Where to Go in December: Best Travel Ideas

Choosing where to travel in December depends on whether you want warm tropical beaches, festive winter cityscapes, or active outdoor escapes. We highlight the top destinations for every travel style along with practical tools to help plan your schedule.

The best destinations for travel in December depend on whether you want sunny beaches, festive markets, or cold-weather outdoor scenery. For warm coastal weather, parts of Southeast Asia and Central America are classic options, while European capitals and North American hubs offer seasonal holiday energy. If you prefer high-latitude winter scenery or summer weather in the Southern Hemisphere, December offers distinct experiences across every continent.

At Trip-Planner.ai, we regularly look at seasonal route data and travel trends to help you choose the right trip. If you have open-ended questions about seasonal weather, you can ask our Tripsora assistant. When you are ready to assemble a daily schedule, TripBuilder creates clear day-by-day itineraries, and RoutePlanner maps out driving stops if you prefer a self-drive vacation.

Warm weather and beach getaways

For travellers fleeing cold temperatures, early winter brings dry and sunny conditions to several tropical regions. December marks the start of the high season in many coastal regions, meaning you can expect clear skies alongside higher visitor numbers toward the second half of the month.

Phuket and the Andaman Coast, Thailand

Thailand's southwestern coast typically enters its dry season in December. Destinations such as Phuket, Krabi, and the Phi Phi Islands generally enjoy calm sea conditions, moderate humidity, and warm daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F).

What to do: Island hopping, snorkelling around coral reefs, visiting historic Phuket Old Town, and resting along sandy bays like Kata Noi or Railay Beach.
Crowds and timing: Early December is usually calmer, while late December brings larger holiday crowds and higher accommodation rates.

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Costa Rica transitions out of its green season during December. The northwest Pacific province of Guanacaste becomes consistently sunny, making it reliable for coastal exploration, surfing, and wildlife viewing.

What to do: Surfing at Playa Tamarindo, exploring the beaches around Nosara, and taking day trips to Rincón de la Vieja National Park to see volcanic features.
Driving tips: If you plan to rent a vehicle to link beach towns, RoutePlanner can help you calculate driving times between regional airports and coastal stops. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is often recommended for rural unpaved roads.

Festive city breaks

December is prime time for city trips focused on seasonal architecture, illuminated avenues, and classic holiday markets. Cold weather is standard in these destinations, so thermal layers and comfortable walking boots are essential.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is widely known for its historic Christmas markets, held across grand public squares such as Rathausplatz and the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace.

What to do: Sample roasted chestnuts and hot spiced punch, attend classical concerts in historic churches, and tour world-class collections at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Events: The traditional December markets typically run from mid-November through late December; check this year's dates for individual market closing times.
Pacing: Vienna is compact and walkable. You can use TripBuilder to balance outdoor market strolls with warm indoor stops in classic Viennese coffee houses.

New York City, USA

New York City in December features iconic seasonal displays, theatrical performances, and brisk winter weather. Temperatures hover near freezing, but the city remains bustling throughout the month.

What to do: Ice skating at Rockefeller Center or Wollman Rink in Central Park, viewing window displays along Fifth Avenue, and catching a performance by the Rockettes or the New York City Ballet.
Crowds and logistics: Midtown Manhattan is heavily crowded in December. Walk or use the subway rather than hailing taxis or rideshares in traffic-heavy areas.

Nature and outdoor adventures

December opens up polar landscapes in the far north as well as prime hiking conditions in the far south of the globe. Depending on the hemisphere you select, you will encounter either snowy sub-arctic conditions or long daylight hours.

Patagonia, Chile and Argentina

December falls during the Southern Hemisphere's summer, bringing long daylight hours and the best weather of the year for trekking in Patagonia. Parks like Torres del Paine in Chile and Los Glaciares in Argentina are fully operational.

What to do: Hike the multi-day W Trek, take day walks to the base of Mount Fitz Roy near El Chaltén, and view the massive Perito Moreno Glacier.
Conditions: Even in summer, Patagonian winds can be severe, and rapid weather shifts are common. High-quality windproof and waterproof clothing is mandatory.
Planning: Trekking refuges and national park campsites sell out months ahead. Use Tripsora to check what reservations are necessary before booking flights.

Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland

For a deep winter experience with heavy snow, the Arctic Circle region of Finland offers dark, peaceful landscapes, pine forests, and sub-zero temperatures.

