Do you need answers to which destinations are hot in December? As the year draws to a close and temperatures drop in many parts of the world, it's the perfect time to escape to warmer climates and indulge in some end-of-year relaxation. December offers many enticing destinations where the sun shines brightly, the beaches beckon, and the festive spirit fills the air. Whether you're dreaming of lounging on a tropical island, exploring vibrant cities, or embracing the entire winter wonderlands, there's a destination to suit every traveler's taste. From the sun-kissed shores of the Caribbean to the cultural delights of Southeast Asia, December presents a treasure trove of possibilities for unforgettable adventures. Join us as we explore some of the hottest destinations this December, where you can bask in the warmth and create lasting memories.
1. Grenada
Which destinations are hot in December? Grenada is one of them. A sensory experience of a Spice Island awaits you in little Grenada. Cinnamon and nutmeg scents drift on the breeze. St. George's picturesque harbor is among the most beautiful in the Caribbean because of the vibrant array of reds, greens, and blues. Grenada's coastline is dotted with 45 stunning beaches, the most beautiful of which is Grand Anse. Feel the crunch of sand beneath your feet.
The best time to go for winter sun is in December. It’s a good warm winter destination. You’ll enjoy your warm winter getaway. It's the month before January's warm weather draws travelers from the US and the UK looking for the sun. The high 80s are often reached, and the rains have stopped. Visit earlier in the month for off-season savings and plenty of space to spread out on the beautiful beach.
Make your base close to St. George's. Savour food and beverages while observing people on the waterfront promenade in Carenage. If it becomes too crowded, head to one of those fantastic and wild beaches or the tropical interior and enjoy panoramic views.
2. Cancun, Mexico
If you’re looking for which destinations are hot in December, try Cancun. Though many Westerners consider this city on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula their spring break destination, it offers much more than just a venue for seasonal celebrations. It's the perfect place to combine winter sunshine with a lively local culture, with December highs of about 30°C. Cancun is an amazing warm winter destination.
Not only is there plenty of nightlife (the Hotel Zone is the primary party district), but the Riviera Maya beaches, such as Playa del Carmen and Playa Delfines, also provide breathtaking natural beauty. You’ll enjoy some lively beach scene. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef offers excellent scuba diving and whale shark swimming opportunities.
The Mayan ruins at El Rey and San Miguelito and the adjacent Mayan Museum are good places to learn about the area's past. Many exciting day trips are also available to destinations like Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Merida.
3. The Canary Islands
The Canary Islands, located nearer Morocco than Spain, are among the greatest hot destinations in December. So if you’re looking for what destinations are hot in December, go to the Canary Islands. When visiting in December, you can take in the classic European Christmas Markets with a touch of daily sunshine.
Highlights of Canary Islands beaches include Lanzarote's Playa del Carmen, which features dark volcanic sand streaks and beautiful beach bars side by side, and Gran Canaria's seemingly endless Maspalomas Beach.
Lanzarote, The Canary Islands' Timanfaya National Park, boasts breathtaking scenery. Go to Gran Canaria's Tilos de Moya reserve, where short trails lead to an impressive canyon, to explore this autonomous Spanish community more actively. Discover more about the continuous volcanic activity of Lanzarote by visiting Timanfaya National Park, a breathtakingly gorgeous location.
4. Sierras de Rocha, Uruguay
In December, the warm, bright days bring out the best features of the Sierras de Rocha's rolling hinterlands. Riding a trail ride is the best way to really get lost in them. With the sound of hoofs clomping, it's a calm and serene moment as stress and time slowly melt away.
A horse whisperer named Lucie can be found near Caballos de Luz, three hours north of Montevideo. Take a horseback excursion into the backcountry of Uruguay with her for a few days: stunning scenery, untamed swimming, bonfires, bright starry skies, and surprisingly delicious wine. Vacation fantasies come true with these panoramic views. The laid-back surf town of La Paloma, about an hour away, has golden beaches perfect for relaxing for a few days.
5. Muscat, Oman
Still looking for which destinations are hot in December? Try Muscat. The stunning surroundings of the Omani capital, surrounded by white-washed buildings that constitute its skyline, are as charming as the structures themselves. The capital is between the Gulf of Oman and the majestic Hajar Mountains.
Muscat, a charming seaside city with a blend of modern and traditional Omani life, is an ideal starting point for seeing neighboring locations like Sur, Nizwa, and the many oasis wadis. Its primary neighborhoods include Old Muscat, the old city that has kept its old-world beauty. It also has a small-town atmosphere, and Al Qurum, which has a great beach.
