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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 · 4 min read
Where to go in December by climate?
In December, the Caribbean (Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic) comes out of hurricane season and enjoys ideal beach weather. Thailand is in the heart of its dry season with temperatures around 27 to 30°C, Kenya offers good safari conditions, and Costa Rica a pleasant dry climate. The Canary Islands remain Europe's safe bet, while Finnish Lapland appeals to those after a winter atmosphere and the Northern Lights.
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. |
December: book early, especially around the holidays
December combines much-sought-after sunny destinations with the end-of-year festive period, with the highest prices around Christmas and New Year. Flights and accommodation fill up early: booking several months ahead is strongly advised for departures in late December.
Leaving early in the month, before the school holidays, is generally cheaper and quieter. If your dates are fixed, compare departure airports and airlines, as the price gap can be significant.
Celebrating far from home: a few pointers
Spending Christmas or New Year abroad is very different from one country to another: some destinations celebrate in a big way, while others carry on as usual, with shops open or closed according to local tradition. Find out about opening hours, closures and events before you go.
For a family or friends trip, book the most sought-after New Year's Eve dinners in advance and keep a simple plan for the rest of the week. This avoids unpleasant surprises and leaves room for improvisation.
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.
Is December an expensive month to travel?
It is mostly around Christmas and New Year. Leaving in early December or after the holidays often costs less.
Do I need to book far ahead for Christmas or New Year?
Yes, several months ahead if possible, since flights and accommodation for the most popular destinations fill up very quickly.
How can I spend the festive season abroad?
Find out about local traditions and opening hours, book festive meals in advance and keep a flexible programme for the rest of the stay.
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PlanTripNow Team
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