December is a magical time to travel the globe, marked by festive merriment and holiday celebrations. Wintery Europe and North America see cooler temperatures and a sprinkling of snow in places, while Africa and South America see summery, sun-soaked days. Asia and Oceania enjoy a mesh of contrasting weather at this time. With so many options to choose from, Travelstart is here to help you pin down your dream December destination!
Travel to the fullest during the most magical time of the year, with our guide on the best places to visit in December!
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The crisp cover of winter is a great time to see the Czech Republic, awash with Christmas cheer and a sprinkling of snow. Attend Christmas markets in the Old Town Square in Prague or wander the grounds of Český Krumlov Castle in its namesake city.
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See the Church of Bones (Sedlec Ossuary) in Sedlec
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Dip into a hot spring in the spa town, Karlovy Vary
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Purchase Czech crystal in Prague
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Bring your best coat for a chilly 0°C!
Make Monaco your winter playground and enjoy a host of seasonal events. Ice skate at the open-air rink in the Port of Monaco, visit nativity scenes in Monaco-Ville or brave the icy waters of Larvotto beach for the annual Christmas swim.
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Enjoy retail therapy at Métropole Shopping Centre
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Try your luck at the famed Casino de Monte Carlo
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Visit the Oceanographic Museum
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Sunny, crisp days at 12°C
Snow-swept winter in Switzerland abounds with seasonal celebrations and Christkindlimarkt, or Christmas markets, strewn across the mountainous terrain like decorations. Snuggle up at the fireside, sipping hot chocolate or dip into cheese fondue in Gruyères.
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Visit the indoor Zurich Christmas Market
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Explore the pistes of the ski town, Verbier
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Travel the Swiss Alps aboard the Glacier Express
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Be prepared for a chilly 2°C
Play out romantic ideas of winter in Germany as the snow-capped country starts to bustle. Visit one of the oldest Christmas markets in Nuremberg or journey along the Romantic Road as it leads through Bavaria, alongside castles and historic towns.
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Ski and hike in Baiersbronn, in the Black Forest
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Visit the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle
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Sample Bockwurst with helpings of bread and mustard
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Cosy up on short, 1°C days
The temperate Mediterranean winter in Portugal is best enjoyed browsing markets in Lisbon, pasteis de nata in hand, seeking out snowy pistes in Serra da Estrela for a ski, or nature walks in a winter wonderland of pillowy white mounds and frozen lakes.
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Taste Bacalhau (or cod) in its many forms
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Hit the waves at World Surfing Reserve of Ericeira
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Visit the home of port wine in the Douro Valley
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A waterproof jacket goes well with an average of 14°C
The charm of snow-dusted Netherlands in winter is only enhanced by the festive cheer and building celebration of the incoming New Year. Take a walking tour alongside Amsterdam’s canals or cosy up in a wood-clad café to drink Dutch gin, or jenever.
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Enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival by boat
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Shop for Delftware, customised clogs and cheese
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Eat traditional doughy, sugar-sprinkled Oliebollen
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4°C days call for warm clothes
Germany – Christkindlesmarkt
Dating back to the 17th century, the enchanting Christkindlesmarkt is an age-old, authentic Christmas market experience in the Hauptmarkt, or central square, of Nuremberg. If the smell of gingerbread and slowly roasting Bratwurst doesn’t lure you in straight away, maybe it’s the mulled wine, Christmas decorations and handmade toys that draw you in.
-2 to 4°C daytime temperatures
29 November - 24 December
Nuremberg
France – Lyon Festival of Lights
The Fête des Lumières lights up the city of Lyon with spectacular temporary installations that showcase the city’s architecture, which forms the backdrop for an illuminating journey of magic, dreams and history. Held annually, the festival is a spectacular display of both contemporary light-creations, traditional culture and candle-lined window sills. Pair the experience with great local food and excellent Lyon wine.
