Where is it hot in December? 15 Warm Places with Sunshine

Want to know where is hot in December? Here are 15 warm places to visit in December for sunshine and warm climate with nice temperatures. 

The northern hemisphere is dark and cold in the month of December, and many Europeans, as well as Americans and Canadians, are longing for warmer temperatures and sunshine. 

Luckily, there are many warm places in December, and here is my best recommendation on where is hot in December. 

Cancun/Playa del Carmen

Cancun is one of the most popular destinations to travel to in December for Americans and Canadians, and for a good reason. Temperatures all over the Yucatan Peninsula are warm and the coastal resort towns such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen sees little to no rain during this month. 

Early December is your best chance to beat the crowds and if you prefer a tropical Christmas, Mexico is perhaps the best choice in North America. Later in the month usually gets busier

Average temperature: 28° / 20° (High/Low).
Country: Mexico

Langkawi

If you’re thinking about traveling to Southeast Asia in December, Langkawi is one of the best choices. Early December stills see good deals on accommodation and tours, and the weather is pleasant throughout the month with little to no rain. 

You can expect temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius with water temperatures of up to 29°C.

Average temperature: 31° / 25° – High / Low (°C)
Country: Malaysia

Florida

If you’re an American and wants to know where is hot in December, Florida will never disappoint, although there are warmer places to visit in the Caribbean or South America. 

You can still visit the beaches, and the sun will be shining, which is quite nice compared to the blizzards and freezing temperatures that many states in the U.S are enduring in the last month of the year. 

Average temperature: 23°C (73°F)
Country: USA

Dubai

Dubai has quickly emerged as one of the most popular holiday destinations in December, and while the summers get really hot, the winters are more pleasant with temperatures around 25-26 degrees Celcius. 

Dubai has nice beaches, excellent shopping, and some of the coolest architecture in the world as well as being home to the tallest building in the world. 

Average temperature: 26 °C (79 °F)
Country: United Arab Emirates

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of the canary islands that has the best weather in the month of December with typical temperatures around 22-25 degrees Celcius in the southern part of the island. 

Some of the best resorts town which have plenty of sunshine hours are Puerto Rico, Playa de Mogan, and Amadores. 

Average temperature: 22-25 °C (daytime)
Country: Spain (Canary Islands)

Tenerife

Tenerife is another Canary Island which sees pleasant temperatures in December. It’s also less windy than the other Canary islands Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

The beaches in Tenerife are wonderful and there is little to no rain during this time of the year. 

Average temperature: 22-25 °C (daytime)
Country: Spain (Canary Islands)

Maldives

The Maldives is one of the most luxurious destinations in the world, and if you have the budget for it, Maldives is definitely one of the nicest places to visit in December for holidays.

In recent years, more budget accommodation have been opened on the local islands, which recently got approval from the government to begin with tourism activities.

This means that although many resort islands are expensive, there are options to spend time in paradise as a budget-traveler as well. 

Average temperature: 27°C

Cape Town

If you’re looking for cities with a beach, there are plenty of beautiful beaches around Cape Town, and as the winter is almost in full effect in Europe and America, the summer is just emerging in South Africa since it’s located in the Southern hemisphere. 

There will be plenty of sun in Cape Town and little to no rain. It’s also a great destination if you want to go on a safari. 

Average temperature: 25 °C
Country: South Africa

Cyprus

Cyprus is one of the few places in Europe that can still be considered as hot in December with average temperatures around 20 degrees Celcius around the coastal towns.

This is also the least crowded time of the year considering that high-season is in the summer months, and there are plenty of bargains to be made. You can still enjoy the sunshine and mild climate, and some days will even allow for sunbathing and a dip in the mediterranean sea. 

Paphos, Ayia Napa, and Larnaca are some of the best places to visit in Cyprus. 20°C might be chilly for some, but it’s definitely hot comparing with the minus degrees or 0°C that most of Europe is seeing during this time of the year. 

Average temperature: 20°C

Zanzibar

If you’re dreaming about tropical islands, look no further than Zanzibar, which is a paradise island, located outside the coast of Tanzania. December is typically one of the best times of the year to visit Zanzibar 

In addition to beautiful beaches with white sand and crystal clear turquoise water, the historic Stone Town also offer an interesting experience where much of the life has stood still and been carried out the same way for centuries. 

Average temperature: 28°C (82°F)
Country: Tanzania

Thailand

December is one of the best months to visit Thailand as the rainy season finishes by the end of November. Early December is still not high-season and you can still enjoy most places without the large crowds that travel to the islands from Christmas and onwards to February. 

The sun will be shining for most days, and if it rains, it will most likely be just for a quick shower. Expect temperatures of up to 31 degrees Celcius on average and warm sea temperature. 

Average temperature: 31° / 25° – High / Low (°C)

Jamaica

Americans and Canadians can enjoy direct flights to Jamaica, and at the beginning of December it won’t be as crowded as later in January and February, which means lower prices and fewer tourists. 

Jamaica is one of the best holiday destinations that are warm in December, and there will be plenty of sunshine and little to no rain. 

Average temperature: 32°C

Cartagena

Cartagena is another lovely city to visit in December with pleasant temperatures and sunshine. It’s great if you want to combine a city trip with some days on the beach, and the colonial architecture in Cartagena is truly stunning. 

Average temperature: 31° / 25° – High / Low (°C)
Country: Colombia

Bahamas

If you’re American or Canadian and wonder where it’s hot in December, the Bahamas is always a safe choice with temperatures around 26 °C (78.8°F). Some of the most popular destinations in the Bahamas are Nassau Island, Eleuthera, and Grand Bahama. 

Early December is typically the best time to visit in order to avoid the crowds that flee the freezing temperatures in the U.S and Canada. 

Average temperature: 26 °C

Gambia

The Gambia is one of the best places to go on holidays in December on the African continent. It’s situated on the coast of Western Africa, and typically see temperatures around 30 degrees during this time of the year. 

The beaches are lovely, and there are various standards of accommodation to choose from. The Gambia is quite underrated, and in addition to lots of sunshine hours and warm climate, the people are some of the friendliest, and it’s one of the safest countries in Africa. 

Average temperature: 30°C

Frequently asked questions about warm places in December

In addition to knowing where is hot in December, these are my answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about warm places in December. 

Where can I go for sun in December?

Gran Canaria, Dubai, Cancun, Cape Town, Zanzibar, and the Gambia are some of the best places to go for sun in December. These places all have plenty of sunshine hours at that time of the year. 

Which countries are hot in December?

There are plenty of countries that are hot in December. Almost all countries in the Southern Hemisphere have higher temperatures during this time of the year since the summer is emerging. 

Where in America is hot in December?

Miami and Key West are typically the hottest places in America in December, and Florida, in general, is one of the best destinations for holidays in the wintertime in the U.S. 

Where is the warmest place in Europe in December?

The Canary Islands are geographically placed in Africa but are part of Spain and the EU, which means that the Canary Islands is the warmest place in Europe in December. Cyprus is another place in Europe where it’s hot in December. 

Is Cyprus hot in December?

Cyprus typically have temperatures around 20 degrees Celcius in the month of December and thus can be considered hot compared to the rest of Europe, which typically has cold temperatures around 0-10 degrees. 

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