What are the best places to travel in December for good weather?? December is the peak season for avoiding grey skies so it’s a good question and the good news is that you can find warm weather in December in many parts of the world but often, you need to pick the right areas of a country to visit to avoid cold evenings, humid sweaty hot weather or summer rain!
From Mediterranean winter sun in Europe to peak dry season beaches in Southeast Asia and southern hemisphere summer in Cape Town and Australia, this is a guide of the best places to travel in December in the world, whatever kind of warmth you are chasing.
You’ll also find a hint of Christmas in most of these destinations, in some more than others and it is a unique experience to see Christmas decorations whilst it feeling like summer if you have never had the experience.
1. CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN
When looking for the best places to travel in Europe in December for warm weather, the Canary Islands in Spain are top of the list because of the location to Northern Africa and how well they hold onto their heat. Don’t get me wrong, do not expect Caribbean style temperatures here in December however you can expect daytime highs around 21 to 23°C on Tenerife and Gran Canaria, dropping to a mild 15 to 17°C overnight and the islands see very little rain even in the depths of winter.
The mild days suit active trips as much as lazy ones. Hike up Mount Teide on Tenerife like I did a few years ago for epic views, wander the black sand beaches near Puerto de la Cruz, or head to Gran Canaria’s dunes at Maspalomas for an afternoon in the sun. Evenings are cool enough for a proper dinner out in a jumper, making the Canaries a genuinely year round destination rather than just a summer one.
Related post: Tenerife Road Trip Guide! Itinerary, Places To Visit, Car Hire!
2. COSTA BLANCA, SPAIN
For another one of the best places to visit in Spain in December, this stretch of Spain’s Mediterranean coast is one of the sunniest in mainland Europe. December days sit around 17 to 19°C, cooling to a crisper 8 to 10°C after dark, so pack layers for the evening even if you are in a t shirt by lunchtime. For anyone searching best places to travel in December for warm weather in Spain without a long flight to one of the islands, this is worth a look.
Spend mornings wandering Alicante’s old town and climbing up to Santa Bárbara Castle for the coastal views, then fill afternoons with a round of golf or a slow walk along the seafront promenade while the sun is still strong trying out the many cafes and restaurants. I flew into Alicante the other winter and we spent 3 days driving the Costa Blanca coast exploring different old towns and beaches with the winter sun and it was lovely!
Related post: Visiting Alicante With a Baby – Why it’s a GOOD idea!
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Malta’s winter is short on rain and long on mild, bright days, which is exactly what makes it one of the warm places to visit in December in Europe. Daytime temperatures typically reach 16 to 18°C, settling to 11 to 13°C once the sun goes down, cool but rarely uncomfortable if you bring a jacket for the evening.
This is a month for exploring rather than sunbathing. Valletta’s honey coloured limestone architecture photographs beautifully in winter light, the fortified streets of Mdina are far less crowded than in peak summer, and the sea stays warm enough that some visitors still dive in a wetsuit around the Blue Lagoon. Add in fresh seafood and long lunches with a view, and Malta earns its place on any December sun list and goes all in with the Christmas decorations!
Related post: 10 FUN Things To Do In Mellieha, Malta!
4. MADEIRA, PORTUGAL
Madeira’s subtropical position in the Atlantic keeps December days around 19 to 20°C with nights rarely dipping much below 15°C, making it one of the most consistent best warm winter sun destinations anywhere in Europe. The island stays green and flowering year round, a world away from the bare and barren landscapes when the rest of Europe is in the depth of winter.
Maderia and hiking go hand in hand and it’s a wonderful month to walk the levadas, the old irrigation channels that cut through Madeira’s forests and mountains, or to spend a day exploring Funchal’s markets and botanical gardens. I know people who visit here over the Christmas holidays and it’s ideal, especially as Funchal’s New Years Eve fireworks display over the harbour is one of the biggest in the world and pairs perfectly with the island’s mild, welcoming climate in December.
