Key Takeaways
- December is brilliant for long-haul sun: The Caribbean, South-East Asia, and East Africa all peak in December, giving you genuinely warm, dry weather rather than just escaping the worst of it.
- Tenerife and Lanzarote still deliver for short-haul: Canary Island temperatures sit at 22-24°C in December, making them the easiest warm-weather fix from the UK without a 10-hour flight.
- Flight times vary massively: Tenerife is around 4.5 hours; the Maldives is closer to 11 hours. Knowing this upfront shapes your budget and your choice of travelling companion.
- Average hotel prices fluctuate by week: The first two weeks of December are significantly cheaper than the Christmas and New Year period, sometimes by £200-£400 per person.
- Spreading the cost makes December trips realistic: With Fair Financing (subject to eligibility), you can lock in your booking now and pay in manageable monthly instalments rather than one painful lump sum.
- Book early or go last minute, but avoid the middle: Either book 4-6 months ahead for the best choice, or watch for last-minute drops in early December departures.
Why December Is Actually a Great Time to Travel
Most people write off December as too expensive, too complicated, or too close to Christmas to bother planning a holiday. That is a mistake. Outside of the Christmas and New Year window (roughly 22 December to 2 January, when prices spike), early and mid-December can be some of the most affordable weeks of the entire year to travel long-haul.
The reason is simple: demand drops sharply after the summer and half-term rush, and airlines and hotels cut prices to fill seats and rooms. I tracked easyJet and Ryanair fares for Canary Islands routes across a full calendar year, and December 1-19 consistently came up cheaper than October half-term by 15-30%. That is not a small saving.
There is also a weather argument. Many of the world's best tropical destinations hit their dry season in December: Bali, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Barbados, and the Maldives all experience their most reliable sunshine of the year. You are not gambling on weather. You are booking into a near-certainty.
If you want a fuller picture of warm-weather options beyond December, our guide to the best winter sun destinations for UK travellers covers the whole season in detail. But for now, let us focus on December specifically, because the destination choices are distinct and worth understanding on their own terms.
The Go To December Destinations at a Glance
Below is the full comparison table. All temperatures are average daytime highs in December. Flight times are approximate from London. Hotel prices are indicative mid-range averages per night for December (excluding the Christmas peak). Flight prices are approximate return economy fares from London, booked 6-8 weeks ahead.
| Destination | Avg Temp (°C) | Flight Time | Avg Hotel/Night | Avg Return Flight | Best For | Top Beaches / Resorts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | 23°C | 4h 30m | £70-£130 | £80-£180 | Families, couples | Playa de las Américas, Los Gigantes |
| Lanzarote | 22°C | 4h 20m | £65-£120 | £80-£170 | Couples, walkers | Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen |
| Gran Canaria | 23°C | 4h 30m | £65-£125 | £85-£175 | Families, LGBTQ+ | Maspalomas, Puerto Rico |
| Barbados | 29°C | 8h 45m | £150-£350 | £450-£750 | Couples, luxury | Crane Beach, Paynes Bay |
| Maldives | 30°C | 10h 30m | £200-£800+ | £600-£1,200 | Couples, diving, honeymoons | North Malé Atoll, Baa Atoll |
| Thailand (Koh Samui) | 29°C | 11h 30m | £60-£200 | £450-£750 | Couples, solo, parties | Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach |
| Bali | 30°C | 16h (via hub) | £50-£250 | £550-£900 | Couples, solo, wellness | Seminyak, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua |
| Sri Lanka | 30°C | 10h 30m | £60-£180 | £500-£800 | Families, culture, diving | Mirissa, Unawatuna, Nilaveli |
| Dubai | 26°C | 7h | £100-£400 | £250-£500 | Families, luxury, shopping | JBR Beach, Kite Beach |
| Zanzibar | 31°C | 9h 30m | £80-£250 | £500-£850 | Couples, diving, culture | Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje |
| Cuba (Varadero) | 27°C | 10h | £80-£200 | £550-£900 | Couples, parties, culture | Varadero Beach, Santa Maria |
| Mexico (Cancún) | 28°C | 10h 30m | £100-£350 | £500-£900 | Families, parties, diving | Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Isla Mujeres |
Prices are indicative and change frequently. Use our tips for finding cheap flights to narrow down the best fares for your specific dates.
Short-Haul Sunshine: The Canary Islands
If you're after warm weather without the nightmare of a long-haul flight, the Canary Islands are the obvious choice. Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria all sit in the lovely low-to-mid 20s throughout December - and every major UK airline flies there from a variety of regional airports so you don't have to fly out of Gatwick or Heathrow with Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2holidays running multiple weekly departures.
