Average temperature: 22°C – 32°C

Best for: Volcanoes, cloud forests and sandy beaches

An outstanding destination in Central America, Costa Rica is amongst the best places of where to holiday in December where it is hot. Nestled just 10 degrees north of the equator, Costa Rica experiences a year-round tropical climate with only two seasons, the rainy season and the dry. The dry season lasts from December until April making December the perfect time to visit Costa Rica.

With the country just coming out of its rainy season, Costa Rica is luscious and vibrant with December the best time to visit the rainforest. Not only does Costa Rica boast the beauty of the jungle with its wildlife and plantlife, the country’s beaches along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts are truly remarkable. Expect glistening turquoise waters, soft golden sands and a rugged jungle backdrop, the perfect landscape for a day at the beach. 

Average temperature: 16°C – 26°C

Best for: Shopping, siteseeing, nightlife, beaches

Renowned as an outstanding year-round destination, Dubai is an excellent choice if you are in search of where it is hot in December. This glamorous city in the United Arab Emirates is famous for its breathtaking beaches, exceptional weather and luxurious experiences. Home to the world’s largest shopping centre, Dubai Mall, and the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai is a land of extravagance. Shopping in Dubai is simply world class and the perfect destination to pick up last minute Christmas gifts. Not only do you have the best mall on the planet and Dubai’s charming local markets to shop at, the month of December sees Souk Madinat Jumeirah transform from an Arabian bazaar into a winter wonderland. Alongside the incredible shopping, Souk Madinat Jumeirah boasts outdoor festive movie nights, carol singers, craft workshops and Santa’s grotto. When it comes to weather, in December, the days are hot and the evenings cool providing the perfect climate for a December escape.

Discover: Hotels in Dubai

Average temperature: 20°C – 28°C

Best for: Culture, ancient ruins, beaches, and incredible cuisine.

If you are looking for where to holiday in December that is hot, look no further than Mexico. This magnificent country boasts a destination for everyone from the party scene of Cabo to the cultural hub of Tulum. Whilst Mexico is an excellent destination year-round, it is particularly great in December with the start of the dry season. Temperatures begin to soar and the jungle is bursting with life.

There are so many remarkable destinations to choose from for your December Mexican holiday but one that offers the best of all worlds is Riviera Maya. This stretch of Caribbean coastline is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, the only place in the world with magical, natural cenotes. Riviera Maya also boasts some of the most impressive beaches in Mexico whilst being a short drive from the Mayan ruins of Tulum and the nightlife and attractions of Cancun.

Average temperature: 24°C – 29°C

Best for: Beaches, culture, wildlife

A collection of over 300 Indian islands tucked between India and Myanmar, the Andaman Islands is a breathtaking archipelago famous for palm-lined white sands beaches and an impressive underwater world. With the dry season arriving in December, there is no better time to visit with the islands full of life and colour following the monsoons of the previous months.

During this time, wildlife on the islands is abundant and it is also turtle nesting season. Under the sea is even more breathtaking, home to one of the world’s greatest marine biodiversities. The beautiful underwater world is a wonder to explore making scuba diving and snorkelling incredibly popular, particularly from Havelock Island. The vibe on the Andaman Islands is low-key with just a handful of luxury resorts scattered across the islands creating an unrivalled paradise.

Average temperature: 23°C – 29°C

Best for: Beaches, wildlife, food & rum!

The Caribbean’s ultimate destination, Barbados is one of the most vibrant places to visit where it is hot in December. This tropical destination lies just 13 degrees north of the equator welcoming steady temperatures year-round. With the official start of the dry season beginning in January, December is a nice warm-up month with less rainfall and warmer temperatures than previous months but fewer crowds and lower prices than those that arrive with the New Year.

Barbados offers some of the best beaches in the Caribbean but also features a rich and vibrant culture with beautiful traditions and heritage to discover. Explore the country’s history through the colonial towns and plantation houses. Dive deep into the natural world with the luscious rainforest and vibrant coast. Meanwhile, make sure to soak up the Caribbean culture at Oistins Fish Fry and get to know the birthplace of rum with a tour of the Mount Gay Distillery. 