5. RED SEA REGION, EGYPT
Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada sit in a genuinely dry desert climate, which means December brings dependable sunshine and daytime temperatures around 24 to 26°C, cooling to a comfortable 16 to 18°C overnight. For travellers hunting the best places to travel in December for hot weather within easy reach of Europe, the Red Sea coast in Egypt is hard to beat.
The real draw here is what lies beneath the surface. Visibility on the reefs is excellent this time of year, so diving and snorkelling trips out to spots like Ras Mohammed or the Giftun Islands are at their best. On land, a sunset camel ride or a half day trip into the desert which you can actually enjoy unlike in the summers heat makes a good contrast to being on the beach, and the dry heat means humidity is never an issue. This is a great option for where to go in the Christmas school holidays with kids!
6. MARRAKESH, MOROCCO
Marrakesh plays two very different roles in December. Daytime temperatures are a pleasant 18 to 20°C, warm enough for exploring in a light layer, but once the sun sets the desert climate takes over and nights can drop to as low as 6 to 8°C. It is one destination on this list where packing for both halves of the day genuinely matters.
Spend the warmer hours getting lost in the souks, sipping mint tea in a riad courtyard, or wandering the Jardin Majorelle, then plan for a proper coat once evening comes. A day trip into the Atlas Mountains is worth the cold, with snow capped peaks visible from a city that still feels mild by comparison. Marrakesh in December rewards travellers who come prepared for both extremes.
Related post: 20 BEST Cafes & Restaurants in Marrakech! PLUS, Rooftops in Marrakesh!
7. TUNIS, TUNISIA
Tunisia is another great spot for some North African winter sun, with December days averaging 16 to 18°C and nights cooling to around 9 to 11°C. It is a quieter entry on this list of December sun destinations, with far fewer crowds than neighbouring Morocco but with a climate that stays dry through most of the month.
Whether you visit the capital city of Tunis visiting Medina, he ruins of Carthage and the whitewashed and blue shuttered streets of Sidi Bou Said all of which are much quieter in December, or the seaside town of Hammamet where you can find a hotel with a heated pool and enjoy some hotel and winter style pool days, Tunisia is one of the top places to visit in December for warm weather.
Related post: Tunisia Itinerary | 3 Days in Tunis, Hammamet & Sousse
8. CAPE TOWN & WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town is in the middle of summer come December, with daytime temperatures around 25 to 27°C and warm evenings that rarely drop below 16 to 18°C. It is consistently one of the best places to travel in December for warm weather worth visiting if you want proper summer rather than a mild European winter escape.
This is peak season for a reason. Take the cable car up Table Mountain on a clear morning, spend an afternoon tasting wine in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, and save time for the beaches at Camps Bay or Clifton. Because it coincides with South Africa’s own summer holidays in December, flights and accommodation book up early, so this is one to plan well ahead of time.
9. ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA
The island of Zanzibar sits in a narrow, dry window in December, after the short rains have passed and before the long rains arrive later in the year, which usually means warm, sunny days around 29 to 31°C and balmy nights close to 24 to 25°C. For anyone specifically after hot places to travel in December, this Tanzanian island delivers proper heat with genuine humidity to match.
Stone Town’s narrow alleys and carved wooden doors are worth a full day of wandering before heading to the beaches at Nungwi or Paje, where the water stays warm enough for snorkelling without a second thought. Spice tours are a highlight too, giving a break from the sun while still capturing what makes the island distinct from the more generic beach resorts nearby.
10. DUBAI & ABU DHABI, UAE
December might be the single easiest month to visit the UAE. In fact, all of the Gulf is where I recommend travelling to in December. Daytime temperatures settle around 24 to 26°C and evenings cool to a pleasant 16 to 18°C, a far cry from the brutal summer heat the region is better known for. It is one of the best places to travel in December for warm weather in the Middle East precisely because the climate finally works in visitors’ favour, and those living there too!
