20 Cheap and warm places to go over 2023 Christmas & New Years weeks
As of summer 2023, travel around the world is way up and it’s looking like the Christmas and New Years holiday seasons in 2023 are going to be the busiest in many years. If you are looking for a cheap place where you can relax in the sun or on the beach, we’ve got 20 great options for you below. The cheapest ones are all in Asia and near the bottom of the list. It could be worth the longer flight if you’ve got at least a week because you can often stay in an amazing 4-star beach resort in some Asian cities for less than the cost of a Motel 6 in Florida around Christmas.
We check hotel rates each year and some places are a bit higher this year while others are about the same and a few places on the list are actually looking a bit cheaper than they did in 2022. We checked prices for the week starting December 24 through 31 and used the nightly average including all taxes and fees for two people. Again, there are some amazing bargains down the list, and some really good bargains near the top as well.
If you want to save even more money you might consider checking our other list of cheap and warm places to go in December as it has some different options and all of them are much cheaper if you can travel earlier in the month.
New video of cheap places to go over Christmas
Here’s a new video showing most of the places on the list below. Please have a look!
Myth: Hotels are cheaper in countries that don't observe Christmas
When I first started researching travel prices around the world, I assumed that hotels around Christmas time would be cheaper in countries that don’t observe Christmas themselves. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be true at all. Here’s the thing, hotels in the tropical beach areas of the world are all priced according to demand, and local customs have nothing to do with it.
A huge majority of the people who are well off enough to fly internationally are those living in countries that have a Christmas holiday, and that’s no secret to hotel owners. In other words, hotels in Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt, and India all raise prices for stays during those key holiday weeks because they know those are the most popular weeks of the year for their businesses. The good news though, is that those countries still offer great bargains compared to, say, Hawaii, which goes off the charts during Christmas week.
When to book a sunny Christmas or New Years holiday trip:
As soon as possible
There is all kinds of research showing the cheapest time to book flights and even research showing that hotel prices often drop a month or two out, but the key exception to both of those is around big holidays like Christmas. Suppliers do adjust prices as the months come and go, except for when they know they’ll have no trouble filling up even at the last minute. The best December destinations in Asia contains many great beach choices that are cheaper than most of the rest of the world.
When to book your flights:
Buy ASAP
The research shows that flights for key holiday periods start off at normal levels and then they just keep going up as seats are sold and the date approaches. There are no last-minute deals on flights just before or after Christmas, at least to and from sunshine destinations.
The 2023 December holiday period is looking like it’s going to be the busiest and strongest since at least 2019 and probably before that as well. Booking hotels early should be wise advice this year again, and remember that most hotels offer free cancellation until shortly before the stay so there isn’t much risk.
When to book your hotels:
Bargains are possible at the last minute, but it’s risky
Hotels in tropical resort areas know what the typical demand is for rooms around the holidays, and most of them will charge as much as they can so they can fill every room. If they charged too little they could be sold out many months in advance, which doesn’t really help them, so they tend to start with rates high enough that they only sell out a few weeks early at most.
The best and most popular beach resort hotels will usually only have a few rooms left by early December, and they will price those high enough that most people will look elsewhere. But some other hotels can be too optimistic in pricing so they have to cut rates in December just to fill up. In other words, you shouldn’t really count on an appealing rate at a specific hotel where you are going, but there’s a decent chance you could still get a decent rate if you are flexible enough to accept something nearby.
Once again in 2023 it could be good to look into Airbnbs and other short-term rentals. Some markets have far too many listings for the demand and you might find bargains as the holidays approach if some owners priced their listing too high and will want to at least book up at a lower rate rather than sit empty during the busiest week of the year.
Package deals:
Also buy early
Again, the airfare portion of a holiday trip is almost certain to get more expensive as the year goes on, so a hotel+flight package will generally just keep going up in price as well.
Particularly to places like the Caribbean, Mexico, and Thailand with huge numbers of package visitors, you’ll almost certainly get the best rates in addition to the widest choices the earlier you book.
Cheap and warm destinations for Christmas and New Year holidays
Obviously “cheap” is a relative term, but these are the cheapest holiday resort areas around the world that also have warm and sunny weather in late December and early January.
Hotel rates listed are current as of July, 2023.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- December average high: 86°F/30°C
- December average low: 64°F/18°C
On Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta remains as one of the country’s tourism jewels. Not only has it avoided the safety problems that a few other resort areas have struggled with in recent years, but it’s also regarded as the most interesting and authentic of Mexico’s resort areas.
The weather during Christmas time is pretty much perfect for anyone wanting to escape the cold, and the large international airport also has good deals on flights from many North American cities as well. Puerto Vallarta has grown more popular lately, especially with Americans and Canadians, so it’s not as cheap as it used to be, just like everywhere else.
Hotel rates in 2023 are looking much higher than in 2022, but still good value and many great places available. Booking as soon as possible is probably wise.
