people interested in escaping to warmer climates during the Christmas season and one of Hot December holiday destinations, and we are here to help our friends with...

1. Hot December holiday destinations
December holidays, Colombia and alcoholic beverage: these are just some of the things and
places to consider for people interested in escaping to warmer climates during the Christmas
season and one of Hot December holiday destinations. The alcoholic drink aspect can be
enjoyed while visiting the southwestern region of South Africa, starting in Cape Town, or near
Auckland as New Zealand enters summer. It may also be worth considering crossing off some
items on your bucket list, such as trekking to see mountain gorillas in the dense jungles of
Uganda or driving along the Florida Keys. Alternatively, you could simply choose to relax on a
beach in Phuket, Langkawi, or Uruguay. With hurricane season coming to an end, the Caribbean
is also a viable option, particularly southern St Lucia, where you can enjoy trekking, hot springs,
and seaside activities. Another lesser-known destination to consider is Curaçao, which offers
diving opportunities accessible from the shore, and we try to give you some Low budget
vacation ideas for couples.
Uganda
With an average temperature of 21C and the end of its short rainy season, southwestern
Uganda's lush landscapes dry up, allowing tourists to partake in one of its biggest attractions:
guided treks through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to observe mountain gorilla groups up
close. However, be prepared for slippery conditions and make sure to obtain permits and
accommodation well in advance. This is also a great time for tracking chimpanzee groups in
forests like Kibale and going on boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel to spot hippos which is
why Uganda is one of Hot December holiday destinations. As animals are drawn to water
sources during hotter days, Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its elephants, and Ishasha
Plains, famous for its tree-climbing lions, offer excellent safari drives. However, it is the
experience of seeing the gorillas that will leave a lasting impression.
Colombia
Diversity. That’s the word that best sums up this emerging South American destination. It’s a
country with pretty much everything: snow-capped Andean peaks and high-altitude plains,
beautiful white-sand shores, wildlife-filled Amazon jungle and coffee plantations, as well as
ancient architectural wonders in the form of the Lost City — on a stunning level comparable to

2. Machu Picchu — and grasslands (Los Llanos) known as the “Serengeti of South America”.
Colombia’s cities are also captivating, especially colonial-era port Cartagena and artistic capital
Bogota, whose 3,152m-high peak Monserrate is annually adorned with Christmas lights which is
why we at Dena Trip think why Colombia is one of the Hot December holiday destinations.
December marks the beginning of the dry season, with the widely varying temperatures mostly
warm and pleasant. If it ever does get too hot, cool off inside the incredible Zipaquirá Cathedral
— a salt mine turned underground Roman Catholic place of worship.
St Lucia
With Average temperature of 27C and having The best beaches with the most golden sand line
St Lucia’s northwestern coast around Rodney Bay, as do the majority of its all-inclusive resorts.
Nestled in the southwest, encircling the charming French colonial town of Soufrière, are a series
of more intimate boutique accommodations with exceptional cuisine and spas making St Lucia
one of the best Hot December holiday destinations. Surrounded by a protected marine park
that is a haven for divers or snorkelers, this area of the island tends to have smaller, darker-
colored beaches. Towering above them in picturesque fashion are the Pitons — two cone-
shaped, rainforest-covered peaks — and inland there are hot springs and mud pools perfect for
bathing. Beyond the hurricane season, December is humid and occasionally rainy but generally
pleasant with refreshing breezes keeping visitors cool.
Uruguay
Uruguay’s splendid coast and having an Average temperature of 21C, is mighty popular among
Argentineans and Brazilians. That’s because of a series of almost never-ending sandy beaches,
many bordered by small restaurants and bars. The most famous are at the capital Montevideo,
yacht-lined Punta del Este, surfy Punta del Diablo, family-friendly Piriapolis and the trendy Jose
Ignacio, once a humble fishing village . Further north, beaches in the province of Rocha are
wilder and relatively undeveloped due to being further-flung, but arguably most beautiful of all,
making Uruguay one of the best Hot December holiday destinations. December is peak season,
especially when Buenos Aires residents cross the River Plate for Christmas or New Year
celebrations. Expect refreshing ocean breezes and clear blue skies, plus frequent festivals.
Southern Sri Lanka
December through to April is the ideal time to explore the southern region of Sri Lanka, and
there are plenty of attractions to enjoy. The beaches in this area, such as Bentota, Tangalle, and
Hiriketiya, are exceptional, and there are several elegant hotels nearby, some of which have a

