If you’re wondering where to spend Christmas this year and which is the best Latin American country to visit, check out these 12 best places to visit in Central and South America in December! You’ll have a tough time picking just one for your season holidays!
December is getting nearer with every day, and you are getting more and more tired. And nervous. At work, the atmosphere is hectic. The bosses are anxious about the end of the year reports, and the employees are already spending Christmas bonus in their minds. Of course, everyone is also wondering how much is it going to be this year, or if there is even going to be one this year considering the crisis and all the other excuses you’ve been served over the year. The bonus that you are expecting has already been accounted for Christmas and New Year’s presents. Even though you’re thinking about it, you still haven’t bought a single one, have you? No wonder the panic is slowly creeping up on you and everyone around you. December is one stressful month, and perhaps even the toughest one of the year. The tension is rising gradually at the end of November, and it simply explodes in December. Why not just leave everyone running around like a headless chicken and say goodbye to all the craziness? Simply book a holiday in December. Somewhere far from all the hustle and bustle. Somewhere nice and warm in the middle of December, like in Central and South America.
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By the way, if you would like to expand your options, take a look at 15 Best Places to Travel in December in Europe, Asia and Tropical Destinations, or 16 Best Places to Visit in USA in December.
What were our criteria for bringing you best countries to visit in South America and best places to visit in Central America? The keywords would be holiday season and weather. As we have mentioned before, December is a holiday season. If your vacation coincides with Christmas, that makes it even better, right? Why would you spend your days off, inside your home, when you can celebrate the seasons in the lovely sunshine? Snow angels are vastly overrated. How about scuba diving instead, and sipping a cocktail at the beach instead of mulled wine? Therefore, we started our search with Insight Guides and Telegraph to check the answers to — which are the best countries to visit in South America and Central America during the holiday season? The answers were more than delightful. Not only do these countries offer you wonderful Christmas holiday destinations with interesting customs and traditions, but the weather couldn’t be better either. Then, we consulted some blogs on MLJ Adoptions and Peru for Less. In order to expand our list, we checked On the Go Tours for the best time to visit Central America. We have already found our Christmas candidates there as examples for perfect December weather. Since we had two additional options, the one which had less precipitation as reported by Responsible Vacation successfully made the cut. If you wished to have some rainy weather in December, you would’ve just stayed at home, right?
However, there were some places like the River of Five Colors (Caño Cristales) and Las Lajas Sanctuary (Santuario de las Lajas) in Colombia which didn’t end up on our list, but we simply had to mention since they are too amazing to be left out. So, you should definitely consider visiting those as well.
Let us just mention briefly that if you are wondering which countries are safe to visit in Central America and South America, you’ll be pleased to know that our suggestions perfectly answer that question according to Oyster. Also, the countries and places are listed in random order because they are all amazing destinations with lots to offer. The climate is pleasant in all of them, they all have wonderful traditions and customs, and most importantly for some, they are cheap December holidays in the sun. Drinks, food, accommodation are more than affordable. TripAdvisor was our adviser on the best place to visit if our other sources recommended only the whole country instead of a particular place.
What is the best time to visit South America and Central America? The answer is – now! There is no time like the present to make the booking for your December getaway. Find your favorite in 12 best places to visit in Central and South America in December!
12. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico is the place to be if you are looking for something to blow your mind. The traditions and holidays around Christmas couldn’t be any more different from what you are used to. Christmas celebrations are going on from 12th December to 6th January. This is actually a really good city for family visits during the holiday season. If you like pranks, December 28th is your day. That’s something similar to April Fool’s Day in the UK.
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11. Nosara, Costa Rica
Which is the best country to visit in Central America? Probably this one. Hardly any list of best Latin American countries can be imagined without it. Last year Costa Rica was proclaimed as the safest country in Central America by the Global Peace Index, so you know you’ll be safe and sound. Nosara is also voted as one of TripAdvisor best destinations (chosen by the travelers). Generally, the country has such a variety of natural treasures it is hard to decide whether to go surfing or hiking.
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And now, let’s see the top ten must see South America places
10. Antigua, Guatemala
In Guatemala you don’t have to wait for Christmas morning to open your presents — you can do it at midnight! As soon as the Christmas Eve is over, you can see if you’ve been a good boy or girl. Jokes aside, Antigua, which ranks 10th on our list of best places to visit in Central and South America in December, is the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in Central America with a lovely view of the surrounding volcanoes.
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9. Managua, Nicaragua
Here Christmas starts even earlier — from the 6th December. Managua ranks 9th on our list of best places to visit in Central and South America in December. It is the capital of Nicaragua, and it has one of the best artifacts in the world — six thousand years old human footprints in the volcanic mud. Talk about the history.
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8. San Pedro, Belize
Tourists swarm to San Pedro every year because of its beaches. Other popular destinations are Caye Caulker and Belize City. Also, Belize can offer Maya ruins, rain forests, scuba diving and it praises about being one of the safest countries in the region.
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7. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is highly recommended destination in our 12 best places to visit in Central and South America in December, but we just can’t avoid mentioning Patagonia, too. The temperature in Buenos Aires will be pleasantly 20 Celsius. Just perfect for visiting Puerto Medero district or San Telmo. However, you simply mustn’t miss the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. It is the largest national park in the country with 47 glaciers (!). If we’re talking about top ten must-see in South America, this is it.
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6. Montevideo, Uruguay
We are continuing our list of best places to visit in Central and South America in December with Montevideo, which is the capital of Uruguay and a big port city. The best months to discover this destination start in December. This is where colonial-era buildings meet beautiful beaches. Plenty of churches, museums, theaters ad good nightclubs, too.
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5. Roatan, Honduras
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’ll simply love Roatan, the number 5 on our list of best places to visit in Central and South America in December. You can go reef diving, zip-lining, deep-sea fishing or check out the military protected Cayos Cochinos. Water sports lovers will find this place to be a true paradise on Earth. But no one is making you do all these things. You can just as well lie on the beach and enjoy the sun.
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4. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio. Brazil. Need we say more? We advise you to book well in advance if you wish to spend your holidays here. Rio de Janeiro is not one of TripAdvisor best destinations in South America. It is the best of them all! December is an excellent month for traveling to Brazil, and lots of tourists wish to spend their Christmas here. By the way, the incredible Rio Carnival is held a bit later – in February. Nevertheless, we are positive you’ll have the time of your life in December, too.
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3. Lima, Peru
Why Lima? Well, because it is one of the best cities in South America. Lima ranks third on our list of best places to visit in Central and South America in December. It is famous for being the most favorite summer destination for South Americans. Its beaches are no match for Rio de Janeiro, but they are most certainly among the most beautiful ones on the Pacific Coast. As a bonus, we suggest you see the Milkyway over Lake Titicaca, although it’s relatively far from Lima.
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2. Santiago, Chile
While Costa Rica was voted the safest country in Central America, Chile is the safest country in South America. We heartily recommend putting Santiago, its capital, and the largest city, on your tourist map of South America. There are museums, concert venues, shopping centers, colonial architecture, etc. This city has it all, and its position is perfect – an hour away from the mountains, two hours from the Pacific.
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1. Havana, Cuba
We’re finishing our list of 12 best places to visit in Central and South America in December with Havana. While you have already started humming that ear-worm Havana, ooh na-na by Camila Caballo, let us tell you why you should visit this gem before it gets spoiled by western civilization. If you’re a smoker, we don’t have to mention the Cuban cigars. The local architecture will appeal to you along with vintage cars passing by. Finally, music, nightclubs, and lively atmosphere.
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