Warm Places to Visit in December: 8 Luxury Escapes

Every year there is a moment, usually right after the clocks change, when Boston goes gray at 4:30 in the afternoon and I start looking at flights. If you want sunshine in December, the good news is that it is one of the best months to go. Hurricane season officially ends on November 30, the Caribbean is heading into its drier months, and the first two weeks of December are still quieter (and better value) than the holiday rush.

These are the warm places I would book for December, most of them places our team has stayed, with what to expect from the weather and how to get there from Boston.

1. Nevis: Four Seasons Resort Nevis

The Four Seasons Resort Nevis is the easy answer for anyone who wants a resort that does everything well. We stayed in a four-bedroom villa with a private pool overlooking the mountain and the golf course, and it felt like a home away from home. Book dinner on the water at Mango, and do not skip a sunset drink on the pier at golden hour. December highs are typically in the mid-80s, and the resort runs festive programming from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Read my full Four Seasons Nevis review.

2. Canouan: Mandarin Oriental Canouan

If you want quiet, this is it. Canouan is a small island in the Grenadines, and the Mandarin Oriental sits on a hillside above the sea. The open-air spa is the reason I would go back: my therapist offered music or the sound of the ocean, and I chose the ocean. We also took a catamaran out to snorkel and saw sea turtles. The resort reopened in November 2024 after Hurricane Beryl. Here is my Mandarin Oriental Canouan review.

3. Turks and Caicos: Pine Cay

Pine Cay is a private island with about 40 homes and a single small hotel of 10 rooms and two villas, so it never feels full. Every room opens onto the beach with its own reserved chairs, meals are included, and at 6pm everyone drifts to the Tiki Bar for the sunset. Turks and Caicos is also one of the easiest warm trips from Boston, with seasonal nonstops to Providenciales on several airlines. December highs sit around 80°F with little rain. More in my Pine Cay guide.

4. Anguilla: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla

Anguilla has the feel of a private island without the private-island price. The Four Seasons sits on Meads Bay, with three pools and complimentary Hobie Cats, kayaks and paddleboards on the beach. Getting there used to mean a connection and a boat from St. Martin, but American Eagle now flies nonstop from Miami, and a new Boston nonstop is planned this winter starting December 18, subject to government approval, so check before you book. Read why I love the Four Seasons Anguilla.

5. British Virgin Islands: Moskito Island

For a family or a group of friends who want to spend the holidays together, Moskito is the dream. Richard Branson’s island in the BVI has no hotel; you rent an entire estate with staff, and the largest sleep up to 22 guests. You fly to Tortola (Beef Island), often via San Juan, and the island team collects you for a 30-minute boat ride. Estates are booked through Virgin Limited Edition or a travel advisor. Everything you need to know is in my Moskito Island guide.

6. Mexico’s Pacific Coast: Four Seasons Punta Mita

December is dry season on the Pacific side of Mexico, with highs in the low 80s and very little rain, which is why Four Seasons Punta Mita is such a reliable winter choice. The resort sits on a private peninsula north of Puerto Vallarta, every room has a terrace with water views, and the “catch of the day” experience, where you choose your lunch as the fishermen come in, is a highlight. It is a longer trip from the East Coast, but worth it. Here is why I recommend a winter getaway to Punta Mita.

7. Riviera Maya: The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai

For the shortest flight to reliable warmth, the Riviera Maya is hard to beat, with December highs in the mid-80s. December is the transition into dry season, so expect the odd passing shower. The EDITION at Kanai is the stylish pick, and its spa, designed to evoke the region’s cenotes and set among the mangroves, is a reason to go on its own. Read more about the Riviera Maya EDITION spa.

8. Cartagena, Colombia

If you would rather have a city than a beach chair, Cartagena is my pick for December, and especially for New Year’s. I rang in 2025 there and loved it: colonial streets, rooftop cocktails, excellent restaurants and prices well below Miami or New York. December is dry season, with highs in the upper 80s. There is no nonstop from Boston, so plan on connecting through Fort Lauderdale, Miami or Atlanta. Book a high-floor room with lounge access at the Hyatt Regency Cartagena. My full Cartagena guide has where to eat and drink.

Where to Book

Check rates and availability for December:

When to Book a December Trip

The weeks of Christmas and New Year’s are the most expensive and the first to sell out, especially at small properties like Pine Cay and the Moskito estates. If your dates are flexible, the first two weeks of December are the sweet spot: the weather has settled, rates are lower, and the beaches are quieter. If you are using points, my take on points vs. cash for luxury travel will help you decide which way to pay.

Whichever you choose, book now. The warmest Decembers are the ones planned in October.