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
>>>Check Boracay resort deals
>>>Boracay prices, weather, and travel tips
Hello Roger,
I’m a single Dad with a 12 yr old girl. We live in Michigan. I’m looking for a place to go that is cultural for us both but also enjoyable for a kid and warm. I want to leave on December 28 or 29 2017 and return on Jan 5 2018. Can you please give me a suggestion.
Michael,
If you want a warm place at the end of the year, and you are only going for a week or so, you probably want to go to the Caribbean or Central America, since South America would be quite a long flight for just a week. My top suggestion for a place with culture would be the Playa del Carmen area in Mexico, which is just a bit south of Cancun. Unlike Cancun, Playa del Carmen is a really nice tourist town with hundreds of restaurants and shops and such. There are also the impressive Tulum ruins nearby, and the much more impressive Chichen Itza ruins a few hours away (and a very popular day trip by bus).
The beaches there are good, although not quite as nice as the Cancun beaches, and there are plenty of water sports and other common vacation activities available. There’s pretty good nightlife, but it’s really more family oriented so there are very few big nightclubs and that sort of thing. One thing I love about it is there are many very good international restaurants at appealing prices, rather than just a bunch of taco places or big chain restaurants. You should be able to get a reasonably priced flight into Cancun, and then it’s about an hour south by taxi or shuttle bus.
Another option that is a bit farther and a bit more expensive is Ambergris Caye in Belize. It’s a long and thin island just off Belize City, and nearly everyone walks or takes golf carts around. There isn’t a ton of “culture” on the island, but there are also very few chains and it feels very authentic rather than cheesy. There are some amazing ruins in Tikal just across the border in Guatemala, but it would be a long day trip. There are also jungle lodges in Belize, not far from Tikal.
That is a very expensive time of year to travel, as you’ve probably discovered, so I’m trying to think of places that aren’t extremely expensive. The place I would normally suggest for this is San Juan, Puerto Rico, and that still might work. Evidently the power there is back on and about half the hotels are open again. The Old San Juan part of town is very historic, gorgeous, and full of culture. There is also a rain forest not far away, and excellent beaches. If not for the hurricane damage this would be my first suggestion. And from what I’ve read, they are close to being back open for business in San Juan, although the more remote parts of the island still have no power. Let me know if you have any questions. -Roger
Great info Roger,
15th anniversary trip in December: wife is scared of Mexico, can’t swim so needs a shallow beach to swim in. Bali looks great but flights from LAX are crazy.
Looking at just B4 Xmas, home by 23rd.
Would Tulum make a good trip and feel safe enough? She also doesn’t want to get sick drinking the water. I know, lots of conditions.
Thanks in advance.
Tim
Tim,
I’ve only been to the Tulum ruins and not really the town there, but I felt very safe all through the Playa del Carmen and Cancun area. I’ve heard very few reports of any kinds of troubles in the Yucatan Peninsula area, but that may not be good enough for your wife. Still, I think the Playa del Carmen area is fantastic, and going before Christmas like that should be fairly cheap.
There is always Los Cabos, of course, which is far closer to LAX. And Puerta Vallarta is only a bit farther and should also be very safe and nice. If you really want to go beyond Mexico then Costa Rica is probably your best bet. The Guanacaste area is the best place for beach resorts and is close to its own airport. Costa Rica is a very safe country compared to its neighbors (and also compared to the US, I believe). I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. Before Christmas like that, you might even be able to get a decent deal in Hawaii. -Roger
Hi am looking for warm country to spend my Christmas holidays not far from Norway. Or Africa.
Anita,
This pretty much goes without saying, but Christmas anywhere near Norway means very cold temperatures and not much daylight. You could potentially fly into Stockholm or Copenhagen, both of which will be nicely decorated for Christmas. They are also very expensive.