2 - 7°C daytime temperatures
5 - 8 December
Lyon
Scotland – Hogmanay
The namesake festival of Scottish New Year’s Eve, Hogmanay draws inspiration from viking origins and celebration of the winter solstice. Accompanied by fireworks, singing and plenty of whisky, the festival reaches fever pitch at a street party of almost 400,000 revellers on 31 December. Loony Dook, the following day, offers weary party-goers a refreshing, charitable swim in the icy waters of South Queensferry’s Firth of Forth estuary.
1 - 7°C daytime temperatures
30 December - 2 January
Edinburgh
Spain
Head to the south coast of Spain, for sunny shores still whispering of summer. Stop at Costa Tropical and explore the dark, pebbly sands of Playa de la Rijana or savour tropical fruits from the agricultural region. Further on the coast, siesta amongst super yachts and golden sand at Marbella, on the Costa del Sol. Visit the Canary Islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, beckoning with beautiful beaches and mild winter sun. Average daytime highs range from 16°C in Andalusia to 22°C on the Canary Islands.
Historically Africa’s Gold Coast, Ghana is blessed with abundant natural beauty and resources. With a colourful culture and history, its warm people will welcome you in to enjoy the tropical beaches, rhythmic African beats and local cuisine on offer.
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Buy beadwork and Kente cloth at Kejetia Market
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Eat Ghanaian cuisine of fufu, waakye or banku
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Experience a Fiok festival in the Upper East Region
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Enjoy a summery 27°C
Magical Morocco is home to sweeping desert dunes in Merzouga, bustling markets in Marrakech and a blue-stained city in Chefchaouen. The energy is palpable as you explore the country’s old imperial cities and its diverse, changing landscape.
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Spend a few nights in a traditional Riad
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Surf the swells of Essaouira or Taghazout
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After haggling in a Marrakech souk, eat a tagine
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Pack something warm for temperatures of 14°C
Nigeria is both culturally diverse and varied in its assemblage of deserts, jungles and plains across the regions. Soak up the searing African sun along the banks of the Niger river or get lost amongst arts and crafts in the Lekki Market in Lagos.
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Drink, dance and dine at the Calabar Carnival
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Float along the ‘Venice of Africa’ at Makoko
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Buy clothes and fabric at Balogun Market in Lagos
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Dry, hot 27°C days await
With more to offer than just unspoilt beaches flanked by mangrove forests and coral reefs, an unforgettable journey beckons in Mozambique. Sample fresh seafood on the beach, scuba dive in Inhambane or hop over to Mozambique Island.
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Try the national rum Tipo Tinto
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Visit the ample wildlife at Gorongosa National Park
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Buy homemade, punch-packing peri-peri sauce
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Get ready for daytime averages in excess of 25°C
A wildlife mecca, Kenya is incredibly beautiful, diverse and culturally rich. A visit to the East African country is incomplete without a safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve, fishing on the Pemba Channel or exploring coral reefs at Diani beach.
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Tuck into streetside barbequed nyama choma
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Visit the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi
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Dine in Diani at Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant
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Expect humid days reaching 27°C
December is an excellent time to enjoy the prolific wildlife of Uganda. Go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, white water raft in Jinja, or birdwatch in the many national parks across the country.
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Hike Rwenzori Mountains National Park
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Try steamed Luwombo enveloped in a banana leaf
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Visit Murchison Falls cascading from the Nile
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Hot, dry days average at 21°C
Morocco – International Film Festival of Marrakech
Morocco’s Red City annually hosts the prestigious FIFM, or Festival International du Film de Marrakech. Famous actors, film directors and producers from around the globe gather to attend screenings of Moroccan and foreign films. Add to that parties, public screenings and an all-round lively Marrakech.
7-20°C daytime temperatures
29 November - 7 December
Marrakech
Northern Senegal – Les Fanals de St. Louis
With origins in the 18th century, Les Fanals de St. Louis, or Fanal, is a customary parade that continues the annual night-time procession of elaborate floats and lanterns through the city, ending in the square. Accompanied by fireworks, dancing, drumming and joyful revellers dressed in traditional costume, Fanal rivals even the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro!
