Where to go in December 2014: The Best December Travel Experiences
Which ones will you add to your bucketlist?
The ultimate travel inspiration list for independent and adventure travel, including: the best outdoor treks, adrenaline list, cultural experiences, animal encounters, JUST PLAIN CRAZY and more…
For all other months, go here: The Best Travel Experiences
December brings you more great travel experiences that push the limits, engage with authentic culture, encounter animals in the wild, participate in the most iconic athletic challenges and find pure bliss. Everyone has different tolerances for risk, so please check safety conditions and plan appropriately.
December includes some of the most unique adventure sports across Patagonia, Central America and New Zealand like the glow worm caves of Waitomo and ice climbing the world’s most active accessible glacier. Timeless cultural experiences include hot air ballooning over Laos and the isolated Inle lake people of Myanmar. Get up close with sea creatures as the humpback whales migrate along the Mexican coast and the strange jellyfish lake in Palau.
You can find links to some of the best travel blogs, experts who have been there and official information sites to make your research easier. This is an evolving list and I am always looking for fresh and exciting experiences to add, so let me know any amazing things you’ve heard about and your favorites so I can make sure they stay on the list.
Just Plain Crazy December Experiences (Don’t Try This at Home)
Gansbaai, South Africa – Cage Dive with Great White Sharks:
Lower your cage into ocean waters teeming with with the world’s largest predatory fish furiously anticipating a tasty meal. During this time of year, great white sharks head for the shallows of Shark Bay in great abundance. Prime beach season runs from December through February bringing festivities and outdoor activities in all directions. Nearby adventures include penguins and ostrich racing. Highlights Around Cape Town
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Shoot Rocket Launchers (at cows?):
Cambodia has a novel way to dispose of stockpiles of unused munitions from the war, charge tourists unload heavy weapons. Rumor has it, you can even pay extra for a rocket launcher and tours are eager to let you blow up houses and even even more to blow up a cow!? (this has not been verified) Shooting Bazookas in Cambodia
Antarctica – The Polar Bear Plunge:
Strip down, run across the ice and jump into the the freezing waters of the coldest place on earth, Antarctica. You’ll barely notice the icebergs floating by as you run shivering and shrieking to the sauna but you will definitely come out of it with a sense of accomplishment.
Leon, Nicaragua – Volcano Boarding a Smoking, Active Volcano:
You have to be slightly insane to strap a plywood board to your feet and sand board down this active, smoking volcano in Nicaragua. Wait to see what happens at the end. The best time for hiking is the dry season, November to April. Volcano Boarding Nicaragua
Where to go in December: The Adrenaline List
Perito Moreno, Argentina – Ice Climb the World’s Most Active Accessible Glacier:
Ice climb the world’s most active accessible glacier as you feel it cracking and shifting beneath you. The Perito Moreno Glacier moves so fast in the warm season that glaciers the size of skyscrapers fall into the water every few minutes. Tours can climb the glacier surrounded by the echoing sounds of the ice sliding down the slope. Also nearby, you can Glacier Hike on the Franz Joseph Glacier
Antarctica: Kayak in Antarctica:
Paddle past floating icebergs and playful penguins in the ghostly quiet of Antarctica. This truly surreal experience can impress upon you exactly how isolated and precious Antarctica really is. How to Cruise Antarctica
Nepal – Parahawking With Asian Vultures:
Soar with Asian vultures trained to find the thermals amongst the world’s tallest mountain range. Paragliding in the Himalayas is one thing, but parahawking — described as paragliding combined with the ancient art of falconry — has been called the “ultimate flying experience.” Interact with these endangered birds of prey in their natural hunting environment. Egyptian vultures lead fliers into warm currents of rising air that enable effortless flight, with clear skies present throughout the month of December. Parahawking in Nepal
Where to Go in December for the Best Cultural Experiences
Tulum, Mexico – Find Your Spiritual Side in a Mexican Sweat Lodge
Find your spiritual side in a traditional Meso-American temascal sweat lodge ceremony. December is one of the best months to visit the Riviera Maya, and temazcal connects you both to ancient Maya culture and to yourself. Heated rocks form clouds of steam in the enclosed clay dome, which works with healing herbs and intoxicating chants to aid in personal purification. Azulik Tulum has an excellent temazcal ceremony
Hampi, India – The Ruins of a Lost Empire:
Explore the ancient city of a lost empire set against heaps of giant boulders in the Indian countryside. Go temple hopping, rock climbing, or simply marvel at the ruins and natural wonders. The former capital of 14th century empire Vijayanagar is best explored by bicycle, especially during the cooler season starting this month. This is one of the best places in India to charm a king cobra. There’s a Monkey in My Bed! – A Trip to Hampi, India.