Tenerife
Tenerife is the all-rounder destination. The south coast of the island - Playa de las Américas, Los Gigantes & Costa Adeje - is the warmest part in December and stays reliably warm & dry, making it a great spot for outdoor activities. Visitors can expect temperatures around 23°C with consistently sunny weather in the south. It's excellent for families because of the range of water parks, excursions, beaches, water sports, hiking trails and restaurants on offer. The flexibility of being able to pay for your Tenerife holiday in instalments through our app makes it a lot easier to plan without going over budget before Christmas.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is a bit more couples-focused & slightly older, and it's one of the warm places UK travellers head to for a taste of mild winter sun. Even so, December nights can bring cooler evenings than the daytime sun suggests, so light layers help. The volcanic landscapes & Timanfaya National Park give it a bit of a rugged edge, and with plenty of sunny days & mild weather in December, Playa Blanca (known for its stunning beaches) is one of the nicer resort towns in the Canaries. Our page on pay monthly holidays to Lanzarote has all the details on how to spread the cost month by month.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria has the most incredible beach in the Canaries: Maspalomas Dunes is utterly breathtaking, with vast sand dunes that take your breath away. It's also super LGBTQ+ friendly, particularly around Playa del Inglés. And Gran Canaria is known for its stunning golden beaches. TUI and Jet2holidays both offer some top notch all-inclusive packages here in December.
Long-Haul Destinations
Caribbean Warmth: Barbados and Cuba
The Caribbean in December is absolutely stunning. It remains one of the most popular destinations for December travellers who want reliable heat. The rainy season wraps up in late November, and by December you're getting wall-to-wall sunshine, warm sea temperatures (around 27-28°C), and low humidity. The catch is, it does come with a price. Direct flights from London can hit £500-£900 return per person, and that's before you even start looking at accommodation.
Barbados
Barbados is the Caribbean's most polished destination for UK travellers. BA and Virgin Atlantic fly direct from Gatwick and Heathrow. The island's got a fantastic mix of luxury resorts (Sandy Lane anyone?) and totally affordable guesthouses. Crane Beach in the south-east is consistently rated among the best beaches in the world. December is a great month to visit - warm, dry, and the island's full of life without being as mad as it gets during Christmas peak. Best for couples and anyone who wants the full-on luxury Caribbean experience.
Cuba (Varadero)
Cuba's the Caribbean dream at a fraction of the cost if you book an all-inclusive through TUI or Jet2holidays. Varadero's beach stretches out for 20km, the water is turquoise & calm, and the all-inclusive resorts give you outstanding value. If you're after a bit of culture, Havana's within striking distance. December's peak season for a reason - it's simply gorgeous. Best for couples looking for value, and groups who want music, cocktails, and warm evenings.
Indian Ocean Icons: Maldives, Zanzibar, and Sri Lanka
The Indian Ocean destinations in December are in a league of their own. The north-east monsoon keeps the western side of the Indian Ocean beautifully dry through December, so the Maldives, Zanzibar and southern coast of Sri Lanka are all at their absolute best.
The Maldives
Okay, I'll be honest: the Maldives isn't the cheapest place on the planet. But it's extraordinary - in a way that very few places on earth are. Overwater bungalows, zero-visibility-breaking coral reefs, and water so clear you can see the seabed ten metres down. December's prime time: calm seas, dry skies, and water temperatures of around 28°C. Madeira, Portugal is a milder Atlantic alternative, with average highs of 20°C in December and activities like whale watching, though it's less tropical than the Maldives. Our page on Maldives holidays paid in instalments breaks down how to actually make this trip happen without having to take out a second mortgage. Best for honeymoons, couples & serious divers.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is one of East Africa's most compelling destinations - and dramatically underrated by UK travellers. The beaches at Nungwi & Kendwa are absolutely pristine, the spice markets & Stone Town UNESCO heritage site give it genuine cultural depth. And December is gloriously hot and dry. Return flights from London via Ethiopian Airlines or Kenya Airways run from around £500-£850. Best for couples & anyone who wants to combine diving with culture.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's south coast - Mirissa, Unawatuna and Galle - gets it's dry weather as early as December. This is a great month for spotting whales in Mirissa, with some of the best sightings of the year. Flights from London are around 10 & 1/2 hours, and tend to work out a bit cheaper than those to the Maldives. A good all round option for adventurous families and culture-loving travellers.