What to do: Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing through national parks such as Riisitunturi, and searching for the northern lights on clear nights.
Daylight: Daylight hours are short, sometimes lasting only two to four hours around the winter solstice. Plan outdoor activities for the middle of the day.

Culture and historic sights

Travelling in December allows you to observe unique cultural traditions, historic architecture without summer heat, and regional end-of-year ceremonies.

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto in December is crisp, relatively dry, and significantly less crowded than during the autumn foliage rush of November or the spring cherry blossom season of April.

What to do: Visit landmark temples like Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari-taisha without peak-season crowds, explore bamboo groves in Arashiyama, and enjoy seasonal hot-pot dining.
Events: In late December, Buddhist temples across Kyoto prepare for Joya no Kane, the traditional ringing of temple bells on New Year's Eve (check this year's dates and public access rules).

Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca is mild and pleasant in December, with daytime temperatures averaging around 25°C (77°F). It is one of Mexico's cultural centres, known for indigenous crafts, colonial architecture, and regional cooking.

What to do: Explore the ancient Zapotec ruins at Monte Albán, shop for textiles in the Mercado 20 de Noviembre, and visit artisan villages in the Central Valleys.
Events: Oaxaca hosts the traditional Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) in the central square, featuring elaborate radish carvings; check this year's dates for viewing times.

Budget-friendly December destinations

Holiday travel can be expensive, but choosing regions with low everyday costs for food, transit, and accommodation can keep your total budget reasonable, especially during the first half of the month.

Northern and Central Vietnam

Vietnam provides exceptional value for lodging and dining. In December, northern hubs like Hanoi and coastal stops like Da Nang experience moderate, cooler temperatures, avoiding the intense heat of the summer months.

What to do: Sample street food across Hanoi's Old Quarter, cruise among the limestone karsts of Lan Ha Bay, and walk through the historic lantern-lit streets of Hoi An.
Costs: Street meals, local transport, and boutique guesthouses remain very affordable, making a multi-city trip accessible on modest budgets.

Morocco

Morocco offers warm, sunny days and cool evenings across inland and southern destinations like Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, and the desert perimeter.

What to do: Wander through historic medinas, visit the Bahia Palace, and organize an excursion into the dunes of the Sahara.
Planning: You can map out a classic road route from Marrakech across the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Ouarzazate using RoutePlanner. Check local mountain weather advisories before driving high passes.

How to choose your December destination

To narrow down your choices, weigh three practical factors: climate preference, timing within the month, and pace.

Early December vs. late December: The first two weeks of December typically feature lower lodging rates and manageable crowds. The week from December 22 through New Year's Day is one of the busiest travel periods worldwide, requiring early bookings.
Cold winter vs. tropical sun: Decide whether you want to pack heavy winter parkas for markets and snow, or swimwear and light linen for coastal heat.
Urban exploration vs. road trip: Dense cities like Vienna or New York can be covered using public transit and our TripBuilder tool. Expansive regions like Costa Rica or Morocco benefit from RoutePlanner for plotting scenic driving days.

December planning checklist

Check travel documentation: Check your passport validity and official government visa portals well in advance, as passport offices face seasonal processing backlogs.
Book key transport early: Rail lines in Europe and domestic flights across holiday corridors fill up rapidly; secure primary tickets at least 6 to 8 weeks out.
Reserve specific attractions: Highly sought-after sites, holiday performances, and national park access slots often require timed tickets online.
Pack for variable layers: Even warm destinations can have brisk evenings in December, while heated indoor museums in cold cities require easy-to-remove outer layers.

Frequently asked questions

Which tropical destinations have the best weather in December?

Southern Thailand, the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and the Caribbean generally experience dry, sunny conditions in December as rainy seasons conclude. Temperatures in these regions typically sit between 27°C and 31°C (80°F to 88°F). It is advisable to book beach accommodation early if your dates include the late-December holiday period.

How early should we book a December holiday?

For travel during the second half of December, we recommend booking flights and accommodation at least three to five months in advance. Early December is much more flexible, and you can often find sensible rates just four to six weeks prior to departure. Use TripBuilder to outline your itinerary before locking in non-refundable reservations.

Are Christmas markets in Europe open after December 25?

While some markets in cities like Vienna and Prague remain open as winter markets into early January, many smaller German and Austrian markets close by the afternoon of December 24. Always check this year's dates for individual city markets before finalizing your travel dates. Look at official municipal tourism schedules for verified holiday operating hours.