Top 3 Best US Winter Sun Destinations in December

Are you looking to escape the harsh winter without traveling too far from home? Well, you're in luck! I've done some digging and found the top 3 best winter sun destinations right here in the US, perfect for December getaways.

These are the results from our survey where we asked our visitors for the top 3 best US winter sun destinations in December.

The top 3 best US winter sun destinations in December are Puerto Rico, Florida, and Arizona. These three destinations have mild weather in December, are generally safe, and boast modern healthcare facilities and various cultural and natural attractions.

Detail of San Juan, the Capital of Puerto Rico

The rest of this post will rank the above three destinations based on the most important selection criteria for winter getaways. Read on to learn what makes them perfect for December travelers, the best things to see and do in each, and so much more.

1. Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an archipelago in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands. It’s made up of the main island of Puerto Rico (the smallest of the Greater Antilles) and several islands and islets.

Puerto Rico has a unique combination of natural beauty, tropical climate, and rich culture. It also has plenty of fun activities for winter visitors of all ages and is easy to access and generally safe. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as the islands’ allure goes.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes this group of islands the best winter sun destination in December.

Good Weather in December

Thanks to its tropical climate, Puerto Rico remains fairly warm throughout the year. Its coldest day of the year (January 24) ranges from 22°C (72°F) to 28°C (82°F), which is still warmer than many parts of the northern continental United States.

In December, daily temperatures average highs of 28°C (83°F) and lows of 23°C 74°F. Occasional showers are to be expected, but most days are sunny and moderately humid. This makes December the perfect time to explore these islands’ numerous attractions.

A Rich Culture

Puerto Rico’s vibrant culture is one of its main selling points as a winter sun destination. The island’s unique blend of African, Taino, American, and Spanish influences makes it one of the most diverse cultural hubs in the US.

Music is and has always been a big deal here. Puerto Ricans played a big part in popularizing salsa, one of the most popular Latin music genres and dances. They also contributed to the emergence of Reggeaton and Bomba.

In short, there’s a lot to experience in Puerto Rico music-wise. Many spots on the main island host live shows showcasing Puerto Rican traditional music, including:

La Placita de Santurce in San Juan
El Batey in Old San Juan
Casa de la Cultura in Ponce.

One of the best ways to experience Puerto Rican culture and music is through town festivals. Colorful celebrations are an integral part of Puerto Rico’s cultural heritage, and December is a particularly busy time festival-wise. Christmas celebrations are in full swing around this time of the year, along with other festivities such as:

Festival de las Máscaras de Hatillo (Hatillo Mask Festival). This commemoration of the Massacre of the Holy Innocents is held on December 28 in Hatillo. It involves everyone in town wearing colorful costumes and parading through Hatillo and nearby villages, singing, dancing, and enjoying traditional food every step of the way to Plaza Publica in Hatillo (where the festival ends late in the day).
San Juan Christmas Boat Parade (Paseo de los Veleros). During this annual mid-December event held in the Condado Lagoon in San Juan, boat owners decorate their vessels with colorful lights and ornaments to create a beautiful spectacle on the water. The combination of the festive atmosphere and the unique way boat owners showcase their creativity with their decorations is something you won’t want to miss, especially if you're a boat enthusiast.
Festival de la Novilla (Festival of the Heifer). Held in Manatí, this mid-December festival celebrates Puerto Rico's agricultural heritage through livestock exhibitions, rodeo shows, traditional music, food stalls, and various cultural activities.

Puerto Rico also has a lot to offer art enthusiasts. It’s home to renowned artists such as Francisco Oller, José Campeche, and Rafael Tufiño. You can find their artworks, along with masterpieces from other artists who’ve left their mark on the art world, in museums such as:

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (Museum of Art of Puerto Rico) in Santurce, San Juan.
Museo de Arte de Ponce (Ponce Museum of Art) in Ponce.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico (Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico) in Santurce, San Juan.

An Eclectic Cuisine

If you’re not up for exploration, you can just lay back and explore Puerto Rico through your palate. The island’s diverse cuisine is a delicious fusion of African, Taino, and Spanish culinary traditions.

