Christmas festivities. New Year’s Eve parties. Snowmen, freezing walks and crackling fires. The holiday season is in full swing, and with it the chill winds of winter are blowing. There are, however, plenty of warm places to visit in December.
To find real heat, long haul is the answer. That may mean more airport stress, but it also means far-flung paradises. Tiny islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific. Tropical metropolises Asia and Africa. And South America shines. All feature in my guide to the best warm places to visit in December.
Warm places to visit in December.
Filter below by price or temperature to find the best warm places to visit in December based on KAYAK data, or read on for my picks on where to go.
The best warm islands to visit in December.
From one of the warmest Caribbean islands in December to the warmest US state, there are plenty of reasons to make your December vacation an island one.
1. Oranjestad, Aruba
- Average December temperature: 81°F
Aruba’s glorious capital sizzles in December. Average temperatures hover around a beach-friendly 81° but regularly peak in the mid 80s. Blue skies, blazing sun and tanned bodies are the norm throughout the month.
Early December is my favorite time to go for winter sun. Before Christmas, prices are manageable and there’s room to stretch out on the beaches. As holiday season arrives, prices skyrocket with average hotel room prices soaring to $548 a night.
The beaches are worth it though. Palm and Manchebo are two well-trod white sand dreams. I prefer Druif and Surfside, the latter home to one of Oranjestad’s best kept secrets – Reflections bar and grill. Pop a cold beer, snack on fresh grilled fish and watch the planes drift in and out of the airport not far away.
2. O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
- Average December temperature (Honolulu): 75°F
While KAYAK data puts Honolulu on the list of best warm places to visit in December in the US, it’s the legendary North Shore that steals the show. To complement the balmy temperatures hovering in the high 70s, this is peak surf season.
Powerful Pacific storms drive huge swells south to unload mercilessly onto O‘ahu’s famed northern beaches. Banzai pipeline, Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay are synonymous with giant, fast waves. There’s no better time to watch the world’s best surfers ride them.
For something a little more serene though no less impressive, climb the Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail to watch the sunrise. Watch for the ‘iwa – great frigate birds – riding hot air currents above, and koholā – North Pacific humpbacks – cruising warm waters below.
3. Maui, Hawai‘i
- Average December temperature: 75°F
Not to be outdone, O‘ahu’s sister island is no shrinking violet in the spectacular nature stakes. Temperatures are comparable, lingering very acceptably in the mid to high 70s all month.
The star of Maui’s show is undoubtedly Haleakalā, the world’s largest dormant volcano. Head to Haleakalā National Park and watch the sun climb over morning clouds and glint on extraordinary silversword plants. It’s even more spectacular than O‘ahu’s early morning show.
Humpbacks frolic offshore here too, preferring Maui’s waters for mating and birthing. See them up close on a kayak trip through Makena Bay.
As the day draws to a close, head to Ka‘anapali Beach for sundowners. Each evening, a ceremonial cliff diving event, or lele kawa, celebrates this treasured Hawai‘ian tradition at Pu‘u Keka‘a.
4. Tamuning, Guam
- Average December temperature: 81°F
Ready for a long haul adventure without really leaving the US? Guam is the largest of the Mariana Islands in the remote West Pacific and an unincorporated US territory. It’s also a tropical wonderland in December, where average highs of 86°F and the start of dry season make for perfect beach weather.
Christmas here is spectacular. A blend of American and indigenous Chamorro traditions, expect parades, light shows, festivals and food. While Hagåtña is the capital, the vibrant town of Tamuning on the western shore is the tourist epicenter.
Aside from the beaches, look past the US military presence and into the island’s rich Chamorro culture. The cultural village at Gef Pa’go in Inarajan offers a glimpse into life in the early days of the island. The Valley of the Latte in Talofofo bring the past to life with ancient customs, traditions and reenactments.
The best warm places to visit in December in Africa.
South Africa shines in December, as the warm summer season settles in and temperatures climb. There’s no better time to invest in a long haul flight to this part of the world.
