Where is hot in December?

Phuket: choose your base before your hotel

Start with Phuket if warm air and beaches are central to your plans. The WMO climate record shows lower average rainfall in December than November, although rain can still affect a day. Leave room to move an important boat excursion instead of scheduling it immediately before your flight home. [1]

The Phuket guide compares Kata, Karon, Patong and Old Town. Decide whether walking to a beach, nearby restaurants or time in town matters most. An attractive hotel address is not necessarily the most convenient one for your excursions.

For a simple week, let the arrival day stay flexible, then spread beach time, a food experience and an optional boat trip across different days. You do not need to reserve an activity for every day.

Ad — Viator: A cooking class around Kata offers a change from the beach. Check the pickup arrangements for your particular hotel and the menu for your selected session.

For a city-and-beach combination, read the Thailand guide and Bangkok guide. Count the journey between bases as part of your holiday.

Hurghada: choose the hotel around the beach holiday

Hurghada is an option for milder December days and access to the Red Sea. Its historical temperatures are cooler than Phuket's, particularly at night. Bring a layer for the evening and check wind and sea conditions before an excursion. [2]

When comparing accommodation, investigate actual beach access and the swimming area. If a heated pool matters to your trip, ask whether it will be heated during your specific dates rather than assuming this from summer photographs.

Use the Hurghada guide to compare bases and excursions. To consider a different Egyptian holiday, continue to Egypt, Sharm el-Sheikh or Cairo.

Ad — GetYourGuide: An Orange Bay snorkelling cruise can be one of your excursion days. Check the option carefully: transfers, equipment and additional charges may vary with what you select.

Maldives: match the island to your arrival and transfer

The Maldives is warm throughout the year, but the national meteorological service describes December as a monsoon transition. It normally places the northeast monsoon's dry season in January–March. Rain remains possible in December, with conditions varying between atolls. [3]

For December 2026: The official outlook published on 17 October indicates an increased likelihood of above-normal rainfall during October–December. This covers a whole season, not the weather on your particular travel dates. [6]

Choose between a local island and a resort before assessing the transfer. Compare its total price, transport type, baggage rules, last departure and compatibility with your flight arrival. Lower accommodation costs can lose their advantage if transport or an extra overnight stay has been omitted.

Start with the Maldives guide. The Maafushi guide is useful for a local island and excursions, while the Malé guide helps with a possible city stop. Do not book an excursion departing from Maafushi while staying on another island without first arranging the journey.

Tenerife: a mild break with more than beach time

The southern airport station records a historical December average maximum of approximately 23 °C. That makes Tenerife a milder option than the tropical destinations here. The figure does not describe every hour, coastline or altitude on the island. [4]

Consider Tenerife if outings, walks and pool time matter as much as beach days. Investigate your base and expectations about swimming: warm sea temperatures cannot be inferred from air temperatures.

Asili Journeys does not yet have a dedicated Tenerife guide. The Spain page provides a country overview; the Mallorca and Barcelona guides describe different places and should not be used as Tenerife guides. We therefore do not link an experience on another island as a Tenerife recommendation.

Marrakech: a milder city break, not tropical winter heat

Marrakech is an alternative if city experiences appeal more than swimming. There is a marked gap between its average December daytime maximum and nighttime minimum. Choose accommodation for evening comfort as well as its courtyard photographs. [5]

For a short stay, group visits into manageable areas: a day for the medina and food, a day around your preferred cultural sights, and time to pause. Check the exact meeting points and opening arrangements for your dates before fixing the programme.

Read the Marrakech guide and the Morocco guide if you are considering a longer trip.

Ad — Viator: A guided food walk can give structure to an evening. Check its meeting point, language and whether the provider can accommodate your dietary requirements.