- 3-star hotels from: US$143 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$278 per night for two people
>>>Check current Puerto Vallarta resort and package deals
>>>Puerto Vallarta prices, weather, and travel tips
Los Cabos, Baja California, Mexico
- December average high: 80°F/27°C
- December average low: 58°F/15°C
The closest winter resort area to most of the western half of the US and Canada, Los Cabos has been booming in popularity in recent years, but also booming in tourist infrastructure so prices remain very appealing. The area known as Los Cabos is actually the traditional resort town called Cabo San Lucas, which is centered around a large and gorgeous marina, and the more modern town of San José del Cabo, which is closer to the airport. There are also lovely beach resorts on the south coast between the two.
If you want to take boat tours and such, or if you like to hop around between restaurants and bars, it’s best to stay somewhere close to the marina in Cabo San Lucas. But if you prefer a quiet place where you mainly stay at a resort with its own restaurants and bars, you are better off between the two towns or in San José del Cabo itself.
Hotel rates start at bargain prices considering how nice the area is. It can get a bit chilly at night around Christmas time, although plenty of people actually prefer that to the tropical climate where it’s hot day and night. And the slightly cooler weather will fit in more with the Christmas lights, Christmas trees, and holiday spirit than some of the Caribbean islands lower on this list.
The 2023 Christmas hotel rates are similar to 2022 in the Cabo area so there are some good bargains still available to those who book early.
- 3-star hotels from: US$87 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$282 per night for two people
>>>Check current Los Cabos resort and package deals
>>>Los Cabos prices, weather, and travel tips
Cancún/Cozumel/Riviera Maya, Mexico
- December average high: 84°F/29°C
- December average low: 69°F/21°C
In case you aren’t aware of all of these, Cancún is the purpose-built resort city on the Yucatán Peninsula facing the Caribbean, and the area just to its south is known as the Riviera Maya, which includes the nearby island of Cozumel. In other words, they are all basically the same travel market, with nearly 1,000 hotels in total, and all served by the huge Cancún Airport with cheap flights from all over.
The area is getting more and more all-inclusive resorts and those range in quality from disgraceful to amazing, so it’s important to do your research and be careful about any beach hotel offering a suspiciously good deal. Cancun is home to some of the Caribbeans best all-inclusive resorts in general, but don’t expect very low prices on those.
The weather in late December is predictably perfect with barely a chance of a quick thunderstorm, much less anything worse. With so many hundreds of hotels competing for business, holiday room rates for well under US$100 per night are easy to find. Package deals to Cancún are very popular, and probably the best deal for those who book early. As you can see by the room rates below, there is a huge difference between 3-star and 4-star properties in this area. A 3-star can be just a normal hotel room in the city, while the 4-stars are all wonderful resorts with pools, usually on the beach. In other words, you will generally get what you pay for, so a hotel that charges twice is much is almost always MUCH nicer.
Hotel rates in 2023 look the same or a bit lower than they did in 2022, but that could change as December gets closer. As mentioned above, Cancun is a HUGE area and location is critical or at least it helps explain why some places are double or triple the price of others even though they look the same on the Expedia listings. I wrote a guide for choosing where to stay in Cancun, which should help you figure out the right area for you.
- 3-star hotels from: US$63 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$135 per night for two people
>>>Check current Cancun resort and package deals
>>>Cancun prices, weather, and travel tips
Punta Cana/Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
- December average high: 83°F/28°C
- December average low: 72°F/22°C
The Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic has a reputation for its large all-inclusive hotels at great prices, and its two most popular resort areas are Punta Cana (on the eastern tip) and Puerto Plata (on the northern shore). Each has about 200 hotels to choose from, including dozens of all-inclusive resorts designed to keep you there for your entire stay.
The weather and resort prices are similar in both places in late December, so either one would be a fine choice for someone looking for a cheap and warm place to spend a week. You’ll find that flight+hotel package prices are especially appealing to the DR, and those who book early will usually get the best deals.
The 2023 Christmas week rates are looking really good for those who book early. Room rates are similar to what we saw last year when we updated for 2022, while many other places have jumped in price this year. The best values in Puerto Plata are for 4-star all-inclusive resorts, which are often only a bit more expensive than those that only include breakfast.
- 3-star hotels from: US$65 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$160 per night for two people
>>>Check current Puerto Plata resort and package deals
>>>Punta Cana prices, weather, and travel tips
Montego Bay/Ocho Rios/Negril, Jamaica
- December average high: 86°F/30°C
- December average low: 70°F/21°C
Similar to the greater Cancun area mentioned above, Jamaica has 3 busy resort towns that are all served by the same large airport so they are somewhat interchangeable. Montego Bay has the airport so it’s the easiest to reach, but it has fewer affordable 4-star hotels so Ocho Rios and Negril might be better options if you are interested in that category.
All three towns have a different vibe, so it’s really only the weather and most prices that are similar. Along with the Cancun area and the Dominican Republic, these Jamaican resorts are also known for all-inclusive resorts and appealing package deals. Even during the peak holiday months, it’s possible to lock in an appealing deal if you book early enough.
The 2023 room rates for Christmas week are similar to the 2022 rates when we researched, which is good when so many other places have gone up in price. As always, it is probably wise to book early because rates usually go up as each month goes by.
