11 Best Destinations for an EPIC Tropical Christmas • 2024

There are a hundred reasons why people spend Christmas in the tropics. The first reason, of course, is the sun. Nothing makes you feel better than escaping the dreaded winter in exchange for a bikini on the beach. But there’s more…

You can get out of buying some crappy gifts too. Okay, back to legit reasons. 

When traveling to the tropics for Christmas, you learn how different cultures celebrate. Some places are similar to home: decorations, trees, and nativities all around. Though it’s a stark difference from the white Christmas in Europe in hotter climates. 

There are tropical destinations that have molded their own traditions with the world of Christmas. 

A lot of countries aren’t Christian, so a tropical Christmas day isn’t necessarily a public holiday. They may not celebrate it at all. In these cases, you won’t find any celebrations – although there may be some places catering to traveling tourists. 

Some people just want to get away so they don’t have to deal with the hustle and bustle of Christmas. No cooking, cleaning, or organizing. You need a break from the holidays from time to time. 

Whatever your reason, there’s one thing for sure: you won’t have any regrets about a tropical Christmas. This will be one for the memory books.

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With a big, tropical band circling all the way around our lovely Earth, you have plenty of destinations for the Christmas season to choose from. But there are some places that stand out in the history books better than others. 

So, to make your life a little easier, here are the top 11 tropical places to spend Christmas.

1. Christmas in Mexico

Ah, Mexico, mi amor. This is a country that welcomes people all year round. But when they’re celebrating (which is often) everyone is welcome to join in.

Christmas Celebrations begin with a festival called Las Posadas which begins on 12th December. They honor the journey that Joseph and Mary took from Nazareth to Bethlehem and end the Christmas season on the 6th of January.

They celebrate Las Posadas with processions through the streets on Nochebuena (Christmas eve) is when it all goes down; this day is even bigger than Christmas day itself. It’s on Nochebuena where they have the fancy meal and fireworks before they head to mass.

Mexico has incredible tropical beaches to sip your cocktails on for the holiday season. You can surround yourself with the Caribbean sea, soft, white sand, and palm trees. 

In Mexico, time stops, just for a little bit while you soak in a totally unique Christmas spirit. Plus, no one knows festive food, drinks, and piñatas better than the Mexicans.

2. Christmas in The Philippines

Christmas in the Philippines takes place over the duration of three months! They boast one of the longest Christmas celebrations in the world.

Everywhere is beautiful in the Philippines, but you must visit the most exquisite lantern festival in San Fernando, Pampanga. The colorful lanterns are all made by locals and line the streets of the festival. The parade lines the streets with music and dancing.

San Fernando has also been nominated as the culinary capital of the Philippines. Not the usual Christmas food, but it could be better…

If it’s beaches you’re looking for, visit Boracay. Its idyllic beaches are famous for being the best beaches in the Philippines. The hostels in the Philippines are also full of guests at this time who create a special celebration between them.

If you’re looking for something a little more quaint, Vigan is a good spot. Vigan boasts well-preserved cobblestoned Spanish-era streets.

If you’re traveling as a couple for a Christmas vacation in the tropics, you should treat yourselves to a romantic tour of the old streets using a traditional kalesa (a horse-drawn carriage). It’s certainly a beautiful destination to get away to.

3. Christmas in Australia

So you definitely aren’t going to have a white Christmas. But celebrating it in Australia is one of the highlights of many travelers’ backpacking careers. It’s something of a bucket list item.

You can easily be spending Christmas snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, party through Christmas day, and head on a road trip through Queensland on Boxing Day. This year it’s summer for the Christmas holidays.

Australia follows the festivities rules of most western traditions – kind of. Christmas day is still 25th December, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day… blah, blah, blah. But it’s not baltic, dark, and miserable; everyone is in full summer swing and enjoying holiday cheer. 

Cold beers are drunk by the seashore. BBQs are relentlessly lit across the country, with a shrimp or two thrown in there. Parties are happening left, right, and center. 

You’ll still see the odd Christmas tree around. Yeah, sure, some people will stick some holiday lights up. But generally, it’s not very… Christmas-y. For lots of people, like me, that’s a good thing.

