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A Warm Vacation in December 2023 - Find Your Romantic Winter Getaway

By: Greg Mattson, ERV Editor - Updated: Aug 14, 2023  

Want to get out of the winter cold and warm up your toes by the beach or the pool? Or looking for a unique romantic December Honeymoon destination?

The Beach is a Destination Most Couples Want for Their December Vacation

Here are some warm vacation spots for December 2023 (both in the USA and beyond), as well as where to find travel deals and package sell-offs. We hope this info plus some of the weather details on this page can supply you with a few ideas on your romantic vacation (including where not to go!)

Warm Vacation Spots in December

barbados

Palms & Pool at the Bougainvillea Barbados Resort ©TripAdvisor

• Bougainvillea Barbados - There's no better spot to escape winter weather in North America than Barbados, and this oceanfront resort on Barbados' south coast is loved for it's soft sand, beachfront suites and adult pool with swim up bar. What Other Guests Liked: Friendly, quiet and comfortable resort...Rum punch on arrival...Friendly staff. 2023 ERV Rating for December Caribbean Getaways*: 90% - Excellent. (Maxwell Coast Rd, Christ Church, Barbados 246-728-0990)

• All-Inclusive Caribbean Deals Up To 65% Off - Wonderful resorts soaking up the sun at bargain rates in Cancun, Montego Bay, Dominican Republic & more. 

The Caribbean is a great spot to holiday year-round, but for romantic travel from North America and the UK, it is easily the place for a warm beach vacation in December. Best December Weather and Climate in the Caribbean: Barbados is a great spot to visit this month. Daytime high temps in Bridgetown average around 84 F, and best of all, there is usually very little rain during the month.

Other Caribbean island destinations with a combination of warm weather and not much rain in December include Kingston, Jamaica (87 F), St. Kitts (85 F) and Nassau, Bahamas (79 F).  

USA getaways in december

Sand and Sun at the Lido Beach Resort, Sarasota FL

• Lido Beach Resort - Beautiful resort on Lido Key, with fantastic views of sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico. Rooms and suites are recently renovated, and offer private balconies along with partial or full kitchens. What Other Guests Liked: Free shuttle to shopping & restaurants in St. Armand's Circle...Tiki bar by the pool with food and drinks. 2023 ERV Rating*: 76% - Good. (700 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota FL 941-388-2161)

In the continental US, the warmest vacation weather in December is most often Florida. Try sinking your toes in the warm, soft white sand of Naples and Sarasota, two of our favorite romantic Florida Gulf Coast winter holiday locations. Expect plenty of sunshine with average temps in the mid 70's.

For a warm, sunny and dependably dry destination in the western U.S., try Arizona or Palm Springs, California.

more warm December Hotel getaways

Key Largo, FL

Beachfront, Coconut Palm Inn

• Coconut Palm Inn - Heat-seekers will love this romantic and hidden gem tucked away in a lovely lagoon overlooking Florida Bay. Private porches are ideal for sunsets or enjoying your morning coffee. Check out the heated outdoor pool, hammocks, free kayak rentals and much more. 2023 ERV Rating* for Florida Beachfront Romantic Inns: 94% - Excellent. (198 Harborview Dr, Tavernier FL 305-852-3017)

Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach Hotel

• Newport Beach Hotel - Greet the first days of winter at this wonderful boutique hotel next to Newport Beach. Enjoy the ocean breeze with the free beach chair rentals, and walk to nearby restaurants and pubs. 2023 ERV Rating* for California Beachfront Hotels: 82% - Very Good. (2306 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach CA 949-673-7030)

Palm Springs, CA

Rowan Hotel in Sunny Palm Springs CA

• Kimpton Rowan Hotel - Sippin' wine in the warm California sun is a suitable substitute for shovelling snow, and this Kimpton is the way to do it, with their evening wine reception, rooftop pool deck, and location in downtown Palm Springs. 2023 ERV Rating* for Southern California Winter Escapes: 90% - Excellent. (100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs CA  760-904-5015) 

scottsdale, AZ

Room at the Hermosa Inn

• Hermosa Inn - One of the Southwest's Most Romantic Inns, with private patios and on-site dining, all bathed in dependably warm Arizona weather year-round. 2023 ERV Rating* for December Getaways in Arizona: 88% - Very Good. (5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley AZ 844-423-3981)

Warm & Romantic All-Inclusive December Vacations

Sun, Sand & Heat - A Dominican Republic Beach Getaway in the Winter

• Dominican Republic - Punta Cana Vacations - Looking to book an affordable Caribbean vacation package in December? Although the Caribbean can be expensive in the high season winter months, your best bet for a cheap December vacation resort might be an all-inclusive in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The "D.R." offers some of the best combinations of romantic resorts, gorgeous beaches and sell-off deals at all-inclusives. December Temperatures in Punta Cana, DR: Average highs of 83 F. 

