Has going to and from work in darkness, and the imminent Christmas mayhem got you planning your escape route?
Then look no further than these best places for winter sun in December destinations that will make you forget all about the dreary day-to-day routine.
Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you use my links and make a purchase, at no cost to you.
Honestly, I don’t have a problem with winter. I enjoy those chilly, bright days when you can bundle up in your chunky warm knits.
However, the gloomy mornings and the harsh wind and rain are enough to make anyone want to book a one-way ticket out of here!
Time to throw off those layers, grab your passport and get your vitamin D fix!
This post is all about the best places for winter sun in December
The Best Places for Winter Sun in December
Cape Town, South Africa – best time to go: December to March
I’ve got so much love for Cape Town! The stunning variety of nature is simply breathtaking – from the untamed coastlines and arid terrains to the urban hub with the majestic Table Mountain towering in the background.
The list of sights and activities is endless, so I’ll have to write a separate post solely on Cape Town.
But for now, take a peek at these top picks: get your bearings by taking the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views across Camps Bay, Lion’s Head and beyond, and explore the plants endemic to Table Mountain – yes, I am very geeky!
Explore Boulder’s Beach with its cute colony of penguins and pristine sandy beach coves surrounded by giant smooth round granite boulders.
Don’t forget to visit Robben Island during your trip to Cape Town! This is where Nelson Mandela was once held as a political prisoner, and it’s an important piece of South African history. Plus, you’ll get to see some amazing wildlife – I even helped a tortoise cross the road!
AfrikaBurn is like a mini military operation, but the effort to prepare and get there is so worth it! This amazing arts and music festival is connected to the famous Burning Man event in the US. Although it happens in April/May, I thought it was worth mentioning as tickets are on sale now.
Visit the famous Cape Winelands and hop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram as it takes you on a journey through the picturesque Franschhoek Valley.
Have a wander around Neighbourgoods Market located in The Old Biscuit Mill in the historic Woodstock area on Saturday and Sunday. Plenty of delicious street food, local designers, vintage clothing, artisan products and gourmet foods.
Explore charming Fish Hoek and take a hike around the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Take a dip in the freezing tidal pools of Fish Hoek, where the awesome documentary, My Octopus Teacher, was filmed. Witness the rugged beauty of Cape Point, which is a sight to behold in any weather.
Experience dining at incredible and affordable restaurants with breathtaking views like Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic and Salsify at The Roundhouse.
Muscat, Oman – best time to go: October to April
Oman is the perfect blend of culture, traditions, stunning landscapes, and cosmopolitan cities. It’s one of the first countries I visited in the Middle East so it holds a special place in my heart.
It’s a paradise for adventure and nature lovers alike. You have the opportunity to go on desert hikes, camp in the wilderness, trek through wadis and cool off with a refreshing swim in crystal-clear freshwater pools (watch out for the frogs!).
Discover hidden waterfalls (which my claustrophobia didn’t thank me for!), and embark on boat trips where you might spot dolphins and turtle nesting sites.
We combined our hike through the impressive Wadi Shab with a visit to the Bimmah sinkhole which contains a turquoise lake some 20 meters deep.
I stayed at the elegant beachfront hotel The Chedi Muscat which was voted as one of the top hotels in the Middle East for 2023 by Condé Nast readers.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and catch an opera or a traditional Arabic music performance at the Royal Opera House. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Mutrah Souq, one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world.
Maldives – best time to go: November to April
I always tell people that once they’ve been to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, every other beach holiday is ruined. It truly lives up to the tropical paradise pictures you see online – and then some!
During my trip, I stayed at Angsana Velavaru Resort, also known as Turtle Island. It’s a bit further out, so we had to take a seaplane from Malé, which was cool as I got to sit in the co-pilot seat.
I spent hours snorkelling in the calm, turquoise waters and observing the cute little hermit crabs going about their business on the bright white coral sand.
I have such a vivid and atmospheric memory, one night, I went for a night swim and was enveloped in the dark waters like warm oil. It was so dark that I couldn’t distinguish where the sea ended and the sky began. The prayer call from a neighboring island surrounded me and the breeze was scented with frangipani.
The Maldives is a haven for divers, and you can also go on fishing and dolphin spotting trips, visit local islands to experience Maldivian culture, and even have a tropical island to yourself for a day for that authentic Castaway experience!
Canary Islands – best time to go: November to April
These Spanish islands are a great place to visit all year round. In the winter, the warmest spots are South Tenerife and Gran Canaria (also the south side). Both islands offer breathtaking and diverse landscapes. Tenerife is perfect for coastal and volcano hikes that will leave you in awe.
Meanwhile, Gran Canaria boasts the stunning Maspalomas golden dunes, which are protected as a nature reserve. Don’t miss out on exploring the lush Agaete Valley and taking a hike through the refreshing pine-scented forest, followed by a cooling dip in the natural volcanic pools of Las Salina de Agaete.
To make the most of your trip, consider renting a car to easily explore all that these islands have to offer.
Mauritius – best time to go: September to December
This tropical island in the Indian Ocean is famous for its stunning beaches, lagoons, and reefs. However, it also boasts rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails, and a diverse range of wildlife.
During our stay, we chose the stylish LUX* Grand Gaube located on the island’s north coast. This resort offers an incredible spa, and their Peruvian and overwater Turkish restaurants are so good!
We even had the chance to enjoy a movie night under the starry sky, take a helicopter ride over the island (I regretted partaking in vino the night before!), and witness the famous underwater waterfall.
