Looking for the warmest places to visit in December? If you are anything like me by the time December rolls around I become slightly claustrophobic and in search of much-needed destinations that offer warm weather.
If you are looking for where it’s hot in December because you are tired of celebrating Christmas at home or just need a break from the cold weather you are in the right place.
I am so over traditional holiday foods like turkey and dressing, collard greens, and mac and cheese, and my family getting on my last nerve.
If you are in need of some relaxation instead of looking around a dirty kitchen while everyone else is in a food coma and watching football and you are the only one left to clean up this article was written just for you!
I have always wanted to spend Christmas in a warm destination leaving the dirty kitchen in exchange for a beach or just someplace where I will be a priority.
Best Warm Places to Visit in December
While traveling during the last ten days of December means crowds and exorbitant prices throughout much of the world, the first two weeks of December are great for travel because the holiday airfares and hotel rates are still low.
Europe is all decked out for the holidays and locals seem to be a little friendlier vs. the summer months on the side of the world spring is in bloom; and in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico, hurricane season is over, the weather is gorgeous, and there are free upgrades to be “got”
Enough of me talking, let’s get started with where it’s hot in December for warm weather, food, food, and more food, and maybe a beach or two:
1. Jamaica
The Caribbean’s third-biggest island has long been a great option for U.S. travelers looking for warm water and stunning beaches.
Book your winter vacation at Sandals South Coast and stay at one of their overwater villas instead of your being the server to everyone in your family enjoy your own personal butler who will be at your beck and call.
There is no need to travel to the Maldives, Tahiti, or Bora Bora travel to stay in an overwater villa.
There are now overwater bungalows in Jamaica at Sandals South Coast and Sandals Royal Caribbean locations. Make sure to book online in advance, they do sell out months in advance.
Sandals South Coast should be one of your top December travel destinations for warm weather.
Jamaica’s overwater bungalows opened in December 2017 and there are 12 honeymoon overwater bungalows that form the shape of a heart.
If you are looking to reignite your marriage or just relax over the holidays this has to be the perfect destination.
Sandals South Coast (formerly Sandals Whitehouse) is a short hour’s drive from Montego Bay International airport.
Once you arrive you will no longer feel guilty about not cooking for the family and being annoyed with the look of your kitchen will dissipate as you are greeted by your personal butler.
The Sandals butlers are there to ensure you have the best vacation of your life. Remember, this is a guilt-free vacation.
Both Sandals Jamaica overwater bungalows have the same #Sandalssuite life with 24-hour butler service. You’ll be provided with a smartphone so you can get ahold of your butlers at any time of the day or night.
If you start craving ice cream in the middle of the night guess what your personal genie heard you and your wish is his command.
Sandals South Coast is also one of the first overwater bars so grab your caftan and head to Latitudes Bar for sunset. Grab a cocktail and lay back in one of the hammocks surrounding the bar and watch the sunset.
Save up to 65% + Receive Instant Air Credit of up to $1,000 At Sandals Resorts. Book your all-inclusive Caribbean vacation now
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2. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
One of the best December travel destinations for me is Costa Rica!
I love Costa Rica and specifically Santa Teresa which is a small undeveloped town that is not packed with tourists. Santa Teresa is packed full of adventure with thousands of acres of rainforests to go hiking, explore volcanoes, and of course, my favorite reason to visit Costa Rica is the incredible waterfalls.
Santa Teresa is on the southern tip of the Nicoya peninsula on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.
Montezuma offers pristine, untrammeled beaches, spectacular waterfalls in the rainforest, and wildlife encounters at the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, the Curú Wildlife Refuge, and nearby Tortuga Island.
So, if you are tired of the same ole boring Christmas Costa Rica is one of my December travel destinations.
whether you are into trekking in the jungle, in search of beautiful waterfalls, or just strolling along the beach Costa Rica is the perfect destination to escape the winter blues.
Book your Costa Rican vacation now
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3. Los Cabos, Mexico
There is something extremely special about celebrating the holidays in México. The festive season lasts for two months and includes many holy days that are not celebrated in the U.S.
The month-long holiday starts December 12, honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe, and ends January 6, which remembers Los Tres Reyes Magos (the three wise men).
