Travel · 8 min read
Where Is It Warm in December? 26 Winter Sun Destinations Compared
In December the average high in New York drops to about 7°C (45°F) and in London to 9°C (48°F), and the days are at their shortest. If you would rather spend the holidays in the sun, there is plenty of choice, but the differences between destinations are bigger than many people expect. We compared 26 winter sun destinations on their average December temperatures and sea temperatures.
Photo: Lanikai Beach, Oahu, by claralieu, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
- Hottest: Costa Rica's Guanacaste coast (31°C, 88°F), Phuket, Bali and Rio de Janeiro reach about 29°C (84°F) or more, but Bali and Rio are in their rainy season.
- Caribbean: Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica and Puerto Rico average about 28°C (82°F), with sea temperatures of 28°C (82°F) or more.
- Closest from the US: Miami (25°C, 77°F), Key West and Honolulu stay in the mid to upper 70s °F; Orlando and Phoenix are milder, around 19 to 23°C (66 to 73°F).
- From the UK: Dubai (26°C, 79°F) and Cape Verde (26°C, 79°F) are summer-warm; the Canary Islands and Egypt's Red Sea coast reach about 22°C (72°F).
- Watch out: Cape Town is in summer, but the Atlantic there is only about 15°C (59°F).
In this article
How warm is it in December? The comparisonTropical heat: Costa Rica, Thailand and the southern CaribbeanHot but wet: Bali and Rio de JaneiroMexico and the Bahamas: warm and a short flight awayWarm weather in the US: Florida, Hawaii and the SouthwestWinter sun from the UK and EuropeSummer in the southern hemisphere: Sydney and Cape TownChristmas and New Year in the sunFrequently asked questionsHow warm is it in December? The comparison
December averages per destination: the daily high and low for 2015-2024, and the sea surface temperature for December 2023 and 2024. New York and London are at the bottom for comparison.
| Destination | Avg high | Avg low | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | 30.9°C (88°F) | 24.4°C (76°F) | 28.6°C (83°F) |
| Phuket | 29.1°C (84°F) | 24.6°C (76°F) | 29.3°C (85°F) |
| Bali | 29.1°C (84°F) | 24.3°C (76°F) | 30.0°C (86°F) |
| Rio de Janeiro | 28.9°C (84°F) | 22.7°C (73°F) | 24.5°C (76°F) |
| Aruba | 28.8°C (84°F) | 25.9°C (79°F) | 28.0°C (82°F) |
| Barbados | 28.5°C (83°F) | 24.6°C (76°F) | 28.5°C (83°F) |
| Montego Bay | 28.5°C (83°F) | 23.1°C (74°F) | 28.6°C (83°F) |
| San Juan | 28.4°C (83°F) | 22.9°C (73°F) | 28.4°C (83°F) |
| Punta Cana | 27.4°C (81°F) | 24.2°C (76°F) | 28.2°C (83°F) |
| Puerto Vallarta | 27.1°C (81°F) | 19.1°C (66°F) | 26.9°C (80°F) |
| Cancún | 26.9°C (80°F) | 22.6°C (73°F) | 27.5°C (82°F) |
| Cabo San Lucas | 26.5°C (80°F) | 18.3°C (65°F) | 25.3°C (78°F) |
| Dubai | 26.4°C (80°F) | 17.2°C (63°F) | 25.0°C (77°F) |
| Cape Verde (Sal) | 25.8°C (78°F) | 21.6°C (71°F) | 25.1°C (77°F) |
| Honolulu | 25.7°C (78°F) | 21.2°C (70°F) | 25.7°C (78°F) |
| Sydney | 25.7°C (78°F) | 17.7°C (64°F) | 21.2°C (70°F) |
| Nassau | 25.6°C (78°F) | 22.5°C (73°F) | 24.9°C (77°F) |
| Miami | 25.1°C (77°F) | 19.6°C (67°F) | 26.0°C (79°F) |
| Key West | 24.2°C (76°F) | 22.3°C (72°F) | 24.8°C (77°F) |
| Cape Town | 23.8°C (75°F) | 16.1°C (61°F) | 14.5°C (58°F) |
| Orlando | 22.7°C (73°F) | 13.7°C (57°F) | – |
| Hurghada | 22.6°C (73°F) | 15.6°C (60°F) | 23.7°C (75°F) |
| Tenerife (south) | 22.1°C (72°F) | 16.7°C (62°F) | 22.4°C (72°F) |
| Marrakech | 21.0°C (70°F) | 6.9°C (44°F) | – |
| Phoenix | 19.0°C (66°F) | 6.4°C (44°F) | – |
| San Diego | 18.0°C (64°F) | 9.0°C (48°F) | 15.9°C (61°F) |
| New York | 7.2°C (45°F) | 0.0°C (32°F) | – |
| London | 9.2°C (49°F) | 4.2°C (40°F) | – |
Source: ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (air) and Open-Meteo Marine (sea). Model averages for a grid cell, not official station records; for small islands and coastal cities the values can be a degree or two below what a local weather station measures.
A monthly average hides the day-to-day swings, so always check the 14-day forecast shortly before you travel.