Average temperature: 25°C – 30°C

Best for: Beaches and palm-lined bays

As one of the chicest Caribbean destinations, St Vincent and the Grenadines is an outstanding destination for a spot of winter sun. Comprising the mainland of St Vincent and thirty-two smaller islets, St Vincent and the Grenadines is one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful and unspoilt archipelagos. A haven for sunbathing and snorkelling, St Vincent and the Grenadines is a tropical paradise all year round with December welcoming a touch of yuletide cheer. In the nine days leading up to Christmas Day, the islands come alive with the celebration of the Nine Mornings Festival. This vibrant event is a unique Vincentian festivity featuring parties from dawn, dancing, street music and storytelling, a tradition that is more than a century old.

Average temperature: 26°C – 30°C

Best for: Culture, heritage, ancient temples

The perfect destination to combine a cultural adventure with where it is hot in December is undoubtedly Cambodia. Home to world famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument, Cambodia is overflowing with culture, heritage and spirituality. With temperatures in December slightly cooler, the winter is a great time to visit Cambodia. Mornings are best spent watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat with the day spent relaxing on the beach or snorkelling in the abundant waters whilst evenings are best enjoyed sampling Cambodia’s delicious yet unique street food and exploring the vibrant pub streets.

Average temperature: 27°C – 31°C

Best for: Beaches, Relaxing

For the ultimate luxury holiday where it is hot in December, the Maldives is the most extravagant choice. Renowned as heaven on Earth, the Maldives are a staggering selection of privately owned islands featuring chic and glamorous resorts. Famous for the archipelagos tropical beaches and stunning water villas, the Maldives is the ultimate luxury getaway.

Marking the beginning of the dry season, December is a phenomenal time to visit the Maldives with minimal rainfall, low humidity, warm temperatures and daily sunshine. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Maldives’ sophisticated resorts whilst adventure is not far away with snorkelling and scuba diving highly popular.

Related: World’s Largest Standalone Overwater Villa in Maldives

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Average temperature: 18°C – 26°C

Best for: Trendy cities, nightlife, coffee region & beaches

Boasting one of the best biodiversity’s in the world, Colombia is one of the most unique, vibrant and beautiful destinations in South America. A country close to the equator, Colombia boasts a steady climate year-round whilst December brings with it a drier season. An outstanding place for hiking, Cocora Valley is Colombia’s highlight with impressive panoramic scenery, challenging trails and the world’s tallest coconut trees.

The towns and cities of Colombia feature vibrant communities and a beautiful cultural scene of art, food and nightlife. Meanwhile, Colombia’s beach destinations are simply magical with the clearest waters, purest sands and rugged backdrops.

Related: Most beautiful beaches in Colombia 

Average temperature:  19°C – 29°C

Best for: Romance, culture and history, beaches

Cuba offers a great Caribbean climate in April it is warm and sunny with very little rain during this month. It is one of the most fascinating countries to visit although things have changed in recent years Cuba is a country where time has stopped. The Cuban heritage and culture are simply captivating. Holiday options include the sultry city of Havana and Varadero which offers idyllic beaches and gets the best weather on the island.

The streets in the buzzing city of Havana are lined with vibrant coloured buildings, cobbled stoned streets and classic cars around every corner. Havana has a lot to offer, from culture, food to nightlife. Varadero, on the other hand, offers unspoilt Caribbean white sands and crystal clear seas, this 20km long stretch of coast is lined with luxury resorts.

Discover: Hotels in Cuba 

Average temperature: 21°C – 27°C

Best for: Sun-bathing, hiking and relaxing

Cape Verde is a beach lover’s dream. The archipelago of 10 islands boasts postcard-perfect shorelines with white sands and crystal-clear seas. Of course, you could spend the full month sun-bathing and listen to the crashing of the waves. However, there’s much more to the island country than that. The more adventurous holiday-maker can strap on some hiking boots and climb one of the many towering peaks the country offers. The reward for the hard work is unbeatable vistas that take the breath away.

Average temperature: 16°C – 21°C

Best for : Nature, beaches, food, & nightlife

Located just 67 miles off the coast of the African continent, the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands is the hottest destination in Europe throughout the winter months. Boasting temperatures averaging 20​​°C, the Canaries are the ideal place to enjoy a spot of winter sun. With an impressive natural diversity, the Canary Islands are unique destinations to visit with beautiful beaches, desert landscapes and luscious national parks. Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma are particularly diverse destinations where you can be playing in the mountain snow in the morning and sunbathing on the beach in the afternoon. The four major islands, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are also known for their vibrant nightlife scenes, great places to see in the New Year. Alternatively, for a more tranquil atmosphere, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro are more peaceful destinations, perfect for ultimate relaxation.

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