18-32°C daytime temperatures
Last week of December
Saint-Louis
Cape Town – South Africa - MCQP
A glittering highlight on every Capetonian’s calendar, MCQP (or Mother City Queer Project) is a glamorous gathering held annually in some of Cape Town’s top locations. Eagerly-awaited themes for each event are met with an array of costumes and camaraderie, all to the beats of a local and international music line-up.
17-27°C daytime temperatures
Mid-December
Cape Town
Egypt
Head for Egypt’s beaches and escape the burgeoning crowds around the pyramids at this time. Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El-Sheikh are excellent choices along the Red Sea in December, as the seaside stops are dotted with resorts that share access to the creamy coloured sands, turquoise waters and top-notch facilities. Enjoy warm ocean swims in the 25°C water and soak up the winter sun, which reaches average highs of between 23-25°C.
Seychelles
The tropical paradise that is Seychelles, is the perfect December destination for a white-sand coastline lined by seemingly hand-painted water. Soak up the tropical sun rays between brief seasonal showers and prevailing humidity. Go island-hopping around the archipelago and enjoy the pristine beaches of Anse Source D’Argent, Anse Lazio, Anse Georgette, and Grand Anse to name just a few! Enjoy summery temperatures of 27-30°C.
Comoros
The volcanic archipelago of Comoros is largely untouched, with postcard-perfect beaches lapped by a turquoise ocean. Visit Chomoni beach on Grande Comore, with its black lava rocks and powdery white sand, or venture to some of the island’s most picturesque beaches of Mitsamiouli and Ndroudé. Stroll the petite beach at Trou du Prophète, accompanied by a lone backpackers lodge, or hop over to the black sands of Beach Papani on Anjouan Island (Ndzouani). Enjoy an average of 27°C, with highs of up to 32°C!
Summer in Australia is inviting to say the least. From Ayers Rock (Uluru) at the sweltering Red Centre of Alice Springs to a seaside escape on the white-sand beaches of Jervis Bay, the varied landscapes each offer something special and significant.
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Spectate the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
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Snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland
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Sample wine in Victoria’s Yarra Valley
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Daytime temperatures of 22-30°C in the north
Recognisable by the polished Petronas Twin Towers in its capital of Kuala Lumpur, to the street art of George Town in Penang, Malaysia is a multi-layered country. December on the west coast sees warm, dry weather, in contrast to the cooler east coast.
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Taste piping hot nasi kandar in Penang
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Browse shophouses on Jonker Street in Malacca
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Brave the labyrinths of the Dark Cave at Batu Caves
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Summery days reach 27°C
Head for the hills, or the south and west coasts during December for the best weather in Sri Lanka at this time. Visit tea plantations in Kandy, in the country formerly known as Ceylon, or surf off the southwest coast.
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Take a cross-country train trip on Sri Lanka Railways
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Relax with an authentic Ayurvedic treatment
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Explore colonial buildings in downtown Colombo
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Enjoy warm days of 27°C
Enjoy a winter in Lebanon exploring the ruins of Baalbek or those in the old Phoenician city of Byblos. Sip wine amongst expansive vineyards in the Bekaa Valley or venture beneath Mount Lebanon and explore the Jeita grottos by foot and boat.
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Ski the snowy peaks of the Mount Lebanon range
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Eat kibbeh washed down with anise-flavoured arak
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Celebrate music at the Beirut Chants Festival
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Pack for a cool 15°C
Escape the crowds for clear skies and snow-capped mountains, at the start of winter in Nepal. An excellent time of year for hiking at low elevations, and enjoying crisp mountain views from the Kathmandu Valley or Poon Hill treks and more.
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Tour Nepal's largest cave, Sidda Gufa
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View the Himalayas from Bandipur
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Spot tigers in Bardia National Park
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15°C Days call for thermals
Get your snow fix in wintery South Korea over December. Hit the ice-skating rink in Seoul, warm up in a traditional teahouse, or soak off the winter chill at a jjimjilbang public bath.
