Where to go in December for sun? In December, the three best destinations for sunshine are Thailand, Costa Rica and Egypt. Thailand has its driest month, Costa Rica is back in its dry season, and Egypt offers clear skies with mild temperatures. For the driest month of all, our page Thailand in December covers the regions, holiday-season prices and what can disappoint.
December is also the festive month: demand surges between Christmas and New Year whatever the destination. If your dates are flexible, the first half of the month often offers the same weather at more reasonable prices. Here are 12 ideas, from tropical beaches to a snowy Christmas, with the official climate normals for each.
Where to go in December: key facts
- Sun and heat: Thailand, Costa Rica, Mexico (Yucatán), Guadeloupe, Mauritius
- Culture and cities: Egypt (Luxor), Havana, Dubai, Ho Chi Minh City
- Low budget: southern Vietnam, Egypt, avoiding the Christmas holidays
- Mild and nearby: Canary Islands, Cape Verde; for snow, Lapland
- Best avoided: Bali, Seychelles, the Gulf of Thailand, central Vietnam
Comparison: the climate of 12 destinations in December
| Destination | Average high (December) | Average rain (December) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand (Bangkok) | 32.3 °C (90 °F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | First trip, beaches |
| Costa Rica (Liberia) | 32.5 °C (90 °F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | Nature, wildlife |
| Egypt (Red Sea) (Hurghada) | 23.8 °C (75 °F) | 0.6 mm (0.02 in) | Sun, diving, culture |
| Mexico (Yucatán) (Cancún) | 28.9 °C (84 °F) | 79.5 mm (3.1 in) | Beach, Maya sites |
| Cuba (Havana) | 27.2 °C (81 °F) | 57.6 mm (2.3 in) | Culture, music |
| Guadeloupe (Pointe-à-Pitre) | 29.6 °C (85 °F) | 127 mm (5.0 in) | Beach, hiking, French Caribbean |
| Vietnam (south) (Ho Chi Minh City) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | Mekong Delta, islands |
| Cape Verde (Sal) | 26.1 °C (79 °F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | Beach, wind |
| Dubai (Dubai) | 26.0 °C (79 °F) | 16.2 mm (0.6 in) | City, stopover, beach |
| Canary Islands (Tenerife) (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) | 22.6 °C (73 °F) | 36.8 mm (1.4 in) | Mild weather |
| Mauritius (Port Louis) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | Beach, honeymoon |
| Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi) | -4.9 °C (23 °F) | 51 mm (2.0 in) | Snow, Christmas, northern lights |
These figures are averages over several decades: any given year can be drier or wetter. Rainfall totals do not tell the whole story: 150 mm (5.9 in) falling in short late-afternoon showers is less of a nuisance than continuous drizzle.
Where to go in December on a budget
This second table ranks the destinations from cheapest to most expensive, with a rough low-budget cost on the ground per person per day, excluding flights. Flight prices are not shown: they vary too much with the booking date and your departure airport.
| Destination | Low-budget cost on the ground (per person per day, excluding flights, roughly) |
|---|---|
| Thailand (Bangkok) | $40 to $65 |
| Vietnam (south) | $40 to $55 |
| Mexico (Yucatán) | $45 to $80 |
| Egypt (Red Sea) | $45 to $80 |
| Cape Verde (Sal) | $55 to $90 |
| Cuba (Havana) | $55 to $90 |
| Canary Islands (Tenerife) | $65 to $100 |
| Costa Rica (Liberia) | $65 to $100 |
| Mauritius (Port Louis) | $65 to $110 |
| Dubai (Dubai) | $65 to $160 |
| Guadeloupe (Pointe-à-Pitre) | $80 to $125 |
| Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi) | $135 to $265 |
Thailand (Bangkok)
December is one of the best months for Thailand: it is the driest month in Bangkok (12 mm, 0.5 in, on average) and the Andaman Sea enters its best season. You can easily combine Bangkok, the north and the beaches of Phuket, Krabi or Ko Lanta.
Caveat: it is also the very high season. Prices climb sharply around Christmas and New Year, and the best-known sites are very busy. In the Gulf of Thailand (Ko Samui), December is still wet (263 mm, 10.4 in).
In December in Bangkok: 32.3 °C (90 °F) average high and 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Thailand)?
Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, December marks the return of the dry season on the northern Pacific coast and in the centre of the country. The landscape is still very green after the rains, which makes it a good time to see wildlife and hike in the parks. Green landscapes and the return of dry weather: our Costa Rica travel guide helps you make the most of the parks in December.
