Winter Sun Destinations: Best Warm Beaches in December
Table of Contents
Prices in this guide are approximate and change often. Check with the hotel, airline or operator before you book.
Escaping the Cold: Where to Find 80°F Beaches in December
December is peak demand for warm-weather beach trips, which means two things: prices are higher than average, and the most popular places book up weeks ahead. The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center, so the Caribbean and Mexico are into their drier, calmer months. On the other side of the world the picture is mixed: some famous beach regions are at their best in December and others are in their wettest weeks.
This guide covers destinations where December daytime highs are usually in the 80s °F and the sea is warm enough to swim without a wetsuit. Price ranges are rough guides for the season; check current fares and rates before you compare, because December prices move quickly.
December by the Numbers
Long-term December averages from each country's national weather service, published through the World Meteorological Organization or by the service itself. Normals periods differ by station, and each service counts a rain day by its own threshold. Turks and Caicos does not publish comparable normals, so it is not in the table.
| Destination | Station (weather service, normals period) | Average December high | December rain | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba | Queen Beatrix Airport (Meteorological Department Aruba, 1991 to 2020) | 30.7°C (87°F) | 80 mm | 11 |
| Barbados | Grantley Adams Airport (Barbados Meteorological Services, 1991 to 2020) | 29.6°C (85°F) | 91 mm | 11 |
| Riviera Maya | Cancún (Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, 1971 to 2000) | 28.2°C (83°F) | 96 mm | 11 |
| Costa Rica's Pacific coast | Liberia, Guanacaste (Instituto Meteorológico Nacional, 1971 to 2003) | 32.6°C (91°F) | 11 mm | 3 |
| Thailand's Andaman coast | Phuket (Thai Meteorological Department) | 31.5°C (89°F) | 62 mm | 8 |
| Bali | Denpasar (BMKG, 1961 to 1990) | 33.0°C (91°F) | 276 mm | 22 |
| Maldives | Malé (Maldives Meteorological Service, 1981 to 2000) | 30.1°C (86°F) | 217 mm | 12 |
| Zanzibar | Zanzibar (Tanzania Meteorological Agency, 1971 to 2000) | 31.4°C (89°F) | - | - |
The pattern is clear: Costa Rica's Pacific side and the Andaman coast are the driest bets in December, the Caribbean stations see rain on about a third of December days, Bali is in its wet season, and the Maldives is only just coming out of its own.
The Caribbean: Closest and Most Reliable
Aruba
Aruba lies south of the main Caribbean hurricane track and is dry for most of the year, which makes it one of the safer Caribbean bets in any month. December highs are typically in the mid-80s °F. Eagle Beach is the island's widest beach and is known for its two leaning fofoti trees, which the Aruba Tourism Authority calls the most photographed on the island. Palm Beach to the north is the hotel strip, with high-rise resorts and water-sports operators. Baby Beach at the southern tip has shallow, calm water suited to young children.
December costs: hotels range from roughly $150 a night (mid-range) to $400 or more (beachfront resorts). The island is compact; a rental car covers everything, and the public Arubus service runs along the hotel strip.
Turks and Caicos
Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales is part of a long, unbroken run of sand on the island's north shore and is a regular winner of "world's best beach" polls. December highs sit in the low to mid-80s °F with the sea around 80°F. A reef offshore keeps the water calm and clear for swimming. The island is small, upscale and quiet; this is not a party destination.
December costs: Turks and Caicos is expensive. Budget rooms start around $200 a night, beachfront resorts run $400 to $800 and up, and restaurant mains are commonly $25 to $45. The trade-off is a very beautiful, uncrowded beach.
Barbados
Barbados offers more local culture than the resort-focused islands. The west coast (the Platinum Coast) has calm, clear water, with Mullins Beach and Paynes Bay the standouts. The south coast around Oistins has more energy and the long-running Friday Night Fish Fry, one of the better-value dinners on the island. The east coast faces the Atlantic, with big waves at Bathsheba that look spectacular and are dangerous to swim in.
December costs: hotels range from about $100 a night (south-coast guesthouses) to well over $1,000 at the top west-coast resorts. The island has cheap public transport (government buses and the privately run ZR vans, a few Barbados dollars a ride).
Mexico and Central America
Riviera Maya, Mexico
The stretch from Cancun to Tulum has December highs in the low to mid-80s °F, warm Caribbean water and generally clear skies. Playa del Carmen is the most balanced base: a swimmable beach, a walkable town, and access to cenotes, Cozumel and Mayan ruins. Cancun's Hotel Zone has the biggest beaches and the most consistent quality, though the resort atmosphere is not for everyone. Sargassum seaweed is mostly a spring and summer problem on this coast, but it can appear out of season, so check recent reports before you book.
December costs: Cancun is one of the cheapest and best-served airports in the region from the US. Independent travel in Playa del Carmen can run $80 to $150 a day for hotel, food and activities; all-inclusive resorts vary widely.
Costa Rica's Pacific Coast
December marks the start of Costa Rica's dry season on the Pacific side. Guanacaste province (Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, Nosara) has warm water, steady sunshine and wildlife close to the beaches: howler monkeys are common, and several beaches are turtle nesting sites. The Pacific side has more reliable December weather than the Caribbean side, which can get rain at any time of year.