Christmas coincides with summer and the tourist high season so the best Aussie hostels fill up with fun-loving travelers. Although that does mean inflated prices and extra heat, it also means the best time of year to have an absolute blast!

4. Christmas in Jamaica

Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea. There’s your first image to imagine.

It has tons on offer for families, couples, and solo travelers at Christmas. Festivities or not, Jamaica is always one of the top Caribbean destinations to visit.

Christmas celebrations happen quite early in Jamaica compared to most countries. Christmas carols start as early as October – but music is a huge part of Jamaican culture. So the festive tunes are absolutely slamming; they can sing them all year for me.

They get decked out, too: lights, trees, and holiday decorations everywhere! One of the traditional decorations in Jamaica is bright red poinsettias. Even taxis in Jamaica are kitted out with the festive feels.

Sun soak on stunning beaches or hang out in the picturesque mountains, all that island life has to offer. You can eat traditional Jamaican food and involve yourself in the unique traditions the locals celebrate there. Yet, you will still recognize some traditions from home.

One of the biggest events in Jamaica at Christmas time is the Grand Market. It is the longest-standing tradition in Jamaica and takes place from Christmas Eve until Christmas Morning. Here you’ll find all kinds of food, drinks, and souvenirs.

5. Christmas in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is the perfect all-rounder for a tropical Christmas destination and another offering island life. It caters perfectly to couples, solo travelers, and even families. Many people from the states use Puerto Rico as a place to migrate for the colder months.

Traditionally, people gather at the plaza to indulge in delicious food and festive drinks, as well as partake in a bit of music, dancing, and lively living. The typical festive food is a pig roast – which isn’t ideal for veggies – but neither is Turkey, I guess.

Puerto Rico is pretty religious as it goes. So many Puerto Ricans attend Misa Del Gallo (midnight mass). on Christmas Eve.

If you decide to visit Puerto Rico for Christmas, you should attend the San Sebastian festival in Old San Juan. It’s a four-day event with plenty of vendors selling food and drink. You’ll also find many artists and musicians.

During the festive period, Old San Juan is illuminated with Christmas lights making the cobbled streets and old buildings (including the city hall) shimmer and shine.

6. Christmas in Thailand

Thailand is mainly a Buddhist country; therefore, Christmas is not a public holiday. To find Christmas celebrations, you need to mix with other travelers and ex-pats.

This is ideal for solo travelers who are looking for some Christmas companions. In Thailand, finding travel buddies is easy peasy.

There are traditional Christmas roast options at various hotels and restaurants. Or, better, try something new and eat local. Since Christmas isn’t a public holiday, everything is open as normal.

A major benefit of staying in Thailand for Christmas is that you’ll be guaranteed great weather. December is peak season in Thailand when temperatures can reach over 30 degrees Celsius, and it will mainly be dry.

To make the most of the weather, you could spend time on a dreamy tropical beach. Or, if you want more hustle and bustle stay in Bangkok for their incredible fountain display and festive light show.

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7. Christmas in Brazil

Brazil, for a tropical Christmas vacation, is one to remember forever. The weather is hot and sunny throughout the whole of December and you get Christmas with a big ol’ twist of lime and spice.

In Brazil, Christmas is a religious celebration that is spent enjoying time with family and friends and indulging in traditional Brazilian food and drink. It’s a Catholic country, so lots of people attend Missa do Galo (midnight mass service) on Christmas Eve.

As with many other countries, Brazil is full of lights and Christmas trees, and fireworks take place throughout the Christmas period. You’ll find nativity scenes, hear Brazilian carols, and Santa Claus (or Papai Noel in Brazil) is busy giving the kids their gifts.

But, by far, one of the best things to do at Christmas is to visit Brazil’s breathtaking tropical beaches. There’s a special golden glow on the coast of Brazil’s tropical zone. You have to just go and see it for yourself.

8. Christmas in Malaysia

In Malaysia, Christmas is a public holiday for everyone, despite the population being mostly Islamic. So it’s a pretty unique twist on Christmas and the ideal beach vacation.

To get the most out of a tropical Christmas trip, you should venture to the picturesque, white-sand beaches in Malaysia. Try some snorkeling, scuba diving, and water sports, or just jump in the clear blue for a cool down. There are tons of island activities and big accommodations perfect for families too.