- 3-star hotels from: US$80 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$373 per night for two people (all inclusive)
>>>Check current Montego Bay resort and package deals
>>>Montego Bay prices, weather, and travel tips
San Juan, Puerto Rico
- December average high: 83°F/28°C
- December average low: 72°F/22°C
While San Juan isn’t among the cheapest places on this list for Christmas, it’s still very good value and it’s a great place for a longer stay during this period. The wide and sandy beaches just next to the historic center are some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, and since it’s part of the US, things like shopping and sightseeing are much easier here than in most of the cheaper islands. In fact, one of the great attractions of Puerto Rico as a getaway for Americans is that you don’t have to change currency and most things will seem familiar. Visit a spa while there instead of exchanging gifts and save yourself the shopping time.
Especially if you are going to stay for more than a week, it pays to look into an apartment rental instead of a hotel. There is an abundance of nice apartments in the tourist area that are rented out most of the year. If you are staying for a month, you can get an amazing deal compared to a hotel. San Juan was famously hit hard by storms in 2017, but as of 2022 nearly everything is open and ready for you.
Room rates for San Juan in 2023 for the holiday week are looking similar to the 2022 rates. You’ll notice that rates for 3-star places and 4-star places are very different in this market because 4-star places are almost all large resort hotels on the beach while 3-star places are often family run and can be a few blocks away.
- 3-star hotels from: US$119 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$312 per night for two people
>>>Check current San Juan resort and package deals
>>>San Juan prices, weather, and travel tips
Ambergris Caye/Caye Caulker, Belize
- December average high: 81°F/27°C
- December average low: 68°F/20°C
Those looking for more of a low-key holiday with no huge chain hotels in sight might prefer the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, both just off the coast of Belize City. These are both long, thin islands where golf carts serve as taxis and there is little or no pavement in sight. The diving and snorkeling here are some of the best in the world, even if these islands are short on long sandy beaches.
Belize is (more or less) an English-speaking country, and these islands both have a bit of a Rastafarian feel in places, so it’s an interesting mix of culture and convenience. Nearly all 4-star hotels here start over US$200 per night for the holiday weeks, but there are 3-star bargains nearby in addition to holiday villas for rent for those with higher budgets.
Belize room rates in 2023 are looking similar to last year for 3 star hotels but a bit higher for 4-star hotels. If you enjoy staying in smaller family-run hotels you can save quite a bit of money and maybe make some new friends in the process.
- 3-star hotels from: US$125 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$224 per night for two people
>>>Check current San Pedro hotel and package deals
>>>San Pedro prices, weather, and travel tips
Roatán Island, Honduras
- December average high: 84°F/29°C
- December average low: 75°F/24°C
Similar in most ways to the islands of Belize mentioned just above, Roatán Island is actually just to their south, so it also sits off the world’s second largest barrier reef. This means there is excellent diving and snorkeling, plus more sandy beaches than you’d get in the Belize islands.
Honduras is a Spanish-speaking country, though especially with the recent influx of cruise-ship crowds here, it’s very easy to get by in English only. There are only about 60 hotels on the island at this point, and holiday rates are still surprisingly reasonable considering what is on offer. Still, booking early is probably wise.
This is another destination where there is a huge gap between the 3-star hotels and the 4-star resorts on the beach, which means you can save a lot of money if you don’t require an actual ocean view from your bed. The 2023 room rates are up from last year so if you see a place you like it’s probably worth booking it early.
- 3-star hotels from: US$107 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$338 per night for two people
>>>Check current Roatan Island hotel and package deals
>>>Roatan prices, weather, and travel tips
Tamarindo/Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- December average high: 90°F/32°C
- December average low: 70°F/21°C
Costa Rica has a wide variety of resort towns along both its Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and all of them will be warm and sunny in late December. There are also national parks and volcanoes (not always sunny) in the interior, but if your main goal is to relax and be a tourist, the best area is around Tamarindo in the Guanacaste province. There’s even a newer international airport nearby in the main city of Liberia, so finding cheap direct flights is fairly easy.
Most of this northwestern area is new and quite luxurious, so 4-star resorts and rental properties aren’t much cheaper than in Hawaii, but there are still some really good 3-star bargains. Nosara is another small town in the area that doesn’t feel quite so mass-market compared to Tamarindo.
It’s important to note that the smaller and cheaper hotels here with reasonable prices will feel like you are visiting a somewhat exotic part of the world, while the 4-star chain resorts on the beach will feel much more like home for most guests coming from the US and Canada. The 2023 room rates are showing an even larger split between cheap 3-star places and the posh and more expensive 4-star beach resorts.
- 3-star hotels from: US$59 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$286 per night for two people
>>>Check current Tamarindo hotel and package deals
>>>Guanacaste prices, weather, and travel tips
Panama City, Panama
- December average high: 90°F/32°C
- December average low: 70°F/21°C
Panama has some very nice beach resort areas with reasonable prices during Christmas, but it also has this large and mostly modern city at its heart, which appeals to a different type of traveler. You might even consider spending some of your stay at a beach and another part of your stay in the city, as both are very good value this time of year and any other.
