Snow boots and puffy coats are not the only way to spend December. Around the world, some places greet the month with sunshine, warm water, and long bright days.
Whether summer has just started or the tropics never took a break, these spots make winter feel far away. Pack the sunscreen and get ready to meet 15 places that feel more like July.
Cape Town, South Africa
Picture a city where the mountain wears a tablecloth of cloud and the beaches fill up before lunch. Cape Town in December is exactly that.
Daytime temperatures usually sit around 20 to 26°C (68 to 78°F), and rain is rare.
Camps Bay and Clifton are the favorite spots for sunseekers, with soft sand and a stunning mountain backdrop. When you need a break from towels and sunscreen, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head offer long hikes with big views.
The Cape Peninsula is perfect for a scenic drive with plenty of photo stops.
Locals talk about the southeasterly wind with a mix of respect and eye rolls. It can blow hard, but it also clears away haze and cools the hottest afternoons.
Hold onto your hat and your beach umbrella.
December is one of the busiest months here, especially around Christmas and New Year. Book your hotel and popular attractions early so you are not stuck refreshing booking pages.
A little planning means more time for sunsets with a cold drink in hand.
Sydney, Australia
Santa wearing board shorts is a normal sight in Sydney. December kicks off Australian summer, so Christmas often means a beach day instead of a sweater.
The average high is about 25.7°C (78°F), with nights near 17.5°C (64°F).
Ocean water in summer usually lands between about 21.9 and 23.7°C. That makes Bondi, Manly, Coogee, and many smaller beaches easy to enjoy.
You can splash around without that gasp of freezing shock.
Not every plan needs a towel. Coastal walks, like the path from Bondi to Coogee, show off cliffs, rock pools, and sparkling bays.
Harbor ferries are a cheap way to see the skyline from the water.
Summer storms and rainy spells do pop up, so keep a light jacket or a flexible schedule. Still, warm evenings and outdoor events give the city a rhythm that feels worlds away from a northern winter.
Dinner outside at sunset is practically a rule.
The Maldives
Few places look less like winter than a lagoon the color of sea glass. The Maldives stays warm all year, with average temperatures between about 25 and 32°C (77 to 90°F).
The Indian Ocean keeps the seasons from swinging much.
December is a transition month between the wet southwest monsoon and the drier northeast one. A few showers can still drop by, especially early on.
They tend to pass quickly, and then the sun is back to work.
Warm water, coral reefs, and powdery sand make swimming and snorkeling an everyday option. Many visitors spot colorful fish just steps from their villa.
Bring a reef-safe sunscreen to protect both skin and corals.
Conditions get drier as January approaches, which explains why late December starts one of the most popular travel periods. It is also one of the priciest.
If your budget is tight, aim for early December and enjoy lower rates with a little risk of rain.
Barbados
Rum punch, steady breezes, and sand that squeaks underfoot: Barbados knows how to do warm. Daytime highs hover near 30°C (86°F) through the year.
The sea stays at a cozy 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F).
The best news for December travelers is timing. The island’s drier season lines up with the Northern Hemisphere’s winter and spring.
That means beach days are more likely than rainy ones.
Trade winds keep the heat from feeling heavy, so long stretches outdoors are comfortable. The west coast has calm, clear water that suits swimming and paddleboarding.
The south coast brings a bit more energy, with livelier waves and busy beach bars.
December also opens the island’s busiest winter-sun season, when visitors flock in from colder places. Expect more company and higher prices around the holidays.
A brief shower may sneak in, but warm water and sunny hours keep the month feeling wonderfully summery.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Locals call it winter, but visitors from snowy places might giggle. Dubai in December has a daily mean of 24°C (75°F), with highs near 27°C and lows around 21°C.
Sunshine averages about 8.2 hours a day, and rainy days are few.
This is the season when the city is at its most comfortable. Beaches, desert safaris, waterfront walks, and outdoor restaurants all feel pleasant instead of punishing.
In the blazing summer months, many of these plans would melt you.
Try a morning stroll along Jumeirah Beach, then an evening in the dunes. Sunset in the desert is quiet, golden, and surprisingly cool.