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Drink warming, citrusy cups of yuja-cha tea
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Snap travel photos wearing traditional Hanbok
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Open-ice fish at Pyeongchang Trout Festival
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Layer up for temperatures of -2°C
New Zealand - South Island Wine & Food Festival
Pair great food with world-renowned local wines and live music, all under the summer sun in picturesque Christchurch. Applauded for spectacular local Sauvignon-blanc, the festival is accompanied by celebrity chefs, cooking masterclasses, seminars and an all-around good vibe.
11-21°C daytime temperatures
First week of December
Christchurch
Bali – Pemuteran Bay Festival
The coastal village of Pemuteran Bay in Buleleng, Bali, plays host annually to this lively celebration of conservation efforts in the region. Apart from championing the top dive locale, this art and cultural event is packed with all things marine-themed, from parades and performing arts to music, culinary delights, traditional fishing competitions and more.
20-28°C daytime temperatures
Mid-December
Buleleng
India – Kumbhalgarh Festival
Set high in the Aravalli Hills at the majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kumbhalgarh Fort, the festival brims with celebratory, cultural activities. From traditional music, dance and tug of war to arts, crafts, exhibitions and puppetry for the little ones, the festival culminates in a wash of lights as night falls.
10-27°C daytime temperatures
First week in January
Rajasthan
Maldives
High season in the Maldives is marked by sunnier skies, rising temperatures and the start of the dry season. While the northern atolls are drier at this time, the southern atolls see a little rainfall. Laze beside glassy, teal-coloured waters at Maafushi and Hulhumale Beaches on Kaafu Atoll. Visit Bikini Beach on Rasdhoo Island or enjoy the bioluminescent nighttime display in the waters of the Raa Atoll, at Vaadhoo Island. Temperatures vary between the atolls, but have an overall average of 27°C.
Philippines
Dry season in the Philippines means lower levels of humidity and pleasant temperatures. Pick your spot on the silky white sands of any one of the El Nido beaches in Palawan, namely Las Cabanas Beach, Seven Commandos Beach or Nacpan Beach. Enjoy spectacular snorkelling off the beaches of Apo Reef Natural Park or visit the famed White and Bulabog Beaches of Boracay. Average temperatures across the archipelago range from 24-31°C.
The dry December season in Cuba makes for perfect, warm ocean swims on Varadero beach or mingling with pink flamingos on Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria islands. Also, walk in the footsteps of Cuban mafia and movie stars at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba.
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Smoke an authentic Cuban cigar
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Cruise around Havana in a classic car
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Drink mojitos in the home of this famed cocktail
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Hit the beach on those 23°C days
Mexico comes alive in winter, thanks to pleasant weather and a plethora of festivals and events. Bask on the beach at Tulum or Cancun, eat tacos at every streetside food truck you can find, and partake in the vibrant nightlife of Guadalajara.
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Scout the Archaeological complex of Teotihuacan
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Watch a Lucha Libre wrestling match in Mexico City
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Enjoy Mariachi music and a meal in Guadalajara
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Warm, welcoming days of 20-24°C
The year-round warm weather of Panama makes it popular with beach seekers, adventure junkies and historians alike. December is the dry season, and a perfect time to discover the deserted islands, soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere, or get outdoors.
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Paddle the Chagres River by dugout canoe, to Emberra
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View the canal from Miraflores Visitors’ Centre
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Stroll the historic quarter of Casco Viejo
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A summery average of 26°C
Dutch and Spanish heritage is prevalent in colourful, Caribbean Curaçao, particularly in historical Willemstad. With multiple beaches to choose from, make sure to stop at exquisite Grote Knip or explore the street art and museums across the island.
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Drink the namesake blue liqueur of Curaçao
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Visit candy-hued Handelskade waterfront and market
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Move to the rhythm of live Ritmo Kombina music
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Sunny beach days at 28°C
The stuff skiers dreams are made of, Canada is the perfect wintery-white escape in December. Get on-piste in Quebec, Alberta or British Columbia, try your luck fishing the frozen Lake Simcoe in Ontario, and go snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies.
