The best places to travel in December split into three types. Chase the sun in Thailand, the Caribbean, Mexico, or Australia. Chase the snow and Christmas markets in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Or chase a bargain in the first three weeks, before holiday prices explode. December is a month of extremes: the two weeks around Christmas and New Year are the most expensive of the entire year, but early December is one of the cheapest. Same destinations, wildly different prices, just a few days apart.
That gap is the whole story of December travel. Get the timing right and you can have a great trip cheaply. Get it wrong and you pay double for the same beach.
The One Rule That Runs December
There are really two Decembers.
- December 1 to about December 18: quiet, and often cheap. Christmas markets are open, ski resorts are running, and flights have not spiked yet.
- December 19 to January 2: the peak. The most expensive and crowded travel window of the year, worldwide.
If your dates are flexible, travel in the first window. If they are fixed to the holidays, book early, because prices only climb as the date gets closer.
December at a Glance
| What you want | Where to go | Price note |
|---|---|---|
| Warm beach | Thailand, Maldives, Caribbean, Mexico | Rising through the month |
| Christmas markets | Vienna, Munich, Prague, Strasbourg | Busy weekends, book ahead |
| Snow and skiing | Alps, Colorado, Japan | Peak over the holidays |
| Southern summer | Australia, New Zealand, South Africa | Their high season begins |
| Cheap early-month escape | Portugal, Southeast Asia, Mexico | Cheapest before Dec 18 |
| Skip this month | Northern Europe outside cities | Cold, dark, little daylight |
Type 1: Chase the Sun
The northern hemisphere is cold, so the classic December move is to fly toward the equator or below it.
Thailand
December is peak season in Thailand for a reason. It is dry, sunny, and pleasantly warm, not the sticky heat of other months.
The islands and beaches are at their best. Book ahead, because the rest of the world knows this too.
The Maldives and the Caribbean
Both are warm, dry, and firmly out of hurricane season now. This is high season, so prices are up, but the weather is as good as it gets.
The Caribbean in early December, before the holiday rush, is the value sweet spot.
Mexico
The Riviera Maya and the Pacific coast are both excellent in December. Warm, dry, and lively.
Prices climb toward Christmas, so early December is the smart booking window.
Australia and New Zealand
It is summer below the equator. December is beach season in Sydney and along the coasts.
This is their domestic holiday period too, so popular spots get busy. But the weather is superb.
Dubai
Dubai’s brutal summer heat is gone by December, leaving warm, sunny days. It is a reliable winter-sun pick with no rain to worry about.
Type 2: Chase the Snow and the Markets
If you want December to feel like December, go north and lean into it.
Christmas Markets in Central Europe
The great Christmas markets are the highlight of December in Europe.
Top picks:
- Vienna, Austria for the grand, classic markets
- Munich and Nuremberg, Germany for the most famous of all
- Prague, Czech Republic for the fairytale old-town setting
- Strasbourg, France which calls itself the capital of Christmas
- Budapest, Hungary for markets plus thermal baths
Most markets open in late November and run until just before Christmas. A few close on December 24, so check dates before booking a late-December trip built around them.
Skiing in the Alps
The European Alps, meaning Austria, Switzerland, and France, are into ski season by December. Snow is more reliable higher up early in the month.
The week between Christmas and New Year is the single most expensive ski week of the year. Early December is far cheaper for the same slopes.
Colorado and the American West
Colorado, Utah, and the Tahoe area are all open for skiing in December. Same rule applies: the holidays are peak, early December is calmer.
Japan
Japan in December offers both. Skiing in the north in Hokkaido, plus winter illuminations and hot springs across the country. It is an underrated December pick.
Type 3: Chase a Bargain
If you only care about price, December rewards you in the first three weeks.
Portugal and Southern Spain
Mild, not hot, but sunny and cheap in early December. Lisbon and Seville are pleasant for walking, and the prices are low before the holidays.
Southeast Asia beyond the beaches
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos are dry and cool in December, and they are excellent value. Angkor Wat and the cities are comfortable now.
Central Europe midweek
Even the Christmas market cities are cheap if you go early in December and travel midweek instead of on a weekend.
Cheap Places to Travel in December
Since so many people search for this, here is the honest shortlist for a budget December trip.
| Destination | Why it is cheap in December |
|---|---|
| Portugal | Off-season, mild, low flight prices early month |
| Vietnam & Cambodia | Great value year-round, dry season now |
| Mexico (early month) | Before the holiday spike |
| Central Europe (midweek) | Markets without weekend prices |
| Egypt | Good weather, low prices, shoulder crowds |
The rule for all of these is the same: go before December 18. After that, cheap disappears everywhere.
Where NOT to Go in December
| Place | Why skip it |
|---|---|
| Northern Europe outside the cities | Very short days, cold, and dark by mid-afternoon |
| Northern India and Nepal high altitude | Cold, and many mountain routes closed |
| Patagonia in a rush | It is their summer and it is beautiful, but it books out and is not cheap |
| Anywhere, December 24 to 26 | Many shops, sights, and restaurants close for the holiday |
One specific trap: some cities you would love in December, like the Christmas market towns, partly shut down on Christmas Day itself. If you travel on December 25, expect closures and plan around them.
Quick Comparison
| Destination | December weather | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Warm, dry | Sun | Beaches at their best |
| Caribbean | Warm, dry | Sun | Winter sun, early-month value |
| Vienna | Cold, festive | Markets | Classic Christmas markets |
| Swiss Alps | Snowy | Snow | Skiing |
| Sydney | Warm, summer | Sun | Southern-summer beaches |
| Portugal | Mild, sunny | Bargain | Cheap early-month escape |
| Vietnam | Dry, cool | Bargain | Value and culture |
| Japan | Cold, snowy north | Snow + culture | Ski plus hot springs |
FAQ
Where is the best place to travel in December for warm weather? Thailand, the Maldives, the Caribbean, and Mexico are the top warm picks, all dry and sunny in December. Below the equator, Australia and New Zealand are entering their summer. Dubai is another reliable choice, with warm days and almost no rain.
When is the cheapest time to travel in December? The first three weeks, roughly December 1 to 18. After that, prices climb sharply into the Christmas and New Year peak, which is the most expensive travel window of the entire year. If you can travel before the 18th, you avoid the spike.
What are the best Christmas markets in December? Vienna, Munich, Nuremberg, Prague, and Strasbourg are among the most famous. Most open in late November and run to just before Christmas, though some close on December 24, so check the dates if you are planning a late-December trip.
Is the Caribbean good to visit in December? Yes. Hurricane season is over, the weather is warm and dry, and it is peak season. Early December, before the holiday rush, gives you the best mix of great weather and lower prices.
Which places should I avoid in December? Northern Europe outside the major cities is cold and dark with very short days. High-altitude areas in the Himalayas are cold with closed routes. And almost everywhere slows down from December 24 to 26, when many shops and sights close for the holiday.
Your Next Step
Pick your December first: sun, snow, or savings. They point at completely different parts of the map, and December is not a month to try to combine them.
Then look hard at one number, December 18. Before it, you have a cheap and quiet month. After it, you are in the most expensive travel window of the year. If your dates are flexible, book the early window. If they are locked to the holidays, book now, because December prices never fall as the date approaches, they only rise.