New York City, USA – The Skating Rink Trump Had to Have:
Strap on ice skates and plunge in to the holiday spirit of New York City on the iconic skating rink in Central Park. ’Tis the season to enjoy the magic of New York City’s holiday spirit. There is perhaps no better place to celebrate the holidays than the ice rink of Central Park, decorated with Christmas cheer against the dramatic backdrop of the city skyline. The Trump Rink in Central Park
Amritsar, India – The Traditional Golden Temple Experience:
Join in with welcoming pilgrims in experiencing this holy site in the center of the Sikh universe. Get fitted for a turban, serve food to the thousands of pilgrims, even stay at the lodge in the famous temple. Be sure to stay and see the Golden Temple glitter in the warm sun during the day as well as lit up by night. The Golden Temple of India
Inle Lake, Burma- The Leg-Rowing Fishermen and Floating Islands:
See the famous leg-rowing fishermen of Burma’s Inle Lake as you paddle through bustling markets, stilted homes, and floating gardens all built on the surface of the shallow water. The people of Inle have adapted their lifestyle around living on the lake, including the fishermen who curiously row with one leg to see above growing reeds. December brings the cooler season but is still before most tourists arrive. Itineraries for Burma
Hobbiton, New Zealand – Explore the Hobbit Village from ‘Lord of the Rings’
Explore the hobbit village of Middle Earth from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. Watch your head as you duck past the small dwellings, surrounded by green rolling hills. The buildings created as a film set remain permanent fixtures in Matamata, New Zealand, in which December is a prime summer month to visit.
Where to Go in December for the Best Outdoor Adventure
Waitomo, New Zealand – Glow Worm Caves:
Drift silently through dark caves lit only by thousands of tiny glowworms emitting their own natural light. Hanging from cave ceilings, New Zealand glow worms only live where they can shine their bioluminescent lights to attract food. December is a great month to visit the Waitomo region where these particular conditions can be found. Legendary Blackwater Rafting The Black Abyss
Wadi Shab, Oman – Find Your Own Personal Oasis in the Desert Canyons of Oman:
Float in bright turquoise pools hidden throughout Wadi Shab, an unspoiled oasis carved into the rugged deserts of Oman. Hike through the towering orange and yellow sandstone canyon walls and cool off with a refreshing swim in the clear, calm streams shaded by banana palms. You’ve found desert heaven. December is the perfect time to go without getting overheated.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland – Step into the Milky Blue Geothermal Pools of Iceland:
Dig your feet into the white silica mud in the milky waters of this geothermal lagoon under the glow of the northern lights. Heated waterfalls, geothermal steam baths and indulgent spa treatments abound, not to mention a bar in the middle of the pool. For the easiest view of the Aurora Borealis, IcelandAir offers free stopovers between Europe and North America.
