---

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on our site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This helps us to continue providing valuable content and supports our efforts in bringing the travel community together. We only recommend products and services we believe in and think you’ll find useful. Complete details are included in our affiliate disclaimer. Thank you for your support!

---

Embrace the Heat

Imagine ditching your snow boots for flip-flops while everyone else is scrambling to find their mittens. December is the perfect time for a tropical getaway before the holiday crowds show up. With temperatures hanging out between 70–85°F, you’ll find quieter beaches and better deals if you travel early in the month. So get that wide brimmed hat and head for the sand and sea!

What Sunshine Does for Your Mood

Getting some natural light when the days are shorter can really help boost your mood and fight off those winter blues. The vitamin D you get from the sun also helps keep your immune system strong, which is super important when colds are going around. Plus, you won’t have to deal with icy sidewalks or stiff joints that come with freezing weather.

Adventures are Waiting!

This time of year is perfect for kayaking through a mangrove forest or hiking a rainforest trail while your friends back home are stuck shoveling their driveways. A lot of places also have festive markets and cultural events that blend local traditions with the holiday spirit. These are the kinds of stories you’ll be telling for years, long after your tan has faded.

You’ll come back feeling refreshed, having traded a hectic trip to the mall for a relaxing walk on the beach. And with fewer tourists around, every sunset feels like your own private show. It’s more than just a trip, it’s a much-needed reset button during the year’s busiest season. If struggling to find the ultimate beach holiday for Christmas, here are our favorite spots to get some winter warmth!

The Best of the Best: Caribbean to Asia

Instead of bundling up, why not head to the beach where it’s always summer? December is the perfect time to escape to the Caribbean or Asia, and they both have so much to offer. You can go from swimming with colorful fish in clear blue water to exploring a night market lit up with neon signs.

The Tropics

The Caribbean islands really shine this time of year. Aruba is always sunny at 81°F, while Puerto Rico gives you a cool mix of historic charm and amazing bioluminescent bays. Over in Asia, Vietnam’s cities are buzzing with street food vendors under 80°F skies. And in Thailand, the beaches are perfect for swimming, and your money goes way further than almost anywhere else.

Destination	Avg Temp (°F)	Flight Cost*	Best For
Caribbean Islands	81-86	$800-$1,200	Beach relaxation & festivals
Southeast Asia	75-90	$1,500-$2,000	Cultural immersion & cuisine

Best Long-Haul Destinations for December

To get the best deal on these trips, timing is everything. For the Caribbean, book your flights three to four months in advance to avoid those holiday price hikes. Trips to Asia require a bit more planning, so you should aim to book in November to make sure you get a good seat. Both regions will give you great, dry weather, but Asia’s lower costs make up for the longer flight. No matter what you choose, snorkeling in Aruba or exploring temples in Bangkok. The world just feels brighter under December’s sun.

Top Beach Destinations

Swap out those snowdrifts for sand dunes and explore some coastlines where winter just isn’t a thing. In December, beaches turn into a playground, offering everything from soft, powdery stretches to awesome surf spots. Let’s dive into some of the world’s most inviting beaches and all the cool stuff they have to offer.

World-Class Beaches

Aruba’s Eagle Beach is amazing, with its super white sand and calm, turquoise water, perfect for paddleboarding. Nearby, you’ll find Manchebo Beach, which is great for a chill sunset, and Surfside Beach, which is never crowded. In Hawaii, Lanikai Beach lives up to its name, which means “heavenly sea.” It has soft, powdery sand and gentle waves that are perfect for kayaking.

South Africa‘s Durban coastline offers something for everyone. The Golden Mile is busy with surfers hitting the waves, while the sheltered coves at uShaka Beach are perfect for snorkeling. If you want a taste of Africa without a long flight, Cape Verde’s tropical shores have water that stays around 80°F and a cool volcanic landscape.

• Morning: Catch a sunrise yoga session on a Hawaiian beach.
• Afternoon: Go snorkeling in Aruba and check out the coral reefs filled with colorful parrotfish.
• Evening: Sip on some rum cocktails at a beachfront braai in Durban.

For some peace and quiet, look for hidden gems like Aruba’s Druif Beach or Cape Verde’s Santa Monica Bay.u unwind without competing for towel space. Whether chasing waves or quiet coves, December’s extended daylight means more time to make sand-between-your-toes memories.

Warm Cities

Instead of snow globes, picture a city where skyscrapers meet palm trees. In December, cities turn into playgrounds, mixing culture, amazing food, and a chill coastal vibe. You’ll find museums just a short walk from the beach and historic sites right next to modern buildings.

