Travel with You, Me, Away

Where to go in December: warm places for couples

Ten places to consider for December as a couple, from short-haul winter sun in the Canary Islands and Madeira to long-haul trips to Hawaii, Florida, Puerto Rico and Singapore. Each section names one official climate source.

Reviewed

How to choose a December destination as a couple

Start with the distance you are willing to travel. Short-haul places such as the Canary Islands or Madeira keep the journey short, while Hawaii, Florida, Puerto Rico and Singapore give higher temperatures but need more travel days and often a jet-lag buffer.

Then check rain. In the tables below, Singapore shows the highest monthly rainfall and Funchal the most rain days of the short-haul places, while Honolulu, Miami and Key West show few rain days. The Canary Islands show little rain, though still more than in summer.

Averages are not forecasts. Every figure is a long-term mean for one named station and period. The sources report air temperature, so check sea temperature separately. December dates around holidays can be busy, so confirm availability early.

Southern Tenerife

AEMET's Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list December with a mean daily maximum of 22.8 °C, a mean temperature of 19.7 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 30 mm and 3.5 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

Winter sun for a Christmas or New Year break, with a mean daily maximum above 22 °C in the table. Resort-style rather than historic. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Gran Canaria

AEMET's Gran Canaria Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list December with a mean daily maximum of 22.2 °C, a mean temperature of 19.2 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 31 mm and 4.5 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

A mild December with a mix of beach and city options. Rain falls on about four to five days. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Gran Canaria Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Lanzarote

AEMET's Lanzarote Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list December with a mean daily maximum of 21.8 °C, a mean temperature of 18.6 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 29 mm and 3.8 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

The mean daily maximum falls below 22 °C, so evenings may feel cooler. A calm December choice for walks and volcanic scenery. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Lanzarote Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Fuerteventura

AEMET's Fuerteventura Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list December with a mean daily maximum of 22.0 °C, a mean temperature of 18.9 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 26 mm and 3.2 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

Mild air with low rainfall, a simple winter-sun pick for couples who like quiet beaches. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Fuerteventura Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Madeira (Funchal)

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Funchal list December with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 21.0 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 18.3 °C, 94.8 mm of precipitation and 8.6 days with at least 1 mm.

Madeira is mild in December rather than hot, with the highest rain-day count among the places in our Canary Islands and Madeira comparison. Good for a calm festive break. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Funchal climate normals, 1991-2020

Singapore

Meteorological Service Singapore gives, for the Changi climate station (1991-2020), a mean daily maximum of 30.5 °C and a 24-hour mean of 26.8 °C in December, with 331.9 mm of rain on 19 rain days. The source describes November to January as the phase with higher rainfall.

The wettest month in the source table, with 19 rain days. Better for couples who enjoy covered markets, museums and long meals than for open-air plans. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Climate of Singapore, Changi climate station 1991-2020

Honolulu

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Honolulu Intl AP list December with an average daily maximum of 81.8 °F (about 27.7 °C), an average temperature of 75.5 °F (about 24.2 °C) and 3.2 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

Warm but cooler than October, with slightly more rain days. A solid Pacific winter-sun choice if you accept a long trip. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Honolulu Intl AP

Miami

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Miami Intl AP list December with an average daily maximum of 78.2 °F (about 25.7 °C), an average temperature of 71.2 °F (about 21.8 °C) and 3.7 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

The mean maximum is lower than in November, but rain days stay low. Fits a city and beach mix with cooler evenings. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Miami Intl AP

Key West

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Key West Intl AP list December with an average daily maximum of 77.7 °F (about 25.4 °C), an average temperature of 73.0 °F (about 22.8 °C) and 3.1 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

Mild air and few rain days, with a slightly lower mean maximum than Miami but a higher mean temperature. A quiet-evening choice. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Key West Intl AP

San Juan, Puerto Rico

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for San Juan L M Marin AP list December with an average daily maximum of 84.2 °F (about 29.0 °C), an average temperature of 78.8 °F (about 26.0 °C) and 10.6 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

Warm in the source table but with many rain days, so it suits couples who can handle changeable weather. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, San Juan L M Marin AP

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