Where is Hot in December?
Escape the winter cold with 10 warm December destinations, including Thailand, Barbados, Dubai, and Jamaica, with weather, sunshine, flight times, and travel tips.
December brings winter across Europe and North America, but the world stays hot in December from Southeast Asia to East Africa and the Americas.
Where is hot in December for beach holidays, wildlife safaris, and sun escapes from the cold? This covers the ten best hot destinations in December with verified temperature data, sunshine hours, humidity, and connectivity advice for every destination.
Where is Hot in December At a Glance
|
Destination |
Avg Temp |
Sunshine hrs/day |
Humidity |
| Thailand | 26-32°C / 79-90°F | 8-9 | 65% |
| Barbados | 26-29°C / 79-84°F | 8-9 | 70% |
| Philippines | 27-30°C / 81-86°F | 7-8 | 70% |
| Dubai, UAE | 20-26°C / 68-79°F | 9-10 | 60% |
| Cancun, Mexico | 24-28°C / 75-82°F | 7-8 | 72% |
| Kenya | 27-30°C / 81-86°F | 8 | 75% |
| Sri Lanka | 27-32°C / 81-90°F | 8-9 | 70% |
| Queensland, Australia | 28-33°C / 82-91°F | 8-9 | 65% |
| Vietnam | 26-33°C / 79-91°F | 6-7 | 73% |
| Jamaica | 25-30°C / 77-86°F | 7-8 | 72% |
Climate data sourced from Climate-Data.org.
Thailand
December marks the start of the Andaman coast's prime dry season, with Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Lanta settling into calm, clear conditions ideal for reef diving and beach travel.
The Gulf of Thailand side improves through the month as the northeast monsoon subsides, making December a reliable month across both coastlines.
Low humidity and steady sunshine place it among the most consistently hot in December destinations across Asia.
- Type of heat in Thailand in December: Warm tropical, low humidity, coastal sea breeze on islands
- Average temperature in Thailand in December: 26-32°C (79-90°F)
- Average daily sunshine hours: 8-9 hours
- Average flight time from London: approximately 11 hours
- Humidity: 65%
- Best time: Best time to visit Thailand is November through March for the Andaman coast
Stay connected in Thailand: A Thailand eSIM activates before you land and covers both coastlines. An eSIM pack for Thailand from Jetpac starts at USD 4.
Barbados
December opens Barbados's dry season, with the northeast trade winds settling the Atlantic-facing east coast swell and the calmer Caribbean west coast at Holetown and Paynes Bay delivering ideal swimming conditions.
The island's flying fish season peaks in the cooler months, making Oistins Fish Fry on Friday evenings one of the most genuinely local food experiences in the Caribbean calendar.
- Type of heat in Barbados in December: Warm tropical Caribbean, low rainfall, constant northeast trade wind
- Average temperature in Barbados in December: 26-29°C (79-84°F)
- Average daily sunshine hours: 8-9 hours
- Average flight time from London: approximately 8.5-9 hours
- Humidity: 70%
- Best time: December through April for dry season conditions
Stay connected in Barbados: A Barbados eSIM keeps navigation and activity bookings live across the island. An eSIM pack for Barbados from Jetpac starts at USD 7.
Philippines
December opens the dry season across Palawan's western coast, with El Nido's limestone islands and Coron's dive sites reaching their clearest underwater visibility of the year.
The Amihan northeast wind brings dry, settled conditions across the western archipelago while Cebu and Bohol maintain largely rain-free warmth through the month.
- Type of heat in the Philippines in December: Tropical dry heat with coastal breeze across western island groups
- Average temperature in the Philippines in December: 27-30°C (81-86°F)
- Average daily sunshine hours: 7-8 hours
- Average flight time from London: approximately 14-15 hours
- Humidity: 70%
- Best time: November through May for Palawan and western island groups
Stay connected in the Philippines: A Philippines eSIM connects across major island groups from arrival. An eSIM pack for the Philippines from Jetpac starts at USD 4.
Dubai, UAE
December brings Dubai's most comfortable outdoor temperatures of the year, settling into clear, dry 20-26°C conditions ideal for desert excursions, marina dining, and open-air beach visits.
With 9-10 daily sunshine hours and near-zero rainfall, it ranks among the most consistent hot destinations in December for city-focused travel.
- Type of heat in Dubai in December: Desert warmth, very low humidity, negligible rainfall
- Average temperature in Dubai in December: 20-26°C (68-79°F)
- Average daily sunshine hours: 9-10 hours
- Average flight time from London: approximately 7 hours
- Humidity: 60%
- Best time: The best time to visit Dubai is November through March
Stay connected in Dubai: A Dubai eSIM covers 4G and 5G across the emirate and connects on landing. An eSIM pack for Dubai from Jetpac starts at USD 4.
