Best places to go on holiday in December

So, this is Christmas. It doesn’t matter whether you celebrate the season: prices will go up regardless as families take their winter holidays. It’s the month to choose to go all-in (meeting Santa and the Sami reindeer herders in Lapland, perhaps?) or to escape to the sunnier climes of Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Read our advice on the best places to go on holiday in December.

Home\Where to go when

Best places to go on holiday in December

The southern half of the world sees some sunny peaks right now: December is the most popular time for Antarctic cruises, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka and Patagonia. Just remember that Christmas holidays equals Christmas crowds and prices. The Northern Hemisphere, meanwhile, has hit the long, dark days of winter solstice. Great for Northern Lights hunting; not so great for sledding and seeing the sights, unless you’re happy with deep-freeze temperatures. Keep reading to find out our recommendations for the best places to go on holiday in December.

See all our Where to go when Holidays

Give us a call

Our Where to go when Holidays

Africa

December is winter in Egypt – the best time for a cruise down the Egyptian Nile.

The Americas & Caribbean

Costa Rica is dry in late December, so is an ideal wildlife Christmas break. December is one of the best (albeit most expensive) times to be in Cuba, as you’ll avoid the rains and odd hurricane. It’ll be sunny but a little cooler than a few months on, plus it’s time for Havana’s ecstatic jazz festival. This is peak time in Patagonia. You’ll have great access, summer warmth and long days, although it also means that it’s busier, and that prices will rise. Be sure to book well in advance. If you would prefer to see Patagonia in midsummer but without the peak numbers of crowds, try travelling avoiding the school holidays.

Antarctica

Antarctica has the most must-sees in December: higher temperatures, longer days, penguin chicks and seal pups. This means it’s very popular, and with space on boats limited we recommend you book early.

Asia

Weather- and wildlife-wise, December is a brilliant time to sail the Mergui Archipelago in Burma. Kerala in southern India is a great place for some sunshine. The Himalayas, Delhi and the Golden Triangle regions are best avoided, though – they’re freezing. This is the best time to visit southwestern Sri Lanka. Be aware that it gets incredibly packed during the Christmas holidays, though: either avoid travelling at this time, or book well in advance. And avoid travelling to the northeast, where the monsoon has started. Northern Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand are dry and warm, but not too hot.

Australia

Tasmania is heading into its mildest season right about now. And although it’s peak season, you won’t see crowds on this underrated island.

Europe

It can be the best or worst time to go to Finland. If you’re a family happy to warm up the freezing temperatures and dark days with husky rides and visits to firelit Sami camps, then December is for you. The deep dark also shows up the Northern Lights like a flare. Santa has arrived in Lapland. Avoid ski resort Rovaniemi and head to a snowy cabin in the hills instead. Just prepare for -15°C temperatures and permanent twilight.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Where to go when or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Where not to go on holiday in December

Brazil: the Pantanal is flooded, with much of it inaccessible; the north is unbearably hot; and the Brazilian holiday season means that beaches and hotels will be packed with local tourists. Temperatures in northern China can plunge to -40°C, so if you’re keen to head east in winter, you’re best visiting the south, including Hong Kong. Father Christmas may live in Finland, but this may not be the best time to visit if you’re hoping to do activities such as a husky safari or cross country skiing. Virtually 24-hour darkness makes activities tricky. Namibia and Botswana are baking hot and the rainy season has kicked in, so the wildlife will be hard to spot. It’s the local school holidays in South Africa, so places will be packed. The whole country will be searingly hot and it’s the rainy season in Kruger National Park, where wildlife will be dispersed. Northern Spain and Portugal have a wintry climate: cold, grey and drizzly. Parts of Sweden, Norway and Iceland see 24 hours or darkness and temperatures that can drop to -30°C. Some roads will close, too. However, the near-endless night can increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Need some help? Give us a call

More about Where to go when

Where to go on holiday & when guide

If you’re tied to school holidays, keen to miss the monsoon season or hoping to snag an off-season bargain, read our month-by-month guide on where to go on holiday when.

Best places to go on holiday in January

Read about the best places to go on holiday in January. Southeast Asia is in the middle of dry season, while in Northern Europe it's your chance to see the Northern Lights.

Best places to go on holiday in February

We’ve trawled temp charts, booking trends and asked experts to find the best places to go on holiday in February. Will it be monsoon-free Southeast Asia or yoga in Spain?

Best places to go on holiday in March

Wondering where’s the best place to go on holiday in March? Read our guide to find out where the rains are starting, where it's sunny, and which mountains still have snow.

Best places to go on holiday in April

We’ve answered the conundrum of where to go on holiday in April. Japan is the golden child, thanks to cherry blossom season, but sunny Southern Europe is also warming up.

Best places to go on holiday in May

We’ve gathered together the best places to go on holiday in May. Arctic cruises will be one of your top chances for icy vistas at this time of year and safari season is in.

Best places to go on holiday in June

It really is a case of sun, sand and sea when thinking about the best places to go on holiday in June: hikers and sailors explore the coastlines and islands of Europe.

Best places to go on holiday in July

Where are the best places to go on holiday in July? Wildlife migrations make Africa tempting, or you can spend long days hiking, sailing and kayaking at top of the world.

Best places to go on holiday in August

The best places to go on holiday in August depend on how you feel about the crowds. Safaris are popular around now and it can be a great time for a small ship cruise.

Best places to go on holiday in September

We lay out the best places to go on holiday in September. There’s a lot of choice, from small ship cruises around the Mediterranean to safari season in southern Africa.

Best places to go on holiday in October

Read our guide for ideas about the best places to go on holiday in October. It's one of the best months for small ship cruises and it’s cool enough for activity holidays.

Best places to go on holiday in November

We’ve cherry-picked the best places to go on holiday in November. Antarctic voyages are back on the cards and it’s a good time to brave the rains in some African countries.