It helps if you know at least a bit of Spanish, but even those who don’t can find plenty to do here to keep them busy. The city has a few large shopping malls in the tourist area, so it could be a good place to do some Christmas shopping or just hanging around. The restaurant scene here is notoriously good as well.
The 2023 room rates for Panama City are looking similar to last year and very appealing. In fact, if you would like to stay in a very nice resort hotel with at least a pool if not a beach, Panama City is one of the cheapest places to do that. The most interesting resorts are in the San Blas Islands in the Caribbean, so that’s another place to consider.
- 3-star hotels from: US$44 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$85 per night for two people
>>>Check current Panama City hotel and package deals
>>>Panama City prices, weather, and travel tips
Cartagena, Colombia
- December average high: 86°F/30°C
- December average low: 76°F/24°C
The entire country of Colombia has been rediscovered by the tourism world in recent years, but the historic beach city of Cartagena has been popular for much longer. Along the country’s Caribbean coast (about the same latitude as northern Costa Rica, by the way), Cartagena is an interesting mix of beach hotels and a gorgeous walled colonial city with plenty to see.
Not only is Cartagena popular with international tourists in the winter months, but domestic Colombian tourists taking their holidays as well. So you won’t be avoiding the crowds here, but at least it’s one of the more affordable sunshine destinations in the region. The 4-star hotels along the beach just west of the historic center are some of the best Christmas season bargains going. Speaking at least a bit of Spanish is helpful.
The 2023 rates look really appealing for those who can book early. It’s important to note that this is one of the very few places in the western hemisphere (along with San Juan, Puerto Rico) where you can stay in a gorgeous, historic city with great restaurants and entertainment, and also be on a nice tropical beach in less than a 10-minute taxi ride. The beaches aren’t white sand, so not quite as photogenic as most of the others on this list.
- 3-star hotels from: US$62 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$114 per night for two people
>>>Check current Cartagena hotel and package deals
>>>Cartagena prices, weather, and travel tips
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
- December average high: 71°F/22°C
- December average low: 61°F/16°C
Tenerife is the most English-language-friendly of Spain’s Canary Islands, which are just west of Morocco (and about the same latitude as central Florida). As you can see above, it’s not nearly as hot as most others on this list during December, but it’s still damn nice so it’s very popular among Europeans looking for something warmer.
Partly because it’s not really a great beach season, hotels in Tenerife are still quite cheap during the Christmas holiday period. Most everything else is quite affordable as well, at least compared to where you live now. Especially if you are looking for a place with reasonable airfares from elsewhere in Europe, this could be a good choice. The area around Los Cristianos and Playa de la Americas is the easiest for English speakers, and it has the most consistent warm weather as well.
The 2023 room rates for Tenerife are actually a bit down compared to 2022, so if you are able to book in July or August you can lock in a great rate. Expect to see a lot of northern Europeans all winter here.
- 3-star hotels from: US$76 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$122 per night for two people
>>>Check current Tenerife hotel and package deals
>>>Tenerife prices, weather, and travel tips
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
- December average high: 74°F/23°C
- December average low: 59°F/15°C
At the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, Sharm el-Sheikh is more or less the Cancun or the Mallorca of the region, although not quite as warm in December. This is a purpose-built resort area that has been popular with Europeans and others for some time now. While it’s remote and has generally been safe from the turmoil nearby, most of its fans are choosing to go elsewhere at the moment.
Egypt had some security issues a few years ago and they kept almost everyone away for a while to the point that beach resorts were literally charging under US$30 per night for two people. The country has not had any such issues in several years now and the European visitors are coming back.
Sharm el-Sheikh room rates in 2023 are down a bit compared to what we saw in 2022. It’s hard to say whether they’ll stay down, but if you can book something early you can lock in an amazing deal for a beach resort with a great climate.
- 3-star hotels from: US$43 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$92 per night for two people
>>>Check current Sharm el-Sheikh hotel and package deals
>>>Sharm el-Sheikh prices, weather, and travel tips
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- December average high: 79°F/26°C
- December average low: 61°F/16°C
One of the most unusual destinations anywhere, Dubai is a huge and booming city with a few nice beaches and an extremely busy airport. The period in late December is one of the nicer times of the year, so it can get pretty crowded during the holidays. The main activity here is shopping at enormous malls filled with all ranges of goods at reasonable prices.
It’s worth noting, however, that the nicer and better located hotels in Dubai will cost at least two or three times the minimums mentioned below. Those on lower budgets can get by pretty well here, but that’s not to be confused with the luxury market and beach hotels that rival top room rates anywhere on earth.
The 2023 hotel scene is very encouraging once again. Rates for this December are looking fairly cheap, but again, the fancy places and those in the prime locations will cost at least double these rates.
- 3-star hotels from: US$76 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$141 per night for two people
>>>Check current Dubai hotel and package deals
>>>Dubai prices, weather, and travel tips
Goa, India
- December average high: 91°F/33°C
- December average low: 69°F/21°C
Goa has been a famous hippie hangout for Europeans and some others for decades now, but it’s also popular with families this time of the year, including many from elsewhere in India. Goa is actually a small state in southern India with more than a dozen different low-key beach towns, each catering to its own groups of fans.
