Even the most stalwart among us can feel a yearning to escape to warmer climes as winter sets in. While moving to any warm climate during the month of December is sure to be a relief, there are a select few places around the world you can travel to that provide an ideal blend of pleasantly warm weather and delightful attractions. Here are some of the best places in the world, from Europe to the United States, that you might want to travel to in December for warm weather.
Best Places to Travel in December for Warm Weather
Below are some of the most amazing places to travel to in December for warm weather and all you should know about them.
#1. Costa Rica
Average winter temperatures (as measured along the Pacific Coast): 95 degrees, 72 degrees.
Whether you come for the beaches or the jungles, Costa Rica has warm weather and stunning scenery during the winter months. Santa Teresa and Nosara have some beautiful stretches of sand on the beach. Meanwhile, green spaces like the Monteverde Cloud Forest offer zip-lining and canopy bridges for an adrenaline rush, as well as close encounters with capuchin monkeys and sloths.
#2. Okinawa, Japan
Average winter temperatures: 70 degrees and 57 degrees.
While the northern reaches of Japan are a skier’s paradise in the winter, the southern islands of Okinawa are some of the best warm places to visit in December—and while the water is occasionally a little too cool for most people to enjoy swimming (around 70 degrees), there are still plenty of activities to enjoy around the prefecture.
The mild weather is ideal for cycling—many islands have established paths and bike rentals near ferry ports—and the flat terrain allows you to fully appreciate the ocean views without focusing on your aching quads. During the Ryukyu Lantern Festival (which is typically held from early December to late March each year), visitors can also witness the kaleidoscopic glow of 3,000 colorful lanterns. If you extend your trip until January, you can usually see humpback whales in the ocean, and depending on the weather, you might even see Japan’s first cherry blossom blooms.
#3. Bora Bora
Average winter temperatures: 86 degrees and 75 degrees.
Bora Bora is always a good idea, but with year-round warm temperatures, it’s an especially nice place to get away from the snow and sleet. The island is known for its turquoise waters and verdant mountains, and it is very close to heaven on Earth. It also has some of the best resorts in the South Pacific: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, Conrad Bora Bora Nui, and Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora.
#4. Namibia
Average winter temperatures (measured along the coast and in the Namib Desert): 68°F, 59°F
The beautiful country has seen a recent surge in tourism, thanks in large part to the fact that it is now more accessible than ever. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of connecting flights into Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, via hubs such as Johannesburg on South African Airways, Amsterdam on KLM, Doha on Qatar Airways, and Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines. (Renovated lodges like the ultra-luxurious AndBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge also help.) And, with some of Africa’s best roads, road-tripping has exploded—especially among Instagrammers.
#5. The Bahamas
Average winter temperatures: 77 degrees and 62 degrees.
East Coasters are fortunate to have the Caribbean’s perpetual sunshine so close by, and the Bahamas, with so many direct flights, is one of the region’s best and most convenient options. Although technically in the Atlantic, the crystal clear turquoise waters here rival anything found further south.
Visit Nassau for some of our favorite untouched properties, including SLS and Rosewood at the resort complex Baha Mar, as well as Harbour Island.
#6. Penang, Malaysia
Average winter temperature: 89 degrees, with a low of 75 degrees.
Penang, Malaysia’s former trading hub, has benefited from cultural influences from all over the world. George Town, the island’s capital, features colonial and Chinese architecture, as well as rows of pastel-colored shophouses. What’s better? Penang is known for having some of the best street food in the world, and the Gurney Drive Hawker Centre has the most variety of stalls in George Town.
#7. Sydney, Australia
Average winter temperature: 80 degrees, with a low of 65 degrees.
With golden beaches, surfable waves, and incredible restaurants, Sydney is always a great place to spend a week or two. If you need to get away from the student crowds, you can always take a quick day trip to the Blue Mountain region or the dreamy Northern Beaches.
#8. Madeira, Portugal
Average winter temperature: 69 degrees, with a low of 56 degrees.
This island, located 300 miles west of Morocco, is known for its black-sand beaches, incredible hiking trails, and copious amounts of wine.
Visit Cabo Giro, which has a vertiginous skywalk (one of the highest in Europe) and vineyards of Malvasia grapes used to make sweet Malmsey wine. The Belmond Reid’s Palace is a fantastic place to stay, with 158 luxurious and spacious rooms and a cliffside location with spectacular views of Funchal Harbour.
#9. Paros, Greece
Average winter temperatures (December through March): 58 degrees, 50 degrees.
Paros, one of Greece’s Cyclades islands, is one of our personal favorites for warm winter vacations. While it isn’t as well-known as Santorini or Mykonos, the island has plenty of beaches, whitewashed hillside towns, and hidden swimming caves to discover and explore. It does, however, lack one thing: other tourists. It’ll mostly be you and European vacationers who flock to the villages of Naoussa, Parikia, Lefkes, and Marpissa for their second homes.