Traditional Puerto Rican food is often served in spots with a festive ambiance, such as Guavate and Piñones. Food is cheaper in Piñones, especially if you stick to local food options like alcapurrias, pinchos (skewers), and empanadillas.

Be sure to try out open-air eateries such as the famous Luquillo Kiosks and the bustling food stalls and vendors of Ponce Market (Mercado de Ponce). Not only is the food delicious and cheaper compared to established hotels, but it’s a more authentic way to experience Puerto Rican cuisine.

Some of the must-try dishes include:

Arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas)
Lechón asado (roast pork)
Mofongo (mashed plantains)
Tostones (fried plantain slices).

Natural Beauty

Puerto Rico has endless opportunities for anyone who loves exploring the outdoors. This island has some of the best displays of mother nature’s creativity. It’s home to all kinds of stunning natural landscapes, from beautiful beaches to breathtaking mountains with lush rainforests.

It’s impossible to cover all the cool manifestations of natural beauty on the island in this relatively short post, so I’m forced to play favorites with my suggestions. Some of my favorite Puerto Rico’s natural wonders include:

The bioluminescent mosquito bay.
El Yunque national forest
Camuy River Cave Park
Parque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río Camuy

Safety

Puerto Rico may not be the safest place in the US, but it’s safer for tourists than many parts of the country. 2019 FBI crime statistics show that Puerto Rico had a lower crime rate than many popular parts of the US mainland, including New York, Texas, and California. Mind you, these statistics factored in crimes that rarely affect tourists, such as gang activity and drug trafficking.

Puerto Rico is also generally safe from natural disasters. The biggest natural threats here are hurricanes, which are unlikely to occur in December because the hurricane season ends in November.

In case of anything, the authorities have comprehensive mitigation measures to keep everyone safe. What’s more, there are more than enough modern hospitals and healthcare facilities to cater to all your needs, emergency-related or not.

2. Arizona

Snagging the runners-up position in today’s ranking is the Desert state of Arizona, a popular winter sun destination known for staying warm and dry throughout the year. December might be the cold season in the state, but most days still warm up to 16 °C (60 °F) (especially in popular destinations such as Phoenix, Tucson, and Scottsdale).

Arizona rarely rains in December. Sure, occasional showers occur, but they’re not heavy enough to stop you from enjoying the state’s great outdoors.

The weather isn’t the only reason winter visitors love Arizona. The state has a reputation for retirement communities, safety, and excellent healthcare facilities. It also has several tourist attractions like:

The Grand Canyon
Sedona’s red rock formations
Lake Powell
Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend
Saguaro National Park
The Historic Route 66, along which you can explore quirky roadside attractions, vintage motels, and nostalgic Americana.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Petrified Forest National Park
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

3. Florida

The fact that Florida is number three on this list doesn’t mean it’s not a great winter sun destination. On the contrary, the state cates well to winter visitors with its elaborate healthcare facilities, welcoming retirement communities, and robust senior citizen support infrastructure.

Florida is also generally safe. Sure, a few neighborhoods have a bad reputation, but that can be said for pretty much any other state in the US.

The weather is friendly, too, especially in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and other parts of South Florida. These areas see average daytime temperatures of 20-25°C (68-77°F) and nighttime temperatures in the low 20s°C (low 70s°F).

Central Florida, which includes popular destinations such as Tampa and Orlando, is slightly cooler than the southern regions. Daytime temperatures in these areas average 18°C to 23°C (64°F to 73°F), while the nighttime temperatures range from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F).

North Florida, which includes Jacksonville and Tallahassee, is the coolest region in Florida. While it does have good enough weather to pass for a winter sun destination, it’s not popular among winter visitors because it has a more urban and business-oriented atmosphere. The North Florida region also lacks many of the attractions that make the South and Central regions attractive to snowbirds and short-term winter visitors.

How this Top 3 list was made

The top 3 list was derived from a survey where we asked about their top destination for a particular month and region. From these results, we made each month a top 3 for North America, the Caribbean, Middle/South America, Europe, and Asia (including the Middle East). Sometimes, we have combined several individual destinations from a single country into the country itself.