In other words, it pays to do some research before choosing a beach hotel here because most of them won’t be suited to you. Room rates are quite reasonable even during this busiest time of year, although it’s important to note that the cheapest hotels in Goa (and all over India) tend to be disappointing and rarely worth the savings. Still, the 4-star hotels in Goa are mostly quite good, and excellent value at Christmas time.
The 2023 hotel situation in Goa looks kind of a mixed bag, but rates are still very cheap compared to almost anywhere else in the world. Again, choosing the right hotel in India can be a challenge because there are hundreds of cheaper places that get very few reviews on the main hotel-booking sites like Expedia or even Agoda. If you can find a nice one you can save a lot of money, and they do exist (I’ve stayed in quite a few in Goa myself), but if you want to play it safe you’ll be paying a bit more.
- 3-star hotels from: US$73 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$157 per night for two people
>>>Check current hotel and package deals for Goa
>>>Goa prices, weather, and travel tips
George Town, Penang, Malaysia
- December average high: 88°F/31°C
- December average low: 74°F/23°C
Perhaps not as well known as most of the others on this list, Penang Island and its main city of George Town are certainly worth a look for some people. The area is quite popular with Asian visitors and adventurous Westerners as an alternative to Phuket and other Thai islands.
The cheaper hotels in the area are those in the historic center of Georgetown, while the beachfront resorts are going to cost quite a bit more. Avoid the cheapest hotels here and pay close attention because most of the cheapest rooms have no windows at all. Still, there is great value here, particularly in the food scene. Penang is known as the culinary capital of Malaysia, with an abundance of cheap and cheerful food courts in addition to some notable fine dining.
The 2023 hotel rates over Christmas look really cheap for those who can book early. Rates are even down a bit on 2022, which is a relief. If you can only stay a week it’s probably worth booking a nicer place with lots of great reviews, but if you are staying a few weeks you might try to experiment with a more affordable place, knowing you can switch easily if you aren’t happy.
- 3-star hotels from: US$26 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$50 per night for two people
>>>Check current hotel and package deals in Penang
Phuket, Thailand
- December average high: 88°F/31°C
- December average low: 75°F/24°C
Phuket is Asia’s most popular beach destination, featuring well over 1,000 hotels and resorts. It’s actually an island with about 12 different beach areas that are quite different from one another, so this is another destination where hotel research is critical. Patong Beach is by far the biggest and most crowded of the beach areas, to the degree that many people absolutely loathe it.
Karon and Kata are nearby beach areas that are at least a little more serene, and there are several other enclaves of upmarket luxury hotels and resorts. This has been a very popular Christmas destination for northern Europeans for decades, and yet it’s still quite affordable even during its peak season. Hotels on or near the beach are going to cost quite a bit more than the prices listed below, but those who don’t mind walking a bit can get great value even at Christmas here.
The 2023 Christmas hotel rates are once again, shockingly low, at least for the simple places. There are so many independent hotels on this island that competition is fierce for guests. Room rates for international chains such as Hilton and Marriott are going to be MUCH higher, although still cheap by international standards.
- 3-star hotels from: US$26 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$41 per night for two people
>>>Check for the best Phuket resort deals
>>>Phuket prices, weather, and travel tips
Hoi An/Da Nang, Vietnam
- December average high: 77°F/25°C
- December average low: 67°F/19°C
Da Nang is a bit of a wildcard on this list because it’s not really suited to mass-market visitors, at least those from the West. This beach city along Vietnam’s central coast is a short drive from the ultra-charming Hoi An, and both are quite popular for different reasons, especially for cheap hotels.
Hoi An has been a favorite among visitors to Vietnam for decades, while Da Nang is more of a newcomer after it’s built a string of large beachfront hotels meant for foreign guests. Vietnamese food has a large cult following around the world, and both of these towns have an abundance of great and affordable restaurants serving several varieties. This is one to think about if it feels like you’ve been everywhere else.
The 2023 hotel rates continue to be insanely cheap, at least for the smaller places in and near Hoi An itself. You can still book a beach hotel with an ocean view along the Da Nang beaches for cheap, but it’ll be more than for the family-run places.
- 3-star hotels from: US$16 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$24 per night for two people
>>>Check current hotel and package deals in Hoi An
>>>Hoi An prices, weather, and travel tips
Bali, Indonesia
- December average high: 86°F/30°C
- December average low: 76°F/26°C
Unlike the others on this list, Bali is (slightly) in the Southern Hemisphere, and December is actually one of the rainy months so Christmas visitors can expect at least a few downpours per week. But the rain usually doesn’t last long so it’s still very popular here on the Christmas holidays, particularly with Australians. The cheapest hotels here are of low standards and often without A/C, which you’ll really need in December.
