Best Places in Latin America to Visit in December
If you’re looking for the best places to travel on Christmas week, look no further than Latin America. This region is full of spectacular cities and boasts a long and rich history, incredible natural wonders, and amazing Christmas’ cultural traditions.
Keep reading to discover why you should visit Latin America in December and learn about the top 6 places to travel during the Christmas season in this fascinating Spanish-speaking region!
Why You Should Visit Latin America During December
Latin America is a cultural and geographical region that stretches over two continents. It’s home to over 600 million people. This huge territory features incredible countries that are amazingly rich in history. They each have an eclectic yet intriguing culture that has fascinated outsiders for centuries.
What’s more, in December, warm weather is the norm in most of Latin America! So, why not visit the best places to travel at Christmas in Latin America?
6 Best Places to Travel at Christmas 2021 in Latin America
I’ve put together a selection of the most outstanding Latin American travel destinations for this time of the year. From a relaxing white sand beach in the Mexican Caribbean to the most European city of Latin America, there’s something for everyone!
1. Punta del Este, Uruguay
In the search for the best warm places to travel at Christmas, Punta del Este has to be right at the top of the list. To put it simply, this exclusive Uruguayan beach town is “the Miami of South America.”
Filled with luxurious residential towers, renowned designer boutiques, and a wide array of lavish gourmet restaurants, Punta del Este has been the go-to beach town of Uruguayans and Argentinians for decades.
If your goal is to pamper yourself during this coming Christmas season and enjoy a sunny holiday by the beach, Punta del Este is the place for you.
Read more: 8 Cool Things You’ll See in Punta del Este, Uruguay
2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio doesn’t need an introduction. It’s one of the best places to visit in Latin America at any time of the year. The second-largest city in Brazil is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, famous for holding the most spectacular carnival on the planet and having some of the most extraordinary beaches.
Remember that Christmas practically kick-starts the summer in South America, so Cariocas, as Rio natives call themselves, usually spend Christmas day sunbathing or playing soccer on the famous beaches of Copacabana or Ipanema.
During your stay in Rio, take some time to visit Lagoa, a beautiful lake that during December holds a huge floating Christmas tree in its center that’s an amazing thing to see.
3. Medellín, Colombia
Medellín is definitely one of the best places to travel at Christmas break in Latin America. A beautiful city in itself, Medellín moves to a whole different level during December, and that’s because of its spectacular Christmas lights that have brought some people to call them “the best Christmas lights in the world.”
Medellín Christmas lights go on during the Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles) on December 7. Then on December 8, there’s a famous parade about the myths and legends of the city.
After spending a couple of days in Medellín enjoying its unique Christmas traditions, head north to enjoy the warm waters of the Colombian Caribbean at Cartagena de Indias.
4. Viña del Mar, Chile
Viña del Mar is a city of international fame thanks to the renowned song festival that holds its name. Viña’s fantastic combination of beautiful beaches and lush vegetation has earned it the nickname of “Chile’s garden city.”
But Viña is much more than just natural wonders, it’s a city with personality and culture. It’s home to a series of castles, palaces, and old mansions, most of them restored now and serving as art museums.
During your visit, you can’t miss the Viña del Mar Casino, the flower clock, or Las Salinas beach, the go-to place for Chilean people spending Christmas in Viña.
5. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is not only the most European city in Latin America, but also one of the best places to travel at Christmas 2021. It’s been said that the architecture and cultural scene of Buenos Aires is reminiscent of the city’s long tradition of welcoming European migrants.
One of the most vibrant metropolises in the world, Buenos Aires is amazing any time of year. Visit its famous neighborhoods like La Boca, Caballito, and Puerto Madero; enjoy its rich diversity of museums, theaters, and cafés; and feast in its world famous steakhouses.
Visit one of the legendary soccer stadiums of Monumental de River or La Bombonera de Boca to watch a match. Even if you’re not a soccer fan, the experience is well worth it. Go to a tango show and watch the spectacular fireworks that light the city on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
6. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
This once small fishing village that used to serve as a departing point for the ferries going to Cozumel has become one of the fastest-growing cities in Latin America.
Besides being one of the best places to visit in Latin America, it’s also one of the best places to travel with family at Christmas. Playa del Carmen beaches are famous for being the best in the Riviera Maya, and its Fifth Avenue gets amazing Christmas decorations during December.
Although Christmas is a great time to visit Playa del Carmen and enjoy a week discovering the extraordinary variety of eco-parks, archaeological Mayan sites, and fantastic beaches, the New Year’s Eve celebration on the streets around the Fifth Avenue is of legendary proportions.
Visit Latin America in December and Practice Your Spanish!
Latin America is a region of amazing history and extraordinary culture. Its idyllic weather during the month of December and the outstanding natural wonders it boasts make Latin America a brilliant place to travel at Christmas.
With the exception of Rio in Brazil, the rest of the destinations on this list are Spanish-speaking cities where you can make the most of your hard-earned Spanish knowledge and practice your Spanish by communicating with the locals and making the most of your trip.
Sign up for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy before your trip to Latin America. Our certified, native Spanish speakers teachers from Guatemala will help you to better understand Latin American culture and prepare you for your adventures. We have over a decade of experience and offer flexible scheduling and tailored Spanish programs.
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