5. Cape Town, South Africa
- Average December temperature: 68°F
There’s never really a bad time to visit Cape Town. It’s one of the world’s more beautiful cities, whatever the weather, with its crashing mountains and roiling seas. And in December, when early summer sets Table Mountain aglow, there’s nowhere else like it. Because of that, be prepared for peak season crowds and average flight prices of around $1,800.
It’s warm enough to do whatever you want. Make for Camps Bay Beach or False Bay to bronze on the sands and cool down in the Atlantic. Ride the cable car or hike the Platteklip Gorge Trail to the top of Table Mountain. At Maclear’s Beacon, the views over Cape Point and beyond will take your breath away more than any hike ever could.
It wouldn’t be a proper SA visit without wine. In the city, head to Groot Constantia, makers of Napoleon’s deathbed tipple. For true Cape Wine, a day trip to the vineyards of Stellenbosch or Franschhoek should sate the palate.
6. Durban, South Africa
- Average December temperature: 73°F
South Africa is brimming with warm destinations in December. Around 1,000 miles from Cape Town on its eastern coast, Durban is the city of choice for well-heeled South Africans.
Being subtropical makes it a year-round option with December seeing warm, humid days. According to KAYAK data, peak average temperatures reach a balmy 79°F. As perfect for the city as the beach as the safaris in KwaZulu-Natal – all are in easy reach.
Beaches define Durban. Vast stretches of glistening sand, from the famed Golden Mile at the city’s edge to Dairy Beach for surfing, South Beach for swimming and uShaka Beach for kayaking. And as it’s the Indian Ocean, the water is far warmer than Cape Town’s chilly South Atlantic seas.
After a hard day beaching, head to hip Station Drive where independent bars and restaurants bustle for business. Pick up a local brew and bunny chow, the lamb curry served in hollowed out bread that’s a staple of the city’s dining scene.
The best warm places to visit in December in the Americas.
Beyond the US, there are plenty of warm December vacations across Central and South America. I’ve added a couple of classics here but personally have found myself gravitating more and more to the warmest Caribbean islands in December.
Currently, the Dominican Republic is my island of choice. And while KAYAK data highlights tourist hotspot Punta Cana for its weather, I prefer the gorgeous northern coast and in particular the Samaná province.
7. Cancún, Mexico
- Average December temperature: 77°F
Cancún’s weather is about as close as you can get to perfect in December. Long sunny days and balmy breezy nights make it a buzzing vacation and party destination. Temperatures mostly hover in the high 70s but regularly climb into the low 80s. Beaches and bars throb.
If it’s partying you’re here for, the Zona Hotelera is your first (and likely only) port of call. Beach clubs by day, bars and nightclubs after dark – Cancún’s resort district is celebration central. Christmas and New Year feel like one month-long party.
Slow the pace with the sand between your toes. Miles of beaches lapped at by luminous seas and idyllic offshore islands are tonic for mind and soul. Extraordinary cenotes (underground caves) offer a novel take on a traditional beach day out. Equally mesmerizing are the Mayan ruins of El Rey, San Miguelito and Chichen Itzá.
8. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Average December temperature: 79°F
Is there a more instantly mesmerizing city than Rio de Janeiro? In December, when temperatures swelter to average highs of 88°F and everything shines under a ferocious sun, I’d argue not.
At its edges the winding, tangled coastline is ribboned by gorgeous beaches and rolling waves. Ipanema, Copacabana and the Guanabara Bay where tiny g-strings adorn bronzed bodies. Engulfing it on every side, vertiginous mountains washed in thick jungle; Sugarloaf and Tijuca Forest, epic for hiking and adventure.
The city itself is a teeming mass of urbanity, humanity and disparity. Towering skyscrapers throw long views for the city’s wealthy and longer shadows over everything else. Heaving favelas like Complexo do Alemão see millions live in relative poverty.
