From warm African safaris to snowy Polish mountains, discover a handpicked selection of distinctive, often less-mainstream places we at Annual Leave Explorers personally rate for December 2026, with practical tips on weather, highlights and who each destination suits.

Our Favourite Places to Travel in December 2026

December is one of the most varied months for travel. While much of the Northern Hemisphere cools down, many destinations in the Southern Hemisphere and the tropics enter their best weather windows, and a handful of mountain regions come alive with the start of winter sports season. Rather than attempting a definitive “best of” list, this guide is a personal selection of distinctive, often less-mainstream or slightly unexpected places we at Annual Leave Explorers have visited in December and would happily recommend. Whether you fancy warm beaches, wildlife-spotting, cultural city breaks or your first snowfall of the season, there’s a destination here to suit. Below, we share nine of our favourite places to travel in December 2026, why each one shines this month, what to expect, and who each trip is best suited to.

Quick comparison: how our December picks stack up

Destination	Best for	Why December
Mozambique	Beach escapes and diving	Warm, settled weather before the rainy season peaks, with calm seas for diving
Sri Lanka	Beaches, culture and wildlife	The west and south coasts enjoy their dry season, ideal for beaches and safaris
Costa Rica	Rainforest and wildlife adventures	The dry season begins, bringing clearer skies for hiking, surfing and wildlife spotting
Rwanda	Gorilla trekking and wildlife	A short dry spell makes trails more manageable for gorilla trekking
Namibia	Desert landscapes and stargazing	The dry season brings clear skies, cooler desert nights and excellent wildlife viewing at waterholes
Morocco	Culture, desert trips and mild sunshine	Cooler daytime temperatures make exploring cities and the Sahara far more comfortable
Jordan	History, desert landscapes and quieter sites	Mild temperatures and fewer crowds make it easier to explore Petra and Wadi Rum
Mexico	Beaches, culture and festive atmosphere	Dry season weather along much of the coast, plus lively December festivities
Palawan, Philippines	Island-hopping and diving	Typically drier and calmer seas than earlier in the year, good for boat trips
Zakopane, Poland	Snow, skiing and winter scenery	The start of the ski season brings reliable snow cover in the Tatra Mountains

Mozambique: warm beaches and world-class diving

December falls just before the peak of Mozambique’s rainy season, so you’ll generally find warm temperatures, long sunny spells and relatively calm seas, particularly along the central and northern coast. It’s a lovely time for diving and snorkelling around the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, with good underwater visibility and the chance to see manta rays and whale sharks in some areas. Based on our own trips, Mozambique suits travellers who want a quieter, more off-the-beaten-track beach holiday, with an emphasis on marine life over nightlife.

Explore more of the continent on our Africa travel guide, and check conditions directly with Mozambique’s official tourism board before you book.

Sri Lanka: beaches, culture and safaris

Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons that affect different coasts at different times, and December is one of the best months to visit the south and west, including Galle, Mirissa and the Cultural Triangle. Expect warm, generally dry weather, good conditions for beach time, surfing and whale watching, plus excellent visibility for wildlife safaris in parks such as Yala. From our experience, it’s a versatile destination that suits couples, families and independent travellers who want to combine beaches with culture and wildlife in one trip.

Read our full Sri Lanka travel guide, and check seasonal updates with Sri Lanka Tourism.

Costa Rica: rainforest adventures and wildlife

December marks the start of Costa Rica’s dry season on the Pacific coast, bringing clearer skies, less rainfall and easier access to national parks and trails. It’s a great time for hiking in cloud forests, surfing along the Pacific beaches, and spotting wildlife such as sloths, monkeys and a huge variety of birdlife. In our view, Costa Rica suits adventurous travellers, families and nature lovers who want an active, outdoorsy holiday with plenty of variety.

See our Costa Rica guide for more, and check park conditions via the official Costa Rica Tourism Board.

Rwanda: gorilla trekking in comfortable conditions

Rwanda sees a short dry spell in December, between the long and short rainy seasons, which can make trails in Volcanoes National Park a little more manageable for gorilla trekking. Days are generally mild and highlands stay green, with good opportunities for golden monkey tracking too. From our own trekking experiences, this trip suits travellers drawn to wildlife and conservation who don’t mind a physically demanding day of walking at altitude.

