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When to go · December

Wellness retreats in December

In December, 3 of our 15 wellness destinations are in their preferred season — The Ayurveda coast, Beppu and The Nicoya peninsula — and 10 more are good alternatives.

NovemberJanuary
Turquoise water along the Sri Lankan southwest coast

At their best

3 places in season in December

  1. Turquoise water along the Sri Lankan southwest coast

    01 Sri Lanka · Asia

    The Ayurveda coast

    • About 30°C by day
    • Ayurveda, Yoga
    • US$4,060per person

    December to April is the dry, calm-sea window on the southwest coast, and when the Ayurveda houses run at capacity with their long-stay European guests. The Yala monsoon soaks this coast from May: some properties simply close, and the ones that do not are quietly discounting a fortnight of rain.

    The Ayurveda coast in full
  2. A wooden bathing room open to a garden

    02 Japan · Asia

    Beppu

    • About 12°C by day
    • Onsen

    Onsen is a cold-weather practice: much of the physiological point is the contrast between chilled air and 42 °C water, and the steam columns that make Beppu photogenic only show in cold air. Late October to early December is the best of it. June to August combines heat and humidity with very hot bathing, which is a poor combination — locals bathe less in summer for exactly that reason.

    Beppu in full
  3. Tropical forest canopy on the Nicoya peninsula

    03 Costa Rica · The Americas

    The Nicoya peninsula

    • About 32°C by day
    • Longevity, Yoga

    December to April is the reliable window: Guanacaste is the driest province in Costa Rica and the dry season is close to absolute, which matters for the inland roads more than for the beaches. September and October are the wettest months nationally and access to the villages becomes a genuine problem.

    The Nicoya peninsula in full
Travelling in December?

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December, answered

Questions about travelling in December

Where is best for Ayurveda in December?
The Ayurveda coast (Sri Lanka) is in its preferred season for Ayurveda in December. Kerala (India) and Rishikesh (India) are good alternatives.
Where is best for The Mayr cure in December?
None of our The Mayr cure destinations is at its best in December, but Tyrol (Austria) is a good alternative.
Where is best for Onsen in December?
Beppu (Japan) is in its preferred season for Onsen in December. Okinawa (Japan) is a good alternative.
Where is best for Yoga in December?
The Ayurveda coast (Sri Lanka) and The Nicoya peninsula (Costa Rica) are in their preferred season for Yoga in December. Kerala (India) and Rishikesh (India) are good alternatives.
Where is best for The thermal kur in December?
None of our The thermal kur destinations is at its best in December, but Baden-Baden (Germany), Karlovy Vary (Czechia), Bad Gastein (Austria) and Tyrol (Austria) are good alternatives.
Where should I avoid in December?
We would suggest another month for Ubud and Koh Samui — the season there is less suited to a wellness stay in December. Each destination page explains why.