December Heat: 4 Beach Getaways for the Festive Season
Introducing Where to Travel When: Trippin's new series featuring our top destinations for each month.
First up, we're releasing our chosen December hotspots, which we're separating into different moods – from island living to off-grid selections, via party destinations to festive choices. Below, you can find our top four choices for island and beach getaways, featuring tranquil waters and hidden escapes.
BEQUIA
In ancient Arawak, Bequia means “island of the clouds”. Clocking in at only seven square miles in total, Bequia is truly a paradisiacal escape; it’s small and quiet, but has its own distinct identity. As part of the Caribbean, it’s the second largest island in the Grenadines and has some of the clearest waters you’ll encounter in the region. A perfect New Year’s Eve or 2022 detox, take a boat to nearby uninhabited islands, catch fresh barracuda or taste some of the best roti you’ll ever have. This island leans more towards being a hidden getaway, and is an ideal spot to recharge for the year ahead.
Currency
Eastern Caribbean dollar or the US dollar
Weather
28 to 30 degrees, dropping to 18 at night
Off Season
Peak season runs from around mid-December to late April
Visa and Entry
If you’re visiting for up to one month you won’t need an entry visa for holders of American, Australian, British, Canadian, European Union, New Zealand, South African and other Commonwealth passports. Visitors that do not have citizenship or residency must ensure that they can prove their departure, for instance, with a return flight ticket
OAXACA, MEXICO
December in Oaxaca is considered to be high season, but don’t let that put you off booking. It’s colder but dryer in December, meaning that it’s the perfect time to explore the area’s mountain towns. There, you can go hiking and observe the wildlife. However, don’t forget about the coast in Oaxaca too. Its coast is still a hidden, laid-back destination as Cancun, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo are known as the party beaches that become swamped with tourists. As a result, you may just be able to get a beach all to yourself in Oaxaca. Here, you’ll find fishing villages, resorts and lagoons with wildlife. If you’re burnt out or tired from networking in the cities, perhaps a dose of zen on an empty, golden coastline is the December getaway you’re looking for. Head to Oaxaca and switch off.
Currency
Mexican peso
Weather
Low rainfall, dry and warm days with highs of 26-29 degrees
Off Season
Considered to be peak season
Visa and Entry
If you’re visiting Mexico as a tourist you don’t need a visa. You’ll receive a stamp in your passport with the number of days that you are allowed to stay
PORTLAND, JAMAICA
As one of Jamaica’s 14 parishes, Portland is filled with verdant greenery, breathtaking landscapes with azure waters and picturesque beaches. Part of Portland’s identity is its relaxed atmosphere, and areas such as Port Antonio – one of the most important shipping points for Portland – have retained the laid-back charm of a small fishing village. It’s in Portland that you can find the Blue Lagoon, formerly known as the Blue Hole. Experience waters across varying degrees here, from cold natural springs to hot temperatures from the Caribbean Sea. Take a boat to Monkey Island or the Frenchman’s Cove, which is lined with mango trees. Swim at the private San San Beach, surf at Boston Bay or go bamboo rafting along the Rio de Grande. Jamaica is also a popular destination for mushrooms, so if you’re looking for a psilocybin-powered release, Portland is the place.
Currency
Jamaican dollar or the US dollar
Weather
Warm and sunny with average temperatures of 32 degrees
Off Season
It’s peak season from December to April
Visa and Entry
If you’re staying for longer than 90 days, you will need a tourist visa
KERALA, INDIA
There’s a plethora of places to visit in Kerala, and you can expect to experience tropical climates during December. This month is considered one of the best times to explore the Alleppey Backwaters, where you can go fishing with Chinese nets and eat traditional Kerala cuisine wrapped in banana leaves. If 2022 hasn’t been a good year for you, cleanse away your sins on the idyllic Papanasam beach at Varkara – a hotspot that’s considered to be holy. It’s where the Sivagiri Pilgrimage takes place annually in December, and taking a dip here is said to cleanse your soul. New year, new me? Truly. Rid yourself of this year’s ills, and reinvigorate yourself before 2023 kicks off.
Currency
Indian rupees
Weather
Dry season with some light rainfall
Off Season
Peak tourist season starts in mid December and prices jump accordingly
Visa and Entry
You will need a visa to visit Kerala along with a valid passport
