Quick answer
Reviewed · 3 min read
December is high summer in Cape Town and the start of the Maldives’ dry season, making both top beach picks. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda enters a drier window, and Tanzania’s herds return to the southern Serengeti. For festive cities, Vienna, Prague, and New York shine. Book early: the Christmas and New Year’s weeks are the most expensive of the year.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- Top beach pick
- Maldives (dry season begins)
- Top safari pick
- Rwanda gorillas or southern Serengeti
- Top city pick
- Cape Town (summer) or Vienna (markets)
- Best for corporate travel
- Art Basel Miami Beach (typically early December)
- Book by
- Holiday weeks 9–12 months ahead
Best places to travel in December
Cape Town & Winelands
South Africa · Summer
Beach days, Table Mountain, and wine estates at their liveliest.
ExploreMaldives
Indian Ocean · Dry season begins
Calmer seas and more sunshine, ideal for a holiday in an overwater villa.
ExploreVolcanoes National Park
Rwanda · Drier trekking window
December to February brings firmer trails; holiday permits go fast.
ExploreSouthern Serengeti
Tanzania · Herds return south
After the short rains, the herds typically move back onto the green southern plains.
ExploreDubai
UAE · Peak winter season
Sunny, comfortable days and a festive city atmosphere.
ExplorePrague
Czechia · Christmas markets
Old Town Square’s market, mulled wine, and a fairy-tale skyline.
ExploreNew York
USA · Holiday season
Window displays, ice rinks, and Broadway; book well ahead for the holiday weeks.
ExploreSydney
Australia · Summer and New Year’s Eve
Beach days and the famous harbour fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
Explore
Why is December good for Cape Town, the Maldives, and gorillas?
December is summer in the Southern Hemisphere and the start of the dry season in the Maldives, so you can trade a northern winter for long beach days. Cape Town is warm and lively, and it pairs well with a green-season safari in the Greater Kruger, when newborn animals are everywhere. In the Maldives, calmer seas and more sunshine typically settle in by December.
In Central and East Africa, December begins a drier window for gorilla trekking that typically runs to February, and Tanzania’s wildebeest herds typically return to the southern Serengeti after the short rains.
What should you avoid in December?
December’s biggest challenge is demand, not weather.
- Christmas to New Year’s: peak prices everywhere, and many luxury resorts require minimum stays over the holidays.
- French Polynesia’s wet season: still warm and beautiful, but rainier than May to October.
- Bali: the wet season is underway, with heavier rain.
- Northern Europe: short, cold days; lovely at the Christmas markets, less so for countryside touring.
- Mauritius: cyclone season typically starts around November and peaks from January to March.
What should business travelers know about December?
Art Basel Miami Beach typically takes place in early December, filling Miami and Miami Beach hotels at premium rates. AWS re:Invent can run into the first days of December in Las Vegas. After mid-December, many companies slow travel for year-end, and offices across Europe and North America largely close between Christmas and New Year’s.
December is the right time to plan first-quarter trips around CES and Lunar New Year, and to review your corporate travel program for the year ahead.
How far ahead should you book December travel?
Christmas and New Year’s are the hardest weeks of the year to book. For Cape Town, the Maldives, safari camps, and ski resorts over the holidays, 9–12 months ahead is common. Early December is easier and often better value, a smart window if your schedule allows.
Frequently asked questions
Where is warm in December?
Is December a good time for a safari?
How far ahead should I book Christmas and New Year’s travel?
When is Art Basel Miami Beach?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.