Best Places to Travel in December in 2026
December is one of the most flexible months on the travel calendar. You can chase summer in the Southern Hemisphere, escape to a warm US beach, or lean into snow and festive lights, all in the same 31 days.
This guide covers the best places to travel in December, organized by weather type and region, so you can find a match for your trip instead of scrolling through one long mixed list.
Who this guide is for: families, couples, solo travellers, budget travellers, and anyone planning a December vacation, whether you want warm weather, snow, or a festive city trip.
Last verified: June 2026. Weather patterns, flight prices, and booking windows shift over time, so confirm current conditions before you book.
How We Chose These Destinations
Every destination here was evaluated against the same criteria, so the picks stay consistent rather than random.
- Average December weather and how reliable it is
- Ease of travel and flight availability during the holiday season
- A genuine reason to visit in December specifically, not just any time of year
- A mix of USA and international options across different budgets
- Practical logistics, including crowd levels and booking timing
Quick Comparison: Top December Destinations at a Glance
| Destination | Type | Average December Temp | Budget Level | Crowd Level | Best For | Booking Note |
| Palm Springs, California | Warm, USA | Upper 70s °F daytime | $$ | Medium | Golf and desert sun | Book 2 to 3 months ahead for holiday weeks |
| Maui, Hawaii | Warm, USA | Upper 70s to low 80s °F | $$$ | High | Beach and family trips | Flights fill fast around Christmas week |
| Puerto Rico | Warm, USA | Upper 70s to low 80s °F | $$ | High | Easy tropical trip, no passport needed | Direct domestic flights from most major hubs |
| Aspen, Colorado | Snow, USA | 20s to 30s°F | $$$ | Peak (holiday week) | Skiing and mountain towns | Lodging books up months in advance |
| Leavenworth, Washington | Snow, USA | 20s to 30s°F | $$ | Medium | Festive small-town charm | Best visited on a weekday to avoid crowds |
| New York City | City, USA | 30s to 40s°F | $$$ | Peak (holiday week) | Holiday lights and city energy | Hotel prices spike hardest between Christmas and New Year |
| Charleston, South Carolina | City, USA | 50°F | $$ | Medium | Mild weather with holiday charm | Milder than most East Coast cities in December |
| Costa Rica | Warm, International | 70s to 80s°F | $$ | Medium to High | Rainforest and beach combo | Dry season begins in December |
| Thailand | Warm, International | 70s to upper 80s °F | $$ | High | Beaches and cultural sites | December is peak season; book early |
Temperatures are seasonal averages and vary year to year, so check a closer-range forecast before packing. Budget legend: $ = Budget, $$ = Moderate, $$$ = Premium.
Best Places to Travel in December by Category
- Best for warm weather: Costa Rica
- Best for skiing: Aspen, Colorado
- Best for a passport-free trip: Puerto Rico
- Best for holiday atmosphere: New York City
- Best value option: Charleston, South Carolina
How Far Ahead Should You Book?
- Domestic trips: 2 to 3 months ahead is usually enough for good pricing and availability.
- International trips: 3 to 5 months ahead tends to offer better flight prices and a wider choice of accommodations.
- Christmas week specifically: 5 to 6 months ahead is worth aiming for, since this is the single most in-demand travel week of the year for nearly every destination on this list.
What to Pack for a December Trip
Warm destinations (Costa Rica, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Thailand):
- Sunscreen and after-sun care
- Swimwear and a light rain jacket for tropical showers
- Breathable, lightweight clothing
Snow destinations (Aspen, Leavenworth):
- Waterproof boots
- Layered clothing, including a base layer and insulated outer jacket
- Gloves and a warm hat
Warm Places to Visit in December
These destinations offer genuine escape from the cold weather, not just “less cold than home”.
Palm Springs, California
Best for: golf, desert scenery, and a shorter flight than Hawaii for West Coast travellers.
Weather: daytime temperatures often reach the upper 70s°F, with cool desert evenings.
Who should skip this: travellers wanting a true beach vacation, since Palm Springs has no coastline. It is a desert climate, not an ocean one.
Practical tip: book accommodations at least two to three months ahead if your trip falls over the Christmas or New Year holiday week, since demand rises sharply.
Maui, Hawaii
Best for: families and couples wanting a reliable beach destination without leaving the country.
Weather: upper 70s to low 80s °F, with December falling in Hawaii’s slightly wetter season, though rain tends to be brief.
Who should skip this: budget-focused travellers, since Hawaii flights and hotels are among the more expensive US options during the holiday season.
Practical tip: rainfall varies across the island, and some southern and southwestern resort areas are often drier than other regions during December.
Puerto Rico
Best for: US travellers who want a tropical escape without international travel logistics.
Weather: upper 70s to low 80s °F, consistent throughout the month.
Who should skip this: travellers hoping for a quieter, less-developed island feel, since San Juan and the main tourist areas stay busy through December.
Practical tip: As a US territory, Puerto Rico does not require a passport, which makes it one of the simplest warm December options to book quickly. If you are curious about other US destinations that work the same way, our guide to places to travel without a passport covers the full list.
Best Snow and Winter Destinations in the USA
If cold weather is part of the appeal rather than something to avoid, these destinations lean into it.
Aspen, Colorado
Best for: serious skiers and travellers who want a classic mountain-town holiday feel.
Weather: typically in the 20s to 30s °F, with reliable snow cover through December.
Who should skip this: budget travellers, since Aspen is consistently one of the more expensive ski destinations in the country during peak holiday weeks.
Practical tip: lodging here often books out months ahead for the week between Christmas and New Year, so early booking matters more than usual.
Leavenworth, Washington
Best for: travellers wanting festive small-town charm without the price tag of a major ski resort.
Weather: 20s to 30s °F, with snow that typically lasts well into the following months.
Who should skip this: travellers looking for serious ski terrain, since Leavenworth is more about atmosphere than large-scale skiing.
Practical tip: visiting on a weekday rather than a weekend tends to mean noticeably smaller crowds in the town centre.
Best Places to Visit in December in the USA (Cities)
New York City
Best for: travellers who want classic holiday energy, from ice skating to seasonal window displays.
Weather: 30s to 40s °F, cold but generally manageable for a city trip.
Who should skip this: travellers on a tight budget, since hotel prices in Manhattan spike hardest during the week between Christmas and New Year.
Practical tip: booking a hotel outside Midtown and using the subway tends to cut costs significantly without adding much travel time.
Charleston, South Carolina
Best for: travellers who want holiday charm with much milder weather than most East Coast cities and one of the better-value destinations on this list.
Weather: 50s°F, noticeably warmer than New York or Boston in the same month.
Who should skip this: travellers wanting a snowy, classic winter scene, since Charleston rarely sees snow.
Practical tip: the historic district’s horse-drawn carriage tours are especially pleasant in December’s milder temperatures compared to Charleston’s humid summer months.
Best Countries to Visit in December
For travellers ready to go further, several countries offer a genuine reason to visit specifically in December.
Costa Rica
Best for: travellers who want rainforest and beach in one trip, without extreme heat.
Weather: 70s to 80s °F, and December marks the start of the dry season, which makes outdoor activities more reliable than earlier in the year. The Pacific coast tends to dry out faster than the Caribbean side, which can stay slightly wetter into December.
Who should skip this: travellers wanting a fully hassle-free trip, since some rural roads and infrastructure require more flexibility than a typical resort destination.
Practical tip: booking flights two to three months ahead tends to offer noticeably better pricing, since December is peak season here.
Thailand
Best for: travellers wanting beaches, temples, and a longer international trip.
Weather: 70s to upper 80s °F, with December falling in the dry, cooler season, which is considered the most comfortable time to visit. Weather varies slightly between regions, particularly on the Gulf and Andaman coasts, so check the specific area you’re visiting.
Who should skip this: travellers with limited vacation time, since the long flight from the US makes this a better fit for trips of a week or more.
Practical tip: choosing the right carrier matters as much as the destination on a trip this long. Our guide to the best airlines for international travel breaks down cabin comfort and route options for exactly this kind of long-haul trip.
December Vacation Ideas by Traveler Type
Not every December trip looks the same. Here is how to match the idea to who is travelling.
Family trips: Puerto Rico and Charleston both offer an easier pace with young kids than a long-haul international trip. If you are planning specifically around children’s ages and needs, our guide to the best places to travel with kids goes deeper on age-specific picks.
Couples and romantic trips: Costa Rica and Palm Springs both offer a relaxed pace suited to a couple’s trip without the crowds of a major city.
Budget trips: Charleston and Leavenworth both offer strong value compared to Aspen or Hawaii during the same weeks.
Adventure trips: Costa Rica and Aspen both reward travellers looking for an active trip over a purely relaxing one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best places to travel in December?
Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and Palm Springs are strong picks for warm weather, while Aspen and Leavenworth suit travellers who want a snowy, festive trip instead.
Where can I find warm places to visit in December in the USA?
Palm Springs, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico are the most reliable warm-weather options within the United States during December.
What are the best countries to visit in December?
Costa Rica and Thailand both offer genuinely favourable weather in December, since both enter their dry seasons around this time of year.
Is December a good time to travel on a budget?
Yes, if you avoid the week between Christmas and New Year. Booking just before or after that peak window often means noticeably lower prices for the same destinations.
What is the best place to visit in December for Christmas atmosphere?
New York City and Leavenworth both offer strong holiday atmospheres, though Christmas-specific destinations deserve their own dedicated comparison, since the criteria differ from general December travel.
Where is it hot in December without a passport?
Puerto Rico and Hawaii are both warm, US-based options that require no passport for US citizens. For a full list of similar destinations, see our guide to places to travel without a passport.
Final Recommendation
If warm weather is the priority, Costa Rica offers the best combination of reliable weather and genuine adventure. If snow and festive charm matter more, Aspen delivers the classic experience, while Leavenworth offers a more budget-friendly version of the same idea. Families or first-time December travellers should start with Puerto Rico, since it combines warm weather with the simplest booking process of any destination on this list.
Conclusion
The best places to travel in December depend on whether you want to escape the cold entirely, lean into it, or find a milder middle ground. Compare your priorities, weather, budget, and trip length against the destinations above, then book your flights early, since December remains one of the most in-demand travel months of the year.
Sources
- Discover Puerto Rico (official tourism board)
- Visit Costa Rica (official tourism board)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand
- Official tourism boards for the other destinations listed above (Palm Springs, Hawaii, Aspen, Leavenworth, New York City, Charleston)
- National Weather Service and international meteorological averages for December seasonal data
- Airline and hotel booking trend data for holiday-season pricing patterns