One of the most incredible tourist destinations is Muttrah, which starts with the two-mile-long Corniche and continues to the oldest souq in the Arab world, the Muttrah Souq, where you can find a tangle of narrow streets filled with sellers selling anything from jewelry to frankincense. The Grand Mosque, a towering structure, and the retro-style Al Alam Palace are among the architectural attractions.
6. Antigua
Antigua has stunning shorelines, making it one of the most alluring destinations in December. If you’re looking for which destinations are hot in December, try Antigua. There are plenty of locations to enjoy the beautiful sunshine in this city, renowned for having 365 beaches—one for each day of the year.
You can find pleasant seas everywhere, from the quiet beaches of Galleon Beach, where snorkelers may see turtles, to the busier Dickenson Bay. Fresh Caribbean seafood is plentiful, so you can have an authentic Antiguan experience by adding a dash of Susie's Hot Sauce and sipping some local rum.
The striking Fort James and the UNESCO-listed Nelson's Dockyard, a historic British naval stronghold, are two cultural attractions. Lastly, a trip to the Shirley Heights Lookout is a must-do when visiting Antigua. From this vantage point, a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea stretches out before you, complete with blue coves, bobbing boats, and low-lying green hills.
7. Cape Town, South Africa
Visits to Cape Town are never truly out of season. If you’re wondering which destinations are hot in december, go to Cape Town. With its tumbling mountains and roaring oceans, it's one of the most picturesque cities on Earth, come rain or shine. Furthermore, nowhere else compares to Table Mountain in December when the first signs of summer go away. As such, be ready for peak season pricing and crowds.
It's warm enough to spend anyway you choose. Head to False Bay or Camps Bay Beach to chill off in the Atlantic and tan on the beaches. To reach the top of Table Mountain, either the cable car or the Platteklip Gorge Trail trek. More than any walk could ever hope to, the sights from Maclear's Beacon across Cape Point and beyond will leave you speechless.
A trip to South Africa wouldn't be complete without wine. Go to Groot Constantia in the city, where the producers of Napoleon's drink are on his deathbed. A day excursion to the Stellenbosch or Franschhoek vineyards should satisfy the craving for authentic Cape Wine.
8. Bangkok, Thailand
Still looking for which destinations are hot in December? Try Bangkok! Over the past few years, Bangkok has been the most visited city worldwide for several reasons. Indeed, it serves as a springboard for excursions to Phuket's beaches or the peace of nearby islands like Koh Lipe and Koh Samui. Still, many visitors to this time-tested Thai capital intend to stay and enjoy the vibrant city's abundance of sights and activities.
The best places to experience the city's fast-paced lifestyle are Yaowarat Road (Chinatown), Khao San Road, and the markets in the Chatuchak District and the north of the town, which are crowded with people going about their evenings and selling street food.
Go to the Ko Ratanakosin region if you want to do some sightseeing. The elaborate Grand Palace, formerly the royal residence, and the nearby Wat Phra Kaew, the hub of Thai Buddhism, are among the most famous monuments in Bangkok. The Palace is only ten minutes away from the majestic twenty-acre Wat Pho temple complex.
9. Key West, Florida, US
If you’re looking for which destinations are hot in December, Key West is the place to go. The sun is still shining in Florida even though winter has fully formed in northern states by the end of December. That's why one of the nicest warm spots to travel in December in North America is Key West, a nearby island located at the tip of the Florida Keys.
Known for its semi-tropical climate and warm temperatures, this vibrant and imaginative place—called home by the likes of Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway—is where the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico converge.
The island's central hub is the atmospheric Duval Street, which is lined with diverse bars, boutiques, and galleries of local artists. After shopping for souvenirs, spend your day in Key West basking in the winter sun on Higgs Beach. You can also go to Fort Myers Beach, Honeymoon Island, and Smathers Beach. Don't forget to take a selfie near the southernmost point of the mainland United States, designated by a massive buoy. Key west is among the popular sites to enjoy warm winter vacations.
10. Cook Islands, New Zealand
Are you still wondering which destinations are hot in December? Then, try Cook Islands! It takes dedication to get to the Cook Islands. It is a long voyage located around 2,000 kilometers away from the closest landmass. Since the air and water are frequently in the 80s, December is an ideal time to come.
It is officially cyclone season, and yes, it does rain, but cyclones are rare, and showers are brief.
Christmas passes almost unnoticed. Yes, the leisurely pace of life on the island never truly changes. The Te Mire Tiare flower festival honors the beauty of nature in full bloom on Rarotonga's main island.
Dive into the most beautiful lagoon on Earth in Aitutaki, a short scenic plane ride away. Float between motus (islets) and spend the day boating and swimming among large, amiable turtles. Many are linked by sandbars below the surface, creating the impression that people are walking on water. Visit Tapuaeta'i or One Foot Island for some BBQ. Find the dilapidated Post Office and have your passport stamped with the island's barefoot logo before you leave.
