If you want to escape harsh winter weather and enjoy some sun, we’ve put together an expert guide to four countries to visit, and offer recommendations for snow-free retreats to warm your heart at the coldest time of the year.
Best Countries for Sun in December
| Country | Why Visit in December |
|---|---|
| Morocco | Mild 60-66 °F days, sunny Marrakech medina walks, Atlas views. Short Flight from EU |
| Kenya | Diani Beach ~89 °F, white sands, cave dining at Ali Barbour’s. |
| Mexico | Tulum 73-82 °F, cenotes for swimming, Mayan ruins, boutique stays. Short Flight from USA |
| Cyprus | Paphos ~64 °F, ancient Tomb of the Kings, quiet seaside tavernas. |
| Thailand | Start of dry season, 86 °F, Phuket beaches & Bangkok culture. Best for Beaches & Relaxation |
| Cambodia | Warm 78-86 °F, low humidity, Angkor Wat + coastal escapes. Best for Culture & History |
| UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) | 77-86 °F, desert resorts, beaches, shopping festivals. |
| Canary Islands (Spain) | 68-72 °F, sunshine, Tenerife hiking & beaches. |
| Caribbean (Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada) | Dry, 80s °F, turquoise seas, snorkelling. |
| Vietnam (South & Central) | Dry season, 77-86 °F, Mekong Delta, Hoi An, beaches. |
Morocco
Often described as a cold country with a hot sun, Morocco’s day temperatures range from 60 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit in December, with a jacket very much required when the wind picks up. Still, December is the perfect month to traverse old-town Marrakech’s winding, mesmerizing streets without the soaring summertime temperatures and the unyielding crowds.
Our Recommendation: Marrakech
Old Morocco is fabulous at any time of the year, and given its proximity to and easy access from all major transport hubs in Europe, Marrakech is perfect for a winter sojourn. The Marrakech Medina, built in 1122 and now a world heritage site, offers the chance to lose yourself amidst its winding streets filled with souks and vendors.
Time your walk to the Jemâa El Fna at dusk and order a Moroccan-spiced coffee from any of the terraced restaurants overlooking the square. If visibility is good, you’ll glimpse the long-distant snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains as the old town comes alive.
Where to Stay: La Mamounia
The place to be seen in Marrakech, La Mamounia, is almost as famous as the city itself. This palatial property offers an authentic taste of Middle Eastern luxury and hospitality, with a prime location near Marrakech’s old town. Accommodations are provided in 209 rooms and suites, with private pool riads and butler service. Doubles start at MAD 7,664 ($847) in December, while riads go for an eye-watering nightly fee of $10,235.
Must-See: Jemâa El Fna
The beating heart of the medina, Jemâa El Fna, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with hawkers, vendors, snake charmers, and other entertainers. You don’t need to do or buy anything to appreciate Jemâa El Fna. Arrive in the late afternoon and watch the world go by; you won’t be disappointed.
End your night with a meal at the nearby La Pergola, one of Marrakech’s top-rated eateries with a magical rooftop terrace and a fully-licensed bar for sundowners.
Kenya
While Africa’s second-highest peak, Mount Kenya, is snow-capped in December, the beaches from Mombasa up the Swahili coast are not, with coastal temperatures reaching 89 degrees Fahrenheit for a tropical Christmas vacation.
Our Recommendation: Diani Beach
Kenya has long been regarded as one of Africa’s tourism gems, but most people visit the country on safari, ignoring the hundreds of kilometres of unspoiled white-sand beaches that run from Mombasa up to the Somali border.
December is perhaps the perfect time to visit Diani Beach, with searing daytime temperatures and fewer crowds than from June to September. Though there’s a little more rainfall in December, expect perfect sun-bathing conditions, gloriously warm and clean water, and many fabulous places to eat, drink, and relax.
Where to Stay: Nomad Beach Resort
A much more refined option than many of the big and brash resorts further down the beach, Nomad is an award-winning boutique beach hotel, home to the best sea-facing restaurant on the coast.
Accommodations are offered in sea-facing boutique rooms and four luxurious private villas, all with Swahili-inspired interiors and elegant furnishings and finishings. In December, prices start at $387 per night for a garden room, while the private villas start at $2,160 nightly. Kenyan residents are eligible for a 15% discount on the accommodation price at Nomad.
Must-See: Ali Barbour’s Cave
The glorious and largely unspoiled swathes of white sandy beaches are reason enough to visit Diani this December. But the number one attraction is to dine at Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant. Meals are served in the middle of a natural cave that is 180,000 years old. Bookings are essential for candlelit evening meals, and a minimum order of two courses is required.