Read more: November delivers many of the same dry-season conditions across Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, often at lower prices than the December peak travel window. 👉 Where is Hot in November?
Cancun, Mexico
December's dry northeast trade wind settles Caribbean swells along the Yucatan hotel zone and creates ideal early-morning conditions for visiting Chichen Itza and the ruins at Tulum.
Caribbean water temperatures stay above 26°C through the month, keeping reef snorkeling and cenote swimming comfortable throughout.
- Type of heat in Cancun in December: Tropical Caribbean warmth, low rainfall, light sea breeze
- Average temperature in Cancun in December: 24-28°C (75-82°F)
- Average daily sunshine hours: 7-8 hours
- Average flight time from London: approximately 10 hours direct
- Humidity: 72%
- Best time: Best time to visit Cancun is December through April
Stay connected in Cancun: A Mexico eSIM activates instantly across the Yucatan Peninsula. An eSIM pack for Mexico from Jetpac starts at USD 4.
Kenya
December's coastal dry period delivers consistent warmth along Diani Beach and Watamu on Kenya's Indian Ocean shore.
Interior game reserves transition into green season, concentrating wildlife around permanent water sources and creating strong wildlife photography conditions with notably fewer visitors than peak months.
- Type of heat in Kenya in December: East African tropical, coastal humidity moderated by Indian Ocean breeze
- Average temperature in Kenya in December: 27-30°C (81-86°F)
- Average daily sunshine hours: 8 hours
- Average flight time from London: approximately 8-9 hours
- Humidity: 75%
- Best time: January through March and July through October for peak safari conditions
Stay connected in Kenya: A Kenya eSIM connects for park navigation and lodge communication. An eSIM pack for Kenya from Jetpac starts at USD 6.
Read more: January pushes many of the same coastal and safari destinations into their driest and clearest conditions, with peak beach weather across Asia and East Africa. 👉 Where is Hot in January?
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's east coast enters its primary dry season in December while the southwest coast experiences monsoon conditions.
Trincomalee and Nilaveli Beach deliver calm swimming, clear offshore waters, and accommodation rates significantly lower than those the busy southwest coast commands during its peak season.
- Type of heat in Sri Lanka in December: Dry tropical on the east coast; humid monsoon on the southwest coast
- Average temperature in Sri Lanka in December: 27-32°C (81-90°F)
- Average daily sunshine hours: 8-9 hours (east coast)
- Average flight time from London: approximately 10-11 hours
- Humidity: 70% (east coast)
- Best time: Best time to visit Sri Lanka is December through March for the east coast; May through September for the southwest coast
Stay connected in Sri Lanka: A Sri Lanka eSIM connects across both coasts without SIM swaps. An eSIM pack for Sri Lanka from Jetpac starts at USD 4.
Queensland, Australia
December is midsummer across Queensland, with the Gold Coast and Whitsunday Islands in full peak season.
Early December brings the Great Barrier Reef's clearest underwater visibility before the tropical wet season arrives further north in the Cairns region from January.
- Type of heat in Queensland in December: Southern Hemisphere summer, more humid in tropical north, drier on the Gold Coast
- Average temperature in Queensland in December: 28-33°C (82-91°F)
- Average daily sunshine hours: 8-9 hours
- Average flight time from London: approximately 21-22 hours
- Humidity: 65% on Gold Coast; higher in Cairns
- Best time: Best time to visit is December through February for the Gold Coast; June through August for Cairns
Stay connected in Queensland: An Australia eSIM activates on landing across 4G and 5G networks nationwide. An eSIM pack for Australia from Jetpac starts at USD 2.5.
Read more: February keeps many of these destinations in full peak dry season while Southern Hemisphere summer continues across Australia and the Indian Ocean islands. 👉 Where is Hot in February?
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City and the central coast around Da Nang and Hoi An enter their dry season in December, delivering clear skies and stable warmth across both regions.
Vietnam is among the most affordable hot in December destinations on this list, with street food, guesthouses, and local transport running well below comparable prices elsewhere in Asia.
- Type of heat in Vietnam in December: Dry tropical in the south; warm coastal in central Vietnam; significantly cooler in Hanoi
- Average temperature in Vietnam in December: 26-33°C (79-91°F) in the south and central
- Average daily sunshine hours: 6-7 hours
- Average flight time from London: approximately 11-12 hours
- Humidity: 73%
- Best time: Best time to visit Vietnam is December through March for the south and central coast
Stay connected in Vietnam: A Vietnam eSIM connects instantly to local 4G networks across major cities and coastal towns. An eSIM pack for Vietnam from Jetpac starts at USD 4.