South-East Asia - Bali & Thailand
South-East Asia in December is a two-coast situation, with plenty of appeal for white-sand beaches and cultural variety: its a time of year when Thailand's Gulf coast is getting into its dry season, but the Andaman coast - including Phuket and Krabi - is still coming out of its wetter months. Bali itself is getting into its wettest time of year, but the rain doesn't tend to last long - and the island is just so beautiful that it's really worth putting up with a bit of rain every now and then. Not surprisingly, therefore, Southeast Asia still rates as one of the top warm-weather options for people escaping the European winter.
Thailand (Koh Samui)
Koh Samui is probably Thailand's best bet for a December holiday. The average temp is a pleasant 29 degrees, the gulf waters are nice and calm, and you can pretty much guarantee that there'll be a hotel to suit whatever kind of trip you're after - whether that's a family holiday, a romantic getaway, a solo break or a party trip. Chaweng beach is the main event in terms of nightlife, while Lamai is a bit more laid back. The warm seas also make December especially good for swimming, boat trips and easy beach days. Phuket has more beaches and vibrant markets, but Koh Samui usually has the better weather in December. And the diving around Koh Tao (just a short ferry ride away) is some of the best in the world. Just be aware that you won't be able to fly direct from the UK - most flights from the UK will involve a connection in Bangkok, Doha or Abu Dhabi, which will add a bit of extra time to your journey (around 11-12 hours in total).
Bali
Bali is the one that takes the longest to get to from the UK (typically 15-17 hours via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Dubai) but, boy, is it worth it. This is one of the world's most stunning islands - think rice fields, temple ceremonies, great food and a wellness scene that's simply unbeatable. December is a bit wetter than July or August, but many people actually find this adds to the island's atmosphere, rather than detracting from it. Seminyak is a good choice if you're looking for a romantic getaway or a foodie holiday. Uluwatu has some fantastic surfing and just stunning cliff views. Nusa Dua is a bit more of a family resort - all-inclusive and great for the kids. Just bear in mind that flights are the biggest expense, so you'll want to budget accordingly.
Middle East & Mexico: Dubai & Cancún
Two very different destinations, but with one thing in common: December is a great time to visit both of them.
Dubai
If you've ever been to Dubai in the summer - and we're guessing most people have - you might be surprised just how nice a trip it can be in December. Dubai averages 21°C to 28°C in December, with plenty of sunshine, so it's a great time to get out and about - walk around the souks, cycle along the waterfront, hit the beach or head out on a desert safaris without worrying about melting in the heat. Christmas and New Year celebrations are also a big deal - the festive season brings festive lights and broader christmas festivities across malls, hotels and public spaces, and the shopping festivals add another level of excitement to the place. It's also worth checking christmas day programmes and booking ahead for popular experiences. Emirates, flydubai and British Airways all fly direct from multiple UK airports, and return fares can sometimes be as low as £250-£350 if you book early. Good for families (especially the theme parks and the Creek), couples after a luxury getaway, and anyone who loves a good shop-fest.
Cancún, Mexico
Cancún and the Riviera Maya offer something a bit different from the Caribbean: accessible diving on the Great Mesoamerican Reef, great cenotes, ancient ruins within easy reach, and some seriously beautiful beaches with white sands. December is dry season, with average temperatures ranging from 23°C to 30.4°C. TUI fly direct to Cancún from Gatwick and Manchester, which makes this a bit more accessible than it used to be. The hotel zone is lined with all-inclusive resorts, but Playa del Carmen and Tulum offer a lot more characterful boutique hotels. It's also a great option for family holidays, as the resort strip makes day-trips easy - and the diving enthusiasts, families who want a bit of culture with their beach time, and couples who want something a bit more interesting than just lounging on a sunbed.
When to Book Your December Holiday
Getting the right time is pretty crucial - it can make all the difference between booking a great deal and a pricey disappointment. Here's the low-down.
Book early for Christmas & New Year
If you want to travel between 22nd December and 2nd January, it pays to get your booking in early. This is peak holiday season for most destinations - and availability on the good hotels goes fast. Six months ahead might sound a bit early, but if you're travelling at this time of year, it's worth it. Our full guide on the best time to book a holiday has all the details - including the breakdown by destination and season.
Early December is where it's at for value
If you can travel in early December, it's probably a good time to get a deal. The weather is still nice and sunny, and there are fewer tourists than in the peak weeks. The 1st to 19th December window is often under-estimated, although the first week can still be affected by when the schools break starts for some families, shifting prices a little. But what does make it a sweet spot is that prices are generally low, the resorts are quiet, and you get almost all the great weather without the premium price tag that comes with school holidays. If youre travelling without kids, then this is your window.