Pack a light layer for after dark.
December is peak season, with UAE National Day events, festive lights, and big New Year’s Eve shows. Prices and crowds rise to match.
For travelers who want warmth without sticky tropical humidity, Dubai is a dependable pick.
Phuket and Thailand’s Andaman Coast
Just when the monsoon packs its umbrella, the Andaman coast opens for business. By December, the rainy season has generally ended.
Islands around Phuket, Krabi, Ko Lipe, Ko Muk, and Ko Kradan are ready for visitors.
Thailand’s weather varies a lot across the country, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 38°C overall. The southern coast stays tropical and warm.
Around Phuket, the sea is gentle and inviting.
Island-hopping is far easier now, since boats run more smoothly and the water is calmer. Snorkeling and diving conditions are better than in the wettest months.
Clear visibility means you can actually see the fish you paid to look at.
Of course, everyone else has noticed this too. December is part of Thailand’s busiest tourism season, so popular beaches fill up fast.
Book tours and rooms ahead, and try quieter islands like Ko Muk for a calmer slice of paradise.
Cartagena, Colombia
Balconies spilling over with pink bougainvillea set the scene. Cartagena in December is warm, bright, and nowhere near winter.
Colombia’s Caribbean coast typically sees 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F).
December marks the start of the region’s sunnier period, which lasts into April. The rainy months of the second half of the year fade behind you.
Skies are bluer, and evenings stay soft and warm.
You can wander the fortified colonial center in the morning, then hop to a nearby Caribbean beach by afternoon. No wardrobe change needed.
Think light cotton, a sunhat, and comfortable sandals for the cobblestones.
Rooftop terraces are the place to be at night, with music drifting up from the streets below. The Christmas and New Year period brings lots of domestic tourists, so the city buzzes.
That energy is fun, but reserve your hotel and restaurant tables early.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
At Copacabana, the sidewalk waves are not just in the sea; they are in the famous black and white pavement. Rio officially enters summer around December 21, with the season running to March 20.
Even before that date, the weather is warm enough for full beach mode.
Copacabana and Ipanema fill with swimmers, runners, volleyball players, and snack vendors. The city’s whole lifestyle seems to revolve around the sand.
Grab a coconut water and join in.
Tijuca National Park, a rainforest inside the city, turns intensely green this time of year. Hiking there is a nice break from the beach crowds.
Start early to dodge the afternoon heat.
December can be humid, and sudden showers or thunderstorms are common. They usually blow through fast.
The month ends with Rio’s huge New Year celebrations on Copacabana, where fireworks light up the shoreline and crowds dress in white.
Mauritius
Lagoons here are so calm they look ironed. In Mauritius, December sits inside the warm, humid summer, which runs from November through April.
The mean summer temperature is about 24.7°C.
Coastal districts feel warmer than the higher central plateau. January and February run slightly hotter, but December already delivers classic tropical conditions.
Beaches, snorkeling, and sailing are all on the menu.
Coastal areas can enjoy more than seven hours of bright sunshine a day, even in summer. The landscapes are at their greenest, with waterfalls and sugarcane fields glowing.
A drive through the interior makes a lovely change from the shoreline.
There is a tradeoff to keep in mind. Humidity climbs, and tropical weather becomes more likely as cyclone season develops.
Check forecasts and consider travel insurance. If you can handle an occasional downpour, warm seas and lush scenery are your reward.
Honolulu and Oʻahu, Hawaii
Winter in Hawaii means you might need a light sweatshirt at night, and that is about it. Oʻahu typically averages between 75 and 85°F (24 to 29°C) throughout the year.
December through March is a bit cooler and wetter than summer.
Swimming, hiking, snorkeling, and beach days still happen as usual. Climb Diamond Head for sunrise, then reward yourself with shave ice.
Not a bad way to start a morning.
December also offers something summer cannot: powerful North Shore surf. Major wave competitions take place around November and December, and watching giant swells roll in is a show of its own.
Humpback whale season begins during the month, so keep your eyes on the horizon.
