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Where to go in December: the destinations with ideal weather
Escape the cold, or embrace it fully: December offers both options. Here's where to go depending on what you're after.
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PlanTripNow Team
July 23, 2026 · 3 min read
December is a month of two faces: on one side, the urge for sunshine to escape the European cold, on the other, the appeal of a festive winter atmosphere. The good news is that both are easy to find, depending on the destination you choose.
Under the tropics, warmth and beaches
On the warm side, the Caribbean sees a real surge in visitors in December, and for good reason: Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico offer ideal conditions to enjoy the beaches, with the hurricane season now over. In Southeast Asia, the monsoon period is coming to an end, giving way to sunshine: in Thailand, December falls within the dry season, with average temperatures between 27 and 30 degrees, very pleasant for exploring the country.
In Africa, Kenya enters its dry season in December, a period well suited to spotting the Big Five on safari. In Central America, Costa Rica enjoys a dry, pleasant climate, ideal for combining rainforests, volcanoes and beaches in a single trip.
A bit of warmth in Europe
In Europe, the Canary Islands remain the most reliable option for a bit of warmth, with temperatures around 20 to 25 degrees all year round.
For those after a winter atmosphere
For those looking instead for a winter atmosphere, Finnish Lapland offers a Christmas-card setting in December, between the Northern Lights and Santa Claus's village in Rovaniemi. It's also the month when many destinations in Northern Europe and North America enter their coldest, darkest period of the year, best reserved for those who are actually after that atmosphere.
December's best picks
| Destination | Why in December |
|---|---|
| Caribbean | End of hurricane season, ideal conditions for the beach. |
| Thailand | Full dry season, 27 to 30°C, very pleasant across the whole country. |
| Kenya | Start of the dry season, good conditions for spotting the Big Five. |
| Costa Rica | Dry climate, rainforests, volcanoes and beaches on a single trip. |
| Finnish Lapland | Christmas atmosphere, Northern Lights, Santa Claus's village in Rovaniemi. |
| Canary Islands | 20 to 25°C, Europe's most reliable option for warmth. |
Key facts for December
Best of beach
Caribbean, Thailand
Best of safari
Kenya
Best of nature
Costa Rica
Best of winter atmosphere
Finnish Lapland
Best of Europe
Canary Islands
Destinations in this article
Frequently asked questions
Is the Caribbean safe in December?
Yes, the Atlantic hurricane season ends in late November, which makes December a safe and highly sought-after month for the Caribbean, with dry, sunny weather.
Is the weather good in Thailand in December?
Yes, December falls right in the dry season, with average temperatures of 27 to 30°C and generally clear skies, making it one of the best months to visit the country.
Are you guaranteed to see the Northern Lights in Lapland in December?
Nothing is guaranteed, since it depends on solar activity and cloud cover, but December's long nights provide the darkness needed to maximise your chances of a sighting.
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PlanTripNow Team
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