December costs: mid-range hotels run roughly $80 to $150 a night. Costa Rica is not as cheap as Mexico: restaurant meals and activities such as zip-lining and surf lessons add up quickly.
Southeast Asia: Long-Haul Value
Thailand (the Andaman Coast)
December is peak season on Thailand's Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta), with highs in the upper 80s °F, calm seas and good visibility for snorkeling and diving. The Phi Phi Islands, Railay Beach and the Hong Islands near Krabi are at their best.
The Gulf of Thailand islands are a different story. Koh Samui and Koh Phangan get their heaviest rain from mid-October to early December, with November the wettest month on Samui's long-term records (about 445 mm, per the climate data summarized on Ko Samui's Wikipedia page). For an early or mid-December trip, the Andaman side is the safer choice.
December costs: the flight from the US is long (roughly 18 to 24 hours with connections) and is the biggest single cost. On the ground, budget travelers can manage on $30 to $50 a day and mid-range travelers on $60 to $120. Simple beach bungalows on Koh Lanta can be found for $40 to $80 a night.
Bali, Indonesia
December falls in Bali's wet season. Rain often comes as heavy afternoon or evening downpours rather than all-day rain, but full wet days do happen and humidity is high. Average highs are around 90°F. Prices are generally lower than in the July and August peak, except over Christmas and New Year, which is one of the island's busiest and most expensive weeks. Seminyak and Canggu have consistent surf, and the Bukit Peninsula (Padang Padang, Uluwatu) has the most dramatic cliff-and-beach scenery.
December costs: daily expenses are low; mid-range travelers can cover accommodation, food and transport for $40 to $80 a day, and villas with a private pool can be found from around $80 to $120 a night.
Indian Ocean: Luxury Options
Maldives
The Maldives' dry season (the northeast monsoon) starts around December, bringing calmer seas and good underwater visibility. The overwater-villa resorts and the snorkeling and diving are the draw. The trade-off is cost: this is one of the most expensive beach destinations on earth.
December costs: luxury resorts start around $500 a night and often exceed $2,000. Budget options exist on inhabited local islands such as Maafushi, with guesthouses from about $50 a night, but the experience is very different from a resort island (alcohol, for example, is not sold on local islands).
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar has long white beaches on its north and east coasts (Nungwi, Paje, Jambiani) at far lower prices than the Maldives. December comes at the end of the "short rains", which peak in November and December, so expect some showers. On the east coast the tide goes out a long way at low water; Nungwi in the north is better for swimming at all tides. Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and spice tours and dhow sunset cruises are the main activities beyond the beach.
One requirement to know: since October 1, 2024, all visitors to Zanzibar must hold travel insurance issued by the state-owned Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (see the Tanzania visa policy summary); buy it before you fly. Flights from the US usually connect through Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or Nairobi. Beachfront hotels range from about $50 a night (basic) to $300 and up (luxury), and local meals are cheap.
Booking Tips for December Travel
Christmas week (roughly December 20 to January 3) is the most expensive period at almost every warm-weather destination. If your dates are flexible, the first two weeks of December are usually noticeably cheaper for both flights and hotels. Set fare alerts early (Google Flights is free) rather than waiting for last-minute deals, which in December are mostly limited to all-inclusive resorts filling leftover rooms.
Travel insurance with trip-interruption cover is worth considering for December trips: winter storms at northern departure airports cause cancellations and missed connections. Prices depend on trip cost and age, so compare the cover, not just the premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest warm beach destination in December?
For travelers from the US, Mexico's Riviera Maya is usually the best total value: Cancun has many direct flights, and independent travel in Playa del Carmen can run $80 to $150 a day. Thailand and Bali are cheaper on the ground ($30 to $80 a day), but the long-haul flight is a much bigger cost.
Where is the warmest beach in December?
The tropics near the equator: Thailand's Andaman coast, Bali and the Maldives all have December highs in the mid to upper 80s °F and sea temperatures in the low 80s. In the Caribbean, Aruba and the southern islands are warmest, with highs in the mid-80s °F.
Is Koh Samui good in December?
Early December is risky. Koh Samui and the other Gulf of Thailand islands get their heaviest rain from mid-October to early December, with November the wettest month. The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta) is in its dry peak season in December.
Which Caribbean island is best in December?
Aruba has the most reliable weather (dry and south of the main hurricane track). Turks and Caicos has the best-known beach (Grace Bay). Barbados has the most local culture and food. The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on November 30, so all three are past it by December.
Is December a good time to visit Bali?
It can be, if you accept rain. December is in Bali's wet season, usually as heavy afternoon or evening showers, though full wet days happen. Prices are generally below the July and August peak, except over Christmas and New Year, which is one of the busiest weeks of the year.
Do I need special insurance for Zanzibar?
Yes. Since October 1, 2024, all visitors to Zanzibar must hold travel insurance issued by the state-owned Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Buy it before you travel.
When is the cheapest time to take a December beach trip?
The first two weeks of December. Christmas week (roughly December 20 to January 3) is the most expensive period at almost every warm-weather destination, so leaving by mid-month usually saves on both flights and hotels.