The most crowded and popular area is the famous surf beach along Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak on the west coast, but there are many lower-key beach areas in addition to Ubud a bit up in the central hills. Well-heeled visitors might also consider the tourist zone of Nusa Dua in the south, which is filled with large chain hotels that are often loaded with honeymoon couples.
The room rates for 2023 are up a bit from 2022, but still ridiculously cheap considering how nice most of these places are. Bali has so many hotels that you can probably get a good deal even close to the last minute, but it still might be worth locking in a great place if you find one you like.
- 3-star hotels from: US$19 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$34 per night for two people
>>>Check current Bali hotel and resort deals
>>>Bali prices, weather, and travel tips
Boracay Island, Philippines
- December average high: 82°F/28°C
- December average low: 75°F/24°C
December marks the tail end of the rainy season in Boracay Island, but those tropical storms rarely last long so the place is very popular over the Christmas holidays anyway. This gorgeous strip of sand is lined with hotels, as well as a sand pathway along the beach, making it possible to spend days at a time in bare feet.
There are no super-cheap hotels on Boracay Island, but that’s mainly because every hotel is within 100 meters or less of the sandy beach. There are many choices of international cuisine here, including many chain restaurants. The most obvious choices are the great number of affordable all-you-can-eat buffets that set up every evening right on the beach. There’s also plenty of live music, as you’d expect in the Philippines.
The hotel rates in 2023 for Christmas season are looking pretty typical for Boracay Island, which means they are cheap, although not nearly as cheap as some others on this list. Still, this is a very special place and many people come back year after year. I wish I lived closer myself.
- 3-star hotels from: US$41 per night for two people
- 4-star hotels from: US$80 per night for two people
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Hi Roger. Looking for something over xmas 2018. I’ve already been to Hawaii, Cancun and most of the Caribbean islands via cruises. Your recommendations on each are spot on…all gorgeous places to visit.
What are your thoughts on Bora Bora / Moorea. I’m somewhat concerned w the rainy season though nobody can predict the weather. Heading on a cruise to Australia / New Zealand this xmas. Plan to do Rio and Carnivale in late Feb 2020. I don’t know much about Cape Town. Plan to cruise B.A. to Chile in next few years. Maybe Amazon River cruise, but I read it’s dry season so maybe not as much to see.
I’ve had a few friends visit Columbia in the past year, but all that I can think of are drug lords. Has this changed in the past 20 years?
Thank you for your thoughts.
Duane,
It’s always good to hear that my recommendations sound right to others who have been to these places.
Bora Bora and Moorea are very popular during Christmas season, as you’d expect. The weather in those islands is almost the same all year round, although I think April is the month when they are a bit more likely to get larger rain storms. Basically, it can rain any day of the year on those Tropical islands, but usually the storms only last 30 minutes or so, and sometimes they happen overnight. I read a lot of guest reviews for Bora Bora and the Maldives and I never see someone who said that it rained all week or anything like that.
It sounds like you’ve got a lot of big plans coming up. I spent carnival in Rio de Janeiro in 2005, partly by accident. It was fun, although hotel prices double or triple as you’d expect.
Colombia is now considered safe, even in Bogata and Medellin, so I would go. A couple years ago I went to Cartagena, which evidently has always been safe, and I was very impressed. There are some travel bloggers who live in Medellin because it’s cheap and has great weather every day of the year. Let me know if you have any other specific questions and I’ll be happy to try to answer them. -Roger
2 couples looking for a warm 7-11 day vacation leaving right after Christmas. Like to explore (we are in late 50s-70) . All in good physical shape. Safety in concern in some of the South and Central American countries.Any suggestions?
Laurie,
Since you mention wanting to explore, I am once again going to suggest a few familiar places. If you are in the east of North America then San Juan, Puerto Rico could be ideal for you. They have great beaches right in the city, including in the Condado district, which is right next to the gorgeous Old San Juan colonial area. San Juan has great history and architecture as well as interesting culture in that Old San Juan area, along with fairly affordable condo rentals not far away. There is also a popular rain forest nearby where you can do a day trip with a little hike to a waterfall.
My other favorite on the east side is Playa del Carmen, which is just south of Cancun. It’s a bit cheaper than San Juan, but it’s in a generally safe part of Mexico. There are some excellent ruins and other interesting sights nearby, along with pretty good beaches.
If you are more in the west my pick is Puerto Vallarta, which also has an interesting historic town at its core. There are plenty of things to do, and so far it’s among the safest resort areas in Mexico. Hopefully you had something like that in mind. If not, let me know and I’ll try again. -Roger
Our children and Grands are not coming home for the holidays this year. I would love to travel somewhere warm, in Late December, early January. We love the arts, history and beach. Are more mature late 50’s and would like any suggestions.
Sandy,
I’ll assume you are starting from the United States. My top suggestion for something like you describe is San Juan, Puerto Rico. If you haven’t been yet, the historic Old San Juan area is gorgeous and very interesting. The district right next to that is called Condado and it has a few hotels and many short-term apartment rentals along an excellent beach. It’s not quite as posh as some other places, but it’s very safe and fun with plenty of activities possible and even a rain forest you can visit not far away. The Old San Juan area is packed with nice restaurants and some places with live music and such.
