December is packed with holiday cheer, special traditions and the excitement of seasonal activities. When the weather outside turns cold or hot, we go to places all over the world to find warmth and escape the chill. December comes with intense activity, that keeps some of us busy almost every weekend away from home. We’re wondering: What do people do on vacation? December is packed with holiday cheer, special traditions and the excitement of seasonal activities. When the weather outside turns cold or hot, we go to places all over the world to find warmth and escape the chill. December comes with intense activity, that keeps some of us busy almost every weekend away from home. We’re wondering: What do people do on vacation?

December is here and while it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be the most stressful. With all of the Christmas shopping, holiday parties and family time, who wants to worry about vacation planning? I love vacationing in the winter because you can still get some pretty great deals on hotels. Plus, its a whole lot cheaper to travel around the holidays. The only thing I don’t like about winter vacations is the weather. One year, we rented a cabin and had a fireplace going the entire time!

Great Places To Go On Vacation In December

Best Places to Visit in December

Planning a vacation in December can feel overwhelming alongside holiday shopping and year-end festivities. But you’ll thank yourself later if you squeeze in time for a trip. U.S. News considered prices, accessibility and seasonal crowds to decide the best places to visit in December. Whether you’re seeking a warm-weather hideaway or want to experience the holiday spirit in a snow-covered town, you’ll find it in these destinations. Vote for your favorite spot below to help decide next year’s list. (Note: Some of the below destinations may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Check with the CDC and the U.S. Department of State before traveling.)

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• View 17 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoPhuket#1 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberAlhough Phuket, Thailand, offers a consistently warm climate year-round, its cool, dry weather and calm water in December make this month a great time to visit. Plan on spending most of your time sunbathing, swimming, scuba diving and more at beaches like Nai Harn and Kata Noi. But remember, December falls within Phuket’s peak tourist season, so you won’t find many deals for flights and accommodations during this month. Avoid a holiday visit in late December for slightly better rates. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 21 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoRio de Janeiro#2 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberWhile the Northern Hemisphere transitions to winter in December, Rio de Janeiro enters its peak summer season. This is one of the warmest (albeit one of the wettest) times of the year here, but you’ll still enjoy mostly sunny conditions, leaving you plenty of opportunities to see famous sights like the Christ the Redeemer statue. If you’re keen on experiencing Rio’s lively party scene during your visit, be sure to time your trip around Reveillon. This popular New Year’s Eve celebration on Copacabana Beach draws millions of people annually with its music, dancing and fireworks. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 35 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoHawaii – The Big Island#3 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberThis Hawaiian paradise is the perfect place to escape winter’s onset. Weary travelers can thaw on colorful stretches of sand like Punalu’u Beach (which has beautiful black sand) and Papakolea Beach (a unique green sand option), while more adventurous types can go for a hike in Akaka Falls State Park or catch a glimpse of the more than 4,000-foot-tall Kilauea volcano at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. You’ll likely contend with other snowbirds in December, but you’ll find that hotel prices on the Big Island are still consistently lower than those on neighboring isles. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 40 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoBanff#4 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberLocated at the base of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, Alberta, is known for its imposing landscape and superb skiing and snowboarding conditions. You can also snap Instagram-worthy photos of the town’s beautiful scenery from the Banff Gondola and its 360-degree observation deck at the Sulphur Mountain summit. After a day full of activity, ease your muscles with a dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Just remember that daylight can last as little as eight hours in December, so plan your itinerary accordingly. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO

• Belongs on List?YesNoTorres del Paine National Park#5 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberNestled in southern Chilean Patagonia, this national park offers travelers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Frequently touted as one of the most scenic hiking destinations in the world, the park is home to turquoise lakes and dense forests, plus massive Grey Glacier and the towering granite of Cuernos del Paine. Even though December is part of Patagonia’s peak summer season, temperatures drop dramatically after nightfall, so visitors will want to pack layers.
• View 34 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoQuebec City#6 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberIt’s easy to fall in love with this Canadian destination, especially when it’s covered in fresh snow. You’ll be enchanted by Old Québec’s sights and sounds as it transforms into a Christmas village. Or, you can shop for gifts (or for yourself) in Quartier Petit-Champlain. Plus, with its 17th- and 18th-century architecture, Quebec City allows you to soak up European culture without dropping the cash for a flight across the pond. Just be sure to bundle up. Temperatures can drop to below freezing in December. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 26 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoPark City#7 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberWinter sports enthusiasts will love visiting Park City, Utah, in December when many of the town’s top resorts, including Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort, reopen for ski season. But even if you’re not a skier or snowboarder, you’ll find plenty of other things to do around town. Shop for last-minute gifts and watch Santa ride down the Town Lift in Historic Park City, catch a holiday performance at the Egyptian Theater or watch athletes train for the Winter Olympics at the Utah Olympic Park. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 39 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoDubai#8 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberDubai’s temperatures can reach into the triple digits for many months of the year, but the weather cools down significantly by December. Traveling to this United Arab Emirates destination during this month means you’ll enjoy comfortable weather (think: temperatures in the 70s) and fewer rain showers. But be prepared to bump shoulders with other tourists as you soak up some sun on Jumeirah Public Beach, shop at the enormous Dubai Mall or stroll through the historic Bastakiya Quarter. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 37 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoJackson Hole#9 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberHead to this 50-mile-long Wyoming valley for an unforgettable winter vacation. Here, you’ll find several top-notch ski resorts, including Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Snow King Resort. Plus, you can look for wildlife at the National Elk Refuge or go snowshoeing through Grand Teton National Park when you need a break from the slopes. Keep in mind, temperatures in December stay below freezing during the day and can often drop into the single digits at night, so you’ll want to pack accordingly. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 43 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoPrague#10 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberIf you’re willing to brave the cold, travel to Prague for a fun and festive winter vacation. The city turns into a winter wonderland in December, with snow-covered buildings and Christmas markets selling everything from locally made jewelry to toys to Christmas ornaments. Those with little ones in tow should try to arrive in early December when the annual St. Nicholas Eve event takes place. During this traditional celebration, you’ll see the Czech Republic’s version of St. Nick, along with his angel and devil guides, hand out candy and other treats as the walk around the city. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
• View 16 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoMount Rainier National Park#11 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberMount Rainier National Park’s already dramatic landscape becomes even more beautiful when it is covered in snow in winter. Some roads and other parts of the Washington park close for the season, but there are still many opportunities to have fun outdoors in December. Depending on how deep the snow is, you can join a ranger-led snowshoe walk, go sledding in the Paradise snow play area, go snowmobiling around the Cougar Rock Campground or shred powder on Mount Rainier’s backcountry slopes. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
• View 21 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoAdirondacks#12 in Best Places to Visit in DecemberOutdoor enthusiasts flock to the Adirondacks every winter to take advantage of its incredible skiing and snowboarding conditions. Whiteface Mountain is one of the area’s most popular winter sports destinations thanks to it boasting the Eastern Seaboard’s largest vertical drop at nearly 3,500 feet, plus 90 trails and 11 ski lifts. What’s more, this part of New York state houses Lake Placid, where you’ll find many Olympic attractions, including the Olympic Jumping Complex, the Olympic Sports Complex and the Olympic Center. READ MORE