Travel Tips

10 Cheap places to travel in December you’ll wish you knew sooner

Looking for a cheap place to travel in December that doesn't feel “cheap”? From tropical islands to European gems, these 10 destinations offer sunshine, warmth, and incredible value!

Do you ever wish you could escape December’s grey skies and freezing mornings, but assume a sunny getaway is out of your budget?

Well, guess what? It’s not.

From the palm-lined beaches of Southeast Asia to the vibrant streets of South American cities (and even a few European gems), many destinations stay sunny, lively, and surprisingly cheap in December.

By traveling before the Christmas rush, you can score incredible off-season deals, making winter getaways much more accessible than you think.

So if you want to swap dull days for sunny adventures, check out these 10 cheap places to travel in December. Once you realize how affordable they are, you’ll wish you had found out about them sooner!

In this article

Hoi An, Vietnam: Tasty street food and cozy homestays for less than $40 a day!

Source: Shutterstock

Average daily cost (excluding flights): $40 (£30)

Vietnam’s most picturesque riverside town is often rated the best cheap place to travel in December in Southeast Asia, as it blends warmth, charm, and affordability.

With December daytime temperatures of 25-28°C (77-82°F), you can enjoy riverside cruises, strolls through the ancient town, and cycles through the countryside.

And with similar nighttime temperatures, Hoi An remains lively after dark, when the lanterns illuminate the river and the air fills with the aroma of classic Vietnamese street food.

Save on data while in Hoi An with our eSIM for Vietnam.

Cebu, Philippines: Wallet-friendly diving and island-hopping

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Average daily cost (excluding flights): $55 (£42)

December marks the start of Cebu’s dry, sunny season, making it the perfect time to enjoy the Philippines’ stunning beaches, turquoise waters, and coral reefs.

Activities and day trips here are extremely wallet-friendly. If you’ve ever wanted to try scuba diving, here you can do so for a fraction of the cost, with full-day diving trips under $100 (£78).

Island-hopping tours are another must, where you can snorkel and swim in marine reserves for as little as $20 (£15).

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Bali, Indonesia: Where luxury meets affordability

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Average daily cost (excluding flights): $50 (£38)

December in Bali brings warm 27-30°C (80-86°F) weather, though with a few brief tropical showers. If you visit before Christmas (Bali’s second peak season), you’ll evade the crowds and price hikes, making it possible to snag a cute guesthouse in Ubud or Canggu for as little as $30 (£23) a night!

With mainly dry weather, you can relax at the island’s beach clubs, go temple-hopping, or even take the iconic sunrise volcano hike. And if it does rain, head to one of Ubud’s yoga studios or wellness centers for a bit of “R&R.”

Save on data while in Bali with our eSIM for Bali.

Phuket, Thailand: $2 Pad Thais and $10 Thai massages!

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Average daily cost (excluding flights): $50 (£38)

If you want to swap winter coats and hot water bottles for bikinis and beaches, Phuket in Thailand is the place to go. December marks the start of the dry season, when the rain clears and the sun shines all day.

While December is the peak season in Phuket, prices don’t tend to rise much until Christmas. An early December trip will let you experience Phuket at its liveliest (without the high price tag). In fact, you can find Phuket Town guesthouses for around $30 (£23) a night and boutique resorts right by the beach for less than $100 (£75).

Spend your days relaxing on the beach, tucking into Thailand’s iconic street food, such as Pad Thai for a couple of dollars, and indulging in a blissful Thai massage for $10 (£8)!

Save on data while in Phuket with our eSIM for Thailand.

Cartagena, Colombia: Salsa, sunsets, & $1 arepas

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Average daily cost (excluding flights): $40 (£31)

With its pastel streets, Caribbean rhythm, and endless sunshine, Cartagena feels like a dream winter escape. However, it’s surprisingly affordable, especially for US residents, as return flights from US cities start from $259 (£199).

As one of the cheapest South American countries to visit, you won’t need a ton of spending money either. You can wander through the cobblestone lanes of the Old Town for free, snack on $1 arepas from street vendors, and sip a cocktail at a rooftop bar for the cost of a coffee back home.

With minimal rainfall and daytime temperatures up to 31°C (88°F), it’s no surprise that Cartagena is the best cheap warm place to travel in December for many.

Save on data while in Cartagena with our eSIM for Colombia.

Lima, Peru: Fine-dining for a dime

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Average daily cost (excluding flights): $50 (£38)

December is the beginning of Peru’s summer in Lima, a stark contrast to the cold winter of the Northern Hemisphere.

This city’s architecture is so beautiful that you could spend hours exploring the streets without spending a dime. But perhaps the biggest draw is the food, as Lima is one of South America’s most underrated (and affordable) foodie capitals. You can find Michelin-level Peruvian cuisine for under $15 (£11) a meal!

Lima is also an excellent hub for surfing, with several nearby beaches offering year-round swells.

Save on data while in Lima with our eSIM for Peru.

Oaxaca, Mexico: A vibrant cultural escape that won’t break the bank

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Average daily cost (excluding flights): $45 (£34)

For US residents, Oaxaca could be the best cheap place to travel in December, as it’s considerably warmer than many US cities and there are tons of lively festivals this month.

As southern Mexico’s creative hub, every corner of Oaxaca is vibrant, from the artisan markets to the quirky cafes to the streets that glow with handmade lanterns.

What’s more, boutique guesthouses and homestays start from around $25 (£19) a night, allowing you to stay for longer and soak up the culture and warmth (both literal and local).

Save on data while in Oaxaca with our eSIM for Mexico.

Lisbon, Portugal: Affordable winter sun just 3 hours from London

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Average daily cost (excluding flights): $70 (£54)

With abundant sunshine, mild winters, and December flights from the UK under £60 ($78), it’s no surprise that Lisbon is the most favored cheap place to travel in December for Europeans.

With an average daytime temperature of 16°C (61°F), it’s warm enough for sightseeing and seaside strolls. Plus, Lisbon’s affordable apartments and digital nomad-friendly coworking spots make it easy and tempting to stay a little longer.

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Sri Lanka: The budget traveler’s dream island

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Average daily cost (excluding flights): $35 (£27)

December brings perfect weather along Sri Lanka’s south and west coast. With daytime temperatures up to 30°C (86°F), you can spend your days sunbathing on the beach, strolling through the national parks, or surfing in the warm ocean.

What’s more, as one of the cheapest Asian countries in 2025, you can find guesthouses from just $20 (£15) a night and local meals for just a few dollars.

Save on data while in Sri Lanka with our eSIM for Sri Lanka.

Gran Canaria, Spain: Europe’s year-round summer destination

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Average daily cost (excluding flights): $100 (£77)

There are not many destinations in Europe where you can wear short sleeves in December, but Gran Canaria, part of Spain’s Canary Islands, is one of them. Gran Canaria boasts year-round sunshine and warmth, with average December temperatures of 17-22°C (63°-72F).

While Christmas in Gran Canaria brings a second peak season, if you visit at the start of the month, you’ll find flights as cheap as £40 ($53) from the UK and holiday apartments for less than £75 ($100) a night.

Plus, there are tons of free things to do on the island, from beach days and old town strolls to mountain hikes and volcanic trails.

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