The town square in Cabo San Lucas, Plaza, is filled with holiday-themed ornaments and decorations of every color that will surely impress your entire family.
The plaza is also home to a large Christmas tree that is decorated to perfection along with a beautiful nativity scene.
Christmas in Los Cabos will include art, music, food tastings, and recreations of events surrounding the birth of Christ.
If you are not a religious person there are plenty of activities for you as well, particularly the annual food and wine festival.
The holiday season also coincides with the start of whale watching season in Los Cabos, in which tourists migrate south to see grays, humpbacks, and other whales on the way to their traditional winter breeding grounds off the coast of Baja California Sur.
Book your Los Cabos vacation now
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4. Maui, Hawaii
Still can’t decide where to spend Christmas? Maui also makes the list as one of the top December travel destinations. You’ll find the island of Maui decked with lights, ornaments, and Christmas cheer.
Maui is already known for the kindness of its people, so the holidays are especially filled with warmth and Aloha.
As you’re making your Christmas vacation plans, I want to give you some fun ideas to celebrate the holiday season in Maui.
Your first stop with the family is to see Lahaina’s famous banyan tree wrapped in Christmas lights.
The beautiful banyan tree will be wrapped in thousands of Christmas lights and the banyan tree can be located off Front Street in Lahaina town.
In keeping with tradition, Lahaina’s historic Banyan Tree will be lit at 6:30 pm with 6500 colored Christmas lights for the entire holiday season from December 2nd to January 5rd, 2021.
Keiki activities will kick off at noon with the arrival of Santa at the North Pole. Other activities include cookie decorating, face painting, and Christmas crafts.
You are also invited to come out and meet Banyan Snowman arriving at 4 pm. He is donated and carved on-site by Maui Ice Company. Parents bring your cameras for this great photo opportunity.
Christmas is a great time to go shopping in Maui. Consider buying locally made crafts and artwork for gifts. Lahaina has lots of shops and Hawaii is one of the best warm places to visit in December.
We also like Whalers Village in Kaanapali and the Shops at Wailea in Wailea.
Book your Maui vacation now
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5. Belize
It’s nearing the end of October and fall is in full swing with stunning foliage and cool crisp nights, but with winter just around the corner, now is the time to start planning your winter escape from the upcoming cold season.
Average December temperatures in Belize range from a low of 71°F or 22°C to a high of 80°F or 27°C. You can expect the days to be quite mild and the nights cool, the perfect weather for a tropical Christmas vacation.
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6. Cancun, Mexico
Cancun epitomizes the ultimate Mexican beach vacation. It’s packed with amazing resorts and hotels that cater to your every need from the time you arrive until you check out.
Cancun also has one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean and is filled with nightlife and restaurants.
However, from late December to April, it can be intensely busy. Those pristine white sands are crowded by thousands of people boozing it up, playing volleyball, paragliding, and blasting music.
You’ll also find that Cancun is subject to tropical rains and hurricane threats in the summer months, making a low-season visit riskier.
December in Cancun is, essentially, perfect. The storms of the summer and fall months have cleared out, meaning you’re far more likely to experience sunny skies.
In fact, December is often drier than January, according to U.S. News & World Report. You’ll find temperatures hover in the pleasantly hot range during the day (generally tapping out in the low 80s), and humidity is lower than from June through November.
Book your Cancun winter vacation now
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7. The Bahamas
The roughly 700 islands that make up the Bahamas lure millions of visitors to this paradise’s white sandy shores, fishing, and scuba diving excursions, and luxurious accommodations each year.
I suggest staying away from the Atlantis if you are traveling with your spouse or girlfriends.
Nature enthusiasts can explore pristine protected areas like the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (on Eleuthera) and Lucayan National Park (on Grand Bahama Island) or take it easy at one of the country’s many beaches or private islands.
Meanwhile, history buffs can explore the ruins and artifacts from the colonial era and indigenous peoples like the Lucayan Indians.
The best time to visit the Bahamas is from mid-December to mid-April, the country’s peak season.
Though temperatures here are great year-round (they rarely dip below 60 degrees), the islands fall within the hurricane belt, so hurricanes may be a factor between June 1 and Nov. 30 (the Atlantic hurricane season).
It’s Summer Year-Round at Beaches Resorts. Up to 65% OFF and much MORE. Book your all-inclusive Caribbean vacation now!
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8. Mauritius
Located in the southern part of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has a tropical climate. Its lovely sun-kissed weather is what makes Mauritius a desirable tourist destination.
The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry, and sunny. The perfect December weather and the warm atmosphere allow Mauritius to draw in visitors from around the world who are on the lookout for a warm December vacation.
You will be able to relax and enjoy the sun and surf at beaches. But while the island nation is blessed with such an inviting climate persisting all-round the year.
Since Mauritius is situated in the southwest wing of the Indian Ocean, it is profoundly affected by the southeast trade winds. The weather, however, remains cozily warm and delightfully pleasant the whole year long.
You can comfortably swim in the crystal clear waters surrounding the island due to the conveniently melting temperature of the water.
In short, it would be an equally good idea to pick any time of the year to make your travel plans to Mauritius.
Book your Cancun winter vacation now
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9. Western Cape Town
The Western Cape is the most mountainous and arguably the most beautiful of South Africa’s provinces.
A sweep of the country’s western flank takes in wind-contoured beaches and vine-combed valleys, indigenous rock art and ancient woodland, colonial architecture, and urban life.
Road trips take you through spectacular mountain passes, past deserted bays, and into historic villages, with tantalizing glimpses of everything from whales to wildflowers along the way.
With sunny days, dry roads, and slightly cooler evenings, December is the perfect time to get away from the states and enjoy the warm weather.
I suggest staying at Boschendal Wine Estate. Boschendal might be one of the Western Cape’s oldest wine farms, but there are plenty of new and exciting things happening on the farm!
From our weekly drive-in cinema to fun workshops, we’ve got something for everyone.
Book the Mountain Villa! This private wine farm villa sleeps twelve people and is perfect for a luxurious, adventurous, or relaxing family getaway.
The villa has a fully equipped kitchen, two lounges, and a large terrace that wraps around the whole property.
Two master bedrooms with ensuite, four additional bedrooms, and two bathrooms all with air conditioning and mountain views.
Set up to entertain with an outside bar area, braai, pizza oven, and large swimming pool. Beautifully kept gardens, lawns, and a private lake.
Book your Boschendal Winery escape now
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10. Tempe, Arizona
Anyone who visits Tempe, Arizona during the winter months will be surprised by the Sunny days, cool nights, and beautiful sunsets. Tempe is the sister city of Phoenix but without the pricey cost of hotels that Phoenix offers.
After the summer months of sweltering heat, it is finally time to get outside and enjoy all Arizona has to offer including restaurants, hiking trails, and shopping.
The best time to visit Phoenix is in the winter (December to February). This is when the weather is the most likely not to kill you (seriously, you can die from the hot Arizona temperatures).
Visiting Arizona in December will allow taking advantage of all the outdoor adventures Arizona is known for. Tempe comes alive during these months and is perfect for a romantic getaway, mother/daughter trip, or even a girls’ getaway.
Whenever you visit Phoenix, you’re virtually guaranteed sunny days and warm weather. So pack your sunscreen and prepare to soak up lots of vitamin D.
Book your Tempe vacation now
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Conclusion of Where is Warm in December
Some people are just not meant for winter, so when December comes around – all cold and frosty, a warm beach and a heated pool sound extremely tempting.
You end up asking yourself (or Google) ‘ok I’m done with winter, where is hot in December?’ and you find yourself booking the next available flight.
Besides, who needs Christmas presents when you can have some winter sunshine instead?
I hope my top warm-weather destinations for December have inspired you to ditch cooking, watching football all day, and spending unnecessary money on stuff for the beach, shorts, sandals, and sunscreen.
Ready to plan your trip, grab my FREE Vacation Planner to help you plan your trip in the time it takes to watch your favorite TV show!
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ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
Best Places to Travel in March
Warm Weather Destinations to Visit in November
13 Warm Weather Destinations to Visit in October
Have you been to any of the following destinations in December to enjoy the warm weather and get away from home? I would love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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