Where to Go in December for Sun: 10 Warm Places for Christmas and New Year’s
From the Caribbean to the Maldives, December highs, rainfall and sea temperatures from national weather services, with the catch for each destination.
- 10 destinations compared
- 72 to 89°F average afternoon highs
- 6 of 10 under 0.8 in of rain for the month
- Fri, Dec 25 Christmas Day 2026
Where is it warm in December? For dry skies, Cape Verde, Senegal, Egypt, Dubai, Oman and Cape Town all get less than 0.8 in of rain in December, and so does Bangkok. For sea water at 82°F or more, head to Phuket, the Maldives or Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean, and accept some showers. The Canary Islands are the mildest option, at 72°F in the afternoon.
The figures are climate normals published by each country’s national weather service and collected by the World Meteorological Organization. They are 20 to 30 year averages that describe a typical December, not the forecast for your trip. Stations and periods are listed in the sources.
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- Which destination for which trip
- Thailand, Maldives, Guadeloupe
- Egypt, Dubai, Oman
- Canaries, Cape Verde, Senegal
- Cape Town
- Comparison table
- December, January or February?
- Holiday dates, insurance and data
- FAQ
- Sources
Which warm destination for which kind of December trip
- Tropical beach and very warm water: Phuket (89°F, sea around 84°F), the Maldives or Guadeloupe, with showers still likely.
- Dry, sunny and full of things to do: Dubai or Muscat (79 to 80°F), or Luxor and the Nile Valley (76°F).
- City break in the heat: Bangkok, 88°F with one rainy day on average.
- Quiet, dry beaches: Sal in Cape Verde (77°F, 0.1 in of rain) or Senegal’s coast (81°F, no rain).
- Summer in the southern hemisphere: Cape Town, 77°F and clear skies, but a cold ocean.
December rainfall at a glance:
- Dakar 0 in
- Luxor 0 in
- Hurghada 0.1 in
- Sal 0.1 in
- Bangkok 0.4 in
- Dubai 0.6 in
- Muscat 0.7 in
- Cape Town 0.7 in
- Las Palmas 1.2 in
- Phuket 2.4 in
- Guadeloupe 5.4 in
- Malé 8.5 in
Average December rainfall. Yellow: under 2.4 in (60 mm). Light blue: 2.4 to 6 in. Dark blue: over 6 in (150 mm).
Thailand, Maldives, Guadeloupe: sea at 82°F and up
The three hottest destinations on this list, in the air and in the water. Except for Bangkok, they are also the wettest in December.
1. Thailand: Bangkok and Phuket
Bangkok: 88°F in the afternoon, 69°F at night, 0.4 in of rain on 1 day. Phuket: 89°F, 75°F at night, 2.4 in over 8 days, sea around 84°F.
December opens the dry season: with January, it is one of Bangkok’s two driest months, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. To pick a neighborhood in the capital, see our guide to where to stay in Bangkok.
Good to know: in Phuket the rainy season has only just ended. December still gets 2.4 in, against 0.9 in in January.
2. Maldives
Malé: 86°F in the afternoon, 78°F at night, 8.5 in of rain over 12 days, sea around 82°F.
Temperatures barely change through the year in the Maldives, between 86 and 89°F in the afternoon. Rainfall is what separates the seasons.
Good to know: December is not yet a dry month in Malé, according to the Maldives Meteorological Service: 8.5 in, against 4.5 in in January and 1.5 in in February. If your dates are flexible, February is a much safer bet.
Resorts and guesthouses in the Maldives: recent prices and reviews
3. Guadeloupe (French Caribbean)
Pointe-à-Pitre, Le Raizet airport: 85°F in the afternoon, 70°F at night, 5.4 in of rain, sea around 82°F.
Hurricane season ended officially on November 30, and rain is falling fast: 8.7 in in November, 5.4 in in December and 3.3 in in January, according to Météo-France.
Good to know: showers are frequent but usually short. February and March are the driest months. Guadeloupe is a French overseas department: euros, and French is the main language.
Egypt, Dubai, Oman: dry skies and cool nights
Rain is hardly ever an issue here. What changes in December is cooler nights and a sea that has lost a few degrees since the fall.