11. Paphos
Paphos is one of Europe's best bets for some short-haul winter sun, even though it's not as hot as more distant locales. Its great for a warm winter getaway. It’s among the destinations that are hot in December. The region's historic remains can be explored, or you can spend relaxing days by the shore, with average highs of about 20C. This area has many pristine beaches, including the Blue Lagoon, Coral Bay, and Aphrodite's Rock, where golden cliffs and blue waters encircle white sand beaches.
Although Paphos is unquestionably a fantastic destination for a leisurely getaway by the Mediterranean, some people travel there to enjoy the abundance of historic landmarks. Many are found at the Kato Pafos Archaeological Park, which also has the remains of villas, mosaics, and the Tomb of Kings, a 4th-century BC necropolis, a Roman Acropolis, and an Odeon.
12. Morocco
Summertime in Morocco is unbearably hot. Therefore, the winter month is a much more desirable season to travel. So if you’re wondering which destinations are hot in December, go to Morocco. December offers the ideal environment for visiting the sophisticated seaside cities of Casablanca and Tangier, with daytime highs of 72°F (22°C). Morocco is among the popular sites for warm winter vacations.
Casablanca, the nation's largest metropolis, has a lot to offer. Before meandering down the chic Corniche beachfront promenade, you can get lost in the medina, or old town, among the charming cafes serving sweet mint tea, small craft shops, and narrow lanes.
Two of the city's most remarkable architectural features are the white Casablanca Cathedral and the contemporary yet enigmatic Hassan II Mosque, home to the second-highest minaret in the world.
While the city's souk is bustling with activity and commerce, Tangier's maze-like medina is just as charming. At the Kasbah, an 18th-century hilltop castle, enjoy the view from a distance for a little more peace. Morocco tourist attractions offers a lot to see and do.Â
13. Raja Ampat
Look no further than Raja Ampat if you're searching for island paradises and destinations that are hot in December. These rocky outcroppings, which resemble mushrooms and are located on the northwest tip of Papua Island, are officially a part of Indonesia. It's a luxury or low-cost experience with limited options in between, as is so common in certain parts of the world.
Once you arrive in lively Sorong from Jakarta, homestay options may be found across the islands, although boat trips are the most well-liked. I’m addition, the area is a diving haven with some of the most colorful and prolific reefs in the water. Also, the most popular tours usually depart in December.
Atzaro's Prana offers a magical week to enjoy if you bring enough friends and family. This 18-person liveaboard castle is the biggest and most opulent phinisi yacht. Explore one of the least-traveled areas of the planet for a week, going glass-still swimming lagoons, climbing island peaks, and diving with manta rays.
14. Sri Lanka
If you’re still looking for which destinations are hot in December, go to Sri Lanka. South Sri Lanka is a great option for hot spots in December because of its average temperatures of 27°C. This makes it perfect for exploring the region's gorgeous beaches. The stunning beaches include Tangalle, Bentota, and the horseshoe-shaped Hiriketiya. It's also a great time to see blue whales from Mirissa or Dondra Head. Furthermore, the 17th-century Dutch fort at Galle, which is encircled by the sea on three sides, is close by. It provides a wealth of cultural experiences, including historic mosques, bustling marketplaces, and cafes that serve delectable regional cuisine.
15. Uganda
In December, head to southwest Uganda, where average temperatures hover around 21°C. Glorious green scenery is all that remains after the seasonal rains. It is the best time of year for guided mountain gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Furthermore, December is also a great month to go on boat trips along the Kazinga Channel in order to see hippos. Don't miss the thrilling safari drives in Ishasha Plains, home to the lions that climb trees, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
16. Dominican Republic
There's no better beach getaway than the Dominican Republic, which has ideal December weather for vacations. If you’re looking for which destinations are hot in December, find your way here. Santo Domingo's capital and Punta Cana are home to some of the most well-liked beaches, including Playa Bayahibe. If you feel like exploring a little bit further, this beach offers you easy access to the nearby woodlands and caves.
There won't be a dull day on your December getaway here because to the varied topography that offers a variety of activities. Engage in mountain biking, hiking, diving, swimming, and fishing once you reach the water. So if you’re looking forward to snorkeling and fishing trips, you’re at the right place. The Dominican Republic offers a unique experience every day, and the warm December weather is ideal for beach vacations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when planning December getaways, consider destinations like Morocco, Florida, and Cape Town for their warm weather and vibrant experiences, showcasing why they're among the top choices for travelers wondering which destinations are hot in December.