Outdoor dining season is in full swing, so book a table on the Dubai Marina or in Abu Dhabi’s waterfront districts rather than staying indoors. A desert safari at sunset is at its most comfortable this month, and a visit to somewhere like the Museum of the Future and Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque is a good way to get some culture on your trip too.
Related posts: 40 AMAZING Things To Do in Abu Dhabi! / PERFECT 5 Day Dubai Itinerary! See the BEST of Dubai 5 Days!
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Muscat and the wider Omani coast share the UAE’s comfortable December climate too, with daytime temperatures around 25 to 27°C and nights settling to a mild 17 to 19°C. It is a strong pick among warm destinations in December for travellers who want the Gulf’s winter weather with a slower, more understated pace.
Muscat’s old town and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque are both far more pleasant to explore in this cooler season, and a dhow cruise along the coast at sunset is hard to beat. Inland, the wadis around Muscat make for a good day trip, with pools cool enough to swim in after a warm morning of driving through the mountains.
12. RAJASTHAN, INDIA
Rajasthan hits its peak season in December, and for good reason. It’a also one of the places I have spent time in during December. Daytime temperatures are a comfortable 24 to 26°C, ideal for exploring cities on foot in a comfortable way. It is a regular feature on lists of the best places to travel in December in the world, and the weather is a big part of why.
Spend warm afternoons wandering the forts and palaces of Jaipur and Udaipur, then trade the cities for a camel safari into the Thar Desert, where camping under a clear winter sky is one of the highlights of any India trip. Just pack cold temperatures after dark, since desert nights here are a stark contrast to the mild days.
Related posts: DETAILED Golden Triangle India Itinerary – 1 Week in India
13. GOA, INDIA
Goa stays properly warm all day in December, and I know this because I spent 3 weeks of December here the other year (and the 4th week in Kerala). December sits right in the middle of the dry season, with daytime highs of 30 to 32°C and nights rarely dropping below 21 to 23°C, making it one of the best places to travel in December for warm weather in Asia if you want heat without any evening chill.
Beach shacks along Palolem and Agonda are at their liveliest, the flea markets in Anjuna are worth a full morning of browsing, and the Christmas and New Year period brings a genuinely festive atmosphere thanks to Goa’s Portuguese heritage. Just expect the beaches to be busy, since this is peak season for domestic and international visitors alike.
Related posts: 9 Of The BEST Beaches In Goa For Foreigners To Visit!
14. SOUTH COAST, SRI LANKA
The south and west coasts of Sri Lanka, around Galle, Mirissa and Unawatuna, move into their dry season right as December begins, with warm days near 29 to 30°C and nights holding steady around 24°C. It is one of the best places to travel in December for warm weather in Sri Lanka, and the timing lines up neatly with several other highlights of the season.
Whale watching season kicks off around Mirissa this month, with a good chance of spotting blue whales on an early morning boat trip, while the surf breaks nearby stay consistent for beginners and experienced surfers alike. Round it out with an afternoon exploring Galle Fort’s colonial streets and ramparts, cooler under the sea breeze than inland.
Related posts: Places to Visit in Sri Lanka on Your First Trip & Travel Tips!
15. PHUKET & KRABI, THAILAND
Thailand is one of the best countries to visit in December and warm everywhere in the country but for good and dry weather, you need to pick carefully! December is peak dry season on Thailand’s Andaman coast, and Phuket and Krabi both deliver on it, with daytime temperatures around 31 to 32°C and warm nights close to 24 to 25°C. This is a reliable pick for the best places to travel in December for hot weather in Thailand, with barely any rain to worry about.
Island hopping is at its best this month, calm seas making it easy to reach spots like Phi Phi or the James Bond Island tour from Phuket, while Krabi’s limestone cliffs around Railay Beach, one of my favourites, draw climbers and beach lovers in equal measure. Christmas and New Year bring beach parties across the region, so book accommodation early if you are visiting during this part of the month.