Discover more in our Rwanda travel guide, and check permit and trekking details with the Rwanda Development Board’s tourism site.

Morocco: mild sunshine, cities and the Sahara

Morocco’s summer heat fades by December, leaving mild, comfortable daytime temperatures that are far better suited to exploring cities such as Marrakech and Fez on foot, as well as venturing into the Sahara. Evenings and desert nights can be chilly, so warm layers are worth packing. From our time there, this is a good month for culturally curious travellers who want to combine souks, architecture and a desert excursion without the summer heat.

Read our in-depth Morocco itinerary, and check travel advice with the official Morocco National Tourist Office.

Jordan: history and desert landscapes without the crowds

December brings mild daytime temperatures to Jordan, making it a comfortable time to explore Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea without the intense heat of summer. Visitor numbers also tend to be lower than in spring and autumn, so popular sites can feel noticeably quieter. In our experience, Jordan suits history lovers, photographers and travellers who enjoy desert landscapes and don’t mind cooler evenings, particularly in the desert.

See our Jordan travel guide, and check opening hours and updates with the Jordan Tourism Board.

Mexico: beaches, culture and festive atmosphere

December is dry season along much of Mexico’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts, bringing warm, sunny days that suit beach time in destinations like the Riviera Maya, as well as city breaks in Mexico City and Oaxaca. The month also brings festive celebrations, including Las Posadas, adding a lively cultural layer to a trip. From our travels there, Mexico works well for families, couples and groups who want to blend beaches with culture and food.

Plan your trip with our two-week Mexico guide, and check regional advisories with the official Visit Mexico tourism site.

Palawan, Philippines: island-hopping in calmer seas

December typically sees drier, calmer conditions in Palawan compared with the wetter months earlier in the year, which makes for more reliable island-hopping tours around El Nido and Coron. Expect warm, tropical weather, good diving visibility, and the chance to explore limestone lagoons and reefs. From our time on the water there, Palawan suits travellers after a tropical island escape with a strong focus on snorkelling, diving and boat trips, though conditions can still be changeable, so it’s worth checking forecasts close to travel.

Discover more in our Palawan hidden gems guide, and check island regulations with the Philippine Department of Tourism.

Zakopane, Poland: snow, skiing and mountain scenery

For a complete contrast, Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains usually sees the start of its ski season in December, with snow typically settling on the higher slopes and a festive, wintry atmosphere in the town itself. It’s a good option for skiers and snowboarders, as well as travellers who simply want a snowy, Christmas-market style break without flying long-haul. From our own winter visits, snow cover can vary year to year, so it’s worth checking conditions before booking lift passes or lessons.

Read our full Zakopane travel guide, and check snow reports with the official Zakopane tourism site.

Namibia: desert landscapes and stargazing under dry skies

December falls during Namibia’s dry season, bringing long sunny days, cooler desert nights and some of the clearest skies of the year, ideal for stargazing in places like the NamibRand Nature Reserve. It’s a great month for exploring the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, spotting desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland, and watching wildlife gather at waterholes in Etosha National Park. From our own trips, Namibia suits independent-minded travellers who enjoy wide open landscapes, self-drive adventures and a slower, more remote style of travel, though it’s worth noting that December can also bring occasional short, heavy rain showers further north.

Explore more of the continent on our Africa travel guide, and check conditions directly with Namibia Tourism Board before you book.

Frequently asked questions

Where is hot in December?

Destinations such as Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Mexico and Namibia tend to offer warm, sunny conditions in December, as they fall outside the Northern Hemisphere winter and, in several cases, are entering their dry season. These are some of the places we at Annual Leave Explorers have enjoyed in December, rather than an exhaustive list of every hot spot worldwide.

Where is good for wildlife in December?

Rwanda is excellent for gorilla and golden monkey trekking during its short December dry spell, while Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and Namibia also offer strong wildlife-watching opportunities, from safaris and rainforest hikes to desert wildlife encounters around Etosha National Park. These are some of our favourite wildlife-focused picks for this month, based on our own December trips.

Where can I find snow in December?