City Life and Culture

Rio de Janeiro is buzzing with 88°F days, perfect for hopping between famous beaches like Ipanema and Copacabana. You can take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for amazing views of Christ the Redeemer. In Hanoi, you can dodge scooters in the Old Quarter’s maze of silk shops and street food stalls.

Ho Chi Minh City is a cool mix of history and modern life. You can check out the War Remnants Museum and then relax with a coffee at a rooftop bar overlooking the Saigon River. These cities let you go snorkeling in the afternoon and then explore ancient temples by sunset.

Great Food and Nightlife

Follow your nose to night markets sizzling with Vietnamese pho or Brazilian churrasco. You can also try jerk chicken from a stand in Jamaica or fresh ceviche from a food truck in Peru. After dark, join the salsa crowds in Havana or head to a rooftop bar in Bangkok for a champagne toast.

You can also:

• Hop between samba clubs and beachside caipirinha bars in Rio.
• Sample bánh mì sandwiches from a family-run cart in Hanoi.
• Discover hidden speakeasies in Ho Chi Minh City behind bookstore facades.

Public transit makes exploring easy, use Mexico City’s Metro or Singapore’s MRT to get around. With walkable neighborhoods and a great climate, urban adventures feel effortless.

Exploring Warm Places for the Christmas Holiday

While it might be snowing up north, places with sun and palm trees are getting into their own holiday spirit. In December, tropical getaways turn into stages for all kinds of cultural celebrations and open-air parties. You’ll find that same familiar holiday cheer, just with a twist, reinvented under swaying coconut trees.

Festive Traditions in Sunny Destinations

In Puerto Rico’s Old San Juan, the White Christmas Festival is in full swing, with beautiful lights decorating the colonial buildings. You can hear local musicians performing parrandas, which are traditional carols, while families walk along the cobblestone streets. Over in Goa, midnight Mass echoes through Portuguese-style churches before everyone heads to the beach for a feast of vindaloo curries.

These destinations are great because they mix global holiday traditions with a fun, local vibe.

• Caribbean markets sell handmade ornaments alongside rum-infused eggnog
• Goan villages decorate banana trees instead of pines
• Bali hosts floating lantern ceremonies during New Year’s week

Christmas Lunch Outside

Why stay in stuffy dining rooms when you can eat right by the ocean? Waterfront restaurants in Barbados serve things like roast ham with mango chutney under the stars. And in Thailand, you can hit up a beach club for a gourmet buffet with fresh seafood and tropical fruit desserts.

New Year’s Eve is just as much fun. You can catch fireworks over Dubai’s coastline or join a drum circle on a Jamaican beach. Toasting to midnight with a coconut water cocktail is a refreshing twist on tradition. After the countdown, you can browse night markets for last-minute gifts like Balinese batik scarves or Mexican alebrijes. These experiences are a great way to enjoy the holidays without trading sunshine for snow. Whether you’re having a floating dinner in the Maldives or watching a lantern-lit procession in Vietnam, spending December abroad feels both comfortably familiar and excitingly new.

Budgeting

You don’t have to empty your savings for a December getaway, you just have to play your cards right. The first two weeks of the month are the perfect time to travel, since you can beat the holiday crowds and high prices. Traveling during this time means you get to enjoy quieter beaches and cheaper flights.

Asia is an especially great place for a budget-friendly trip. In Thailand, street food meals are less than $3, and you can find a beachfront guesthouse in Vietnam for under $50 a night.

Smart Strategies to Budget

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your trip without sacrificing quality:

1. All-inclusive resorts can save you a lot of money in places like Mexico’s Riviera Maya, where meals and activities can add up fast. But in Southeast Asia, you’re better off skipping them since local food is so cheap. Just be sure to check for any resort fees and transportation costs before you book..

2. Book your flights by early October and use price alerts to track deals.

3. Compare different airports in the region, for example, flying into Chiang Mai might be cheaper than Bangkok.

4. Try a “hybrid” trip where you split your time between a city and a coast.

Destination	Meal Cost	Mid-Range Hotel	Best Booking Time
Thailand	$2-5	$45-$90	November
Vietnam	$1.50-$4	$30-$70	Early December
The Gambia	$5-$10	$80-$120	Year-round

Insider Tips for Planning

Getting good deals for your December trip all comes down to timing. Flight prices usually go way up as the holidays get closer, especially for popular places in Southeast Asia. Booking your flights about three to four months in advance can save you a ton of money. You should aim to book in September to get trips to the Caribbean for under $1,200. Always make sure you take care of hidden costs before you leave. This will make a huge difference to your budgeting. Travel insurance is one of these costs that need to be taken care of.