#10. Medellin, Colombia
Average winter temperature: 83 degrees, with a low of 64 degrees.
Medelln’s temperatures are consistently perfect all year (it is, after all, known as the City of Eternal Spring), but there is far less rain in the winter months. This allows you to spend more time during the day exploring this city, which has emerged from its dark past to become a microcosm of Colombia’s progress into a bright and creative future. The majority of the action is in El Poblado, an affluent neighborhood lined with cafes, bars, and restaurants, but don’t miss out on the historic sites in El Centro and the street art in Comuna 13.
Also, don’t miss the 27 million LEDs at Alumbrados, an annual light festival near Parque Norte that dates back to 1967.
#11. Sicily, Italy
Average winter temperatures: 62 degrees and 50 degrees.
What could be better than spending the winter in Sicily? As long as you avoid the holiday crowds, you can fully enjoy the Italian island’s world-famous beaches (we recommend Scala dei Turchi and Cala Tonnarella) and Palermo’s street markets without constantly bumping elbows with other tourists, which is bound to happen during peak season. Visit the town of Noto for fettuccine and Baroque architecture, then climb Etna’s hardened lava fields for a true sense of place.
#12. Belize
Average winter temperature: 84 degrees, with a low of 70 degrees.
This Central American country sits pretty on the world’s second-largest living coral reef, just down the Caribbean coast from Yucatán (with a fraction of the tourism). Ambergris Caye’s beaches and lagoons are peppered with excellent resorts, including Alaia Belize, a Marriott International Autograph Collection hotel that will open in May 2021. The hotel is located on a 1,000-foot pristine white beach and has a suspended rooftop pool, a dive shop where guests can become PADI certified on-site, and 155 units with ocean views.
#13. Phuket Island, Thailand
Average winter temperatures: 91 degrees and 73 degrees.
Phuket has shed its reputation as a hard-partying tourist trap in recent years, becoming one of Southeast Asia’s most luxurious destinations. Since 2017, the island has seen the opening of more than 35 hotels, including Rosewood Phuket, a wellness resort with direct ocean access and standalone bungalows with outdoor bathrooms and private plunge pools.
There are still touristy areas in Phuket, but you can have the quiet winter retreat of your dreams if you know where to look.
Small islands and long-tail boats are like postcards that come to life along the relatively undiscovered southeastern coastline.
#14. Seychelles
Average winter temperatures: 87 degrees and 76 degrees.
This idyllic archipelago, located north of Madagascar, is home to giant tortoises, coconut crabs, and black parrots. The dramatic rock formations of Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue Island compete with Mahé’s nearly 3,000-foot-high Morne Seychellois peak and Praslin Island’s dense tropical forests.
Then there are the resorts: the country has two Four Seasons properties, one on Mahé Island and one on Desroches Island, both of which are absolutely stunning.
#15. Oahu, Hawaii
Average winter temperatures: 81 degrees and 67 degrees.
Oahu is the most visited of Hawaii’s islands, thanks to Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, and the North Shore, with its world-class surf breaks and garlic shrimp vendors. And the island’s hotel scene is currently hotter than ever. In Waikiki, check out the reimagined classic Kaimana Beach Hotel, which debuted a new look in February 2021, complete with Diamond Head views and impossibly colorful decor. The kitschy 1950s White Sands Hotel, which reopened in May 2021 after a lengthy renovation by the team behind the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, is another must-see.
#16. Maldives
Average winter temperatures: 88 degrees and 77 degrees.
The Republic of Maldives, a chain of 26 atolls and over 1,000 islands in the Indian Ocean is one of the world’s most sought-after tropical destinations. It’s densely packed with megawatt luxury villas and overwater bungalows, and the diving is incredible (though some coral is threatened by bleaching). Still, Ari Atoll has a dive for everyone, where you can swim with rays and, deeper down, reef sharks.
#17. San Diego, California
Average winter temperatures: 65 degrees and 50 degrees.
In southern California, beach time is always in season. With perfect weather most of the year, you won’t have to wait until summer to enjoy the sun and sea. San Diego has 70 miles of coastline and numerous beaches with crowds and surf conditions to suit every type of traveler. If you want to extend your trip and go inland, consider visiting Joshua Tree National Park, which is one of our favorite national parks to visit in the winter.
#18. Cape Town, South Africa
Average winter temperatures: 83 degrees and 59 degrees.
Winter is the best time to visit Cape Town, with near-perfect weather in terms of temperature and rainfall. While December and January are the city’s peak months, which means crowds and higher prices, it’s worth it to see the city’s incredible beaches, mountains, and vineyards in their best light. (Just make sure to book your hotel well in advance.)