Zakopane in Poland usually has the best chance of snow in December, as the ski season in the Tatra Mountains typically begins around this time, though conditions vary from year to year. It’s one of our go-to recommendations for a wintry getaway without a long-haul flight.

Booking and weather notes

December is a popular month to travel, particularly around Christmas and New Year, so flights and accommodation for these destinations can book up and rise in price well in advance; it’s worth planning early where possible. Weather patterns described here reflect our experience of typical seasonal trends rather than guarantees, and conditions can shift from year to year, so always check up-to-date forecasts, travel advisories and entry requirements closer to your departure date.

Plan your December trip

Whether you’re after a warm beach escape, a wildlife encounter or your first snowfall of the season, December offers an impressive range of options. This guide shares a personal, experience-based selection from our travels rather than a definitive global ranking, so feel free to treat it as a starting point. For more inspiration and detailed route ideas, browse our full collection of Trip Itineraries to start planning your next adventure.

Europe in December: Festive Weekend City Breaks

As a separate addition to our December destination picks above, here is a round-up of European cities well known for their winter and Christmas markets. Unless a city is already described elsewhere in this guide as somewhere we have personally visited, treat these as suggestions worth considering for a festive weekend away rather than entries from our own visited shortlist.

December is a particularly enjoyable time for a festive city break in Europe. Christmas markets fill squares with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and handmade gifts, while festive lights and decorations transform streets and historic buildings after dark. The cooler weather adds to the seasonal atmosphere, making mugs of hot chocolate, cosy cafes and ice rinks all the more appealing. Many cities also host concerts, carol services, festive markets and cultural events throughout the month, giving visitors plenty to do beyond sightseeing, and the shorter days mean the twinkling lights and market stalls are lit for much of the afternoon and evening.

• Vienna, Austria – Grand imperial architecture paired with elegant Christmas markets around the Rathaus, plus classical concerts for a refined festive experience.
• Strasbourg, France – Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” with one of Europe’s oldest markets and half-timbered streets strung with lights.
• Cologne, Germany – Multiple markets cluster around the cathedral, offering mulled wine and festive crafts against a dramatic Gothic backdrop.
• Nuremberg, Germany – Home to the famous Christkindlesmarkt, a traditional market dating back centuries, known for gingerbread and handcrafted ornaments.
• Dresden, Germany – The Striezelmarkt is one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets, famous for stollen cake and baroque surroundings.
• Prague, Czech Republic – Old Town Square becomes a fairy-tale setting with market stalls, mulled wine and a towering Christmas tree.
• Budapest, Hungary – Markets at Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica combine festive food with light shows projected onto historic facades.
• Krakow, Poland – A charming main square market set against medieval architecture, known for traditional Polish festive treats.
• Tallinn, Estonia – A compact, atmospheric old town market claimed to host one of Europe’s first Christmas trees, with a cosy medieval feel.
• Riga, Latvia – A festive market in the heart of the old town, with handicrafts and seasonal food in a compact, walkable setting.
• Vilnius, Lithuania – An elaborately decorated Cathedral Square tree anchors a quieter, less touristy festive atmosphere.
• Ljubljana, Slovenia – Riverside lights and markets create a particularly picturesque, laid-back festive stroll.
• Zagreb, Croatia – Repeatedly voted among Europe’s best Christmas markets, spreading festive stalls and events across the whole city centre.
• Salzburg, Austria – A classic Alpine Christmas setting with markets beneath the fortress and nearby snow-dusted scenery.
• Innsbruck, Austria – Mountain backdrops and an old town market make this a good choice for combining festive charm with winter scenery.
• Brussels, Belgium – A large Winter Wonders festival with markets, an ice rink and light shows across the historic centre.
• Bruges, Belgium – Canal-side lights and a market on the Markt square give this compact city a particularly romantic festive feel.
• Copenhagen, Denmark – Tivoli Gardens transforms into a festive wonderland with lights, rides and markets, alongside cosy hygge-style cafes.
• Stockholm, Sweden – Markets in the Old Town’s Gamla Stan combine festive food with Scandinavian design and candlelit charm.
• Edinburgh, Scotland – A large Christmas market, ice rink and big wheel set against the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.