Main dishes include locally-sourced octopus, prawns, and lobster, ranging from KES 2,950 ($22) to 6,000 ($47) per meal.
Mexico
Mexico is an ever-popular destination for winter sun-seekers. Coastal temperatures range from 73 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit in December, ensuring a warming retreat for anyone looking to escape the sub-freezing temperatures of many North American states at this time of the year.
Our Recommendation: Tulum
Tulum is consistently ranked one of Mexico’s best beach destinations, offering year-round sun, balmy temperatures, and access to ancient Mayan ruins for culture vultures. Tulum is approximately two hours south of Cancun and is free from many of the unsightly all-inclusive resorts its neighbor is known for.
Often compared to Bali, Tulum has a reputation as Mexico’s wellness hub. Visitors frequently seek spiritual fulfilment away from busy beach resorts in other parts of the country. While it’s busier than it once was, Tulum still possesses much of the charm and individuality lacking from other Mexican beach resorts.
Where to Stay: La Valise
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, La Valise, in South Tulum, offers accommodations in 22 rooms and suites, some with unobstructed coastal panoramas and others with jungle views.
Beachside rooms are more in demand with private terraces, but many jungle rooms come with their own plunge pools. Jungle view rooms in December start at $497 nightly with breakfast included. For the master beachfront suite, expect to pay $877 for one night, bed and breakfast.
Must-See: Dos Ojos Cenote
The Yucatán Peninsula’s cenotes are one of the star attractions for visiting tourists, and Dos Ojos is our favourite. A cenote is a natural well, formed by the collapse of a limestone surface. As a result, they provide incredible swimming and snorkelling opportunities, or scuba diving options for the more adventurous.
Dos Ojos features a vast underwater cave system just outside of Tulum, and the entrance fee is a reasonable MXN $350 ($19) for a day pass.
Cyprus
Average daytime temperatures range from 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the Cypriot winter, without a snowflake in sight. If you book a trip to Cyprus this December, ancient ruins, glorious beaches, and year-round dining venues await, minus the crowds.
Our Recommendation: Paphos
Of all the places to visit in Cyprus in December, Paphos is our number one pick. Situated in the south-western region of Cyprus, Paphos and the adjoining Coral Bay are two of the country’s busiest summer tourism destinations.
Paphos retains a quieter charm in winter, with Greek-style Tavernas, low-key bars, and high-end restaurants open year-round. This is also a great time of the year to hike the nearby Aphrodite Nature Trail close to Paphos, as daytime temperatures are much more manageable than at the height of summer.
Where to Stay: Ivi Mare
This adults-only boutique hotel is the perfect base for your winter escape to Paphos. Accommodations range from superior rooms with private jacuzzis to sea-facing junior suites. In December, rooms start at just $188 per night for superiors, almost half the price of the current summer rate.
Must-See: Tomb of the Kings
Paphos is home to many ancient ruins, and a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tomb of the Kings, is a wonderful cultural experience. Explore the ruins on foot and learn about the site’s significance during the Hellenistic and Roman empires of days gone by.
The site is open throughout December, with an entrance fee of just €2.50 ($2.90).
If the snow is too much for you, escape to Marrakech, Diani Beach, Tulum, or Paphos for winter sun and a luxurious escape from the winter chills of home.
Best Choice Depending on Your Location
- If you’re in the EU, shorter flights + similar time zones favor destinations like Canary Islands, Morocco, Cyprus, UAE. These combine relatively easy logistics with warmth.
- If you’re in the USA, Caribbean, Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam give maximum payoff for the travel time. Hawaii is also an option if you want domestic but tropical. (Note: Hawaii came up in some “USA December warm places” lists.)
What to Consider / What to Plan
Flight duration & time zones: depending where you are in USA/EU, some places are a long haul. That matters for how much you want to travel vs relax. Use these best flight deal finders.
Booking early with the best travel apps is especially important for December, because holiday demand (Christmas / New Year) drives up prices and lowers availability—especially in resorts.
Weather variability exists: “dry season” doesn’t mean zero rain. Some regions have transitional months. E.g., southern Thailand or some Caribbean islands may still see showers.
Warm evenings vs cold nights: deserts, coastlines etc., can be warm midday but cooler at night. Pack layers.
Peak vs shoulder season: late December is high season almost everywhere; early December may offer better value.