Cast an eye over it all from the Corcovado and take in the view of the towering Christ the Redeemer watching over everything.
The best warm places to visit in December in Asia.
You could jab a finger randomly into a map of Asia and land on any one of the warmest places to visit in December.
I’ve included a couple of favorites below, but have many others across the continent. Thailand and Singapore for sticky metropolises. Tokyo and Osaka for stunning fall blooms. Seoul in Korea for cooler conditions and globe-conquering culture.
9. Hanoi, Vietnam
- Average December temperature: 64°F
December in Vietnam’s capital is dry season, meaning little to no rain and far less humidity than the drenching summer months. Although average temperatures hover around 64 and highs average 70, in truth Hanoi always swelters.
Its streets are supercharged by a seemingly impenetrable mass of scooters and motorbikes transporting all manner of inappropriate bounty. Chinese and French cultures collide in its architecture and cuisine. Communist history lingers in its civic buildings.
Your only option is to embrace the mania and get carried away in its magic. Start in the past with a serene morning walk in the Old Quarter past its shophouses and stalls. Circumvent Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, the lake of the restored sword, on your way to the Imperial Citadel. Find calm in the sanctuaries of Hai Bà Trưng and the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature.
Finish the day in the melee of Bia Hơi Junction where tourists and locals perch on tiny plastic stools and wash away the lingering heat. Gallons of the city’s ‘bia hơi’ fresh beer lubricate crowds as noisy as the traffic that teems around them.
10. Sydney, Australia
- Average December temperature: 70°F
Weather-wise, December is a lovely month to make the most of New South Wales’ stunning coastal capital. With high temperatures averaging 77°F and sporadic rain at worst, it’s warm rather than scorching. A great month for lazing and celebrating Christmas on the beach with a barbecue.
And Sydney has many to choose from. When the thermometer climbs, head for Bondi or its quieter sibling Bronte, magnificent Manly and the oasis of Gordon’s Bay. All are magic.
Milder days are for city exploring. Take photos on the steps of the Opera House. If you have a head for heights, scale the arc on the popular but pricey bridge climb. Descend into The Rocks, where street food stalls rub shoulders with world-class museums, and old taverns share harbor views with expensive restaurants.
A short hop up the coast from Sydney (by Australian standards anyway) lies my favorite beach town. Byron Bay may have become something of a travel cliché, but there’s good reason behind its popularity. Peel back the tourist layers – frothing surfers, wellness warriors, wide-eyed backpackers – and you’ll discover a soulful town with a beautiful heart.
Where is warm and cheap in December?
Beyond the Hawai‘ian islands, there aren’t many warm destinations in December in the US. KAYAK data points to Florida as your best option. Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Key West all average in the low 70s. With little to no rain, beach time is a definite possibility.
As with November, Asia is where it’s hottest in December. Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines offer temperatures that range from sweltering to mild. As the season peaks, flight prices climb and can reach $1,600. Yet hotel prices and cost of living are incredibly cheap compared to the Caribbean.
Hotels in the likes of Manila and Ho Chi Minh City, for example, average between $60 and $80 a night.
Can’t decide? Try KAYAK Explore.
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From the ranked destination lists, destination exclusions may have been applied in cases of insufficient data or according to the official travel advisory at the time when the data analysis was conducted.
Flight and hotel prices:
Average prices are estimated from KAYAK and associated brands internal data from the search period ‘2025/06/03 to 2025/09/03’ for the travel period ‘2025/11/03 to 2025/12/31.' Flight prices include economy class return trips for one traveller, and hotel prices represent the nightly rates for a standard double room for hotels with three stars or below. Price insights may vary depending on the exact departure airport and over time as travel dates are approaching.
Weather (monthly average, high, and low temperatures, and average precipitation):
Weather data is pulled from a third-party site, Weatherbase, and has not been verified by KAYAK. Monthly average temperature and precipitation data are based on historical insights from the past 102 years. Weatherbase data is updated in real-time from the US Census Bureau and other databases worldwide.