As for Africa, it’s obviously an enormous continent. You could go to Morocco, which is a bit chilly in December, or you could go to South Africa where it’s summer in December. The best holiday islands near Africa are the Canaries, which are part of Spain. December in Tenerife is warm enough to spend at least some days on the beach, or every day if you are from Northern Europe. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Wow this site is great. Such great info. I have been looking for months to find a family vacation for 15 of us. 9 kids 6 adults. We would divide into 4 rooms so as you can imagine it has been tough to find things. My biggest struggle right now are flights. I have spent over 100 hours searching all inclusives, cruises and service project vacations only to find fights in the 1000-1500. Am I looking in the wrong spots? Or is this the norm for Christmas time. I’m obviously inexperienced. I’ve looked at punta canna, belize, and many others but feel overwhelmed…would a travel agent help at this point or would we be steered to their best commission? We were trying to do entire trip for under 25k but I may be up in the night. I would really appreciate any direction you could send my way. Thank you so much for your time!
Jen,
I’m happy this has been helpful. It would help to know your starting airport, but it sounds like you are somewhere in the US or Canada based on the places you mention. The main issue is that literally every tropical destination has its busiest week of the year between Christmas and New Years. So the best and cheapest flights get booked way in advance and the airlines know they don’t have to cut fares because eventually the seats will all fill up at high prices.
A travel agent might help. They will definitely be steering you to a place that gives them commission, but nearly all properties in the popular resort areas will give a commission, so your options aren’t really too limited. In fact, it might be good just for peace of mind to get a quick quote on a package to see if it matches what you are finding on your own. Punta Cana and Belize rarely have “cheap” flights, and I’m sure fares are much higher than normal during those weeks.
My guess for the cheapest nice place that you could book would be the Cancun area, which probably has the most and cheapest flights. There are many hundreds of hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel, all served by the main Cancun airport. The hotel rates there are usually a bit higher than in Punta Cana, but flights are usually cheaper so hopefully it would come out lower in general. I can understand how stressful this will be, especially if you aren’t sure of where you are going and you keep seeing airfares and hotel rates that are far higher than normal. Unfortunately, that’s what happens for Christmas weeks as the dates approach.
You might also check Airbnb. In many holiday destinations they have listings for very large houses that might hold all of you. Of course, those will be at their peak rates as well, but if you look around you might find like a 5-bedroom house for US$800 per night, or something like that. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions I might help with. -Roger
Hey, tthanks for the speedy response. Was just speaking to my mother , and she was asking me to look into places that are not Cancun/PdC, as shes been there so many times.
Shes suggesting PV, Cabos, Sanlucas, or mabye Los Cabos..Thoughts on those places?
Taylor,
As I mentioned, I’m a big fan of Puerto Vallarta. I have yet to make it to southern Baja California, but I know many people who have been there and I’ve read quite a bit about it as I plan to go there myself soon. Puerto Vallarta is more of a real historic town that had tourism grow out of it up and down the coast, a bit like Playa del Carmen. My understanding is that the Los Cabos area is more like Cancun in that it’s mostly a purpose-built resort area rather than a real town. Cabo also seems to be a bit more expensive as well, and flights rarely look like bargains.
So I guess I can say that I highly recommend Puerto Vallarta, but you would be able to learn more about Cabo from others and maybe it would work well for you? Have a great trip with whatever you decide. -Roger
Hi Roger. Looking to take a family trip around Xmas time. We are 5 adults, 2 kids(14/12), and one infant(1 year old). We are starting in western Canada, and looking for someplace hot, thats relatively easy to reach(due to the baby). Considering Cancun/PLaya de Carmen. The all inclusive seems like its relatively pain free. Or would you suggest Puerto Vallarta?
Considering renting a big house in Hawaii as well, but its a bit of a distance away. We’re going for 7-9 days. So Thailand is out as thats a long way to go.
Any other recommendations would be helpful. Thanks
Tay,
I think both of your ideas are very good ones. The greater Cancun area and the Puerto Vallarta area both should provide excellent weather and good value that time of year. In my experience, a large house in Hawaii would cost quite a bit more than a few rooms in Mexico, at least in the more desirable areas near a beach. I love Hawaii, but especially around Christmas, you would probably be looking at at least US$1,000 per night for a large enough house in an area that you’d like. It could be worth a look on airbnb though?
