Where Is It Warm in December? 12 Sunny Escapes in the US and Abroad

Where is it warm in December? If you want real warmth, head for Bangkok (average high 87.6°F), Cancun (79.7°F), Dubai (79.2°F) or Honolulu (77.7°F). In the continental US, Miami is the best bet at 76.6°F. Southern Europe is only mild in December, with highs around 61°F in Seville and Valencia.

All numbers below are 20-year averages (2006–2025) from our own climate data, the same data behind every WeatherApex month page. For each place you get the average high and low, the number of rainy days and the daily hours of sunshine, so you can choose between a beach holiday, a city break and a sunny road trip.

Where is it warm in December? The quick answer

This table ranks our 12 picks by average daytime high. A "rainy day" means a day with measurable rain, not a day of non-stop rain.

Where is it warm in the US in December?

Only two parts of the US stay truly warm in December: Hawaii and South Florida. The desert Southwest and Southern California are pleasant and sunny, but they feel like spring rather than summer.

Honolulu, Hawaii: the warmest US city in December

Honolulu averages a high of 77.7°F and a low of 70.9°F in December, so even the nights are warm. Expect around 8 rainy days, but most showers are short and the city still gets almost 10 hours of sunshine a day. It is the safest choice in the US if you want guaranteed beach weather. See Honolulu weather in December for the full breakdown.

Miami, Florida: the warmest place on the mainland

Miami's December high is 76.6°F with a low of 67.6°F and about 9 hours of sun. It is warm enough for the beach on most days, although a passing cold front can bring a cooler, windy day or two. Check Miami weather in December before you pack.

Orlando, Florida: warm days, cool evenings

Orlando reaches 72.9°F in the afternoon but drops to 56.3°F at night, with only 5 rainy days. That makes it ideal for theme parks and walking all day, but bring a light jacket for the evening. More detail: Orlando in December.

Phoenix and San Diego: sunny, mild, not hot

Phoenix averages 65.1°F and San Diego 63.7°F in December. Both are dry and sunny, perfect for hiking, golf or sightseeing, but nights are cold in Phoenix (42.4°F). Do not plan on swimming in the ocean in San Diego. Compare Phoenix in December and San Diego in December.

Warm places abroad in December

Bangkok, Thailand: the hottest pick

December is the start of Bangkok's cool, dry season, and "cool" here still means an average high of 87.6°F. With just 3 rainy days and over 10 hours of sun, it is one of the most reliable warm-weather trips in the world this month. See Bangkok weather in December.

Cancun, Mexico: Caribbean beach weather

Cancun is warm day and night, with a high of 79.7°F and a low of 73°F. It records about 13 rainy days, so expect some quick tropical showers, but you still get almost 10 hours of sunshine on average. Full details: Cancun in December.

Dubai, UAE: the driest choice

If you hate rain, Dubai is hard to beat: just 1 rainy day in a typical December, a high of 79.2°F and nearly 10 hours of sun. Evenings cool to about 60°F, which is comfortable for outdoor dinners. See Dubai weather in December.

Sydney, Australia: summer in December

December is early summer in Australia. Sydney averages 76.8°F with the most sunshine on this list, 11.4 hours a day. It is a long flight from North America or Europe, but you get real summer beach days. More: Sydney in December.

Singapore: hot but wet

Singapore is warm all year (83.1°F high in December), but December falls in the northeast monsoon and averages 28 rainy days. Showers are often heavy and short, so it works for a city trip with indoor plans, not for a pure beach holiday. Read Singapore in December.

Where in Europe is it warm in December?

Honestly, nowhere in mainland Europe is beach-warm in December. The mildest big cities are in southern Spain: Seville and Valencia both average 61.3°F, with Valencia getting only 4 rainy days. Lisbon (58.8°F) and Athens (57.2°F) are close behind. These are great for sightseeing in the sun with a light jacket. Compare Seville in December and Valencia in December.

How to choose the right warm destination

• For beach days: look for an average high above 77°F and a low above 65°F. Bangkok, Cancun, Honolulu and Miami qualify.
• For the least rain: Dubai (1 rainy day) and Bangkok (3) are the driest.
• For the most sun: Sydney (11.4 h) and Bangkok (10.2 h) lead the list.
• For a short flight from the US: Miami, Orlando, Phoenix and San Diego are mild without a long-haul trip.
• Check the 16-day forecast a week or two before you travel, because a cold front can change a few days. Use our trip planner to see the forecast day by day.

What to pack for a warm December trip

Warm destinations in December still have cooler nights than in summer, so pack for both. For Bangkok, Cancun, Honolulu and Miami, light clothes, sandals, a swimsuit and high-SPF sunscreen cover most days; add a thin layer for air-conditioned malls and evening breezes. For Dubai, bring a light sweater because desert evenings drop to around 60°F. For Orlando, Phoenix and San Diego, think layers: a T-shirt for the afternoon and a fleece or light jacket after sunset. In southern Spain, a warm jacket is a must after dark, when temperatures fall to the mid-40s °F. In rainy places such as Singapore and Cancun, a compact umbrella or rain jacket saves the day.

How we picked these places

We compared December averages for more than 150 cities in our database. Every number is a 20-year average (2006–2025) built from historical weather records. We list the average daily high and low, the number of days with measurable rain and the average hours of sunshine per day. We then picked the warmest places that are also popular with travelers, and added a few mild options for people who prefer sightseeing to the beach.

Averages tell you what to expect in a normal year, not what will happen on your exact dates. A warm place can have a cool week, and a rainy month can still give you many dry afternoons. That is why we suggest using these averages to choose where to go, and the live forecast to plan your days once you are within two weeks of travel.