The best warm places to visit in December are Cancún and the Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Costa Rica, Aruba and Puerto Rico, all with daytime highs in the 80s°F and mostly dry weather. Hurricane season ends on November 30, so December is when the Caribbean and Central America start their sunniest months.
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands don’t need a passport for US citizens. Everywhere else on this list does.
Warm places to visit in December at a glance
| Destination | Average December high | Passport needed | US travel advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancún and Riviera Maya, Mexico | About 83°F | Yes | Level 2 (Quintana Roo) |
| Los Cabos, Mexico | About 79°F | Yes | Level 2 (Baja California Sur) |
| Puerto Rico | About 84°F | No | US territory |
| US Virgin Islands | About 84°F | No | US territory |
| Aruba | About 86°F | Yes | Level 1 |
| Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | About 84°F | Yes | Level 2 |
| Jamaica | About 86°F | Yes | Level 2 |
| Guanacaste, Costa Rica | About 88°F | Yes | Level 2 |
| Panama | About 88°F | Yes | Level 2 |
| El Salvador | About 86°F | Yes | Level 1 |
| Mexico City | About 71°F, cool nights | Yes | Level 2 |
Advisory levels can change. Check the State Department’s travel advisory page a week before you go.
Warm places to visit in December in Mexico and the Caribbean
1. Cancún and the Riviera Maya, Mexico
Cancún has the most direct flights from US cities of any beach on this list, and December is dry and sunny. Sargassum seaweed is usually at its lowest in winter, so the beaches are at their cleanest.
Stay in the Cancún Hotel Zone for resorts, or in Playa del Carmen or Tulum for walkable towns. Day trips include cenotes for swimming and the ruins at Chichén Itzá, about 2.5 hours away.
2. Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos is drier and a little cooler than the Caribbean, with highs near 79°F. Gray and humpback whales arrive in December, so whale-watching boats run daily through the winter.
The Pacific side has strong waves, so swim at the protected beaches near Cabo San Lucas, such as Medano Beach.
3. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a US territory, so you only need a driver’s license or another government photo ID to fly from the mainland. Old San Juan stays decorated for Christmas well into January, and El Yunque rainforest is about 1 hour from the city.
4. US Virgin Islands
St. Thomas and St. John are also passport-free for US citizens. About 60% of St. John is a national park, with snorkeling right off the beach at Trunk Bay and Maho Bay.
Want to stay closer to home? Hawaii, Florida and the desert Southwest are in our list of warm places to visit in December in the USA.
5. Aruba
Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt and gets very little rain, which makes it 1 of the most reliable warm places to visit in December. It’s also rated Level 1, the lowest US travel advisory.
Every visitor has to fill out Aruba’s online ED card within 7 days before the flight.
6. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana is mostly large all-inclusive resorts along long white beaches, and prices are often lower than Aruba or the Virgin Islands. Book a resort with a shuttle from the airport and use licensed taxis outside it.
7. Jamaica
The US lowered Jamaica’s travel advisory to Level 2 in June 2026. Montego Bay and Negril on the west coast have the most resorts.
Hurricane Melissa hit western Jamaica hard in October 2025, so confirm that your hotel has fully reopened before you book.
Warm places to visit in December in Central America and Mexico City
8. Guanacaste, Costa Rica
December starts the dry season on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, and Guanacaste is the sunniest part of the country. Fly into Liberia, which is under an hour from beaches like Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa and the Papagayo Peninsula.
Rip currents are strong on many Costa Rican beaches, and most have no lifeguards. Swim where locals swim, and stay out of the water when the waves look rough.
9. Panama
Panama’s dry season starts in mid-December. You can see ships pass through the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks, then fly or drive to the San Blas Islands for small, quiet beaches.
Panama uses the US dollar, so you won’t need to exchange money.
10. El Salvador
El Salvador is rated Level 1 by the US State Department, the same level as Aruba. It’s known for surfing at El Tunco and other beaches near La Libertad, about 45 minutes from the airport.
The dry season runs from November to April, and the country uses the US dollar.
11. Mexico City
Mexico City is mild in December: about 71°F in the afternoon and close to 40°F at night, so pack a jacket. It’s also 1 of the cheapest trips here, at about $35 to $55 a day for a budget traveler.
December is a big month in the city. Millions of people visit the Basilica of Guadalupe around December 12, and neighborhoods hold posadas, Christmas parties with music and food, from December 16 to 24.
How to choose a warm place for December
| If you want | Go to |
|---|---|
| No passport | Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands |
| The lowest travel advisory | Aruba or El Salvador (Level 1) |
| A short, cheap flight from the East Coast | Cancún or Punta Cana |
| Nature and wildlife | Costa Rica or Los Cabos for whales |
| The lowest daily cost | Mexico City |
| An all-inclusive resort | Punta Cana, Cancún or Jamaica |
Tips for a December trip somewhere warm
- Go in the first 2 weeks of December. Flights and resorts cost the most from about December 20 to January 2
- Check your passport now. Some countries want it valid for 6 months after your trip
- Read the State Department advisory for your exact destination, since Mexico rates each state separately
- Buy travel insurance that covers medical care abroad, because most US health plans don’t
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a light rain jacket and a warmer layer for evenings
Planning to stay through New Year’s? See the best places to spend New Year’s Eve in the US.
FAQ
Cancún, Los Cabos, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Aruba, Punta Cana, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama and El Salvador all average highs in the high 70s to high 80s°F in December.
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, plus Hawaii, Florida, Arizona and Southern California in the US.
Guanacaste in Costa Rica and Panama are among the warmest, with highs near 88°F.
es. Hurricane season ends on November 30, and December starts the dry season in most of the Caribbean. Prices rise sharply around Christmas and New Year’s.
Final takeaway
For an easy first trip, pick Puerto Rico for no passport, Aruba for the most reliable weather, or Cancún for the most flights. For more December ideas, from Christmas towns to ski resorts, see the best places to travel in December.
Sources: US State Department: El Salvador advisory · Tico Times: Costa Rica advisory · Travel Off Path: fall 2026 advisory updates · Visit Aruba: ED card
