Wondering where’s hot in December when the UK is dealing with cold mornings, short days and unpredictable winter weather?

December is an excellent time to search for winter sunshine. Depending on how far you’re prepared to travel, you can find everything from pleasantly warm Canary Island beaches to tropical Caribbean resorts and southern hemisphere cities enjoying the beginning of summer.

But not every destination advertised as a December sun escape has the same weather. Some are hot and dry, while others are warm but enter their rainy season.

To help you choose, we’ve rounded up 10 destinations to consider when deciding where’s hot in December, including approximate weather expectations, what each destination is best for and some important seasonal considerations.

Where’s Hot in December?

If you’re looking for reliable warmth, some of the strongest December options include:

  • Dubai
  • Tenerife
  • Cancún
  • Cape Town
  • Sydney
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Zanzibar
  • Barbados
  • Phuket
  • Bali

The right destination depends on whether you want guaranteed heat, a shorter flight, beaches, sightseeing or a full tropical escape.

Here’s a closer look at where’s hot in December for UK travellers.

1. Dubai, UAE

Dubai is one of the easiest answers to where’s hot in December if you want warm sunshine without the extreme summer heat.

December falls within Dubai’s cooler season, making it much more comfortable for sightseeing than July or August.

Days are generally warm enough for:

  • Beaches
  • Hotel pools
  • Desert trips
  • Outdoor dining
  • Sightseeing
  • Walking around the city

December is also one of Dubai’s busiest periods.

Christmas, winter-sun demand and New Year’s Eve celebrations can push up flight and hotel prices, so it’s worth comparing dates early.

Dubai suits travellers who want warm weather combined with modern attractions, resorts, shopping and restaurants.

Our guide to the best time to visit Dubai explains Dubai’s seasons in more detail.

2. Tenerife, Canary Islands

If you want to know where’s hot in December without taking a long-haul flight, Tenerife is one of the most practical choices.

The Canary Islands enjoy relatively mild winter conditions compared with mainland Europe.

Southern Tenerife is particularly popular for winter-sun holidays, with resorts including:

  • Costa Adeje
  • Playa de las Américas
  • Los Cristianos

December isn’t tropical.

Evenings can feel cooler and weather can vary, but daytime conditions are often considerably warmer and sunnier than the UK.

Sea temperatures and pool temperatures may also feel cool to some travellers, so a heated hotel pool can be worthwhile.

Tenerife is a particularly good choice for families and couples wanting a manageable flight time from Britain.

You can also read our guide to things to do in Tenerife.

3. Cancún, Mexico

Cancún is an excellent long-haul option for travellers deciding where’s hot in December.

Mexico’s Caribbean coast enjoys warm tropical conditions, and December falls outside the main summer rainy period described by Mexico’s official tourism information.

Cancún offers:

  • Caribbean beaches
  • Warm sea temperatures
  • Resort hotels
  • Snorkelling
  • Diving
  • Day trips
  • Mayan archaeological sites

December can be popular because travellers from colder parts of North America and Europe head south for winter sun.

Christmas and New Year can therefore be expensive.

For better-value December travel, compare earlier dates before the main festive rush.

Cancún works particularly well if your priority is a resort-style beach holiday with plenty of excursions available nearby.

4. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is one of the strongest options when researching where’s hot in December.

December is summer in South Africa.

Cape Town Tourism describes the city’s summer as generally warm and dry, with December falling within the main summer season.

That creates excellent conditions for:

  • Table Mountain
  • Beaches
  • Cape Peninsula drives
  • Outdoor restaurants
  • Hiking
  • Wine regions
  • Waterfront attractions

Cape Town’s weather can still change quickly, and strong winds are a feature of the city’s summer climate.

But compared with a British December, you’ll be arriving in a completely different season.

December is also busy, particularly around Christmas and New Year.

Book popular accommodation and activities early if you’re travelling during the festive period.

5. Sydney, Australia

Sydney is another obvious answer to where’s hot in December because December marks the beginning of Australian summer.

The city combines beaches with a major urban break.

You could spend your trip visiting:

  • Sydney Harbour
  • Sydney Opera House
  • Bondi Beach
  • Manly
  • The Rocks
  • Coastal walking routes
  • Restaurants and bars

The official Sydney tourism site promotes the city as a year-round destination with beaches, outdoor attractions and a packed events calendar.

December becomes particularly busy towards New Year’s Eve.