December Vacation Weather in the U.S. & Canada:

• December Weather in Las Vegas: cool daytime highs of 58 F, colder at night, with occasional wind.

• Weather in New York City in December: gets down to freezing at night, with a daytime average temperature of about 45 F. Oh, and always the possibility of snow!

• Winter weather in Los Angeles: very pleasant, with average highs of 68 during mostly sunny days.

• December temperatures for Dallas/Ft. Worth TX: Average highs of 58 F, usually quite pleasant for the first 1/2 of the month.

• Climate for Atlanta, GA in December: one of the coldest months of the year in the Peach State, with average highs of 54 F and cloudy skies about 50% of the time.

• Climate for December in Vancouver: lots of precipitation - usually rain, sometimes snow later in the month. Temps in the cold 36 F to 45 F range.

December in Laguna Beach, California

Pool at the Casa Laguna Inn & Spa

• Casa Laguna Inn & Spa - We highly recommend you check out the early December low season rates at this romantic Laguna Beach inn. Rooms and suites are outfitted with patios and claw foot tubs, and the palm-lined pool is easily one of the most romantic in Southern California. What Other Guests Liked: Glass of Sangria on arrival...Breakfast delivered to your door each morning. 2023 ERV Rating*: 92% - Excellent. (2510 South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach CA 949-494-2996) 

While most of the rest of the country can be downright miserable in December with cold and snow, Southern California can be enjoying lots of sunshine and some very nice temperatures. Of course, as you get close to the lead up days and week before Christmas, the crowds and traffic can become a real hassle in the greater L.A. area. Which is why we suggest you drive just a few miles south to Laguna Beach for your Southern California vacation in December. 

The communities of Laguna Beach and San Clemente get plenty of sun and average daytime highs of 67 F in January, which is excellent for exploring all the shops and galleries of these attractive communities, and having lunch on an outdoor patio or deck overlooking the ocean.

Romantic Ski Vacations in December

Romantic Winter Helicopter Tour in Whistler, BC

You've probably seen other lists like this, but here's our favorites in what we consider are the top 5 most romantic ski resorts in North America:

• Whistler, BC

• Aspen, CO

• Heavenly Lake Tahoe

• Mont Tremblant, Quebec

• Stowe, Vermont

more winter getaway ideas on erv:

• November Getaways

• January Warm Holiday Spots

• February Vacations & Beach Destinations

Romantic Honeymoon Ideas for December

One of Several Pools at the Grand Hyatt Kauai ©TripAdvisor

• Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa  - Located in Poipu on the sunny southern coast of Kauai, and worth the splurge for a warm weather honeymoon in December. No shortage of amenities here, with 50 acres of beautiful tropical gardens, 6 restaurants, and 5 pools including a lazy river. What Other Guests Liked: Excellent breakfast buffet...R&R at the adult pool...Champagne for special occasion stays when advising the resort in advance. 2023 ERV Rating*: 90% - Excellent. (1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa HI 808-742-1234) 

A December honeymoon can be very romantic, and unlike other seasons, you can choose between a hot or cold weather vacation! Both can be equally memorable…

Warm Weather: Kauai. Simply put, the most romantic island in Hawaii. The eastern and southern coasts tend to get less rain, and you'll escape the crowds if you can holiday here during the first 1/2 of the month.

Cold Weather: For romance and snow, one of the best places to travel in December on your honeymoon would have to be Quebec City. Pick a cozy honeymoon B&B, cozy up in front of the fireplace, and ride in a horse-drawn sleigh. Or, make it unforgettable in one of the most romantic hotels in Canada, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.

*ERV Rating: our unique, non-scientific ratings for romantic accommodation include:

• Amenities: including Whirlpool bath or JACUZZI® Tub, scenic view, fireplace, lounge, etc
• Location: proximity of hotel to restaurants, pubs, downtown, etc
• Clientele: demographic the hotel attracts (couples, families, business travelers, etc)
• Popularity: based on social media & crowd-sourced reviews 
• Value: product offered compared to room rate 
• Please Note: percentage ratings are not absolute but for comparative use only  

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