Have some fun island hopping and see what’s going on at the other islands. You’ll find live entertainment and delicious food! Take the time to go on adventurous jungle hikes to march among the rainforests and happen upon waterfalls.

Once you’ve had enough of the sun, sea, palm trees, and sand, wander the shopping malls for lavish decorations. They are adorned with shiny baubles, glittering Christmas lights, and funky streamers. And, there’s always an excessively large Christmas tree to marvel at.

9. Christmas in Vietnam

Vietnam is a Buddhist country, so Christmas is not an official holiday. However, Vietnamese people still have fun and celebrate Christmas by putting together all kinds of festivals and parties. Though Vietnamese people place more importance on celebrating Christmas Eve than Christmas Day.

There is a lot of French influence in the Christmas traditions with Christmas trees, decorations, and nativity scenes with giant statues of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

To experience the vibrant Vietnamese culture, you need to visit the Old Quarter in Hanoi; it is packed with street food vendors, cute coffee shops, and clothes stalls. You can order something and sit on the street and watch the world go by.

If you’re looking for a hotter climate, you should head south and visit Ho Chi Min City. In Ho Chi Min, visit the iconic Giac Lam Pagoda, cruise on the Bonsai river, and grab a drink on Pham Ngu Lao Street. You’ll know where to go from there.

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10. Christmas in Cuba

Christmas celebrations in Cuba are more muted than they are elsewhere. This is because Christmas was canceled in Cuba from 1969 until 1998 which meant Cubans got used to not celebrating it. They’ve had a pretty rough history.

If you want to get away from all the Christmas commercialism, this is the perfect place for your Christmas vacation. You might still find decorations and Christmas trees in hotels that are specifically for tourists, but you aren’t likely to see them as much when you’re out and about. Sail away to the Caribbean sea and enjoy.

Havana will likely be on your Cuba travel plans. You can get plenty of salsa music and culture. Drink a real mojito at the place where it was made.

But you should really take yourself as quickly as possible. Spectacular nature and secluded life is Cuba’s best feature. Head to the Caribbean beaches or find the fields where the real Cuban cigars are made in one of our favorite tropical destinations.

11. Christmas in Hong Kong

Hong Kong gets a solid placement in the top destinations to spend a tropical Christmas because of Winterfest. It has become famous the world over for a very good reason.

During the festive period, Hong Kong is transformed into a winter wonderland with Christmas trees, tinsel, fairy lights, and decorations. A must-see for any traveler is the Christmas Symphony of Lights.

For you loved-up travelling couples, you will wanna take part in the Christmas ‘love locks’ tradition by attaching your lock to the railing. They say the Christmas cheer blesses your romance – so it’s forever, you know. Music and an accompanying narrative play through giant speakers with the Christmas lights show.

Hong Kong is a great place for families to take a tropical Christmas getaway – thanks to Hong Kong’s Disneyland theme park. Christmas season begins in November with ‘A Magical Twilight Snowfall’. Later you get to be part of the ‘A Holiday Wish-Come-True’ Tree Lighting Ceremony.

If Disneyland isn’t your thing (yeah, fair) you’ll still have plenty of events to get involved in. There are parades, fireworks, free live entertainment, and carol singing, all designed to get you in the Christmas spirit.

These are some of the most commonly asked questions about tropical Christmas destinations.

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Once you’ve had your first tropical Christmas, it’s easy to want to make it a common occurrence. Christmas is beautiful, but so is nice weather and idyllic beaches. 

When you’re choosing your destination for a tropical Christmas this year, think about what your core value is for wanting to get away. It could be to learn about new and exciting festive traditions. It could be to retreat from the excessive commericality of Christmas. 

It could just be to escape the winter for a little bit. In that case, just close your eyes and pick one. One thing is guaranteed: each destination on this list offers a unique and magical Christmas.

If you’re worried about missing the festive season though, always remember the old saying: “Christmas feels like it’s come round even faster this year, doesn’t it?” So don’t worry, there’ll be another one along soon. 

So maybe just at least one year, you should try it. What have you got to lose, really?

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!