Sydney’s harbour fireworks are internationally famous, which means accommodation in desirable locations can become extremely expensive.

If New Year’s Eve isn’t essential, earlier December dates may offer better availability.

6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio is a strong choice if your idea of where’s hot in December involves beaches, culture and a lively city atmosphere.

December marks the transition into Brazilian summer.

Official Brazilian tourism information describes Rio as having a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year, although summer also brings rainfall.

Popular experiences include:

  • Copacabana
  • Ipanema
  • Christ the Redeemer
  • Sugarloaf Mountain
  • Samba
  • Tijuca Forest

December can be humid and showers are possible, so don’t interpret “hot” as meaning guaranteed cloudless weather every day.

New Year’s Eve at Copacabana is a huge event and attracts large crowds.

If you’re visiting over the festive period, plan transport and accommodation well in advance.

7. Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar can be a tempting choice for travellers wondering where’s hot in December and dreaming of tropical beaches.

Temperatures remain warm, while the island offers:

  • White-sand beaches
  • Snorkelling
  • Diving
  • Stone Town
  • Spice tours
  • Swahili culture

The weather deserves some nuance.

Zanzibar’s official tourism information highlights June to October as the core dry season, although some descriptions extend relatively dry conditions towards December.

December can therefore be warm and attractive, but you shouldn’t assume completely dry weather.

Conditions can vary and showers are possible.

For many travellers, Zanzibar’s combination of tropical temperatures and Indian Ocean beaches still makes it an appealing December escape.

8. Barbados

Barbados is another classic destination when deciding where’s hot in December.

December comes around the transition towards the Caribbean’s drier season.

You can expect tropical warmth, beaches and plenty of sunshine, although showers can still occur.

Barbados is particularly appealing for:

  • Beach holidays
  • Swimming
  • Snorkelling
  • Sailing
  • Restaurants
  • Resort stays
  • Exploring the island

December demand increases as travellers escape European and North American winter.

Prices can rise considerably around Christmas and New Year.

Travelling earlier in the month may provide a better balance between weather and cost.

9. Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is one of Southeast Asia’s strongest winter-sun options.

December generally falls within the drier part of the year on Thailand’s Andaman coast, making it popular for beach holidays.

Travellers can enjoy:

  • Beaches
  • Island trips
  • Boat tours
  • Thai food
  • Snorkelling
  • Resorts
  • Nightlife

This favourable weather also makes December one of Phuket’s busier periods.

If you’re researching where’s hot in December primarily for a tropical beach holiday, Phuket deserves serious consideration.

Just remember that popular resorts can become crowded during Christmas and New Year.

Book accommodation with flexible cancellation where possible and compare several areas of the island.

10. Bali, Indonesia

Bali is warm in December, but this destination needs an important correction from the original version of this article.

December is not Bali’s dry season.

Official Indonesian tourism information says Bali generally experiences its wet season between November and March, while the drier period typically runs from around April to October.

That doesn’t mean you can’t visit.

Bali remains warm and tropical.

Rain often arrives in heavy showers rather than necessarily lasting all day, but December can bring high humidity and significant rainfall.

Bali can therefore work if you’re looking for:

  • Warm temperatures
  • Resorts
  • Temples
  • Restaurants
  • Spa breaks
  • Culture
  • Tropical scenery

But if your main requirement is the driest possible beach weather, other destinations on this list may be stronger.

Our guide to why Bali is a popular honeymoon destination offers more inspiration.

Where’s Hot in December for a Short-Haul Holiday?

For UK travellers who don’t want to spend most of a day flying, Tenerife is one of the strongest options.

You won’t get the same tropical heat as the Caribbean or Southeast Asia, but the Canary Islands offer much milder winter temperatures than Britain.

Other Canary Islands can also be worth comparing, including:

  • Gran Canaria
  • Lanzarote
  • Fuerteventura

The southern parts of the islands are often particularly popular for winter sunshine.

If flight time matters as much as temperature, the Canary Islands provide a useful compromise.

Where’s Hot in December in Europe?

Truly hot European weather is difficult to guarantee in December.

Southern destinations such as:

  • Cyprus
  • Malta
  • Southern Spain
  • Madeira

can be much milder than the UK, but they shouldn’t be marketed as guaranteed hot beach destinations during winter.

If you specifically want temperatures suitable for sunbathing every day, look further south towards the Canary Islands, Middle East, Caribbean, Africa or Asia.

Understanding this difference can prevent disappointment when deciding where’s hot in December.

