For the best places to visit in December, one must think creatively. Certainly, you’d be free and well-advised to visit a snow-filled escape for some time on the slopes and sitting by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. But also there are places in the world where the chill of winter is an unknown charm—think tropical islands and stretches of sand along the Equator that have never, ever seen a flake of snow. For that matter, in December, the Southern Hemisphere welcomes summer and Christmas in shorts and flip-flops are the standard. No matter where you go in the last month of the year (you’re certainly the proactive traveler if you’re already planning six months ahead!), you’ll find warmth or coziness, especially with our recommendations. Here are the 13 best places to travel in December, from seaside adventures with sharks to après-ski-and-spa vibes after a day of crushing powder.
(For more ideas, find our full list of the best places to go in 2025 here.)
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.