Best Places to Travel in December: Where to Go and Why

December splits the travel world in two: snow-covered Christmas markets in the Northern Hemisphere, and peak summer beach season south of the equator. Flight search data from Skyscanner consistently shows December as one of the three most-searched travel months of the year, driven by holidays and year-end vacation days. Picking the right destination depends on three things: budget, crowd tolerance, and whether you want snow or sun. Below is a breakdown by region, with real, verified destinations and what makes each one worth the trip in December.

Also read: Unexpected Ways to Learn About a Destination Before You Visit

Best Places to Travel in December in Europe

Europe in December means Christmas markets, mulled wine, and, in the north, a real shot at seeing the Northern Lights.

Lapland, Finland

Lapland is one of the most reliable places on Earth to see the Aurora Borealis, with visibility on roughly 150-200 nights a year according to Visit Finland. December adds nearly 24-hour darkness in the Arctic Circle, which boosts the odds further. Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, gets especially busy in the two weeks before Christmas.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna runs some of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, including the Christkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus, which dates back to the 18th century. Average December highs sit around 3-4°C (37-39°F), making it cold but manageable for market-hopping.

Iceland

Iceland in December offers roughly 4-5 hours of daylight but excellent Aurora visibility away from Reykjavik’s light pollution. The Blue Lagoon and Ring Road ice caves are both open, though road conditions require caution.

Best Places to Travel in December in the Caribbean and Central America

For travelers chasing sun, the Caribbean and Central America enter their dry season in December, which is the best time to visit.

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Cancún and Tulum see average highs around 27-28°C (81-82°F) in December with low humidity compared to summer. It’s also the start of high season, so prices climb from mid-December onward.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast enters its dry season in December, running through April. This makes it the most predictable month-to-month window for beach time, surfing, and wildlife spotting in national parks like Manuel Antonio.

Best Places to Travel in December in Asia

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo in December is dry, cold, and clear, with average highs near 12°C (54°F). Illumination displays across the city, including Roppongi Hills and Shibuya, run from late November through Christmas.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Northern Thailand’s cool season runs from November to February, with December highs around 29°C (84°F) but much lower humidity than the rainy season. This is peak time for the region’s lantern festivals and hill-tribe trekking.

Best Places to Travel in December in the Southern Hemisphere

Cape Town, South Africa

December is peak summer in Cape Town, with average highs around 26°C (79°F) and minimal rainfall. Table Mountain and the wine regions of Stellenbosch are at their best, though it’s also the busiest and most expensive month locally due to South African summer holidays.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown in December offers long daylight hours and highs around 22°C (72°F), ideal for hiking, bungee jumping, and lake activities. It’s the start of the Southern Hemisphere summer season, so book accommodation early.

How to Choose the Best Place to Travel in December

Rather than picking a destination by name alone, filter by what actually matters for a December trip:

Daylight hours: Northern Europe drops to 4-6 hours of daylight; the Southern Hemisphere and equatorial Asia stay above 11 hours.
Crowd level: Christmas week (Dec 20-27) is the busiest window almost everywhere. Early December is quieter and cheaper in most regions.
Budget swing: Prices in ski resorts, Christmas market cities, and Southern Hemisphere beach towns can jump 30-50% during the last two weeks of the month.
Climate goal: Decide first between “snow and markets” or “sun and heat.” Mixing the two in one trip usually means long-haul flights between hemispheres.

Staying Connected Abroad in December

Whichever region you choose, mobile data is one detail that’s easy to underestimate. Roaming charges from US carriers can run high in Europe, and public Wi-Fi in Christmas markets or Arctic towns is often unreliable. Travelers heading to multiple European countries in one trip, for example combining Vienna’s markets with a stop in Iceland or Lapland, typically find it simpler to set up a holafly eSIM for Europe before departure, since it covers the whole Schengen area on a single plan instead of switching SIMs at each border.

FAQ: Best Places to Travel in December

What is the cheapest place to travel in December?
Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam) and parts of Central America tend to offer the best value, since December falls in their dry season without hitting the Christmas price surge seen in Europe or the Caribbean.

Where can I see snow and warm weather in the same trip in December?
This usually requires crossing hemispheres, for example combining a week in Lapland or Iceland with a second leg in Costa Rica or Thailand. Flight time between the two makes this realistic mainly for trips of two weeks or longer.

Is December a good time to visit Europe?
Yes, for Christmas markets and Northern Lights specifically. It’s not ideal for beach travel or long outdoor days, since daylight is short and temperatures are near or below freezing in much of Central and Northern Europe.

Where is warm in December for a beach vacation?
The Riviera Maya in Mexico, Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, and Cape Town in South Africa all offer reliably warm, dry conditions in December.

Best Places to Travel in December: Where to Go and Why