Cartagena is kind of similar except it’s farther, cheaper, and the beaches near the city aren’t quite as nice, though still pretty nice. The historic walled colonial city is packed with nice hotels and great restaurants. There aren’t many other choices in the Tropics with good culture and history, at least in the Western Hemisphere. Let me know if you had something else in mind and I can try again. -Roger
Hi, im an Indian, this is a first international travel for me. I would like to celebrate new year in New place. I would like to be in a place like high party and chilled place. Budget $500.
Shridar,
With a budget of US$500 for an international trip, you can’t go very far from India. If you want a high party and chill place then Goa fits that bill, but you did mention leaving the country.
The next closest place that is cheap and has parties and chill vibes would be one of Thailand’s islands. Phuket is the easiest to reach because it’s large and has its own international airport. If you want to “party” then head to the Patong Beach area. Or you could go to one of the smaller islands such as Ko Phi Phi or Ko Samui, but you’ll have to change planes in Bangkok first. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
We love Mexico but the recent government travel warnings are making us wonder about Christmas. We need to stay west and love the Cabo area and it’s luxurious hotel condos with large kitchens yet wonderful restaurant as close by. And live the large sandy beaches. Any alernatives not in Mexico?
Krisann,
I’ve yet to make it to Cabo, although I’ve seen so many travel shows from there that I feel that I have. I’ve been to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cancun though. San Juan, Puerto Rico has some luxurious pockets, but I think the vast majority of the developments there are older than those in Los Cabos. So if you are looking for a modern and posh resort area then you might be happier on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. But honestly I love San Juan and the beach areas are all very nice. The historic Old San Juan area is amazing, and certainly far more interesting than anything in Cabo.
If you prefer to stay on the west coast you might consider the Guanacaste area of Costa Rica. It is very safe and has similar large chain beach resorts and plenty of things to see and do. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger, Childhood friend and I are planning a reunion trip over Christmas. Looking for somewhere that flights aren’t too expensive (she’s traveling from Houston, I’m from NYC). But also offers combo of beach and other things to do. You’re right, San Juan would be perfect but I’ve already been there twice! Any other suggestions? Thanks
Laura,
Personally, my other favorite inexpensive place in the Caribbean aside from San Juan is Playa del Carmen, which is just south of Cancun. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s a reasonably large town filled with hundreds of restaurants, bars, and small hotels. The beaches aren’t quite as nice as those on the Cancun Hotel Zone, and you might consider Cancun as well if you like the idea of a 10-mile-long strip of hotels and timeshare buildings on a gorgeous strip of sand. Personally I like being in a town with endless choices and plenty of activities. There are really good sights there too, including the nearby Tulum ruins and the more remote Chichen Itza.
Farther away and even a bit cheaper is Cartagena, Colombia. Like San Juan, it also has a lovely walled colonial town and a strip of beach hotels nearby. The beach there isn’t as sandy as some like it, but at least it’s big and the weather will be great. JetBlue flies into Cartagena, and almost all airlines fly into Cancun.
Most of the other Caribbean islands would require more expensive flights and cost more once you get there. Christmas is going to be peak season in the whole region, so finding a cheaper place can really help. Let me know if I can help more. -Roger
I live in AZ and my friend lives in NY. We would like to plan a trip together starting Jan1. Would like a warm place to visit. Thinking of a cruise or an island. Any great resorts you can share? Don’t want to go to a party type place.
Diane,
If you are up for a cruise I think you should try one. You really do get amazing value out of them and they allow you to experience several islands or destinations in a short time. They will be relatively expensive in the first week of January, but that would also be true of any sunny island you might visit instead. Personally, I’m mostly an “independent” traveler and I assumed I would be bored on a cruise, but I did one from Miami on Norwegian in 2015 and I absolutely loved it. We stopped at St. Thomas, Tortola, and Nassau, Bahamas, which is one of the classic Western Caribbean itineraries. I was actually happy to spend only 10 hours or so on each island because honestly they would be boring for a whole week.
You could go on a Mexico cruise out of Los Angeles or a Caribbean cruise out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale. In either case one of you is going to have to take a cross-country flight. I think either option would be fantastic for you.
If you were thinking more of an all-inclusive resort then Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is the best place and excellent value. If you were thinking more of a warm city with great food and culture and beaches then San Juan, Puerto Rico is my pick. Puerto Vallarta is also great if you prefer the Pacific coast. I hope this helps. -Roger
Hi Roger,
We are a family of 6. Ages 19, 21, 24, 25,57 and 58. Currently 4 live in NY, one in Tampa and the other in Los Angeles We love the warm weather and are an active bunch.Looking to travel either the week or two before Christmas. We’ve done all the Caribbean Cruises (loved it) and looking to switch things up this time around. Our budget is around 15K. What might you suggest. Thanks
Rick,
Since you say you’ve done the Caribbean cruises, I assume you are pretty familiar with the various Caribbean islands and have dismissed them. As you might have seen already, my choice for a longer stay in a Caribbean beach area that also has great access to culture is the Condado neighborhood in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It’s a wonderful city on a great beach and the rental market there is quite good.