3. bo utique feel, that is why Southern Sri Lanka is one of greates Hot December holiday
destinations, also be sure to know when is the best day to book a hotel, if you don’t know, we
are here to help you with that. Nowhere else in the world can you find more reliable blue whale
sightings than on cruises from Mirissa or Dondra Head during this time of year. In the small
fishing town of Koggala, you can capture incredible photographs of stilt fishermen perched
above the ocean on delicate frames made of sticks and twine. Just west of Koggala is Galle, a
captivating 17th-century Dutch fort surrounded by the ocean on three sides. Inside the fort,
you'll find ancient mosques, enticing boutique shops, and numerous cafes.
Western Cape, South Africa
Cape Town in South Africa is warm, dry, and sunny in December (and January), providing a
perfect contrast to our short, chilly days. It won't be too hot if you decide to hike up Table
Mountain, although taking the cable car up and walking back down is a less sweaty option. You
can also visit the Boulders Beach penguin colony located south of Cape Town. Other attractions
include Robben Island's historic prison, where you can see Nelson Mandela's cell, and the
modern art gallery at the waterfront Zeitz which is why we insist that the Western Cape is one
of the Hot December holiday destinations for you. If you venture further out, you'll find the
Winelands with their picturesque mountain valleys dotted with prestigious hotels, as well as
the coastal Garden Route, offering opportunities for beach visits, cruises, golfing, and
birdwatching, there are some rumors and myths about “is it cheaper to book a hotel last
minute”, we are here to clarify that. Let's not forget about the Aquila and Gondwana Private
Game Reserves, where safaris often allow visitors to spot all of the Big Five animals.
Curaçao
One of the Caribbean’s warmest spots in December with the Average temperature of 28C,
making it one of the greatest Hot December holiday destinations, this affordable sliver is part
of the lesser-visited ABC islands (along with Aruba and Bonaire) in the southerly Lesser Antilles.
Announced by the capital Willemstad and its Unesco-listed colonial architecture, Curaçao
delivers shore-accessed scuba diving and snorkelling — including the Tugboat shipwreck, only
five metres deep — in seas that hover around 26C all year, plus 40-odd splendid beaches. Look
out too for show caves in which enslaved people once hid, and the marvellously wild, cacti-
dotted eastern coast. New or forthcoming resorts are providing more polish, and yet there’s
much more authenticity here than elsewhere in the archipelago with tourism not the lone key
economy. Visit in mid-December to dodge any lingering hurricane-season showers.

4. Auckland, New Zealand
Average temperature 18C
Just like the surrounding North Island of New Zealand, Auckland abounds with nature. Extinct,
rainforest-draped volcanic cones ring some sides, while the shimmering Hauraki Gulf borders
one of two large harbours beside a slender isthmus. Ferries serve its Waiheke Island, putting
wine tastings and the white-sand Oneroa Beach in easy reach, the reason of why Auckland one
of the Hot December holiday destinations. Not much further afield are miles of coastline,
thermal springs and wildlife reserves, plus such sights as Hobbiton — filming location for much
of The Lord of the Rings trilogy — and the dolphin-dotted Bay of Islands. For all that, don’t
neglect Auckland itself, particularly innovative restaurants in hip Ponsonby and panoramic
views from atop the 320m-tall Sky Tower. As December marks the start of summer, a palpable
energy infuses New Zealand’s biggest city.
Langkawi, Malaysia
Average temperature 28C
Though the east coast suffers a seasonal monsoon, Malaysia’s western shores are normally
calm and sun-soaked during December. That includes Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands or
islets in the Malacca Strait. Its biggest member, Pulau Langkawi, is known chiefly for a seductive
series of ivory-coloured beaches headlined by the one at Pantai Cenang, with bargain-priced
duty-free shopping a close second. Explore further, however, and you’ll also find jungle, fine
waterfalls, hot springs and traditional, tribal kampung (villages). Cruises through the mangrove-
ridden Kilim Karst Geoforest Park might yield python or bonnet macaque sightings; take a cable
car up Mount Machinchang for views as far as southern Thailand and the suspended,
pedestrian-only Sky Bridge, if this is not one of the best Hot December holiday destinations,
than I don’t know what is.
Phuket, Thailand
Average temperature 27C
December is Phuket’s time to shine: as its rival Koh Samui and indeed the whole east coast
endures a rainy season, this large west-coast island swelters amid eight daily hours of sunshine.
That’s ideal for sampling its range of casuarina-lined southwestern beach resorts, ranging from
upmarket Surin to the sin city of Patong. Sunset-facing cocktails are pretty much mandatory at
all of them. You could also set off on diving or sunbathing in boat trips to the idyllic Phi Phi
Islands, or take advantage of the reduced humidity by visiting the north’s two national parks and
well-run elephant sanctuaries. Taking a Road Trip to Chalong’s cute Buddhist temple and the
Sino-Portuguese shophouses in Phuket Town is also a great idea.