Related posts: EPIC 2 Week Thailand Itinerary – North & South Islands!
16. CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Chiang Mai in Northern, inland Thailand tells a different weather story to the southern islands. December falls in the cool season, with pleasant daytime temperatures around 28 to 29°C, but the hills around the city can see nights drop to 12 to 14°C, cool enough for a jacket after dinner. For anyone after cooler warm weather destinations in December rather than full beach heat, this is a good alternative to the coast.
The lower humidity makes it a comfortable month for exploring the old city’s temples on foot or by bike compared to summer months, and the night markets are especially pleasant once the evening chill sets in. A day trip into the surrounding mountains adds a genuine change of scenery, with cooler air and mist that most visitors do not associate with Thailand at all! This is an ideal destination for a unique and adventurous December holiday with warm weather!
17. PHU QUOC, VIETNAM
Phu Quoc Island sits comfortably in Vietnam’s dry season through December, with daytime temperatures around 27 to 29°C and nights staying mild around 22 to 23°C. It is quickly becoming one of the best places to travel in December for warm weather in Vietnam, and it still feels far less developed than its Thai counterparts.
Ride the cable car out to Hon Thom for views over the bay, then spend the rest of the day on the quieter beaches along the island’s south side. The night market in Duong Dong is worth timing a visit around, with fresh seafood grilled right in front of you. I visited in November a few years ago and the weather was perfect holiday weather and vibe!
18. WEST COAST, AUSTRALIA
December marks the start of summer in Australia and whilst most of the country is great to visit in December including Melbourne and Sydney and their surrounding coasts, the West Coast of Australia is epic in December. Expect daytime temperatures around 28 to 30°C and warm evenings near 17 to 19°C, with a dry climate that makes it one of the best places to travel in December for warm weather in Australia.
Ningaloo Reef is a major draw this time of year, with whale sharks still around and some of the easiest reef access anywhere in the world straight off the beach. Further south, the Margaret River region pairs wineries with excellent surf beaches, while Perth itself offers city beaches that stay far less crowded than the eastern coast’s more famous spots, especially during the Christmas and New Year period when many people are visiting Sydney and Melbourne!
19. YUCATAN PENINSULAR, MEXICO
I travelled to Mexico the other year in search of warm weather in December and it delivered! So much of Mexico is good to visit in December but I can personally recommend the Yucatan Peninsula, covering Tulum, the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox which have warm days around 27 to 29°C and comfortable nights near 20 to 22°C. It consistently ranks among the best places to travel in December for warm weather in North America, combining Caribbean beaches with a genuinely low chance of rain.
Beyond the beaches, this is prime cenote season, the region’s natural swimming holes staying a refreshing contrast to the warm air outside. History is close at hand too, with the ruins at Tulum perched right above the coastline and Chichen Itza an easy day trip inland, both far more comfortable to explore than in the humid summer months and we loved our 1 week in Mexico in December!
Related post: 1 Week Mexico Itinerary! Yucatán Road Trip in DETAIL!
20. CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
For where to go in South America for warm weather in December, Cartagena’s dry season begins in December, bringing daytime temperatures of 30 to 31°C and warm nights around 25°C that barely cool down after sunset. It is a strong choice for anyone after the best places to travel in December for warm weather in South America, and the heat here is consistent rather than patchy.
The walled old city is the obvious starting point, its colourful balconies and plazas best explored in the cooler early morning before the afternoon heat builds. From there, a boat trip out to the Rosario Islands is the easiest way to cool off, with clear water for snorkelling and a genuinely different pace to the busy streets of the city.
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The Caribbean is the ideal place to visit in December and Barbados is one of the best places to travel in December for warm weather in the Caribbean because it moves into its dry season in December, when the trade winds pick up and humidity finally eases. Daytime temperatures sit around 28 to 29°C, with warm nights close to 23 to 24°C.
