Best Places to Visit in December
December brings the holiday season and winter weather to the Northern Hemisphere. Tropical and Southern Hemisphere destinations see peak demand and higher prices. It is one of the best months for Christmas markets in Europe, beach holidays in the Southern Hemisphere, and safari trips to southern Africa.
Americas
8 destinations1Excellent6Excellent7Excellent11Excellent12Excellent25Excellent26Excellent27Excellent
SantiagoChile
92°F2 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
AtacamaChile
87°F0 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
ValparaisoChile
67°F1 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
GalapagosEcuador
78°F2 rain daysModerate crowdsBelow avg
MendozaArgentina
102°F8 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
LimaPeru
76°F1 rain daysBusyAverage
TamarindoCosta Rica
90°F5 rain daysBusyAbove avg
HuacachinaPeru
81°F4 rain daysModerate crowdsBelow avg
Asia
10 destinations8Excellent9Excellent10Excellent13Excellent14Excellent17Excellent19Excellent20Excellent28Excellent29Excellent
VientianeLaos
82°F2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
BattambangCambodia
92°F2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
BaganMyanmar
84°F1 rain daysBusyAbove avg
HampiIndia
90°F1 rain daysBusyAbove avg
GoaIndia
89°F2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
MumbaiIndia
91°F2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
YangonMyanmar
88°F (feels 84°F)2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Luang PrabangLaos
81°F4 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Siem ReapCambodia
86°F (feels 82°F)6 rain daysBusyAbove avg
KaohsiungTaiwan
77°F5 rain daysBusyAbove avg
Africa
6 destinations5Excellent15Excellent16Excellent18Excellent22Excellent23Excellent
SossusvleiNamibia
97°F2 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
StellenboschSouth Africa
90°F5 rain daysVery busyPremium
Cape TownSouth Africa
75°F3 rain daysVery busyPremium
Garden RouteSouth Africa
89°F9 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
DakarSenegal
84°F2 rain daysBusyAbove avg
SwakopmundNamibia
74°F4 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
Middle East
1 destinationOceania
5 destinations2Excellent3Excellent4Excellent24Excellent30Excellent
PerthAustralia
94°F3 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
Margaret RiverAustralia
86°F4 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
AdelaideAustralia
101°F5 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
Kangaroo IslandAustralia
85°F5 rain daysBusyAbove avg
UluruAustralia
110°F6 rain daysModerate crowdsBudget
Personalize These Results
These rankings prioritize weather comfort. Adjust the importance of temperature, dry weather, daylight, crowds, and cost to get recommendations tailored to your travel style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I travel in December?
The top-rated destinations for December based on weather, crowds, and cost are Santiago, Perth, Margaret River, Adelaide, and Sossusvlei. These destinations score highest on our composite travel index, which weighs temperature comfort, dry weather, daylight hours, crowd levels, and cost.
What are the cheapest places to visit in December?
Among the top-ranked destinations, the most budget-friendly options in December are Santiago, Perth, Margaret River. These destinations have below-average accommodation and travel costs during this period.
Where is warm in December?
The warmest highly-rated destinations in December include Uluru (110°F), Mendoza (102°F), Adelaide (101°F). Keep in mind that the best travel experience depends on more than temperature -- crowd levels, rainfall, and costs also matter.
Where can I avoid crowds in December?
For a quieter experience in December, consider Santiago, Perth, Margaret River. These destinations have lower tourist volumes during this period while still offering favorable weather conditions.