And while we are discussing the obvious, you didn’t mention Hawaii. I don’t have it on the list above because you couldn’t really call Hawaii “cheap,” but it should easily fit into your budget. You could rent a large condo on Maui or Kauai that would fit everyone, and you’d have excellent December weather and close access to plenty of great activities. Especially if you went two weeks before Christmas, you could get a pretty good deal.
Another suggestion would be Costa Rica or Belize. Costa Rica is obviously much larger and has many more options than Belize, but either could work well. Belize also has the world’s second largest coral reef right off its coast, so it’s a short boat ride from Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, which are the most popular tourist islands. You could get a house rental on one of those. But really you’d have many more activity options in Costa Rica. The area around Guanacaste in the north is where you’ll find most of the modern resorts and tourist-oriented house rentals, but there are areas all along the Pacific coast that could work, or even along the Caribbean coast.
Those would be my first suggestions. I hope this helps as a starter. I’m happy to answer more questions or try again if you add information. -Roger
Hey Roger,
I am graduating college and our family wants to celebrate. Problem is, my sister is in medical school so she can only travel in December but is also married and her first anniversary is Dec.17th and she won’t miss the first Christmas with in-laws. That being said, I would like to leave from South Carolina the afternoon of Christmas day and return on New Year’s Day or Jan. 2nd. I have been researching prices for quite some time now and travel does not seem to be budget friendly (5 of us). Is this too wishful of thinking?
We want somewhere warm and somewhat local- we love renting houses as opposed to hotels but are willing to do a hotel.
VERY open minded in terms of location- we have done Mexico and Bahamas multiple times but are looking into Chile, Spanish islands, Costa Rica, Cabo, etc. ANY advice would be so appreciated!
Maggie,
As mentioned in the article, the week you want to go is literally the peak (highest price) week of the year in nearly all Tropical destinations. And it’s no secret either because so many people have nearly two full weeks off that time of year. I think the keys are to lock in your airfare as early as possible, and then focus on the cheaper places in general because they are all at peak price that week.
Chile would be a long flight for just a week, and I think the flights would be very expensive as well. The only Spanish islands that aren’t cold in late December are the Canaries, with Tenerife being the largest of those. But honestly I wouldn’t recommend it because it would also be an expensive flight (transfer through Madrid or Barcelona) and it’s kind of boring there. Also, it’s just barely warm enough to walk on the beach, and sometimes not warm enough to sit on the sand in December. You really want something in the Tropics or south of the equator.
Costa Rica and Cabo will both be packed at peak prices. There are so many places you can go in Costa Rica that finding something that was reasonable is possible, but it probably wouldn’t be in a location that you liked much.
At times I feel like a broken record on here, but once again I’m going to push for San Juan, Puerto Rico. It will be peak season there as well, but one nice thing is that there are hundreds or even thousands of buildings that are only occupied part time by their owners and rented out the rest of the year. Hotels in Puerto Rico can be a bit expensive, but the rental market is more reasonable. My favorite neighborhood is Condado, which is right next to the gorgeous Old San Juan historic area. The beaches in San Juan are also some of the best in the Caribbean.
Another thing I like about it for you is that there are far more apartments and condos than hotel rooms in that area, so it’s more of a “locals” place. And there are full-size supermarkets selling everything you need at decent prices where you pay in USDs. I’d think that you could get a rental condo that fits all of your for much less than 2 hotel rooms. But again, there are no cheap places during that week. The only place that is also nice and is at least a step down from San Juan on the price scale is Cartagena, Colombia, but I don’t think they have too many rental apartments or condos there. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hello Robert,
I live in Texas but my BF lives in Amsterdam. We want to spend this Christmas + New Years together. What would be a good middle-ground destination. I am the main problem and don’t want to pay too much for a flight. We love nature and enjoy exploring more than partying. We love to eat so food must be relatively cheap and somewhere with water or land sports would be perfect as we like to do more than lounge on the beach.
Thanks in advance!
Nicole A,
I’m actually living in Texas myself at the moment (in Kerrville). If you want something between Texas and Amsterdam that is warm in late December, you definitely want to head to the Caribbean. Fortunately you’ll have quite a few good choices. Have a look at this article we have on the Caribbean destinations from cheapest to most expensive. A handful of those islands are still Dutch territories, and several more are so popular with the Dutch that they have nonstop KLM flights from Amsterdam.
If you do a text search on that page for the word “Dutch” on that page you’ll find 8 of the 32 destinations are popular enough with Nederlanders that KLM has nonstop flights. Since they are closer to the US, you should both get reasonable airfares to any of them. I wouldn’t recommend the Dominican Republic for you unless you wanted to meet at an all-inclusive resort. And in Jamaica I’d only consider Negril, as the other two main places are also better more for large resorts. I’d probably shoot for St. Maarten or one of the smaller islands such as Curacao, which might be the best one for you. Even in the more expensive Caribbean islands such as St. Maarten, you can usually finder cheaper hotels a few blocks from the beach that are great value.
Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger