December is the busiest travel month of the year. AAA projected that a record 119.3 million Americans would travel during the 2024 year-end holidays. That kind of crowd means the smartest trips are the ones you plan early. Below are nine of the best places to travel in December, split between sun, snow, and southern-summer escapes.
My rule is simple. Pick a destination that does something December does better than any other month. A beach is nice year-round. A Christmas market only glows for a few weeks.
The best places to travel in December for warm weather
Chasing sun is the most popular reason to fly in December. These three deliver reliable heat while much of the Northern Hemisphere freezes.
- Maldives. December opens the dry season. Expect calm seas, clear skies, and prime snorkeling over the reefs. It is peak season, so book overwater villas months ahead.
- Costa Rica. The Pacific coast dries out just as the holidays begin. You get rainforest, volcanoes, and beaches in one compact country. Guanacaste is the sunniest bet.
- Oaxaca, Mexico. Warm days, low humidity, and one of the country’s richest food scenes. Late December also brings Noche de Rábanos, the wonderfully odd Night of the Radishes.
Festive cities and Christmas markets
If you want winter to feel like a movie, lean into it. Central Europe turns December into a month-long celebration, and the atmosphere is hard to match anywhere else.
- Vienna, Austria. The city hosts several Christmas markets, with the one in front of the Rathaus drawing huge crowds for mulled wine and handmade gifts.
- Prague, Czech Republic. The Old Town Square market sits under the Astronomical Clock. Cold, yes, but the twinkling squares are worth the layers.
- Rovaniemi, Finland. This Lapland town markets itself as the official home of Santa Claus. It is also a strong bet for the Northern Lights and husky sledding.
Southern Hemisphere summer escapes
Here is the contrarian pick. While everyone else fights for beach chairs in the Caribbean, December is early summer below the equator. Fewer American tourists, longer days, and gorgeous weather.
- New Zealand. December kicks off summer on both islands. Great for hiking the Great Walks, road trips, and long evenings that stretch past 9 p.m.
- Patagonia, Chile and Argentina. The southern summer is the only sensible window for trekking in Torres del Paine. Expect big skies and wind.
- Cape Town, South Africa. Warm, sunny, and buzzing. Table Mountain, wine country, and the beaches of Camps Bay are all at their best.
How to choose the right December trip
Start with one question. Do you want to escape winter or lean into it? That single choice cuts your list in half instantly. From there, weigh budget, flight time, and how much you hate crowds.
If you need help narrowing it down, this guide on how to choose where to go on your next trip walks through the practical questions worth asking before you book anything.
One thing to sort before you fly
Connectivity is the detail most people forget until they land. Roaming charges abroad can quietly wreck a holiday budget. To stay online the moment you arrive without hunting for a local SIM, Holafly sells a travel esim you can install and activate before you even leave home.
A digital SIM matters more in December than you might think. You will want live maps in an unfamiliar city, real-time flight updates during storm season, and the ability to share photos from a Lapland cabin without a data panic.
When to book for the best value
Prices climb fast as the holidays approach. Flights and hotels for late December are cheapest when booked well in advance. If your dates are flexible, the first two weeks of the month are noticeably calmer and lighter on your wallet than the Christmas-to-New-Year stretch.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the cheapest warm place to travel in December?
Mexico usually wins on value for U.S. travelers thanks to short flights and a favorable exchange rate. Oaxaca and the Yucatán offer sun without Caribbean-resort prices.
Which December destination is best for avoiding crowds?
Patagonia and rural New Zealand see far fewer American visitors in December than Europe or the Caribbean. You trade festive buzz for space and quiet.
Is December a good time to see the Northern Lights?
Yes. The long, dark nights in places like Finnish Lapland and northern Iceland make December one of the stronger months for aurora sightings, weather permitting.
What should I pack for a December trip?
It depends entirely on your hemisphere. Pack thermal layers and waterproof boots for Europe, and light summer clothing plus strong sunscreen for the Southern Hemisphere.
How far in advance should I book a December vacation?
Aim for at least two to three months ahead. Holiday demand pushes flight and hotel prices up sharply, and the best rooms in peak-season spots sell out early.
