written by
Joanne Owen
updated 25.05.2023
Hands up who wants to visit Santa Claus’ village? How about being caressed by the Caribbean Sea in St Lucia? Or what about experiencing once-in-a-lifetime wildlife-watching in Costa Rica? Our run-down of the best places to visit in December gives you the low-down on these top December destinations.
This article is inspired by our Rough Guides guidebooks — your essential guides for travelling the world.
Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region, really is magical. While here, you'll find it hardly surprising that this picture-perfect landscape is the home of Father Christmas.
To meet the man himself, head to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. After telling him you’ve been very, very good and sharing your Christmas wish list, visit the nearby Arktikum Science Centre and Museum.
From wildlife and nature to the history and culture of the region’s indigenous Sami people, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of this remarkable part of the world.
Going beyond Santa's Village, there is plenty to do in this winter wonderland. Try cross-country skiing, or sledding through snow-shrouded forests. Or try to witness the northern lights — December offers excellent chances of seeing them around Rovaniemi.
Lapland, Finland — one of the best places to visit in December © Smit/Shutterstock
Voted one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam by our readers, the Mekong Delta presents some of Vietnam’s most iconic images. We’re talking emerald paddy fields, floating markets, lush canals, and more.
And, with the dry season running from December to May, it’s one of the best places to visit in December.
The floating markets and fruit orchards around Can Tho showcase the region’s culture and landscapes in one fell swoop. Think bustling waterways and a maze of tangled mangroves.
For another unforgettable experience, take a ferry to An Binh Island. With its own floating market, the landscape here represents the delta in miniature.
The Khmer Pagodas around Tra Vinh are another must-visit. Over 100 beautiful Buddhist temples show the remarkable artistry of the Khmer people while serving as places of worship.
Read up on more places to stay in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Mekong Delta, Vietnam © xuanhuongho/Shutterstock
World-class beaches, tropical rainforests, epic underwater wildlife, and the world’s only drive-in volcano. One thing’s for certain, St Lucia will leave you with lifelong memories.
With a dramatic landscape dominated by the twin peaks of its iconic Piton mountains, St Lucia is a diamond-shaped gem of the Eastern Caribbean.
While the island’s beaches, crystalline waters and boutique resorts make it a hot honeymoon destination, this lush island is also ripe for outdoor adventures. You could, for example, hike the volcanic Pitons.
Love birdlife? Take a guided trek through Mount Edmund Forest Reserve. It’s a beautiful place to spot endemics like the St Lucia Parrot and St Lucia Oriole.
Back on the coast, Anse Chastanet Marine Park is one of the best easy-access reefs in the Caribbean. Home to 150 species of marine life, with coral gardens and fringing reefs close to the shoreline, this is especially satisfying for beginner snorkelers.
St Lucia is celebrated for its remarkable marine life © Shutterstock
Being Mozart’s birthplace, and the setting for the Julie Andrews movie, Salzburg sings with the sound of music. Come winter, the city also chimes with Christmas magic.
From mid-November, Cathedral Square and Residence Square are transformed into the stage for the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt. Meanwhile, Winterfest presents modern circus artistry, with a fringe festival supplying warming local food and drink.
While in the city, you’ll want to wander Salzburg’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Old Town, and romantic Mirabell Palace and gardens. Sound of Music fans – you’ll recognise the palace’s Pegasus Fountain as the place Maria and the von Trapp children sang “Do Re Mi”.
Other highlights include heading up to handsome Hohensalzburg Fortress, where five museums and an awe-inspiring panoramic view awaits.
Music lovers will also want to visit Hagenauer Haus, where Salzburg's most famous son was born in 1756. Tours of Mozart's former apartment reveal how he lived, with exhibits of original letters, memorabilia and portraits documenting his time in Salzburg. Seeing his violin and clavichord definitely hits the high note.
Salzburg cathedral in winter © Tourismus Salzburg/Breitegger Günter
From fiery scenery, to world-class beaches, the islands of Cape Verde dish up a heady feast for all the senses.
Chances are, if you’re thinking of visiting Cape Verde in December, beaches are a top priority. Praia de Santa Maria on the island of Sal should have things covered — powder-soft sand to sink your toes in. Turquoise sea to cool off in. And not to mention a promenade of restaurants and bars to make merry in.
Beyond the beach, the cobblestoned streets of Mindelo, capital of São Vicente, display Cape Verdean culture in dazzling technicolour. Boasting a backdrop of rugged mountains, with bright merchants’ houses stretching along Porto Grande harbour, it’s known for its nightlife and more.
Meanwhile, Santiago’s Cidade Velha (Old City) is a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a fort, churches and a ruined cathedral to explore.
Looking for something more adventurous? Head to the Parque Natural do Fogo to see Pico do Fogo, Cape Verde’s only live volcano. While hiking is too risky, you can take a 4-wheel drive trip through eerie fields of molten rock that lead to the volcano’s perfect cone.
Beach on Boa Vista, Cape Verde © Shutterstock
Lapped by both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans, Costa Rica is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. A welcoming nation of unspoiled rainforests, beautiful beaches, and off-the-scale wildlife-watching experiences.
Costa Rica has also been blazing the trail for responsible travel for decades, with long-established eco-lodges and community-minded tourism projects.
One of the best places to experience Costa Rica’s wildlife wonders in a sustainable style is on the Osa Peninsula in the southern province of Puntarenas.
Here the Parque Nacional Corcovado is among the country’s most biodiverse regions, and home to some of the world's most endangered and spectacular mammals. These include tapirs and jaguars.
If that wasn't enough, Corcovado Reserve is also one of the most beautiful national parks in Costa Rica, and a great place to hike.
Top tip: time your flight to arrive in San Jose in mid-December. That way, you can experience the city’s fabulous Festival de la Luz before heading down to the Osa Peninsula. Held on the second Saturday of December, this exuberant Festival of Lights welcomes the start of the Christmas season with parades, music and spectacular firework displays.
Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Want more end-of-year inspiration? Read up on the best winter sun destinations around the world, and the most beautiful winter destinations. You might also want to read our run-down of the best places to visit in November and January.
And remember, wherever you're thinking of heading, there's sure to be a Rough Guide to enrich every step of your journey from the moment you start planning.
Not keen on planning? Browse our customisable tailor-made trips.
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Header image: Lapland, Finland © Shutterstock
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 25.05.2023
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