Best places to travel from United States in December (2026)
15 destinations that are easy to enter on a United States passport and in season in December, ranked by visa ease and weather. Estimated for 7 days, 1 traveller, flying from New York.
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| # | Destination | Visa | Stay | Approx. flight | Est. 7-day budget | Visa difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇲🇽 Cancún & Riviera Maya Caribbean beaches, cenotes and Mayan ruins. | Visa-free | 180 days | $310 ~4h each way | $1,150 | Easy |
| 2 | 🇨🇿 Prague Fairytale old town, castles and Christmas markets. | Visa-free | 90 days | $670 ~9h each way | $1,370 | Easy |
| 3 | 🇺🇸 New York Broadway, museums, Central Park and every cuisine. | Domestic | Unlimited | $60 ~1h each way | $1,810 | Easy |
| 4 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland (Alps) Scenic trains, lakes and snow peaks. Pricey but unforgettable. | Visa-free | 90 days | $650 ~9h each way | $2,470 | Easy |
| 5 | 🇭🇺 Budapest Thermal baths, ruin bars and Danube views. | Visa-free | 90 days | $710 ~12h each way | $1,340 | Easy |
| 6 | 🇹🇭 Bangkok Street food capital with temples, rooftop bars and markets. | Visa-free | 60 days | $1,340 ~21h each way | $1,790 | Easy |
| 7 | 🇹🇭 Krabi Limestone cliffs, Railay beach and quieter islands than Phuket. | Visa-free | 60 days | $1,390 ~21h each way | $1,810 | Easy |
| 8 | 🇵🇭 Boracay Powder-white sand and famous sunsets. | Visa-free | 30 days | $1,340 ~21h each way | $1,830 | Easy |
| 9 | 🇲🇾 Langkawi Duty-free island with rainforest, cable car and calm beaches. | Visa-free | Visa-free | $1,410 ~22h each way | $1,830 | Easy |
| 10 | 🇹🇼 Taipei Night markets, hot springs and mountain hikes. | Visa-free | 90 days | $1,210 ~19h each way | $1,840 | Easy |
| 11 | 🇿🇦 Cape Town Table Mountain, wine country and the coastal drive. | Visa-free | 90 days | $1,210 ~19h each way | $1,840 | Easy |
| 12 | 🇹🇭 Phuket Thailand's biggest island: beaches, seafood, island-hopping to Phi Phi. | Visa-free | 60 days | $1,390 ~21h each way | $1,880 | Easy |
| 13 | 🇵🇭 Palawan (El Nido) Lagoons, island tours and snorkelling. | Visa-free | 30 days | $1,360 ~21h each way | $1,920 | Easy |
| 14 | 🇶🇦 Doha Museum of Islamic Art, souqs and desert dunes. | Visa-free | 90 days | $1,050 ~17h each way | $2,030 | Easy |
| 15 | 🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and theme parks. | Visa-free | 30 days | $1,070 ~17h each way | $2,050 | Easy |
Flights are rough round-trip economy estimates from distance; daily costs are mid-range estimates (shared room, meals, local transport). Always check live prices and official visa rules before booking.