4. Egypt: Luxor and the Red Sea
Luxor: 76°F in the afternoon, 46°F at night, no rain. Hurghada: 74°F, 55°F at night, 0.1 in of rain, sea around 75°F.
December is the ideal month for the Nile Valley temples: 76°F in Luxor, compared with more than 104°F from June to August.
Good to know: in Luxor the gap between afternoon and night reaches 29°F. Pack warm layers for sunrise visits and hot-air balloon flights.
5. United Arab Emirates: Dubai
79°F in the afternoon, 60°F at night, 0.6 in of rain over 2 days, sea around 79°F.
December is one of Dubai’s mildest months: average highs top 100°F from June to September. It is the right time to combine beach, desert and outdoor sightseeing.
Good to know: New Year’s Eve in Dubai is in high demand, and waterfront hotels book up early.
6. Oman: Muscat
80°F in the afternoon, 65°F at night, 0.7 in of rain on about 1 day, sea around 79°F.
In Muscat the sea is as warm as in Dubai in December, and the weather suits trips to the wadis and the Wahiba Sands desert.
Good to know: December rain usually comes in a single downpour, so the monthly total varies a lot from year to year. In May and June, highs exceed 102°F.
The map below shows available places to stay and their rates for your dates.
Canaries, Cape Verde, Senegal: the Atlantic side
Three destinations off West Africa, popular with European travelers. The further south you go, the warmer and drier it gets.
7. Canary Islands: Gran Canaria and Tenerife
Las Palmas: 72°F in the afternoon, 61°F at night, 1.2 in of rain over 7 days, sea around 70°F. Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 72°F, 62°F at night, 1.7 in over 9 days.
The Canaries belong to Spain and have spring-like weather in winter. December is one of the wetter months of the year there.
Good to know: the south of Gran Canaria and Tenerife is usually sunnier than the north. The sea is cool for long swims.
8. Cape Verde: Sal island
Sal: 77°F in the afternoon, 0.1 in of rain, sea around 75°F.
It almost never rains on Sal in December: less than one rainy day on average, according to Cape Verde’s national weather institute. The sea is about 5°F warmer than in the Canaries.
Good to know: the trade winds blow hard in winter, which makes Sal a well-known kitesurfing spot but cools the evenings. Bring a light sweater.
9. Senegal: Dakar and the Petite Côte
Dakar: 81°F in the afternoon, 69°F at night, no rain, sea around 77°F.
December is the heart of the dry season. According to Senegal’s weather agency, the rains come from July to September, with 6.1 in in August in Dakar.
Good to know: the sea cools down through the winter. If swimming matters, December beats February or March.
South Africa: Christmas in the southern summer
10. Cape Town
77°F in the afternoon, 59°F at night, 0.7 in of rain over 6 days, ocean around 64°F.
In South Africa the seasons are reversed: December is summer in Cape Town, with long days and mostly clear skies. Most of the rain falls in the southern winter, from May to August.
Good to know: the ocean stays cold and the wind is often strong. December is also local peak season, with South African school holidays filling coastal hotels.
Tours to book before the holidays
Between Christmas and New Year’s, boat trips, desert safaris and timed-entry visits sell out faster than the rest of the year. Our partner GetYourGuide lets you book them ahead: check the meeting point and cancellation terms before paying.
See all activities on GetYourGuide
Comparison table: December in figures
December averages for one reference station per destination, from driest to wettest.
| Station | High / low | Rain (days) | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dakar (Senegal) | 81 / 69°F | 0 in (0) | 77°F |
| Luxor (Egypt) | 76 / 46°F | 0 in (< 1) | n/a |
| Hurghada (Egypt) | 74 / 55°F | 0.1 in (< 1) | 75°F |
| Sal (Cape Verde) | 77°F / not published | 0.1 in (< 1) | 75°F |
| Bangkok (Thailand) | 88 / 69°F | 0.4 in (1) | n/a |
| Dubai (UAE) | 79 / 60°F | 0.6 in (2) | 79°F |
| Muscat (Oman) | 80 / 65°F | 0.7 in (1) | 79°F |
| Cape Town (South Africa) | 77 / 59°F | 0.7 in (6) | 64°F |
| Las Palmas (Canaries) | 72 / 61°F | 1.2 in (7) | 70°F |
| Phuket (Thailand) | 89 / 75°F | 2.4 in (8) | 84°F |
| Guadeloupe | 85 / 70°F | 5.4 in | 82°F |
| Malé (Maldives) | 86 / 78°F | 8.5 in (12) | 82°F |
Temperatures converted from Celsius and rounded. Rainy days are days with at least 0.04 in (1 mm); they are not published for Guadeloupe, nor the overnight low for Sal.