My guess would be that flights to Puerto Vallarta would be cheaper than to Cancun from BC (or Alberta), and they would be shorter as well, which would be good for the young ones. But I would also guess that all-inclusive resorts would be cheaper in the Cancun/Playa del Carmen area because there are more large resorts there. I actually really like PV and PdC as towns quite a bit, so if you were close to either of those it could be a bonus for at least a little trip or two. The actual city of Cancun is useless though.
So I guess my advice would be that either of those main choices should be ideal for what you have in mind, and that you should do at least a little shop-around to check prices on flights (and flight durations) and at resorts themselves. Most of the all-inclusives in the Cancun area are on their own huge plot of land with a private beach, while I think in PV they tend to be smaller, except for some of the newer ones in the posh area way north of town. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hello Roger,
Looking for a US destination to spend New Years that will have decent weather, not overly crowed for 2 adults. We are from the Midwest, so wanting to escape the cold and spend some time relaxing but haave options for activites. We have kicked around: California, Arizona, Florida. Looking above you mention Georgia and NOLA.
Sherita,
It sort of depends on what you consider to be “decent weather.” Most people wanting to escape the cold weather tend to want something that is actual warm or hot, rather than just a bit warmer than home. New Orleans averages a high of about 63F on New Year’s Day and it might rain as well. It’s a fun place to spend a holiday, but you’ll still have to bundle up a bit. And Atlanta is a long way from the coast so it actually has cold winters in general.
If you were going in February or March I would consider Arizona, but in late December it’s usually a bit chilly there as well. Coastal southern California can have very warm days around New Years (highs in the 80s) but it might also be in the 60s or even 50s if you get unlucky.
For my money I would recommend southern Florida. For smaller crowds I would focus on the Fort Meyers and Naples areas, probably flying into Fort Meyers. Generally speaking, those from the east coast tend to go to the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area, and those from the Midwest tend to go to the Gulf Coast around Fort Meyers. It’s a pretty nice and low-key area, unlike the glitz and glamour of Miami. The beach in Naples is a very ritzy and expensive area, but overall it’s more affordable than Miami. I lived in Miami two years ago and I quite like the Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood areas along the beach, so that’s another to consider. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hello
Looking for a place to take my daughter for her 10th Birthday somewhere hot in December. something I have probably amusement parks and other activities for kids. Any suggestions?
Shanequa,
If you are starting in North America then the obvious choice would be Orlando. It’s not exactly “hot” in December, but it’s usually warm and pleasant. And of course they have more amusement parks and such than anywhere else in the world. If you go to the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area it will usually be even warmer, but also more expensive and there are far fewer top activities.
I’m not aware of any full-on amusement parks in Mexico, although there may be something like that in the Cancun area. Another thing to consider would be an all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, or in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Especially in Punta Cana, they have dozens of huge resort hotels that are surprisingly affordable. Most of the larger hotels are actually groups of hotels where you can stay at one and use the beach and facilities of most of the others. In each of these they have one family oriented hotel, and many of these have huge water-slide parks and other activities, although probably no large roller coasters. If you could get a good deal on a flight and a stay at one of those all-inclusive resorts, your daughter would probably love it and it might be cheaper than Orlando (and certainly warmer). I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks for a great site. I am looking to travel for a couple weeks in Asia during December. I am thinking Vietnam and maybe Thailand. I am 34 and will be traveling alone. I don’t really like big cities and lots of tourists but also want to be safe-ish :). Would love some rural village and beach time, maybe less populated surf spots. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Jenn
Jenn,
I’m happy to try to help. If it’s your first time to Asia I think I would recommend Thailand over Vietnam or Cambodia or Laos. Thailand has a MUCH better tourist infrastructure and far more people speak English there, so it’s easier to get around and do what you want to do. Vietnam is beautiful, but it can be a headache, especially for a solo traveler. The travel agents there where you book tours and bus trips and such are almost all a bit sleazy so they are hard to trust. In Thailand there is a bit of that, but for the most part you can book things easily and you get what has been promised.