Vang Vieng, Laos – A Timeless Journey Through Laos by Hot Air Balloon:
Float lazily above the iridescent valleys of Laos in a hot air balloon as limestone karsts rise sharply in all directions. The dramatic landscape of rural Laos, carved by the mighty Mekong River, is one of the most naturally beautiful and relaxed areas of the world. This month the rivers are at full flow, making it the best time to trek, kayak, and go tubing amongst these mountains. Hot Air Ballooning Over Vang Vieng for $70
Bay of Islands, New Zealand – The Floating Hostel Through New Zealand’s Bay of Islands:
Cruise through New Zealand’s Bay of Islands on a floating hostel with barbecuing, stargazing and phosphorescent night kayaking. Activities on “The Rock” floating hostel include nightly barbecues, rubber ducky shooting, fishing, phosphorescent night kayaking and stargazing through 144 bay islands to private islands The Rock Floating Hostel
Carrera Lake, Patagonia – Kayak the Color Changing Blue Marble Caves in Patagonia:
Kayak these color-changing marble caves in Patagonia as crystal waters change all shades of emerald, turquoise, aquamarine and azure. Carerra Lake is the second deepest lake in South America with crystal clear waters changing colors. Bizarre Marble Caves surround the lake including a network of caves called the Marble Cathedral
Where to Go in December for the Best Animal Encounters
Baja/Sayulita, Mexico: Snorkel with Humpback Whales: (Dec-Mar)
Snorkel with playful humpback whales migrating to the Pacific coast of Mexico to breed. Humpback whales migrate past the Pacific coast of Mexico form December through March with January being the peak time for breeding. You can also Swim with Whale Sharks
Impenetrable National Park, Uganda – Track the Mountain Gorillas in Central Africa:
Stand a few feet from a fully-grown silverback gorilla in the misty hills of Impenetrable National Park in the highlands of Central Africa. These impressive creatures can punch 6 times harder than a heavyweight boxer. December brings the dry season to sister parks on the corner of Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. January and February are great months to avoid the Holiday crowds.
Jellyfish Lake, Palau – Freedive Through Swarms of Jellyfish:
Swim carelessly through endless swarms of jellyfish which have evolved without stingers in this isolated lake in the South Pacific. These jellyfish have thrived in isolation over the last 10,000 years without natural predators. December brings an end of the rainy season and the best weather of the year to this tropical archipelago.
Belize – Shark Ray Alley:
Watch helplessly as your captain chums the waters to attract hoards of sharks then invites you to jump in. at shark ray alley in Belize. The best time to visit Belize is from late November to mid-April, during the country’s dry season.
Enjoy this List? Please Share:
Which is your favorite? Have an Experience to add or a blog post to include? Let me know in the comments below:
The myWanderlist Best Travel Experiences for Other Months
- Best January Travel Experiences
- Best February Travel Experiences
- Best March Travel Experiences
- Best April Travel Experiences
- Best May Travel Experiences
- Best June Travel Experiences
- Best July Travel Experiences
- Best August Travel Experiences
- Best September Travel Experiences
- Best October Travel Experiences
- Best November Travel Experiences
- Best December Travel Experiences
Want to read my best travel stories? Here are some good ones:
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- Dancing with Corpses: Famadihana- Turning of the Bones in Madagascar: The hidden meaning behind one of the most bizarre ceremonies will surprise you
- The Secret Lives of Sea Gypsies: My personal experience living with the world’s best divers on the fringes of civilization
- Volcano Boarding Nicaragua: The extreme sport for the slightly insane?
- Bagan Temples: Little-known Temples, hidden passageways and secret keys to Photographing the Sunrise at Bagan blissfully devoid of tourists
at 3:56 pm
Loved this list. So many destinations, so many activities. We do have polar bear plunges in winter here in Canada, but to do them in the Antarctica would be so “cool”.
