While it’s common belief that flights around the holidays are excruciatingly expensive, it may surprise you to find out they’re not as bad as you think. The same goes for hotels – while you may think hotels increase their prices during the holidays, many actually lower them because of the high capacity of travelers passing through.
What all of this means is that if you’re looking for somewhere warm to escape and celebrate the new year, we have a few ideas for you:
Cancun, Mexico
The great thing about Cancun is that just south of it is the island of Cozumel. And with two destinations to choose from, you’ll have your pick of hundreds of hotels and an airport (Cancun International) that serves both islands. Temperatures are in the low 80s in December and you won’t have to worry much about rain, so Cancun is a great place to escape chilly, snowy weather.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
If you’re looking for a getaway with more of a luxury feel, head to the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste. You’ll find plenty of 4-star resorts and rentals as well as national parks, volcanoes, waterfalls, water sports, and miles of beautiful beaches. You’ll also find summer-like weather, with temperatures in the low 90s during December.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize, is a great place to go if you’re looking for a good balance of beautiful Caribbean beaches and lots of things to do. With snorkeling, zip lining, sailing, scuba diving, and more, the island is ideal for a family vacation. Plus, with hurricane season over, you won’t have to worry about strong winds and heavy rains.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Just like Cancun, Montego Bay gives travelers the opportunity to visit two other Jamaican towns nearby – Ocho Rios and Negril. While temperatures don’t fall below 70 degrees, the weather is nearly the only common thing between all three towns – each gives you a different vibe, with Negril being relaxed, Montego Bay being a small-town feel, and Ocho Rios being a place for activities.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If you watched any of the 2016 Olympics, you probably noticed how beautiful the city of Rio de Janeiro is. With turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and scenic peaks, there’s plenty of landscapes to soak up. December is summertime in the southern hemisphere, so you’ll enjoy sunshine and warm temperatures. Plus, Rio is the site of one of the best New Year’s celebrations in the world.
Goa, India
If you love laid-back beach towns, the small state of Goa in southern India is the perfect place to go. With more than a dozen beach towns, the area is a popular getaway spot for edgy Europeans and Indian families alike. Lodgings in each town are very affordable during the month of December, but each town appeals to a different type of traveler. So before you choose where to go, do some research.
Fiji
With more than 330 tropical islands to choose from, there’s no shortage of Fiji destinations to enjoy. Go snorkeling on Denarau Island, opt for a safari on Nananu-i-Ra, hike up Mount Tomanivi, or take an island-hopping cruise and see several destinations in one shot. Plus, if you’re in Fiji for December 31st, you’ll be one of the first people in the world to ring in the new year.
Sydney, Australia
With December being summertime in the southern hemisphere, Sydney is a great place to go to get a dose of both warm weather and culture. Plus, with the city’s plenty of museums, beaches, gardens, iconic architecture, and more, there’s something to do for everyone. In addition, you’ll find affordable hotels in all areas of the city.