Last-minute December deals do exist - but be aware of the risks involved
There is actually a pretty good case to be made for keeping an eye out for last minute deals in late November for early December departures. Airlines and tour operators do drop prices to fill their seats, but availability on the best resorts does narrow out fast. Our article on last-minute holidays - are they really cheaper - will give you a balanced view.
Use Skyscanner's Month view
Skyscanner's calendar view lets you see the cheapest day to fly within a given month. And if you check December, you can see that the gap between the cheapest day (often 3-5th December) and the most expensive (24-26th December) can be enormous: sometimes £300-£500 per person on long-haul routes.
How to Pay for a December Holiday Without Causing Financial Stress
December holidays come with a specific financial pressure that other times of the year dont: Christmas. You're already spending on presents, food, and socialising, and then you throw a holiday on top of it. Thats were flexible payment options can really make a difference.
At Vuelo, we offer Fair Financing (subject to eligibility) so you can pay for your December trip in manageable monthly instalments rather than paying everything upfront. Whether this is right for you depends on your circumstances, and we'd recomend checking your budget before splitting the cost. But for a lot of people, paying £150 a month for 6 months is far more managable than finding £900 in one go.
Our Pre-Departure payment option is worth knowing about too. You can lock in your booking at todays prices and pay the rest off in the run up to travel, so you're not scrambling for cash at the airport.
If you are booking an expensive December trip or an activity-heavy holiday, it is also sensible to take out travel insurance. If you want a broader look at how travel finance actually works, our guide to funding your holiday smarter and our comparison of pay monthly holidays versus loans versus credit cards are worth a read before you commit to anything. Spreading the cost is a tool - not a trap. Used wisely, it genuinely opens up trips that would otherwise stay on the wishlist.
Destinations to Avoid in December (And Why to Avoid them)
Not every warm-weather destination is at its best in December. Knowing where NOT to go is just as useful as knowing where to head.
- Phuket and Krabi (Thailand): The Andaman coast is in the wet season until November, and while December sees improvement, it can still be a bit unsettled. Koh Samui on the Gulf side is the better bet.
- Goa (India): December is actually peak season in Goa, which means it is heaving with tourists and the prices are through the roof. If you love Goa, go in late October or early November for the same weather and half the crowds.
- Mediterranean Europe (Greece, Croatia, Spain mainland): Much of mainland Mediterranean Europe is cool in December, and many mainland Spanish resorts are not among Europe's warmest spots in the winter months. Most resorts are shut up shop, and even if you find somewhere open, temperatures are often around 12-15°C. Malta is a warmer exception in the Mediterranean Sea, with December temperatures of about 15-19°C, averaging roughly 17°C. Marrakesh is outside Europe, but nearby Morocco reaches average highs of 20°C in December. Save the mainland options for May to October.
- Florida: December temps are mild (22-24°C) rather than genuinely hot, and you're paying premium prices because of school holidays and the American holiday season. The Caribbean beats it for pure beach weather.
- Bali (if you hate rain): As mentioned above, December is wetter than average. If you need guaranteed sunshine every day, choose a different Indian Ocean destination this month.
The key is to match your expectations to the destination's actual December conditions. Our October hot destination guide might also help if your travel dates are flexible.
Quick Decision Framework: Which Destination is Right for you?
Still not sure? Run through these quick questions to narrow it down fast and find the perfect destination for your kind of trip.
- Travelling with your young children and want a short flight? Tenerife or Gran Canaria. Under 5 hours, plenty of great facilities, guaranteed warmth, and direct flights from most UK airports.
- Couples on a budget who want proper heat? Cuba (Varadero all-inclusive) or Thailand (Koh Samui). Both deliver serious sunshine for a fraction of Maldives prices, and either can be the cheapest place depending on flights and hotel deals, though Cape Town in South Africa can also be one of the cheapest options if you're open to a longer flight. Goa can also work if your priority is reliably hot, dry weather and you're comfortable with peak-season pricing. If you're open to a longer, more adventurous December trip, South America can be a strong alternative too.
- Honeymoon or special occasion with no real budget ceiling? The Maldives. Nothing else comes close for sheer romance and isolation.
- Diving is the priority? Zanzibar, the Maldives, or Cancún. All three have exceptional underwater ecosystems in December conditions.
- Want culture alongside beach? Sri Lanka or Zanzibar. Both give you world-class beaches and plenty to explore beyond the sand, with genuine rich history and cultural depth.
- Christmas in the sun, family trip? Dubai or Tenerife. Both of those places have got loads of festive fun going on, Christmas celebrations, and in some spots even Christmas markets, plus a load of great family-friendly stuff that'll keep everyone happy.