Where’s Hot in December for a Beach Holiday?

For serious beach weather, consider:

Cancún for Caribbean beaches and resort holidays.

Barbados for classic Caribbean winter sunshine.

Phuket for tropical beaches and island trips.

Zanzibar for Indian Ocean scenery and warm temperatures.

Dubai for resort beaches combined with city attractions.

Tenerife if you prefer a shorter flight and don’t need tropical heat.

Bali remains warm but comes with a greater risk of wet-season showers.

Where’s Hot in December for Families?

Tenerife and Dubai are particularly straightforward choices for many UK families.

Both have extensive tourism infrastructure, family hotels and large selections of attractions.

Tenerife offers the advantage of a shorter journey.

Dubai offers warmer weather alongside indoor attractions that provide alternatives if younger travellers need a break from the sun.

Cancún can also work extremely well for resort holidays, but the longer flight may be an important consideration with young children.

School holiday dates can make Christmas travel expensive, so compare total holiday costs rather than concentrating solely on airfares.

Where’s Hot in December for Couples?

Couples have an enormous choice.

For luxury and restaurants, consider Dubai.

For tropical beaches, look at Barbados, Zanzibar or Phuket.

For a combination of city experiences and coast, Cape Town, Sydney and Rio are particularly appealing.

Bali can still make an excellent romantic trip despite the wet season if spas, culture, food and resorts matter more than guaranteed dry beach days.

The best destination depends on the type of holiday you want rather than temperature alone.

Where’s Hot in December for New Year’s Eve?

Several destinations on this list are particularly famous for New Year celebrations.

Sydney has its harbour fireworks.

Dubai hosts major celebrations around landmarks including the Burj Khalifa.

Rio de Janeiro attracts enormous crowds to Copacabana.

Cape Town also offers a lively festive season.

These can be memorable places to welcome the new year, but they’re rarely the cheapest time to visit.

Flights and accommodation can sell quickly and prices can increase sharply.

Book early if New Year’s Eve is central to your trip.

Is December a Good Month for Winter Sun?

Absolutely.

The main advantage is choice.

Because December is winter in the northern hemisphere but summer in parts of the southern hemisphere, you can choose between very different climates.

You could take a relatively short trip to Tenerife, head east to Dubai, travel to tropical Asia or escape to the southern hemisphere.

The important thing is to look beyond average temperatures.

Check:

  • Rainfall
  • Humidity
  • Sea conditions
  • Seasonal storms
  • Flight duration
  • Christmas demand
  • Local events
  • Entry requirements
  • Total holiday price

That gives you a much better picture than simply searching where’s hot in December and choosing whichever destination reports the highest temperature.

Is December Expensive for Travel?

It can be, particularly around Christmas and New Year.

Flights and hotels respond to demand, so prices can increase sharply when UK schools close and people begin festive trips.

If you have flexibility, compare:

  • Early December
  • Midweek departures
  • Alternative UK airports
  • Different trip lengths
  • Several destinations

The first two weeks of December can sometimes be very different in price from the Christmas and New Year period.

Our guide to Christmas travel contains more advice for planning festive journeys.

What Should You Check Before Booking?

Once you’ve decided where’s hot in December, check the practical details before paying.

Look at:

  • Passport requirements
  • Visas or travel authorisations
  • Current travel advice
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination or health guidance where relevant
  • Seasonal weather
  • Baggage allowances
  • Airport transfers
  • Cancellation terms

For current destination-specific advice, check GOV.UK foreign travel advice.

Don’t rely entirely on an old travel guide for entry requirements because they can change independently of the weather.

Where’s Hot in December? The Verdict

If you’re wondering where’s hot in December, you have plenty of options.

For a shorter journey from the UK, Tenerife is one of the most convenient winter-sun destinations.

For reliable warmth and a mix of beaches and attractions, Dubai is hard to beat.

For tropical beach holidays, consider Cancún, Barbados, Phuket or Zanzibar.

For southern hemisphere summer, Cape Town, Sydney and Rio de Janeiro offer warm weather combined with major city experiences.

And while Bali remains hot, remember that December falls within its wet season, so it isn’t the guaranteed dry-weather escape the original version of this guide suggested.

Ultimately, the best answer to where’s hot in December depends on how far you want to fly, how much heat you want and whether you’re prioritising beaches, sightseeing, nightlife or value.

Once you’ve chosen your winter-sun destination, you can find flights, search for hotels and compare car hire with TravelHype.