Tropical heat: Costa Rica, Thailand and the southern Caribbean
The warmest place in our list is the Guanacaste coast of Costa Rica, with an average high of 31°C (88°F). December is the start of the dry season there, and the Pacific is around 29°C (84°F). Phuket comes next at 29°C (84°F), with a sea just as warm; December is the start of the dry season on Thailand's Andaman coast, although a tropical shower is still possible early in the month.
In the Caribbean, Aruba (29°C, 84°F), Barbados, Montego Bay in Jamaica and San Juan in Puerto Rico all average around 28°C (82°F), with nights that rarely drop below 22°C (72°F). The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on November 30, and December is the start of the drier, breezier winter season, although short showers remain common. Aruba sits outside the usual hurricane belt and is one of the driest islands in the region.
Hot but wet: Bali and Rio de Janeiro
Two destinations look great on temperature alone but come with a catch. Bali averages 29°C (84°F), but December falls in its wet season, which runs from about November to March: expect heavy afternoon downpours on many days. Rio de Janeiro is in early summer, with highs of 29°C (84°F) and a sea of about 25°C (77°F), but summer is also its rainiest season, with frequent thunderstorms. Both are still popular, as the showers often pass quickly, but they are not the place for guaranteed sunshine.
Mexico and the Bahamas: warm and a short flight away
For travelers from the US and Canada, Mexico is one of the easiest ways to find warmth. Puerto Vallarta (27°C, 81°F) and Cabo San Lucas (27°C, 81°F) on the Pacific side are in their dry season, with almost no rain. Cancún on the Caribbean coast averages 27°C (81°F) with a sea of 28°C (82°F), warm enough to swim. In winter it is occasionally hit by a norte, a cold front from the north that brings a few days of wind, clouds and cooler air. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic averages 27°C (81°F), and Nassau in the Bahamas 26°C (79°F), a little cooler than the islands further south.
Warm weather in the US: Florida, Hawaii and the Southwest
Within the US, Miami is the classic choice, with an average December high of 25°C (77°F) and a sea of about 26°C (79°F). December is part of its dry season, although a passing cold front can bring a few cooler days. Key West is similar, with the mildest nights in the continental US at about 22°C (72°F). Honolulu averages 26°C (79°F) with a sea of 26°C (79°F); winter is the wetter season in Hawaii and the season of big waves on the north shores.
Further inland it gets cooler. Orlando averages 23°C (73°F) during the day, but nights drop to 14°C (57°F). Phoenix is sunny and dry at 19°C (66°F), but with cold nights around 6°C (43°F). San Diego reaches about 18°C (64°F), pleasant for sightseeing, but with a Pacific of only 16°C (61°F) it is not beach weather.
Winter sun from the UK and Europe
From the UK, Dubai is the most reliable choice in December, with an average high of 26°C (79°F), hardly any rain and a sea of about 25°C (77°F). It is peak season there. Cape Verde (Sal) comes close at 26°C (79°F), with mild nights of 22°C (72°F) and a steady trade wind that makes it popular with kitesurfers.
For a shorter flight, the south of Tenerife averages 22°C (72°F) and Hurghada on Egypt's Red Sea coast 23°C (73°F), both with very little rain and a sea of about 22 to 24°C (72 to 75°F). Marrakech reaches 21°C (70°F) on sunny days, but nights can drop to 7°C (45°F).
Summer in the southern hemisphere: Sydney and Cape Town
In Sydney and Cape Town, December is the start of summer. Sydney averages 26°C (79°F) with a sea of 21°C (70°F), and its New Year's Eve fireworks over the harbor are a big draw. Cape Town is warm and very sunny at 24°C (75°F), but the cold Benguela current keeps the Atlantic at about 15°C (59°F) on the city's west-facing beaches. It can also be very windy: the strong southeasterly wind is so common in summer that locals call it the Cape Doctor.
Christmas and New Year in the sun
Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the winter for sun destinations, so book early. If you are staying home, read about the odds of a white Christmas in 2026 or what to expect for New Year's Eve 2026. And if you are planning further ahead, see where it is warm in January and in February.
Frequently asked questions
Where is it warm in December in the US?
In South Florida and Hawaii. Miami averages 25°C (77°F) in December and Honolulu 26°C (79°F), both with a sea of around 26°C (79°F). Phoenix and Orlando are milder, around 19 to 23°C (66 to 73°F) during the day, with cool nights.
Where is it warm for Christmas?
In the southern Caribbean (Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, about 28°C or 83°F), on Costa Rica's Pacific coast (31°C, 88°F), in Thailand (29°C, 84°F) and in Dubai (26°C, 79°F). Closer to Europe, the Canary Islands reach about 22°C (72°F).
Can you swim in the sea in December?
Yes, in the tropics. The sea is about 28°C (82°F) around Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, 29°C (84°F) at Phuket and about 26°C (79°F) off Miami. Around the Canary Islands it is about 22°C (72°F), cool but fine for a swim. In San Diego and Cape Town the sea is too cold for most people.
Is December a good time to visit the Caribbean?
Yes. The hurricane season ends on November 30, and December is the start of the drier, breezier winter season. Short tropical showers are still common, but they usually pass quickly.
Check the weather in Miami or search another place on the locations page.