We went on a snorkelling trip and had a BBQ on Île aux Cerfs, a small island off the east coast. One of the highlights was swimming with dolphins, though it was a challenge keeping up with them. Every time we stopped the boat they were on the move!
We also visited the Chamarel waterfalls and the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark. Somehow, we managed to completely bypass the giant Aldabra tortoises, which I’m devastated about!!
Dubai, UAE – best time to go: November to February
Dubai is ridiculously hot most of the year, but during the winter months, it comes into its own with perfect temperatures and plenty going on. I’ve been to Dubai several times, but I still get a buzz when I see that famous skyline and the insane Burj Khalifa!
There are amazing restaurants and plenty of malls to explore. If you’re looking for things to do, check out Dubai Platinumlist for the latest concerts, brunches, sports events, festivals, and desert adventures like safaris and dune bashing.
Don’t forget to visit Dubai Creek and take a ride on an abra boat and explore the traditional souqs, markets, and heritage buildings in the area.
Miami to Key West, USA – best time to go: November to April
How about going on a little road trip? My friends and I spent a few days in Miami, enjoying South Beach, its Art Deco architecture, the vibrant neon lights of Ocean Drive, the buzzing nightlife and the dining scene.
After that, we rented a convertible and made our way down to Key West through the Florida Keys, crossing the famous Seven Mile Bridge. This road trip is known as one of the greatest in America because of its breathtaking scenery!
Along the way, there are plenty of places to stop for a drink and a bit to eat. We also made a stop at the Everglades National Park, where we visited an alligator farm and explored the Everglades on an airboat.
Key West is a quirky and vibrant place, with its traditional pastel-coloured wooden houses, Victorian architecture, and tropical climate (you can feel the Cuban influences, being only 90 miles away from the coast).
It’s a picturesque destination with pretty beaches and national parks, offering activities like dolphin watching and snorkelling.
Historic Duval Street is always buzzing with tourists, offering a wide range of restaurants, bars, and nightlife options. Mallory Square is a fantastic spot to people-watch, enjoy street performers, and browse through the stalls.
Don’t miss the chance to visit Ernest Hemingway’s former home and museum, and make sure to indulge in a slice of their famous key lime pie – it would be a crime not to!
Sri Lanka – best time to go: December to March
Sri Lanka is an absolute gem in the Indian Ocean, with its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, beaches, diverse wildlife, and significant religious sights. The winter months are ideal for exploring the south and west of the island, where the weather is most favourable.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to discover the lively capital city of Colombo. I explored its largest park, Viharamahadevi Park, and visited several important temples.
We also took a road trip down the south coast towards the historic Dutch colonial town of Galle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, we made stops at beautiful beaches, released baby sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Hatchery and Rescue Center in Hikkaduwa, and took a boat trip to Cinnamon Island on Koggala Lake.
Although I have yet to experience the famous train from Ella to Kandy, Ella’s tea estates, the picturesque Nine Arch Bridge, Adam’s Peak, and Sigiriya, they are all on my bucket list!
Thailand – best time to go: November to February
My friend and I travelled around Thailand for a month during the festive season from December to January. Our adventure began with exploring Bangkok for a few days before hopping on a train for a 693 km journey to Chang Mai in the north of the country.
We might sound crazy for doing that but despite the long 10-hour ride, it was a such cool experience. Seeing the changing terrain and the smiling faces of the children waving from the villages as we passed by made it all worthwhile.
Chang Mai was a highlight of my trip – the bohemian atmosphere was such a vibe and we had some amazing nights out at the bars, chatting with fellow travellers and sipping on cheap Thai buckets. Our evenings always ended with us gathered around a street vendor cart, sitting on tiny plastic chairs and enjoying delicious bowls of fragrant noodles.
We went on treks in Chang Mai Province and stayed with hill tribes in their stilt houses. I’ll never forget the night we sat around the fire, listening to another traveller play Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were’ Here on his guitar in some remote hilltop village.
On Christmas Day, we treated ourselves to a villa with a pool, but unfortunately, the cooler weather in the north meant we didn’t get to use it much. That night, we explored a big market and indulged in all the street food we could find before ending up at a random Mexican restaurant, sipping on margaritas until late.
After exploring the north, we took a flight back down south and started island-hopping. We discovered some of the quieter Koh Lanta and Koh Rok in Krabi Province, where we enjoyed the stunning natural beaches and crystal clear waters with shallow coral reefs, perfect for snorkelling.
Our accommodation was an adventure in itself – we stayed in a rustic thatched hut that seemed to have a lively ecosystem of small creatures living in the ceiling and walls slowly killing each other at night. When we requested a change, we were offered a hut which was mostly open air and hanging off the edge of a cliff!
We stumbled upon a reggae bar on the beach in Koh Lanta. It’s a unique spot where you can relax and enjoy rum cocktails while sitting in the roots of a tree. The soothing tones of Bob Marley’s music drifted on the warm breeze, creating such a chilled vibe and as we walked back to our hostel at night, we were amazed by the sight of bioluminescent plankton glowing neon in the crashing waves. It was my first time witnessing this incredible natural phenomenon, I was in total awe!
When we were in Chang Mai, we couldn’t spend our money! We were amazed at how cheap everything was. However, once we arrived at the larger islands like Phuket that changed!
We alternated between staying in budget accommodation and treating ourselves to something a little less festering. We also partied a lot more, we went to the Black Moon Parties in Koh Phangan and the wild New Year’s Eve beach party in Phuket with live music, fire performers, and a massive fireworks display.
Our trip ended where it began, in Bangkok. I was not keen on the hostel room with no window but we needed something cheap so we could spend the rest of our money on the street markets!