Caveat: the Caribbean coast (Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo) follows a different pattern and can stay wet. The end-of-year holidays are the most expensive time of year: book early.
In December in Liberia: 32.5 °C (90 °F) average high and 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Costa Rica)?
Egypt (Red Sea)
In December, Egypt offers dry skies and mild temperatures, ideal for archaeological visits (24 °C (75 °F) average high in Luxor) as well as for a stay on the Red Sea. Archaeology or Red Sea: our guide to planning a trip to Egypt in December helps you combine the two.
Caveat: the sea and the air are cooler than in autumn, and a wetsuit can be useful for diving. Nights in the desert are cold.
In December in Hurghada: 23.8 °C (75 °F) average high and 0.6 mm (0.02 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Egypt (Red Sea))?
Mexico (Yucatán)
December opens the dry season on the Yucatán Peninsula: less rain than in autumn, more bearable heat and a pleasant sea. It is a good time to combine beaches, cenotes and Maya sites such as Chichén Itzá or Tulum.
Caveat: the Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on 30 November (U.S. National Hurricane Center) and Mexico’s hurricane season normally runs from June to November (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026), but a few showers remain possible early in the month. Crowds and prices are very high in Cancún and Tulum at the end of December.
In December in Cancún: 28.9 °C (84 °F) average high and 79.5 mm (3.1 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Mexico)?
Cuba (Havana)
Warning: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 25 September 2026) advises against all but essential travel to Cuba, citing repeated national grid collapses, shortages of fuel, electricity and water, fuel rationing and suspended flights. Read the FCDO’s Cuba travel advice and your own government’s travel advice before booking anything. Climate-wise, December is part of the dry season in Cuba. Temperatures are pleasant for visiting Havana, Trinidad or the Viñales Valley, without the humid heat of summer.
Caveat: cold fronts from the north can cool the air and stir up the sea for a few days. Conditions on the ground (energy, supplies, flights) can change quickly, so check the official advice again shortly before you leave.
In December in Havana: 27.2 °C (81 °F) average high and 57.6 mm (2.3 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Cuba (Havana))?
Guadeloupe
December marks the start of the Lent season (carême), the dry season in the Caribbean. Rainfall drops clearly compared with November and the trade winds cool the air. Guadeloupe is a French overseas region, so the euro is the local currency.
Caveat: December is still wetter than February and March (127 mm, 5.0 in, in Pointe-à-Pitre). Christmas holidays push flight prices up: compare with the first half of the month.
In December in Pointe-à-Pitre: 29.6 °C (85 °F) average high and 127 mm (5.0 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Guadeloupe)?
Vietnam (south)
In southern Vietnam, December is the start of the dry season. Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc Island become pleasant.
Caveat: the north is cool and often grey (21 °C (70 °F) average high in Hanoi), and the centre (Hue, Hoi An) can still see heavy rain early in the month. For a full tour of the country, wait for February or March.
In December in Ho Chi Minh City: 31.6 °C (89 °F) average high and 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Vietnam)?
Cape Verde (Sal)
Cape Verde stays dry in December (3 mm, 0.1 in, of rain on average on Sal) and warm without being too hot. It is a sunny destination relatively close to Europe, in a time zone not far from European ones. This dry, nearby sunshine is one of the ideas for cheap sun holidays, provided you keep an eye on December flight prices.
Caveat: the trade winds blow hard and the sea is cooler than in autumn. Prices rise over the Christmas holidays.
In December in Sal: 26.1 °C (79 °F) average high and 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Cape Verde)?
Dubai
December is one of the most pleasant months in Dubai: around 26 °C (79 °F) by day, mild evenings, and a lively city over the festive season. It is also a convenient stopover on the way to Asia or the Indian Ocean.
Caveat: the sea is cooler than in November, and it is high season, with expensive hotels around New Year.
In December in Dubai: 26.0 °C (79 °F) average high and 16.2 mm (0.6 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Dubai)?
Canary Islands (Tenerife)
In the Canary Islands, December stays mild (22.6 °C (73 °F) average high in Santa Cruz de Tenerife), which makes it one of the easiest ways to escape winter without a big time change. The festive season is lively there. Mild weather in December: our month-by-month climate of the Canary Islands shows why it is such an easy winter escape.
Caveat: do not count on guaranteed hot beach days. Mount Teide can be snow-capped, and the north of the islands is cloudier.
In December in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 22.6 °C (73 °F) average high and 36.8 mm (1.4 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Canary Islands (Tenerife))?