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See the Northern Lights in Yellowknife
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Ice skate on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa
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Drink ice wine and sample maple syrup
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Bundle up for biting temperatures of -4°C to -13°C
The United States is awash with winter, although weather varies across the vast country. Chase the Northern Lights in Alaska, ski in the powdery white Rocky Mountains, or escape the snow and take in masterpieces in Miami at the Art Basel Fair.
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Cruise down the famous Las Vegas strip
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Visit the original Disneyland Park in California
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Eat apple pie in Pie Town, New Mexico
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Temperatures range from -9°C to -18°C countrywide
USA – Times Square Ball Drop
Arguably the most iconic way to ring in the new year in North America, lose yourself in a sea of almost one million revellers at the Times Square Ball Drop. Synonymous with ushering in the new year, Times Square is alive with energy, neon lights, music and a melting pot of partygoers eagerly awaiting midnight.
0-7°C daytime temperatures
31 December
New York City
Costa Rica - Zapote Festival
Calling all Ticos and Ticas! Held annually in the small town of Zapote, the Las Fiestas de Zapote is an extravaganza featuring a bull-riding rodeo, ferris wheel, fairground rides, live music, dancing and plenty of churros to go around.
19-24°C daytime temperatures
25 December - 6 January
Zapote
Nicaragua - La Purisima
This religious festival honouring the Virgin Mary is celebrated across Nicaragua with an explosion of fireworks, singing and shouting throughout the streets, churches and cathedrals. Join the lively procession in visiting the various altars and you may be gifted with fruits and candies in reward.
24-30 °C daytime temperatures
7 December
Across Nicaragua
Cayman Islands
Each of the three Cayman Islands offers a different drawcard for sunseekers. The coral garden of Little Cayman and the sunken Soviet ship at Cayman Brac are ideal for scuba diving, while Grand Cayman is the perfect place to enjoy beach breaks. The remote, picturesque Rum Point is also home to the mudslide cocktail, while Seven Mile Beach sprawls luxuriously along the western side of the island and considered the best beach overall. Bask under the Caribbean sun with an average temperature of 26°C.
St Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis are well-known for the natural landscapes and beautiful beaches that adorn the island duo. Famed beach locales in the larger island of Saint Kitts include the lively ocean inlet and beach of Frigate Bay, the sandy beach cove of Cockleshell Bay and the reef lined Turtle Beach. Palm-studded Pinney’s Beach is the most popular on Nevis, as are Oualie Beach and the secluded Lovers Beach. Savour the sunshine during the dry season, with a daytime average temperature of 25°C.
Bahamas
Soak up the tropical climate of the Bahamas during the dry season of December, where plenty of sunshine and tepid ocean swims can be enjoyed across the coral archipelago. Despite its name, Cabbage Beach on Nassau is home to luxurious resorts and oceans of aquamarine. On Harbour Island, Pink Sand Beach draws plenty of visitors in with its pastel shores, while the secluded sandbar that is Gold Rock Beach reveals itself at low tide. Enjoy balmy average highs of 26°C.
The start of summer in Argentina brings with it hot weather and outdoor adventures. Patagonia is the hero at this time - go trekking in Los Glaciares National Park, whale watching in the Valdes Peninsula and visit the Perito Moreno Glacier.
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Tuck into asado, or barbecued meat
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Learn to tango or browse street art in Buenos Aires
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Meet South American cowboys, or Gauchos, in Salta
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A comfortable daytime average of 23°C
Summer in Chile is the perfect time to visit Easter Island with its stone statues, Moai, found both on land or by diving in the adjacent sea. Trek Chilean Patagonia, home to Torres del Paine National Park, with towering granite peaks, glaciers and lakes.
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See Lake General Carrera’s marble caves in the South
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Enjoy sopaipillas, empanadas de pino, and pisco
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Tour the historic quarter of Santiago
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Savour an average temperature of 20°C
With close proximity to the equator, Columbia’s weather is great year-round, particularly the dry, hot December period. Laze leisurely on Playa Blanca beach, take a trip to a coffee plantation in Bogotá, or stroll the streets of Cartagena’s old city.
