Warm places to visit in December for a perfect getaway

On the calendar, December marks the beginning of winter for much of the world, but if you’re willing to trade the cold weather for sun-soaked skies, there are a slew of warm vacation destinations available to you. Soak up sunshine on golden shores, explore vibrant urban centres and indulge in rich culture — the best December destinations combine warmth and adventure. From stunning shorelines and vibrant city centers, to serene countryside perfect for relaxing — you’ll have no shortage of choices for making your winter holiday unforgettable. Make your December a year to remember with the perfect choice.

Best winter sun destinations for a tropical escape

If your dream of a perfect December is to bask in sunny weather and spend time on sandy beaches, then here are some perfect destinations:

• The Maldives –Clear waters, overwater bungalows, and sunny weather make Maldives a wintertime paradise vacation. Snorkel at Banana Reef, dive at Maaya Thila, or simply bask on the ocean and watch the Indian Ocean sunset. If you want something more culturally diverse, visit Male’s Old Friday Mosque, built using coral stone.
• Hawaii, USA – From Maui’s golden shorelines to Kauai’s green hills or the volcano country of the Big Island, Hawaii offers something that is a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. December is a great month to be here, with pleasant weather and holiday celebrations such as the Honolulu City Lights festival. Go hiking in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, take a tour to go whale-watching offshore, or hit the famous waves on Oahu’s North Shore.
• The Caribbean – The Caribbean – Some islands (like St. Lucia, Barbados, and the Bahamas) have beautiful beaches and a vibrant culture for a warm, sunny vacation in December. Go on a catamaran cruise around Barbados, hike through the green Pitons of St. Lucia, or visit Pink Sands Beach in the Bahamas. Get in the holiday spirit with a visit to Junkanoo, the colorful festival celebrated in the Bahamas on Boxing Day.

Best places for winter travel with cultural experiences

If you’re a culture-hungry traveller who likes a little warmth and history, these destinations bring together sunshine and deep-rooted traditions

• Morocco –December in Morocco boasts fair weather, little crowds. Set out a voyage over Marrakech’s busy souks, where artists display handcrafted items among seductive smells.  Sleep beneath the stars in a Berber tent after riding camels across the magnificent plains of the Sahara Desert. Head to the blue town of Chefchaouen, with its postcard pretty lanes and impressive views across the mountains.

• Thailand – From the bustling streets of Bangkok where intricately adorned temples of Wat Arun and the Grand Palace are a reflection of the country’s rich heritage straight to the idyllic beaches of Phuket and Krabi, Thailand is indeed one of the top picks with December holidaymakers in the sun. Enjoy night street dining or riding through night markets in a wooden vessel, and join the famed Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan. Explore Chiang Mai to see ancient temples and spend time with rescued elephants at a humane sanctuary.

• Mexico – The waters off Cancun and Tulum are blue, with good snorkeling and diving in coral reefs. There’s culture, history and great food in Mexico City—travel to Mexico City includes a tour of the Frida Kahlo Museum, a stroll through the ancient pyramids at Teotihuacan and a dalliance with the nightlife of Coyoacán. December is filled with multicolored celebrations such as Las Posadas, a nine-day festival that includes parades, music and holiday foods. In Oaxaca, see the Night of the Radishes, a Christmas festival that features elaborate radish sculptures set up in the city square.

Warm holiday spots for adventure seekers

For those who crave warmth and thrills in their destinations:

• Costa Rica – Rainforests, volcanoes, wildlife and the perfect destination for eco-tourists And speaking adventure: December marks the beginning of dry season and best time for adventure sports, including zip-lining at Monteverde, surfing at Tamarindo and trekking at Arenal Volcano National Park. Wildlife lovers can tour Tortuguero National Park, home to sea turtle nesting sites, or navigate Osa Peninsula’s dense mangrove forests.

• South Africa – Summer in the Southern Hemisphere occurs in December in Cape Town, and it’s a fantastic time to be here. Ride to the top of Table Mountain on the cableway or hike to the top for magnificent views of the city. Go on a safari in Kruger National Park in a quest to see the Big Five: lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalos. Tour the Cape Winelands to taste wine in Stellenbosch, or drive along the famed Garden Route for dramatic ocean views and picturesque towns.

• Australia – December is when Australia dazzles, from the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney’s iconic landmarks. Snorkelling and diving available on the Great Barrier Reef uncover a stunning aquatic paradise of coral and vivid sea creatures. Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is a high-octane thrill, while Bondi Beach is an iconic stretch of sand to relax on. Great Ocean Road highlights include the stunning Twelve Apostles and Blue Mountains beauty is revealed through winding trails and beauty like the lookoutsIf you intend to experience more than one place on your holiday, renting a car with Europcar is an easy way to cover the ground in your own time.

Travel to remote locations and countries with sheer natural beauty tends to require flexible transportation. Driving is the easiest way to access most of the most beautiful places on Earth, like South Africa’s wine region, Australia’s Outback, or Costa Rica’s national parks.  Renting a vehicle lets you stray from the norm and find off-beat treasures whenever it suits you.  Imagine either a self-drive trip of New Zealand’s breathtaking fjords and highlands or driving South Africa’s Garden Route with stops at wildlife areas.  Between far-off sites that public transit does not cover, rural villages, and distant beaches, a rental automobile lets you drive.  To provide you comfort and ease wherever your journey takes you, Europcar offers a selection of vehicles that can handle all roads and travel styles. For a seamless travel experience, consider renting a vehicle with Europcar to explore your destination with ease and flexibility.