Jamaica
December marks the start of Jamaica's dry season, with Montego Bay's hotel strip and Negril's Seven Mile Beach entering their most settled conditions of the year.
The Blue Mountains receive their clearest skies in December, making the overnight trail to Blue Mountain Peak genuinely rewarding, while Dunn's River Falls near Ocho Rios sees manageable visitor numbers before the peak Christmas week rush arrives.
- Type of heat in Jamaica in December: Warm Caribbean tropical, northeast trade winds, moderate humidity, dry season onset
- Average temperature in Jamaica in December: 25-30°C (77-86°F)
- Average daily sunshine hours: 7-8 hours
- Average flight time from London: approximately 9-10 hours
- Humidity: 72%
- Best time: The Best time to visit Jamaica is December through April for dry season conditions
Stay connected in Jamaica: A Jamaica eSIM keeps navigation and resort bookings live across the island. An eSIM pack for Jamaica from Jetpac starts at USD 7.
Read more: March opens new spring destinations as the Southern Hemisphere summer winds down and warmth extends across North Africa and the Mediterranean. 👉 Where is Hot in March?
Before You Go - Practical Tips for December Travel
Knowing where is hot in December is the first planning step. Every destination on this list is genuinely hot in December, with UV indices between 9 and 12 throughout the month. Key practical points:
- Book 8 to 12 weeks ahead: The December 20 to January 3 window carries the highest flight and hotel prices of the year across all ten hot destinations in December on this list
- Sun protection: UV index reaches 9 to 12 at every destination. Apply SPF 50 or above and reapply every two hours outdoors
- eSIM before departure: Setting up an eSIM for international travel before your flight prevents airport SIM queues and ensures connectivity from the moment you land
- Pack for the heat: Light breathable fabrics, reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, and a front-facing day bag cover all ten destinations
- Visas: Check requirements 4 weeks ahead. Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Australia each require electronic pre-authorization before arrival
Travelers heading to a warm destination for the first time will benefit from practical travel tips for first-time flyers covering airport processes, documentation, and long-haul preparation.
Stay Connected Wherever You Go in December With Jetpac
Arriving in hot December destinations means relying on mobile data immediately. Navigation from the airport, accommodation check-in, transfer bookings, and local discovery all require live connectivity from the moment you land.
Jetpac's eSIM for international travel covers all ten destinations on this list across Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and the Americas. Plans start from USD 2, require no physical SIM swap, and install before you leave home.
Unrestricted hotspot sharing covers travel companions on the same plan, and a 100 percent money-back guarantee plus 24/7 WhatsApp support from real people are available throughout every trip.
FAQs
What are the top hot destinations in December?
Thailand, Barbados, Dubai, Cancun, and Queensland, Australia are the most consistently warm and hot destinations in December, with 7 or more daily sunshine hours across the full month.
Where is hot in December on a budget?
Vietnam and the Philippines are the most affordable options, with daily budgets of USD 40 to USD 60 covering accommodation, food, and local transport across both destinations.
What should I pack for a hot destination in December?
Light breathable fabrics, SPF 50 sunscreen, reef-safe formula for snorkeling stops, a wide-brim hat, water shoes, and a front-facing day bag suit all ten destinations on this list.
What is the weather like in Thailand in December?
Thailand averages 26-32°C with 8-9 daily sunshine hours and 65 percent humidity across the Andaman coast, making it one of the most comfortable hot-weather conditions in December in Southeast Asia.
How can I stay safe and healthy in hot weather while travelling?
Drink at least 2 liters of water daily, reapply sunscreen every two hours, and limit sustained outdoor activity between midday and 3 pm when UV index peaks across all ten destinations.
Is December peak, shoulder, or off-season for these destinations?
Most destinations on this list are peak season in December. The Seychelles and Kenya's interior are shoulder season with lower rates, while Sri Lanka's east coast runs off-peak relative to the busier southwest.
What is the cheapest hot destination in December?
Vietnam offers the lowest daily costs with street food from USD 1 to USD 3, guesthouses from USD 15 per night, and domestic transport well below equivalent costs elsewhere in Asia.
How can I stay connected while traveling to hot December destinations?
A Jetpac eSIM installed before departure covers all ten destinations on 4G and 5G networks from USD 2.5, with no airport SIM purchase needed and 24/7 WhatsApp support available throughout your trip.
Disclaimer
The information in this blog was accurate at the time of writing. Weather, prices, flight schedules, entry requirements, and other travel details may change after publication. Jetpac is not responsible for any changes after publication. Always verify the latest information with relevant official sources before travelling.