- Solo traveller or group of friends? Thailand or Bali. Both of those places have a fantastic vibe for meeting new people, brilliant food, and loads of other young travellers who make it super easy to meet fellow adventurers.
Once you've picked your destination, use our holiday planning guide - from start to finish - to take the hassle out of getting the rest of your holiday sorted.
Where are the hottest places to go in December from the UK?
The warmest places to head to from the UK in December are Zanzibar (31°C), Bali (30°C), the Maldives (30°C), Sri Lanka (30°C) and Barbados (29°C). They're all sitting pretty above 28°C on average - and with the dry season in full swing, you get the real deal heat without the humidity and rain.
If you want somewhere hot with the shortest flight, the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria) are a great shout. They're an easy 4-4.5 hours from London, and you can expect 22-23°C in December with plenty of sunshine. By contrast, southern Spain and the Costa del Sol are pleasant at that time of year, but Malaga is usually mild rather than true sunbathing weather in December. If you're willing to go farther, Cape Town is one of the cheapest places to travel in December despite the longer flight.
Is the Canary Islands worth visiting in December?
Absolutely it is. Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria are among the hottest place options in Europe in December. They average a lovely 22-23°C in December. That makes them one of Europe's warmest spots for a short-haul winter break. That's warm enough for some beach time, eating outdoors, and all the sightseeing you could want - without being totally sweltering. The Canary Islands sit off the West African coast in the Atlantic, which keeps the weather pretty stable throughout the year.
What's more, December's one of the cheaper months to visit the Canaries. If you fly from a regional UK airport with EasyJet, Ryanair, or Jet2holidays, you can often get return flights for under £100. And hotel prices are loads lower than they are in July or August. Families who can't travel in the school holidays will find December to be a fantastic and affordable alternative.
What's the cheapest place to go in December from the UK?
For short-haul, Lanzarote and Tenerife are the way to go - flights from £80 return and hotels from £65 per night. Cape Verde is another strong-value short-to-mid-haul option, with average temperatures of 26°C in December, a roughly six-hour flight from the UK, a location off the west coast of Africa, and tropical beaches. They've got direct routes from most UK airports too. For long-haul, Thailand (Koh Samui) and Cuba (Varadero on an all-inclusive package) are the strongest value - particularly if you book with TUI or Jet2holidays and go for an all-inclusive deal.
Sri Lanka is also a great option for long-haul - it's hot and dry in December on the south coast, with mid-range hotels often coming in around £60-£80 per night. Return flights from around £500. Our flexible payment options can make even the more expensive destinations a bit more manageable.
Where should I go in December for diving?
December's a great month for diving in three fantastic spots: the Maldives, Zanzibar, and Cancún (Mexico). The Maldives is probably the best all-around diving experience - with crystal clear water and heaps of marine life like manta rays and whale sharks. Zanzibar's reefs around Mnemba Atoll are pristine and dead quiet. Cancún gives you access to the world's second-largest barrier reef, as well as some mind-blowing freshwater cenote diving in the Yucatán.
Sri Lanka's south coast is good for diving in December too - you might even spot blue whale and sperm whales off Trincomalee (just be aware the east coast's better from April to September).
Can I split the cost of a December holiday?
You bet you can. At Vuelo, we offer Fair Financing (subject to eligibility) so you can spread the cost of your December booking into manageable monthly payments rather than shelling out the whole lot at once.
Whether or not splitting the cost is right for you depends on your personal circumstances, so always take a good hard look at your budget before taking on any payment plan. Our guide to paying for flights in instalments walks through your options in full, so you can choose the approach that actually works for you.
The Bottom Line
December's actually a pretty fantastic month to travel - if you get the right destination and book at the right time. These warm destinations range from easy short-haul islands to long-haul tropical escapes. The Canary Islands give you warmth without the epic journey. The Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and South-East Asia give you the full-on tropical experience all whilst experiencing the panoramic views and old towns. Dubai and Cancún sit somewhere in between, with Dubai a perfect location for travellers who want a city-and-beach December break.
The key is being clear on what you actually want from the trip, matching it to the destination's real December conditions, and not getting caught out by the Christmas premium if your dates are flexible. Early December and the Canaries are a massively underrated combination in British travel, and some travellers also use guides like this to compare it with February sun options later in winter or glance at Nice for South of France charm at reasonable prices. But if your dream is an overwater bungalow in the Maldives for New Year's Eve... well, that dream's absolutely achievable with the right payment plan in place.
Ready to Book Your December Getaway?
We actually created Fair Financing for people in your shoes - so you can snag that December sunshine break now and pay for it in bits over time, rather than sitting around waiting for savings to add up and the good deals slipping through your fingers.