The problem in Thailand will be to find places without many tourists, but also where you can get by fairly easily in English. For example, if you visited an island or beach area with only a few small guesthouses and no real hotels, you would probably find that the other tourists around are Thai people, and none of the restaurants would have English menus. It can be frustrating when you can’t speak to anybody, so I’d recommend going to more popular beaches and trying to find quiet areas there. If you go in the first half of December you won’t have big crowds anywhere, but in the second half most things are busy. Hua Hin is an example of a low-key beach town with enough English language expats living there that it is easy to do what you like. Still, I’d recommend at least a few days in Bangkok because it’s really an amazing place to see once.
After Bangkok I’d probably recommend one of the smaller tourist islands such as Ko Phi Phi or Ko Pha Ngan. You could even go to one of the quieter beach areas on Phuket, although those smaller islands are more scenic and will have more to do. And rural villages will also be tough. I lived for 3 months near the main university in Chiang Mai. I assumed since it was a university area that English would be pretty widely spoken, but I was totally wrong. I lived in a nice apartment, but of the 10 or 15 restaurants within easy walking distance of me, not a single one had a menu I could read or an employee I could speak with. And unlike in Vietnam, the characters for the Thai language are totally unfamiliar, so everything looks like squiggles until you study it for a long time. Unfortunately it’s not easy to decipher anything without a LOT of work, but most people in tourist areas speak some English and the signs are all in English so it’s easy in those places.
As far as safety is concerned, you might want to read on some solo female traveler blogs to confirm, but I’ve spent years in that area and it appears to be extremely safe. I hear sometimes about girls going to bars to bar and sometimes drinking so much that they pass out and assume their drinks were drugged, but assaults or overly aggressive attention from men seems to be extremely rare in other situations. In Vietnam almost 100% of local females where long pants and long sleeves when they are outside, though it seems that it’s mostly that they don’t want to get a tan (seriously). In that sense, female tourists wearing shorts and tank tops and bathing suits stand out from the crowd, even if the local men don’t behave differently towards them. In Thailand the locals wear shorts and lighter clothing, so tourists blend in better in that regard.
I’ve spent a long time in those areas and I’m happy to help with more questions if you have them. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hey good stuff on there, thx. Young active backing adventure with culture while sipping on some beers kind of new years. Looking for good beach New Year’s celebrations. From Los Angeles, was Thinking Thailand or Singapore or South America like chili but Was hoping my plane ticket would be the most expensive and then fairly be modest backpacker. Would love to backpack around days before New Year’s seen nature and historical landmarks and then drink dance the night away with gorgeous locals.
Jason,
Thank you. If you haven’t been to southeast Asia yet then I think it’s the perfect place for what you have in mind. Fly into Bangkok for a few days and stay in the famous Khao San Road area, which is the backpacker district and a nonstop party. Then you might take a bus to a ferry or fly to one of the islands such as Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, or Ko Phi Phi (don’t go to Phuket as a solo). You can get cheaper beer in Cambodia and Vietnam, but Thailand is the better party spot by a long way. You can get a bucket of beer (4 or 5 bottles) or a bucket of local whisky and coke for around US$10 in most beach bars. The local whisky (called Sang Som) is super cheap in 7-Elevens (which are everywhere) and supermarkets.
Singapore is very cool, but it’s insanely expensive compared to the other nearby countries, especially for alcohol. Thailand is by far the best party country for a short visit and I’m happy to help with more advice if you need it.
Chile could be good if your Spanish is pretty strong, since English isn’t widely spoken. You could visit Santiago for a short time and then head to nearby Valparaiso. It’s more expensive than southeast Asia though, and finding a party isn’t as easy unless you know people. Thailand has thousands of backpackers from all over the world and it’s very easy to meet people. You are much more likely to party with people from elsewhere than actual “locals” but that is fun too. Let me know if you have other questions. -Roger