Best city breaks with warm weather in December

If you love city breaks but prefer mild temperatures, consider these urban escapes:

• Dubai, UAE –Dubai is a favorite winter sun holiday spot with its sleek skyline, luxury shopping, and desert expeditions. December is a great time to enjoy good weather outdoors. Go to the top of Burj Khalifa to enjoy amazing views, take a desert safari with dune bashing and camel riding, or walk the historic souks surrounding Dubai Creek.   Beautiful beaches in the city also allow one to relax, including JBR Beach.

• Buenos Aires, Argentina – Summer in Argentina is all about warm weather, sizzling performances of tango, and energetic street life. The delectable cuisine is available at a typical parrilla with options to relish real Argentine steak. The charm of historic areas like San Telmo is uncovered by colonial architecture and pulsating antique bazaars. Green parks, elegant cafés, and a night life can be discovered walking through Palermo’s streets. The Teatro Colón is worth visiting if you’re a culture enthusiast.   You can’t afford to miss a visit to world-famous Teatro Colón, regarded as one of the finest opera houses in the world.

• Singapore – This multicultural city-state is full of attractive parks, great shopping malls, and multicultural citizens. Take in skyscraper views at Marina Bay Sands, walk through Gardens by the Bay to see Supertree Grove, and taste great street food at Maxwell cuisine Centre. Get your adrenaline rush on Sentosa Island with adventure parks, beaches, and great S.E.A. Aquarium. Discover your urban jungle with bustling multicultural districts such as Chinatown and Little India and catch a glimpse of Singapore’s multicultural heritage.

Winter warmth in Europe: A Mediterranean escape

Even if Europe is hardly tropical in December, several countries of the Mediterranean area have moderate weather that is excellent to spend a vacation in winter.   Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal get abundance of sunshine even in their off-season times with day temperatures of 15-20°C (59-68°F).

For a city break, Barcelona is great. The pleasant weather of Catalan city, smaller crowds, and chance to see such famous sights as Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Gothic Quarter without summer heat make it excellent. Walking along La Rambla or having a tapas in a beach café can be a serene way to experience the city. If you’re on a vacation journey, it is recommended to hire a vehicle to visit more of what’s close the city, to attractive beach villages like Sitges or breathtaking Montserrat mountain. In order to make your trip ideal, hire a vehicle from Europcar Barcelona so that you may travel about the city with convenience and simplicity.

Another excellent Mediterranean wintertime getaway is Lisbon, Portugal. The Portuguese capital enjoys pleasant weather with a December average of 16°C (61°F), making it great to roam about through old districts. Walk through lovely Alfama, ride famed Tram 28, or observe stunning Belém Tower.   Indulge in traditional specialties like pastéis de nata and shellfish along scenic waterfronts. If you would like to explore more than what is available in the city, a rental car is a good means to drive along scenic Portuguese coastline beginning with picturesque town Sintra to breathtaking beaches of Cascais. Renting a car with Europcar Lisbon is a hassle-free means to explore Portugal’s stunning coastline and secrets on your own schedule.

Make your winter getaway unforgettable

Whether you dream of coastal vacations, city breaks or cultural holidays, you will have no lack of pleasant holiday alternatives to pick in December.   From Maldives’s marine waves to Buenos Aires’s lively streets, visitors may select their ideal winter sun trip according to their preferences.   The thrill-seekers may discover Costa Rica and South Africa’s wide countryside while those interested in history can explore Mexico and Thailand’s rich past.

Planning is crucial to making your vacation a success and pleasant. Booking your flights and rooms in advance may lock you into the lowest costs, and researching top attractions at your location will help you to make maximum use of your time. It is generally best to rent a car to visit these destinations with the ability to go off route and find those off-the-beaten-path spots. If you are cruising along gorgeous roads in Portugal, traveling through the desert in Morocco, or cruising along Australia’s coastline on a road trip vacation, a rental car can turn your trip into a hassle-free experience.

Don’t let winter blues get you down. Travel to a place with warmth, immerse yourself in cultures different from your own, and make memories that will last you a lifetime. Wherever your destination is, make sure you plan ahead, travel in luxury, and take use of services such as those given by Europcar to make your trip hassle-free.

Besides this, your taste and your interests also depend on choosing a good location for your winter break.   If you prefer to celebrate your holiday in a relaxed mode on the beach, you can opt for tropical paradises such as Maldives or the Caribbean.   If you would prefer to visit places and cultures such as Marrakech, Bangkok, or Mexico City, you are not short of options.   If you are seeking adventure, visiting national parks in Costa Rica, climbing to the top of Table Mountain in South Africa, or snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef provides you with plenty of thrills.

Don’t forget to pack intelligently for your holiday with day and night temps in arid places. Sunscreen and light clothes and walking shoes would be sufficient for hot weather conditions and a light jacket would be sufficient for cold night temperatures. Pre-vacation traveling limitations, admission policies, and local Covid-19 policies should also be gone through to make your holiday smooth. Proper preparation and enough resources may make your winter break an enjoyable and restful getaway.   Wherever you will be heading to, have a fantastic time and make every second count!