5. Florida Keys, US
Average temperature 23C
As much of America freezes, Florida still enjoys long, warm days during winter. That’s truer the
further down you go, and no part of the Sunshine State is more southerly than its Keys: a string
of coral-framed sandbars curving into the Gulf of Mexico. Easily combined with Miami or
Orlando’s theme parks, they’re brilliantly laid-back and relentlessly good-looking thanks partly
to pastel-shade buildings with a touch of the Caribbean. Watersports — diving, fishing charters,
parasailing — are the main draw, yet visitors can also sunbathe on imported beaches or try Key
Lime Pie in its spiritual home. Key Largo, the first, and party-minded Key West, the farthest
southwest, have the biggest reputation; that can leave oft-ignored Middle Keys such as
Marathon or dolphin-patrolled Duck Key pleasingly quiet.
Puerto Rico
Average temperature 19C
America meets the Caribbean? That’s the vibe in Puerto Rico, where wonderment typical of the
region — perfect beaches, waterfalls, coral reefs brimming with brilliant life — fuses with US-
wrought elements (this being an official territory): casinos, sizeable resorts and, from mid-
December, huge holiday crowds. Go before then, however, and you can expect a more authentic,
more affordable experience on warm sunny days with little rain and reducing humidity. Look out
for a bulging events calendar — La Festival del Petate celebrates a particular palm tree, for
instance, and try to roam around in order to properly explore precolonial ruins, mangrove forests,
salsa beats, lechoneras (restaurants that slow-roast suckling pig), and coffee plantations.
Medellin, Colombia
Average temperature 17C
Once one of the world’s most dangerous cities, high-altitude Medellin is now luring tourists with
its amazing setting and lush streets wedged in between plunging hills. That leads to a paradox: at
times it can feel edgy; at others you’ll be in a glamorous rooftop bar. Excellent museums
champion modern art and, yes, recent Colombian history while the El Poblado quarter teems
with boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Gondola rides are scenic, but more scenic still is the
nearby resort town of Guatapé, whose colourful houses and watersports reservoir abut a giant
granite rock affording exceptional vistas to those who trudge up. Medellín’s nickname is the
“City of Eternal Spring”, yet in December its rain is far less eternal and the humidity drops.
Taipei, Taiwan

6. Average temperature 20C
Most of Taiwan is subtropical, meaning temperatures tend to be mild year-round, but December
is the driest month so you don’t have to contend with excess heat or humidity. The capital Taipei
is awash with Buddhist temples and lively night markets where you can try a myriad street food,
from the sweet and sour sauce-drenched oyster omelettes to the famously pungent stinky tofu.
By day, check into the city’s museums for some of the finest specimens of Chinese art and
artefacts. For a rural escape, head 20 minutes’ drive north to Yangmingshan, one of Taiwan’s
nine national parks. There are gentle hikes among grassy peaks for the active, and hot spring
hotels with sulphur-rich bath water for the sedate.