The calmer west coast around Holetown and Speightstown suits swimming and snorkelling, while the wilder Atlantic side to the east is better for watching the waves than getting in them. Bridgetown is worth a morning for its colonial architecture, and a rum tour is close to essential on an island that takes real pride in where the spirit was first distilled.
22. PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
For ideas for an all-inclusive holiday in December with hot weather, December in the Dominican Republic is a good idea! Daytime temperatures average 28 to 29°C and nights settle around 22 to 23°C. Search for warm places to travel in December for a beach holiday and the Punta Cana stretch of the Dominican Republic’s east coast comes up again and again, largely thanks to its long run of all inclusive resorts.
Bavaro Beach is the centrepiece, its calm, shallow water protected by an offshore reef that keeps things gentle enough for every level of swimmer. For a day away from the resort, a trip out to Saona Island brings powder white sand and far fewer people, a good reminder that there is more to this coastline than the hotel strip.
23. MIAMI & FLORIDA, USA
Miami sits outside hurricane season by December, leaving daytime temperatures around 25 to 27°C and mild evenings near 17 to 19°C, dry enough to plan outdoor time with confidence. It is one of the best places to travel in December for warm weather in the USA, and a realistic option for anyone wanting sun without going over to Asia or Africa.
South Beach’s Art Deco district is best explored on foot in the milder morning air, and Wynwood’s street art and galleries make for a good afternoon away from the water. Beach clubs stay lively without the peak summer crowds, and the lower humidity this time of year makes December arguably a more comfortable month to visit than the height of summer and ideal for all of the theme parks in nearby Florida too!
24. PALM SPRINS, CALIFORNIA, USA
Another top spot for the best places to travel in December for warm weather in the USA is Palm Springs with it’s desert scenery, and December brings daytime temperatures around 21 to 23°C under near constant sunshine, though the dry desert air means nights can drop to a chilly 7 to 9°C so do keep this in mind!
Days are best spent by a hotel pool, exploring the retro mid century architecture the town is known for, or soaking in one of the area’s natural hot springs. A day trip out to Joshua Tree National Park is worth the early start, its strange rock formations and desert light especially striking under a clear December sky.
December Warm Destinations FAQ
What is the best place to travel in December for warm weather?
There is no single answer, since it depends on how much heat you are after. For proper tropical heat, places like Zanzibar, Goa and Phuket and Krabi all sit around 29 to 32°C in December, while destinations such as the Canary Islands, Costa Blanca and Madeira offer milder winter sun without leaving Europe.
Are there warm December destinations that do not need a long haul flight from the UK?
Yes. The Canary Islands, Costa Blanca, Malta, Madeira, Marrakesh and the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt are all reachable on a relatively short flight from the UK and stay mild to warm throughout December, making them good options for a quick winter sun trip.
Is December a good time to visit the Caribbean?
Yes, December marks the start of the Caribbean’s dry season. Barbados, Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos and araes of Costa Rica both settle into warm, mostly rain free weather with daytime temperatures around 28 to 29°C without cooling off too much at night.
Is December a good time to visit Southeast Asia?
Yes, December is one of the best times to visit Southeast Asia. December falls in the dry season across most of the region, including Phuket and Krabi, Phu Quoc, Cambodia, Myanmar and areas of Malaysia, all of which see reliably sunny weather and very little rain.
I hope this post on the best places to travel in December for warm weather helps you plan a trip!
- For more of my seasonal guides see:
- 23 BEST Countries To Visit in DECEMBER – Where to Travel this Winter
- 33 BEST Places to Visit in Asia in December & January!
- 16 BEST Winter Sun Destinations in Europe & Nearby!
- 22 BEST Countries to Visit in NOVEMBER – Good Weather Places To Go
- 22 BEST Countries to Visit in OCTOBER! Autumn Colours & Good Weather