Carl Wright recently posted…Earth Hour Preparations for North America’s Oldest Road Race
at 10:28 pm
Did diving with jellyfish recently on Kadidiri in the Togean islands, Sulawesi. Not as many as in your pic but entertainingly bizarre all the same, so worth adding to the schedule if you are in the area
graham recently posted…Beach holiday showdown: Bali vs East Timor
at 10:39 am
Yeah, that is a great one! Funny story, a boat dropped me on that beach by myself. A few hours into the indefinite wait, I swam over to that lake. It was really freaky jumping in by myself. Not knowing how deep it was and only hearing that it was possible to swim in there. Yeah, awesome place. Probably better in September-ish, right? Isn’t it rainy season in Sulawesi now?
at 9:15 pm
Rain was a bit late this year and had only just started but it means less tourists this time of year. Swimming in that green void with no perception of distance was part of the appeal
Graham Askey recently posted…Beach holiday showdown: Bali vs East Timor
at 5:13 pm
Yes we went twice to that jelly lake, one time it was full of jellyfish, we couldn’t swim around them! Great and strange experience.
at 10:19 pm
What company offers the swimming with humpback whales in Mexico? I’ve been to the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic 4 times with http://Www.aquaticadventures.com to swim with the North Atlantic humpback whales, and plan to go to Tonga in a few years, but hadn’t heard about this being possible in Mexico?
at 8:59 am
Hi Heather, although I can’t recommend a specific tour company, the most popular places to join an expedition are Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. How was your experience at Silver Bank? I’ve heard that is an excellent marine sanctuary.
at 7:52 am
Done a few of these! Semi- conquered my fear of sharks in Shark Ray Alley!
Katie recently posted…Thanksgiving Celebrations Around the World
at 8:07 am
Which ones have you done that you would recommend, Katie? Shark Ray alley is a blast. So what if they are basically domesticated and lack teeth, it is still a great story to tell your friends and a wonderful way to get up close with animals in the wild.
Brad Bernard recently posted…Extreme India Challenge Rickshaw Run: Death Summons Us to the Sacred Ganges
at 5:13 am
haha they are still sharks! Just seeing these animals swim under you is scary! Our guide showed us his arm where he got “bit” and it was not a pretty scar! I would also recommend volcano boarding in Nicaragua for quite the adrenaline rush. And skating in NYC during Christmas is a classic tourist activity that is definitely worth it, though as a local I try and avoid that area due to the crowds!
Katie recently posted…10 Things to do in Antigua, Guatemala
at 11:34 am
Yes, volcano borading is such an insane concept but so much fun. I love how it gets steeper as you go down so you can’t actually see the bottom. Sure, ice skating in Central park is a little crowded, but it is really the quintessential New York Holiday experience. I guess the name has changed from Wollman Rink to the Trump Skating Ring. A little narcissistic, huh?
Brad Bernard recently posted…The Best November Travel Experiences
at 12:48 am
Man, that’s a lot. Now, I can’t pick one. May after The Skating Rink in NY, then The Polar Bear Plunge, and to finish it off… The Floating Hostel for some barbecues and stargazing.
Matt D. recently posted…100 Reasons It’s Really Great To Be A Guy!
at 6:54 am
Fantastic – we’re in Non Khai, Northern Thailand, during December/January. Will make it a point to go up in a hot air balloon. It’s something I’ve never done and always dreamed of doing.
Frank (bbqboy)
Frank recently posted…Old Farts, Young tarts. And insights on the myth of âAsian Valuesâ
at 8:43 am
I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures, Frank. What exciting things do you have planned?
Brad Bernard recently posted…Extreme India Challenge Rickshaw Run: Death Summons Us to the Sacred Ganges
at 6:42 am
Swimming with humpback whales – I had no idea that was possible! Your cultural experiences are absolutely amazing this month! I’ve done a few of them already, and I’m planning to do a few more in 2015. By the way, I really like your new menu. It’s very organized and easy to navigate!
Miriam of Adventurous Miriam recently posted…20 amazing things to do in Bali
at 8:49 am
Thank you, Miriam. I know you have some really awesome things to add to the list, so let me know. I’m happy to link to your wonderful blog. I’ve been trying to figure out how to make it a better experience so let me know if you have any ideas.
Brad Bernard recently posted…Extreme India Challenge Rickshaw Run: Death Summons Us to the Sacred Ganges
at 10:14 am
These adventures make me want to experience at least one!