – smooth finishing touch ✨
- Modest hair accessories – neutral tones 🎀
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Flat sandals – stylish and comfy 👡
- Closed flats or loafers – for malls/museums 👞
- Sneakers – for desert excursions 👟
- Water shoes – if visiting pools or waterparks 🩴
- Wide-brim hat – sun shield 🌞
- Light scarf – cultural coverage + style 🧣
- UV sunglasses – protect from desert glare 🕶️
- Minimal jewelry – avoid flashy in souks 💍
- Crossbody or clutch – city exploring or evening 👜
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport – required for entry 🛂
- Travel insurance – highly recommended 🧾
- Visa (if required) – check by nationality 📄
- Hotel confirmations – print or digital 📋
- Cash in AED – for taxis and tips 💵
- International card – widely accepted 💳
- Emirates ID or SIM docs – for local phone 📱
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – blister prevention 🩹
- Hydrocortisone – desert irritations 🌱
- Pain relief – headaches from heat 🤕
- Antacids – food spice varies 🔥
- Electrolytes – desert dehydration 💧
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Toothbrush/paste – basics 🪥
- Floss – essential for spicy meals 🦷
- Deodorant – UAE-approved freshness 🧼
- Feminine products – bring your preference 🩸
- Shaving gear – for pool days 🪒
- Wipes – refresh in the heat 🧻
- Hand sanitizer – desert dust = sticky 🧴
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone & charger 📱
- Power bank – malls are big! 🔋
- Universal adapter – UK plug used in Dubai 🌍
- Camera – skyline shots 📸
- Bluetooth headphones – for desert drives 🎧
- Offline maps – in case Wi-Fi drops 🗺️
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – beach or rooftop reads 📚
- Downloaded movies – no streaming on flights 🎬
- Journal – reflect in the desert 📝
🎁 Extras
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated 💧
- Shopping tote – Dubai Mall finds 🛍️
- Snacks – for desert tours 🍫
- Perfume roller – Dubai loves fragrance 💐
🌍 Travel Tips
- Dress modestly in public places 👗
- Use Careem or Uber apps for taxis 🚕
- Buy a Nol card for metro 🚇
- Respect prayer times and customs 🕌
🛂 Visa Tips
- Visa-free for many countries for up to 30 days 🛂
- Apply online if needed 📄
- Passport must be valid 6+ months 📆
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport 🛂
- Modest outfits 👗
- Sunscreen ☀️
- Reusable bottle 💧
- Power adapter 🌍
- Phone + apps 📱
👍 Good-to-Have
- Desert scarf 🧣
- Arabic phrase card 🗣️
- Roll-on perfume 💐
- Travel fan 🌬️
- Eye drops 👁️