December, January or February?
In the tropical destinations, December is wetter than the following two months. If your dates are flexible, here is the average rainfall month by month.
| Station | December | January | February |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malé (Maldives) | 8.5 in | 4.5 in | 1.5 in |
| Guadeloupe | 5.4 in | 3.3 in | 2.5 in |
| Phuket (Thailand) | 2.4 in | 0.9 in | 1.0 in |
| Las Palmas (Canaries) | 1.2 in | 1.0 in | 0.9 in |
In Dakar, Sal, Luxor, Hurghada, Bangkok and Cape Town, December is already dry, so waiting does not help. For later in the winter, see where to go in January and in February.
Holiday dates, travel insurance and mobile data
- Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, 2026.
- New Year’s Day: Friday, January 1, 2027.
- Peak travel: the last two weeks of December are the busiest and most expensive period at most of these destinations. The first half of the month is usually calmer.
Many US health plans offer limited or no coverage abroad, and a hospital stay can be expensive. Check your health plan and credit card benefits first. For medical expenses and medical evacuation, our partner Chapka offers Cap Assistance 24/7: coverage and limits are listed on the policy page.
To have mobile data as soon as you land, without hunting for a local SIM card, a Yesim e-SIM, our partner, can be set up before you leave. Check on its page that your destination is covered and what it costs.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the hottest place to go in December?
On this list, Thailand: 89°F in Phuket and 88°F in Bangkok in the afternoon, followed by Malé (86°F) and Guadeloupe (85°F).
Where is the ocean warm enough to swim in December?
The sea is around 84°F in Phuket and 82°F in the Maldives and Guadeloupe. It is 79°F in Dubai and Muscat, 77°F in Dakar, 75°F in Sal and Hurghada, 70°F in the Canaries and 64°F in Cape Town.
Is December a good time to visit the Maldives?
It is hot and the sea is around 82°F, but December is still rainy in Malé: 8.5 in over 12 days on average. Rain drops to 4.5 in in January and 1.5 in in February.
Which destination is driest in December?
Dakar and Luxor get virtually no rain, Hurghada and Sal about 0.1 in. Bangkok (0.4 in), Dubai (0.6 in), Muscat and Cape Town (0.7 in) follow.
Where to go for sun in other months
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Sources
Pages checked on October 21, 2026. Climate normals come from the World Meteorological Organization’s World Weather Information Service, which publishes data supplied by each national weather service; the reference period is given for each station.
- Thai Meteorological Department, via WMO: Bangkok (1961-1990) and Phuket.
- Maldives Meteorological Service, via WMO: Malé (1981-2000).
- Météo-France, via WMO: Le Raizet, Guadeloupe (1961-1990).
- Egyptian Meteorological Authority, via WMO: Luxor and Hurghada (1981-2010).
- National Center of Meteorology (UAE), via WMO: Dubai (1974-1991).
- Directorate General of Meteorology (Oman), via WMO: Muscat (Seeb) (1986-2009).
- AEMET (Spain), via WMO: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1981-2010).
- National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics (Cape Verde), via WMO: Sal (1961-1990).
- ANACIM (Senegal), via WMO: Dakar (1981-2010).
- South African Weather Service, via WMO: Cape Town (1961-1990).
- World Sea Temperatures, average December sea temperatures: Hurghada, Muscat, Phuket, Malé, Pointe-à-Pitre and Cape Town, plus Las Palmas, Santa Maria (Sal), Dakar and Dubai on the same site.
- NOAA, National Hurricane Center: Atlantic hurricane season dates.
Maintained by the Advised Traveler team. Climate averages do not predict the weather during your trip: check the forecast before you go. Spotted an error? Let us know.