Join the party at Camps Bay Beach, where the bars are loud, but the scenery is stunning, then hike up Lion’s Head for the best views in town. When you need a break from the sun, just pick a restaurant at random—it’s almost always delicious.
Best Places to Travel in December for Warm Weather in the World
#19. The Canary Islands, Spain.
The Canary Islands, the warmest European destination in December, has long been a resort season titan. Because they’ve been catering to winter tourists for so long, there’s a wealth of infrastructure in place for visitors: hotels, dining, and shopping are all abundant, with a plethora of options for every budget.
Gran Canaria, known for its wide, busy beaches and vibrant nightlife, is usually the warmest of the islands during December. Though many people vacation in Las Palmas, the island’s only airport, the quaint resort town of Maspalomas on the island’s southern shore has fewer crowds, calmer water, and a nearby nature reserve with vast sand dunes that will make you feel like you’re in another world.
#20. Mombasa, Kenya
Mombasa, Kenya’s second most populous city after its capital Nairobi, is home to a bustling old town, delectable culinary traditions, and some of Africa’s most spectacular beaches. It has a tropical climate, so despite the fact that rain is common, December is one of the driest months of the year.
While the city has a few prime white-sand beaches, a short drive will take you to even more wild and unspoiled stretches of coastline. Diani Beach is the most popular beach outside of the city, with soft, white sand, sparkling blue water, and a plethora of dining and lodging options nearby. All-inclusive resorts just steps from the beach or rustic beach camps inspired by the rugged beauty of the surrounding jungle are available.
#21. Bermuda
Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory in the mid-Atlantic, is famous for its picturesque pink sand beaches. It’s known as the “shipwreck capital of the Atlantic” because it’s surrounded by coral reefs that have snagged hundreds of approaching ships over the years. Though dangerous for boats, these reefs are ideal for diving or snorkeling, especially in December, when hurricane season has just ended.
The Crystal and Fantasy Caves are two of the most captivating attractions on the island. This incredible cave system is home to thousands of crystalline speleothems and subterranean lakes, but thankfully, a boardwalk has been built specifically for visitors like you.
#22. Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, home to some of the world’s most famous beaches, is synonymous with its coastline, and unlike its northern counterparts, December marks the start of summer. Keep in mind that summer in Rio is extremely hot. Temperatures can occasionally reach 90o F, but the steamy nightlife and rich culture make it worthwhile to brave the heat.
Copacabana and Ipanema are Rio’s most famous beaches, having been featured in everything from songs to movies. These are also the busiest stretches of sand, with both high-rise resort hotels and beach bars and restaurants. If you have time, try to visit some of the beaches north of the city center, such as Praia Flamengo. In comparison, the vibe appears to be almost the polar opposite: much more local and far fewer crowds.
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro: The Emiliano Rio, the result of a four-year restoration, is a clear nod to Brazillian Modernism. Many visitors come for the rooftop infinity pool with views of the iconic Copacabana beach.
#23. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and the world’s largest shopping mall, has earned a reputation as a city of excesses. No other city in the region is more renowned for providing the most opulent and ostentatious attractions, and December, when the most intense heat has subsided, is the ideal time to visit this truly unique location.
#24. Key West, Florida
This small island at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys is easily accessible from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, but it feels a world away. The self-proclaimed “Conch Republic” is known for its tropical weather, famous frozen cocktails, and culture and vibe distinct from the rest of Florida.
The month of December may be ideal for a visit to Key West when the humidity subsides, and the island’s notoriously eccentric residents put on elaborate – and sometimes hilarious – Christmas displays. Even at night, temperatures rarely fall below 70o F, and the water is just warm enough to go snorkeling without a wet suit.
#25. Medellin, Colombia
Medellin, known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” is famous for its nearly constant perfect temperature, but in December, there is significantly less rain than at other times of the year. The end of the month, in particular, will see a significant decrease in humidity, with the week around Christmas being especially favorable for clear skies.
This landlocked, high-altitude Columbian city is not a beach destination, but culture and art enthusiasts will feel right at home. You can visit the Casa Museo Pedro Nel Gómez, the former home of one of Columbia’s most famous scholars turned museum, or marvel at the Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellin’s exquisite collections of contemporary art, both domestic and international.
Related Articles
- BEST STATES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE 2023
- TRAVEL WORLD: Top 12 Best Places To Travel To in The World2023
- Best Beaches in the World (Updated)
- BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN MONTANA: All You Need to Know
- BEST RETIREMENT CITIES: Best Retirement Cities Us, Florida, & Around the World in 2023
Best Places to Travel in December for Warm Weather: References
