December is a popular time for travel as people look to spend time with loved ones and take a break from the winter weather.
If you’re planning a trip in December you’ll have a wide range of destinations to choose from.
However there are also a few places that you may want to avoid.
In this blog post we’ll highlight some of the worst places to visit in December and provide some tips on how to find the perfect vacation spot for your needs.
So if you’re looking to escape the cold and enjoy some warm and sunny weather keep reading to discover the worst places to visit in December.
Antarctica
Without a doubt Antarctica is the worst place to visit in December.
With temperatures that can drop to -90 degrees Celsius the southernmost continent is an unforgiving and inhospitable environment for any traveler.
Not to mention the fierce storms that can whip up at any moment.
High winds and snow can make it extremely difficult to traverse the landscape and the lack of daylight during this time of year can make it hard to properly orient oneself.
For these reasons many travelers opt to avoid Antarctica during December as it is simply too dangerous to visit.
Sahara Desert
The Sahara Desert is another terrible place to visit in December.
With temperatures that can reach over 50 degrees Celsius the desert is a scorching and oppressive environment making it difficult and dangerous to explore.
The sandstorms can be devastating with winds of over 50 mph that can whip up large amounts of sand.
This can cause visibility to drop to near zero making it extremely hard to navigate.
In addition the lack of water in the desert makes it difficult to sustain oneself while also making it hard to find shelter.
Death Valley
Death Valley is a particularly inhospitable place in December with temperatures that can reach over 40 degrees Celsius.
The air is scorching and the lack of shade makes it hard to find relief from the heat.
Not to mention the area experiences very little rainfall which makes the climate even drier and more oppressive.
The combination of heat and dryness can make it hard to survive in this region and it is certainly not recommended for visitors.
Northern Siberia
Northern Siberia is another place that is best avoided in December.
The temperatures here can drop to -50 degrees Celsius making it an incredibly frigid and unforgiving place.
The snowfall can be heavy and the winds can be fierce making it a difficult environment to traverse.
The days are very short in December with just a few hours of daylight making it hard to orient oneself.
All of these factors make Northern Siberia a place to be avoided in December.
The North Pole
The North Pole is another place that is best avoided in December.
Temperatures here can drop to -50 degrees Celsius making it an extremely cold and inhospitable environment.
The snow and ice make it difficult to traverse and the lack of daylight makes it hard to orient oneself.
The environment can be treacherous and unforgiving and the lack of resources can make it hard to survive in this environment.
For these reasons it is best to avoid the North Pole in December.
The Mountains of Tibet
The Mountains of Tibet is another place that should be avoided in December.
With temperatures that can drop to -25 degrees Celsius and winds that can reach over 100 mph the environment can be extreme and dangerous.
The snow and ice make it difficult to traverse and the lack of shelter can make it hard to survive in this environment.
In addition the altitude makes it difficult to breath making it a dangerous place to explore.
The Gobi Desert
The Gobi Desert is another place that is best avoided in December.
With temperatures that can reach over 50 degrees Celsius the desert is an oppressive and scorching environment making it difficult and dangerous to explore.
The sandstorms can be devastating with winds of over 50 mph that can whip up large amounts of sand.
This can cause visibility to drop to near zero making it extremely hard to navigate.
In addition the lack of water in the desert makes it difficult to sustain oneself while also making it hard to find shelter.
The Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is another place that is best avoided in December.
The temperatures here can drop to -40 degrees Celsius making it an extremely frigid and inhospitable environment.
The waters are rough and the winds can be fierce.
The days are very short with just a few hours of daylight making it hard to orient oneself.
All of these factors make the Arctic Ocean a place to be avoided in December.
The Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert is another place that should be avoided in December.
The temperatures here can drop to -20 degrees Celsius making it an extremely cold and inhospitable environment.
The sandstorms can be devastating with winds of over 50 mph that can whip up large amounts of sand.
This can cause visibility to drop to near zero making it hard to navigate.
In addition the lack of water in the desert makes it difficult to sustain oneself while also making it hard to find shelter.
The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest is another place that is best avoided in December.
With temperatures that can reach over 40 degrees Celsius and high humidity levels the environment can be oppressive and dangerous.
The rainstorms can be devastating with winds of over 50 mph that can whip up large amounts of water.
This can cause flooding and landslides making it difficult to travel through the region.
In addition the Amazon Rainforest is home to a variety of dangerous animals including venomous snakes spiders and crocodiles which can pose a threat to travelers.
It is also important to note that the Amazon Rainforest is home to many indigenous communities who rely on the forest for their livelihoods.
It is important to respect their rights and customs when visiting the region.
It is recommended to go on guided tours with local guides who are knowledgeable about the area and can help ensure that your visit has minimal impact on the environment and local communities.
Mongolia
Mongolia may be known for its vast grasslands but the winter season is not the best time to visit.
With temperatures dropping to -30 °C (-22 °F) it’s one of the coldest places on earth.
The terrain is also difficult to traverse due to the snowfall and the lack of infrastructure and services makes it difficult to enjoy the area’s natural beauty.
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is a popular destination for climbers but December is one of the worst times to attempt the summit.
With temperatures dropping as low as -10 °C (14 °F) it’s one of the coldest places in Africa.
The terrain is also difficult to traverse due to the snow and ice making it difficult to reach the summit.
Death Valley
Death Valley is a scorching desert located in the US with temperatures rising as high as 54 °C (129 °F).
Unfortunately during the winter months temperatures can drop as low as 0 °C (32 °F).
Although the temperatures may not seem too cold the lack of amenities and services makes it difficult to enjoy the area’s natural beauty.
Himalayas
The Himalayas are a majestic mountain range that spans over 5 countries but visiting during the winter season is not recommended.
The average temperature during December is -7 °C (19 °F).
On top of that most of the mountain passes are inaccessible due to heavy snowfall and strong winds.
The air is also thin at higher altitudes making it difficult to breathe and explore.
Northern Canada
The winter season in Northern Canada is one of the longest and harshest in the world.
With an average temperature of −17 °C (1 °F) it’s cold enough to freeze most bodies of water and the snowfall amounts can reach over one meter (3.3 feet).
In addition the terrain is often frozen and difficult to traverse which means that you may have to put on your snowshoes before venturing out.
Not to mention the Northern Lights make an appearance during December but you will need to bundle up and be prepared for the cold temperatures in order to enjoy them.