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Discover Ciudad Perdida, an ancient lost city
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Salsa dance in Cali - salsa capital of the world
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Eat meaty bandeja paisa and sancocho soup
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Temperatures range from 15-29°C
Don’t be deterred by the interior rains in December, there are many parts of Peru worth visiting. Northern Peru offers warm waters for beach breaks and surfing, ancient archaeological sites to explore and historical sightseeing in the capital, Lima.
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Visit the Huaca Rajada site and Lord Sipan museum
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Try traditional cuy (cooked guinea pig)!
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Partake in the Fiesta de la Purísima Concepción
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22°C land temperature meets 21°C seas
The rainy season of Ecuador is also one of the best times to go diving and snorkelling in the Galápagos Islands, for warm land and sea temperatures and only short bursts of rain. Make a stop at Salinas, along the hot, humid coast or surf in Montanita.
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Buy colourful textiles or pottery at Otavalo market
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Soak in hot springs of Papallacta, Andes Mountains
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See giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
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Mainland temperatures of up to 18°C
The weather in Bolivia varies over December, making for exciting discoveries across the country - from the hot, humid lowlands of Santa Cruz and Trinidad to the rainy highlands of Lake Titicaca and Sucre.
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See the glistening, watery Salar de Uyuni salt flats
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Watch Cholita wrestling in the city of La Paz
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Visit otherworldly Valle de la Luna desert
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Temperatures range from 9-26°C
Ecuador - Quito Festival
The build-up to Fiestas de Quito is marked by bullfights, parties in the street and reveller packed chivas (or festive open buses) cruising around to Spanish music. The final event brings everyone together to party to the entertainment provided by local bands and DJs across town.
9-19°C daytime temperatures
Late November 6 December
Quito
Colombia - Cali Fair
Dance in the streets of Columbia’s Capital of Salsa, at La Feria de Cali, a musical, cultural street carnival in Cali city. Horseback and classical car parades carry out alongside concerts, beauty pageants and bullfighting. An array of Colombian cuisine on offer completes the experience.
18-29°C daytime temperatures
25 - 30 December
Cali
Peru - Santuranticuy
Literally translated, the ‘Sale of Saints’ is Peru’s most prized Christmas fair, adorned with hand-carved religious figurines and many a retablo, or beautifully boxed nativity scene. Purchase puppets, paintings, leatherwork and clothes. Feliz Navidad!
8-21°C daytime temperatures
24 December
Cusco
Brazil
December is a great time to visit Brazil, and the latter part of the month sees a combination of hot weather, warm seas and world-famous events. Although this time is also considered part of the wet season, don’t be fooled - when the sun is shining it’s time to hit the beach! Rio de Janeiro offers two bustling beaches, Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach, while the lesser known (but no less loved) Baia do Sancho Beach is a traveller favourite. Expect average lows of 22°C and highs of 29°C.
Uruguay
Summertime in Uruguay offers some of the best beach options in South America. Uruguay’s capital of Montevideo is home to Carrasco Beach, a stunning stretch of sand in the upmarket seaside escape, and nearby Playa Verde Beach. The pristine, popular beaches of Punta del Este include Playa Mansa and Playa Brava, and for the brave there is the nudist beach of Playa Chihuahua in Maldonado. An average of 22°C is exceeded by an occasional high of 27°C.
Venezuela
The dry season falls in December and Venezuela’s Carribean coast is dotted with tropical, beach resort islands begging to be visited at this time. The isthmus of Cayo De Agua presents postcard worthy white-sand beaches, while a hop over to Margarita Island in Nueva Esparta sees an array of azure lapped shores from Playa Punta arena to Playa el Yaque and Playa Caribe, to name a few. Average temperatures range from 22°C in mainland Venezuela to 27°C on Margarita Island.
When travelling, remember to book 3 months in advance to get the best deals.
Book in September to get great discounts on your December trip!
Not ready to travel in December? Book your trip in December and travel in March to get the best deals!
December is an excellent time to tick off your dream destinations, from winter-washed Europe and North America, to the summer sun of Africa and South America. Want it all? Take in a little of all the seasons in Asia - the choice is yours.