December is the month of two opposing desires: escaping winter to the tropics during the dry season or fully embracing it with Christmas markets, snow, and northern lights. The good news: both can still be planned in October-November without prohibitive prices, if you aim right. Here's where to travel in December, from sun just 4 hours away to the Arctic Circle. If your departure is sooner, our guide where to travel in November covers the previous month.
Our 10 December destinations are categorized into three groups: sun within 6 hours of flight, long-haul trips during the dry season, and Europe turning December into a spectacle. For each: real weather, sea temperature, and what makes that month unique.
Gear for Traveling in December
December stretches the climate gap to its maximum: 41°F at takeoff, 86°F in Zanzibar — or 14°F in Rovaniemi. In the tropics, a compartmentalized travel pharmacy prevents searching for an antihistamine in three bags; for a weekend of Christmas markets, a carry-on that swallows a spare pair of shoes without crushing the rest makes all the difference; and a foldable extra bag absorbs gifts on the way back. Our trio for this month:
The 10 December Destinations at a Glance
Average air and sea temperatures in December, flight times from Paris, and each destination's highlight — enough to compare at a glance before diving into the details.
| Destination | Air | Sea | Flight from Paris | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife (Canary Islands) | 72 °F | 70 °F | 4 h 30 nonstop | Christmas in the sun without long-haul |
| Agadir (Morocco) | 72 °F | 66 °F | 3 h 30 nonstop | budget-friendly sunshine |
| Senegal (Saly, Dakar) | 86 °F | 77 °F | 5 h 45 nonstop | warmth without jet lag |
| Martinique | 84 °F | 82 °F | 8 h 30 nonstop | Caribbean in Eurozone |
| Dominican Rep. (Punta Cana) | 84 °F | 82 °F | 9 h nonstop | all-inclusive relaxation |
| Costa Rica | 86 °F | 82 °F | 11 h nonstop | nature + Pacific dry season |
| Sri Lanka | 86 °F | 82 °F | 10 h 30 layover | culture + southwest coast beaches |
| Zanzibar | 88 °F | 82 °F | 10 h layover | lagoons + spice island |
| Finnish Lapland | 14 °F | — | 3 h 45 nonstop | Santa Claus + Northern Lights |
| Vienna (Austria) | 39 °F | — | 2 h nonstop | Christmas markets + cafes |
Want a visual preview before diving into each destination? This video selection sweeps through the month's must-sees:
Sun Within 6 Hours of Flight
Tenerife, Sunny Christmas in the Canaries
Seventy-two degrees, a sea at 70°F, and the Teide sometimes dusted with snow above the beaches: Tenerife in December is Europe's most convenient climate anomaly. The Canaries remain the only short direct flight destination where you can swim at Christmas — and there are plenty of low-cost flights: check your airline's size limits in our carry-on size guide by airline before boarding, the "personal item" is unforgiving.
Agadir, Budget-Friendly Sun
Three and a half hours of flight, 300 days of sunshine a year, and winter rates that remain gentle: Agadir offers 72°F in December, a large sandy bay, and souks without the summer crowds. The sea at 66°F reserves swimming for the brave, but thalassos, surfing in Taghazout, and tagines on the terrace more than make up for it. Simply the best sun-to-price ratio of the month.
Senegal, Warmth Without Jetlag
At 5 hours and 45 minutes from Paris and without a time difference (one hour), Senegal enters its full dry season in December: 86°F, an Atlantic at 77°F, and the harmattan keeping the air dry. Saly for beaches, the Siné-Saloum delta for pirogue rides, Dakar for energy — and no jetlag to digest, making it the ideal disguised long-haul for just a week.
Long-Haul: Head for the Dry Season
In December, the Caribbean begins its prime season, East Africa is dry, and South Asia emerges from the monsoon. Before booking, check your passport's validity — six months after the return date for most of these destinations — and protect it from airport handling:
Personalised PU Passport Cover
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Martinique, the Caribbean in the Eurozone
The Caribbean dry season sets in: 84°F, a sea at 82°F, and trade winds making the heat delightful. No passport, no currency exchange, no roaming: you pay in euros and call like at home. Southern beaches, Mount Pelée in the north, distilleries in between — and daily direct flights. December is doubly festive there: chanté Nwel punctuates Advent evenings.