Mauritius
December is the start of the southern summer in Mauritius: it is hot (31 °C (88 °F) average high in Port Louis), the sea is warm, and the west coast is generally sheltered.
Caveat: rains begin to increase (85 mm, 3.3 in, in Port Louis) and the tropical cyclone season, which according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026) usually runs from November to May, is open. Prices peak over the holidays.
In December in Port Louis: 31.1 °C (88 °F) average high and 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Mauritius)?
Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi)
For a snowy Christmas, Lapland is the obvious choice. Rovaniemi, on the Arctic Circle, offers husky sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoe hikes, and a chance of seeing the northern lights under clear skies.
Caveat: it is cold (-4.9 °C (23 °F) average high, much colder at night) and days are very short around the solstice. The northern lights are never guaranteed: they depend on solar activity and cloud cover. Bring equipment suited to extreme cold.
In December in Rovaniemi: -4.9 °C (23 °F) average high and 51 mm (2.0 in) of rain (official normals). See our guide: when to go (Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi))?
Preparing for a December trip
In December, everything depends on your dates. The Christmas and New Year holidays concentrate demand: flights and hotels can cost far more than at the start of the month for the same destination. If you can, travel in the first half of the month, or book several months ahead for the festive period.
Also check the entry requirements for your destination: some countries require a passport valid for several months after your return, or an electronic travel authorisation. Check the official travel advice of your own government (for example travel.state.gov in the US or GOV.UK in the UK) before booking. For Lapland, equipment matters as much as the destination: warm layers, a hat, gloves and shoes suited to extreme cold.
Destinations to avoid in December
- Bali: in the middle of the rainy season (276 mm, 10.9 in, on average in Denpasar).
- The Seychelles: 298 mm (11.7 in) in Victoria, with the northwest monsoon.
- The Gulf of Thailand (Ko Samui, Ko Phangan): still 263 mm (10.4 in) of rain in December, while the Andaman coast is dry.
- Réunion: the start of the southern summer brings heat and humidity (160 mm, 6.3 in, in Saint-Denis); not a deal-breaker, but November is better.
Toutes nos destinations idéales en décembre (60)
Liste établie automatiquement d’après nos calendriers « quand partir » : destinations notées ✓ idéal pour ce mois. Température max. moyenne indicative ; détail et sources sur chaque guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find sun in December?
Thailand, Costa Rica, Mexico (Yucatán), Cuba, Guadeloupe and Egypt offer mostly dry weather in December. Closer to Europe, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde stay mild and fairly dry.
Where can I go for a warm Christmas?
For a warm Christmas, look at Thailand, the French Caribbean, Mexico or Mauritius. Book early: it is the most expensive time of year for most of these destinations.
Where can I see snow in December?
Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi) is the classic destination for a snowy Christmas, with an average high of -4.9 °C (23 °F) in December. Northern Japan (Hokkaido) is another option for snow.
What is a cheap destination in December?
Prices depend above all on your dates: the first half of December is much cheaper than the festive period. Southern Vietnam and Egypt have moderate costs on the ground.
Where can I go in December on a low budget?
Southern Vietnam and Thailand (Bangkok) have some of the lowest costs on the ground in our comparison, at roughly $40 to $65 per person per day (excluding flights), with mostly dry weather.
Our sources
- Official climate normals: Thai Meteorological Department, 1991-2020 normals (Bangkok); Costa Rica’s Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (Liberia); WMO (NOAA archive), 1991-2020 normals (Hurghada); Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, 1991-2020 normals (Cancún); World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 1991-2020 normals (Havana, Casa Blanca); Météo-France, 1991-2020 normals (Le Raizet); IBST (Vietnam), standard QCVN 02:2022/BXD (Tan Son Nhat); WMO (NOAA archive), 1991-2020 normals (Sal); Dubai Meteorological Office, 1991-2020 normals; AEMET via l’WMO (NOAA archive), 1991-2020 normals (Santa Cruz de Tenerife); WMO World Weather Information Service (Port Louis); Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), 1991-2020 normals (Rovaniemi)
- For destinations that already have a guide on our site, figures taken from our « when to go » pages, which cover all 12 months
- Indicative budgets: practical fact sheets in our country guides, linked from each destination, converted at the European Central Bank reference rate of 23 October 2026
- Travel advice: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Cuba (GOV.UK, updated 25 September 2026); UK FCDO foreign travel advice for Mexico (updated 20 October 2026) and Mauritius (updated 19 October 2026)
- Atlantic hurricane season: U.S. National Hurricane Center (NOAA), checked 12 November 2026
- How we select and verify destinations: see our page Our methodology
Updated November 2026.