Booking Flights and Finding Deals

To get the best deal, use tools like Google Flights’ price tracker to keep an eye on flights. Set alerts for destinations like Cape Town, where flights can average around $2,117. Also, check for alternate airports. For example, British Airways’ direct flight from Gatwick to Madeira is often cheaper than flying into busier islands.

Being flexible with your dates can also save you a lot of money. Shifting your trip by just two or three days could cut costs by 20%. It’s usually cheaper to fly during the week rather than on the weekend. If you’re heading to the Caribbean and need a connecting flight, give yourself at least seven to eight hours of total travel time so you don’t feel rushed during layovers.

Destination	Flight Cost	Best Booking Time	Tip
Canary Islands	$600-$900	October	Use regional airports like Lanzarote
Caribbean	$800-$1,500	September	Book inter-island ferries early
Cape Town	$1,800-$2,300	August	Fly mid-month for lower fares

Booking a vacation can be stressful, but bundling your flight and hotel together can save you up to 30%. Just be sure to compare prices, since sometimes paying for a resort fee up front is a better deal than getting hit with a surprise charge later. And don’t forget travel insurance! When you’re traveling in the winter, you’ll want a policy that covers unexpected things like weather delays and medical emergencies. Make sure to double-check that your policy covers any activities you plan to do, like snorkeling or hiking, so you don’t get stuck with a denied claim.

Must-Try Experiences

Your tropical getaway isn’t really complete without getting into the local food scene and finding some exciting adventures. The sunny weather in December makes it the perfect time to mix a little adventure with checking out the local culture. Let’s look at how to fill your trip with some truly unforgettable moments.

Adventure Activities and Local Food

Start your mornings by chasing humpback whales off the coast of Maui, the best time to see them is from December to May. After spotting these giants, hike the volcanic trails of Haleakalā to watch the sunrise turn the clouds pink. Reward all your hard work with some banana pancakes from a food truck near the black sand beaches. When evening rolls around, it’s time for some food adventures. Grab a plastic stool at Hanoi’s Bia Hoi Junction for a crisp, $1 beer and some delicious lemongrass-marinated pork skewers. In Aruba, check out Reflections Bar & Grill, where you can get fresh-caught mahi-mahi while watching planes glide in for a landing at Queen Beatrix Airport.

Experience	Location	Best Time	Highlight
Whale Watching	Hawaii	Morning	Humpback breaches
Street Food Tour	Vietnam	Evening	Bánh mì sandwiches
Cliffside Dining	Aruba	Sunset	Grilled seafood platters

Culture

Tired of crowded theaters? Trade them in for some open-air performances. In Rio, you can join a samba drum circle under the stars, or in Barbados, you can catch a live steelpan show right on the water while munching on a flying fish sandwich.

Make sure you also save time for nature’s light shows. Take a walk along Jamaica’s Luminous Lagoon and watch as tiny organisms light up the water with a magical glow beneath your feet. Or, wander the trails of Tijuca Forest to spot toucans before heading down to the sunset markets in Ipanema. These moments can turn an ordinary trip into a lifetime of memories.

Travel Trends

Ever wonder how your favorite winter getaway stacks up against other places around the world? December’s weather changes can create some surprising differences between destinations. Let’s take a look at how temperatures and travel trends can shape your options.

Average December Temperatures Around the World

The Gambia and Bali are your go-to spots for some serious heat, both hitting a steamy 88°F (31°C) every day. Aruba isn’t far behind with a steady 81°F, and Phuket is just as hot and humid as Bali. Those places are a lot warmer than cooler spots like Cape Town and Abu Dhabi, where it’s only around 68°F. If you want a perfect beach day without that crazy humidity, Hawaii’s 75°F average is the way to go.

Durban hits a sweet spot at 73°F, which is just right for checking out South Africa’s coast. Goa is another warm option, with Bali’s heat and some festive holiday markets. Just remember to pack for the weather! You’ll want light layers for Abu Dhabi’s dry 68°F evenings, but you’ll need breathable clothes for The Gambia’s humidity. No matter where you end up, December’s warm weather promises a sunny adventure far from any cold forecasts.

Final Thoughts

So, whether you’re dreaming of sipping cocktails on a beach in Thailand or exploring the vibrant culture of Colombia, there’s a perfect winter escape waiting for you. Get out of the cold and into the sunshine! From the stunning beaches of the Caribbean and Mexico to the rich history and warm weather of Egypt and Colombia, there are countless options.

You could even explore the landscapes of Costa Rica or soak up the sun in the Canary Islands. No matter your budget, you can find a warm getaway to recharge and relax. It’s all about finding the spot that makes you feel most at ease. So trade in your cold Christmas markets for a pina coloda on the beach! Let’s start planning.

The Best Places for Winter Sun in 2025 FAQ