Punta Cana, All-Inclusive Relaxation
The Dominican Republic emerges from the rainy season: 84°F, a turquoise sea at 82°F, and 9 hours of direct flight. It's THE all-inclusive destination par excellence — palm trees, white sand, and buffets galore — but the island also rewards those who venture out: Samaná Peninsula, colonial Santo Domingo, Bávaro lagoons. Book early: Christmas holidays drive prices up week by week.
Costa Rica, Nature in the Dry Season
December opens the dry season on the Pacific coast: 86°F, passable roads, and a forest still lush from November rains — full waterfalls, wildlife everywhere. Arenal Volcano, Monteverde cloud forest, Guanacaste beaches: the perfect combo for a first major nature trip. Count 11 hours of flight and accommodations to book now for the holidays.
Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean
The southwest coast enters its best period: 86°F, a sea at 82°F, and the monsoon moving northeast. Galle and its ramparts, Mirissa beaches, Ella's tea hills, Kandy's temples — all in a country traversable by train for three dollars. December is the emerging high season there: prices remain reasonable in the first half, before the Christmas rush.
Zanzibar, the Spice Island in the Dry
The kaskazi — the northeast dry monsoon — sets in: 88°F, a lagoon at 82°F, and bright days on Nungwi and Paje beaches. Between swims, Stone Town with its carved doors, spice farms, and the archipelago's sandbanks. Brief showers remain possible early in the month: a bag that withstands rain protects papers and camera until it passes:
Urban Water-Resistant Backpack
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The Magic of December in Europe
Finnish Lapland, the True December
Rovaniemi in December is the month in its purest form: bluish polar night, forests frozen under snow, reindeer, snowmobiles, and steaming saunas — and, on clear nights, northern lights. The Visit Finland's official Lapland guide details experiences region by region, from Santa's village to glass-roofed accommodations. Expect an average of 14°F: layering (merino + fleece + down jacket) is your best ally.
Vienna, the Waltz of Christmas Markets
Thirty-nine degrees, illuminated squares, and about twenty Christmas markets — from the Rathaus Christkindlmarkt to the intimate stalls of Spittelberg: Vienna in December is a fairy tale setting. Between two steaming punches, Viennese cafes, the Belvedere, and an evening concert complete the experience. At 2 hours of flight, it's THE Advent city break — a 3-day weekend suffices, as does a well-compartmentalized weekend bag.
Packing for December
The challenge of the month: bulky winter clothes, whether you're going to wear them (Lapland, Vienna) or escape them (tropics — but you'll need a coat for the airport on return). The solution: compress. Sweaters, down jackets, and fleeces lose a third of their volume in a compression bag, enough to fit two climates in one luggage:
Travel Compression Bag Without Vacuum
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Complete with a toiletry bag in airplane format if you're traveling light — bottles under 3.4 oz in a transparent pouch, and security is a breeze. And for gifts brought back from Christmas markets or souks: a foldable travel bag slipped into the suitcase on the way becomes a second bag on return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is it recommended to travel in December? Three categories are sure bets: nearby sun (Canaries, Agadir, Senegal), tropics in the dry season (Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Zanzibar), and Christmas Europe (Lapland, Vienna). The right choice depends on available time: less than a week → short-haul; ten days or more → long-haul.
Where to go in December on a budget? Agadir offers the best sun-to-price ratio of the month (short flight + affordable hotels outside holidays). The Canaries follow, thanks to low-cost flights. For long-haul, Sri Lanka in the first half remains very affordable on-site. Golden rule: travel before December 18 or after January 2 — holiday rates can sometimes double the bill.
Where is it 86 degrees in December? Zanzibar (88°F), Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Costa Rica (86°F) hold the 86°F mark with a sea at 77-82°F. Just behind: Martinique and Punta Cana (84°F). Within 6 hours of flight, however, no one exceeds 72-73°F — the 86°F is earned on long-haul, except for Senegal.
Should you book well in advance for December? Yes — it's the most tense month of the year with Christmas holidays. Flights and accommodations for holiday destinations (Lapland at the top) fill up from autumn. For a departure during school holidays, book in October-November; outside holidays, the first half of December remains the smart window, cheaper and less crowded.
