If you are looking to travel this winter break but want to avoid the cold weather, escape winter by taking a trip to one of these warm places to visit in December. This article is filled with destinations that might just make you forget it’s December, January or February. (Looking to embrace the cold? Check out these snowy winter vacation spots here).
Miami, Florida
Miami is one of the best places to visit if you want a tropical winter vacation. The weather is perfect with the highest temperature being about 79°F in December. During winter the weather in Miami is not as harsh or humid, making December one of the best months to visit. Miami is one of the few places where you can wear shorts everyday during the winter without getting any strange looks. Along with beautiful blue waters and warm sandy beaches, there are so many fun things to do in Miami. You can take a boat tour, helicopter ride, or enjoy a variety of water sports at the beach. While you’re in Miami you can also consider a side trip a little further south to Key West!
Oahu, Hawaii
Oahu makes the best warm winter vacation spot if you want to travel within the U.S. without feeling like you’re in the U.S. During the winter in Hawaii, daily temperatures are typically in the low 80s. December is one of the rainiest months for Hawaii, but, showers tend to be short and usually last no longer than 10 minutes. At night temperatures fall into the upper 60s and can be chilly. You’ll want to pack a lightweight sweater along with your swimsuit if you decide to visit during this time. Overall, Hawaii makes for a sunny winter destination.
There are so many fun things to do on the island of Oahu. There are tours you can book that take you around the whole island in a full day. Some tours offer all-inclusive packages that include food during your tour. Other popular things to do are visiting Waimea Waterfall, snorkeling with sea turtles, and visiting the historical Pearl Harbor. Oahu is the perfect place to experience rich culture, gorgeous island views, and new adventures. We spent 3 days with our kids in Oahu. We got to do things like visit Diamond Head, Dole Plantation, & the Polynesian Cultural Center. You can read our itinerary here.
The Bahamas
If you’re looking for a warm Caribbean getaway this winter, The Bahamas is where you want to be. With daily temperatures between 75°F-80°F, and nightly temperatures rarely dropping below 66°F it is the perfect vacation spot to escape cold winter months. Although The Bahamas experiences many cloudy days during this season, you won’t have to worry about much rainfall. This means you can enjoy the beautiful blue waters and soft-sand beaches.
We took our girls on Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Bahamas Island cruise and they had so much fun on the island (check out everything we did here). Also, my oldest daughter and I took our 6th annual Mommy-Daughter trip to Exuma, Bahamas and made awesome memories. We took a boat ride, and even got to swim with sharks! You can watch that vlog here. The best time to visit The Bahamas is mid-December through April. Since this is their peak season you can find plenty of events and fun things to do during this time. This is also the best time to go because it is outside of their hurricane season which is between June and November.
Panama City, Panama
For Panama City, December is when the dry season begins. Although Panama is hot year-round, with temperatures between 76°F and 80°F, during the dry season temperatures can be as high as 90°F. The weather here is perfect for a day at the beach which is why peak season for Panama City is December through April. Panama’s unique location offers breathtaking experiences all within driving distance of the city. Popular attractions in Panama are the rainforests, desert, and breathtaking beaches on both coastlines, the Caribbean and the Pacific. There are a variety of natural parks to visit including the most popular Metropolitan National Park, Soberania National Park, and Chagres National Park.
Mexico City, Mexico
With great weather and rich culture, Mexico City is another winter vacation spot to have on your radar. In December daytime temperatures stay around 70-75°F. degrees. Being the capital of Mexico, the city is filled with historical sites, cultural attractions, and plenty of museums. Mexico City also offers a variety of experiences and accommodations, both high-end and local. You can find some of the best restaurants and unique stays here.
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
For Rio De Janeiro, December is when the warm season begins. This makes it one of the best warm places to visit in December. This also means the rainy season has arrived, bringing humidity and temperatures around 80-85°F. Despite this December remains one of the most popular months to visit Brazil. The warm weather is perfect for hitting the beach. During the holiday season visitors come to enjoy a Brazilian Christmas and indulge in all of the events and festivities Brazil has to offer. Rio De Janeiro is also one of the best places to spend New Year’s eve. Our family was able to visit Brazil after scoring an awesome flight deal, and spent the perfect family vacation there. Get all the details on our trip to Brazil (and how we captured this awesome photo) here.
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket is a popular tourist destination, but in December it is even more of a tropical island paradise making it the best month to visit. For this area of Thailand, monsoon season is over, so clear blue skies, warm weather, and cool breezes take the spotlight. There are so many cultural sites to see in Phuket as well as breathtaking landscapes. Though some people would argue that Phuket Thailand is too exotic for kids, we took both of our daughters to visit with us. We had a blast together! We planned a one week trip to Thailand; a multi-city tour visiting Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Cao Bang City, Vietnam
December is one of the best times to visit Vietnam because the weather is perfect and the rainy season is nearly over. The beaches are beautiful and a great place to relax and enjoy the view. A popular destination in Cao Bang City, Vietnam is Ban Gioc Waterfall. Ban Gioc Waterfall shares part of its border with China, but the western side belongs to Vietnam. The landscape here and around the waterfall is stunning and attracts visitors from all over the world. Ban Gioc Waterfall is the fourth largest waterfall in the world and is definitely worth adding to your list of warm winter vacation destinations.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape town is bustling with people and events during the holiday season, especially in December and January. Early December is a good time to visit before the peak visitor rush begins. If you like a mix of city life and nature, Cape Town is one of the best places to go. Shop and eat at the V&A Waterfront or experience fun adventures like going on a safari at a private reserve or take a helicopter ride over Cape Town to experience beautiful views. Our family had the best time hiking Lion’s Head Mountain. The view was totally worth the exercise. If you love a thrill, you can go swimming with sharks! Not only is Cape Town one of the best warm places to visit in December, it is a great place to go if you want a lively vacation. Check out our Cape Town vlog on YouTube here.
Canary Islands, Spain
Visiting the Canary Islands is practically guaranteeing you a winter full of sunshine. The weather here is always warm and the beaches are like no other with soft sand and crystal blue waters. Adventure through unique landscapes like the subtropical forests in Garajonay National Park on La Gomera. Swim in one of the most popular natural pools on the islands, Charco de La Laja and Charco del Viento, two volcanic formations that make natural pools. You can find these pools in multiple locations across the islands but these two are located in the northern part of Tenerife. The Canary Islands are one of the best places to experience a tropical, sunny winter vacation.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
If you want to spend your winter vacation in a warm desert oasis look no further than Dubai. This luxurious city has just about everything for you to do. From astounding architecture, endless shopping, 5-star restaurants, desert activities, and so much more you will never run out of things to do. Catch a look at the tallest building in Dubai, Burj Khalifa or have dinner in the sky. Though Dubai is one of the more expensive travel destinations, it makes for an unforgettable trip and a great place to visit in winter.
Winter vacation doesn’t always have to be snowy and cold. Cold weather is not for everyone and that’s okay! Any of these destinations will make perfect places to visit for a warm winter vacation. There are many things for people of all ages to enjoy.
Hopefully this list was helpful and you’ll be on your way to planning your warm winter vacation. Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share this post!