Waikīkī, on the sheltered south shore, usually has calmer water for swimming. The north side can be dangerous in winter swells, so heed lifeguard flags and warning signs.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Ancient ruins with an ocean view might be the best backdrop in the Caribbean. Along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Cancún, Riviera Maya, and Tulum are warm and humid nearly all year.
Temperatures generally range from 25 to 33°C.
The wetter season runs mostly from June through October. That puts December in the friendlier winter travel window.
You get beach weather without the heaviest midsummer heat.
Beaches and cenotes, the region’s natural limestone swimming holes, make a great pairing. Add Maya archaeological sites like Tulum, or take a day trip deeper into the Yucatán Peninsula.
Bring water shoes for rocky cenote entrances.
Evenings can feel slightly fresher than in summer, so a light layer is handy. Daytime remains easily warm enough for swimming.
That reliable weather makes Christmas and New Year one of the busiest times, so reserve early.
Sal and Boa Vista, Cabo Verde
Sand stretches to the horizon, and the wind is already planning your kitesurfing lesson. Cabo Verde has tropical-looking beaches with a dry, breezy, semi-arid climate.
Daytime averages stay between 24 and 28°C (75 to 82°F) all year.
December sits firmly in the dry season, which runs from November through July. Atlantic winds strengthen, making it a prime time for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
Beginners can find schools ready to help.
Sal and Boa Vista are the classic beach islands. Broad sandy coastlines meet stark desert interiors, so the scenery changes quickly.
Rent a quad bike or join a jeep tour to explore the dunes.
One caveat is Harmatão, a Saharan dust that can drift over the islands between December and February. It can reduce visibility and sometimes affect flights or marine activities.
Keep your schedule flexible and enjoy the sunshine.
Miami and Miami Beach, Florida
Bring a swimsuit. Even Miami’s official tourism board says to pack one all year.
For travelers in the continental U.S., it is one of the easiest escapes from true winter.
December temperatures usually range from the mid-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit. The weather is generally sunny and comparatively dry.
It is cooler than South Florida’s steamy summer, but still great for pool days and beach walks.
South Beach and Wynwood are ideal for outdoor exploring. Admire Art Deco buildings in the morning, then browse street murals in the afternoon.
Waterfront dining makes evenings feel like a mini vacation.
December is also snowbird season, when northerners flock south. The tradeoff for dependable warmth is bigger crowds and higher hotel prices.
Art events and holiday celebrations add extra sparkle, so the city feels especially lively this month.
Tenerife and the Canary Islands, Spain
A weather station at one airport can tell a very misleading story. Tenerife’s high northern airport averages December highs around 17.1°C.
That does not mean the whole island is chilly.
Conditions vary sharply by altitude and island. Lower, sunnier southern coasts are much warmer and are the traditional winter-beach areas.
Pick your base wisely and you will find a mild early summer feel.
The Canary Islands are Europe’s strongest winter-sun option, though not tropical. Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura have similar mild coastal climates.
Volcanic landscapes and lots of sunshine make for dramatic scenery.
Try a hike on Mount Teide, but pack a jacket, since the summit is much colder. Back at sea level, a swim and a seaside lunch feel like a reward.
These islands suit travelers who want outdoor weather without a long-haul flight.
Bali, Indonesia
Sunshine and sudden downpours can share the same afternoon in Bali. December is warm, but it falls in the wet season.
Coastal plains average around 28°C (82°F) through the year.
Across Bali and much of Java, the rainy period generally runs from November through March. That means hot afternoons, warm ocean water, and intense tropical greenery.
Heavy showers can arrive without warning, sometimes in the middle of lunch.
Plan indoor options like cooking classes, spa treatments, or temple visits for wet hours. Pack a light rain jacket and quick-drying clothes.
Mornings are often clear, so schedule outdoor activities early.
If you want guaranteed sunshine, other places on this list are better bets. If you do not mind a little rain, Bali at its lushest is stunning.
Rice terraces glow, waterfalls roar, and you can wear summer clothes the whole trip.
Share this story
