18 Best Places in the World to Visit in December 2026
9. Patagonia, Argentina - Summer Adventures in the Land of Fire
December marks the beginning of summer in Patagonia, with extended daylight hours reaching up to 17 hours per day and temperatures ranging from 15-25°C (59-77°F), creating optimal conditions for trekking, wildlife observation, and exploring one of the world's last great wilderness frontiers. The iconic Torres del Paine National Park offers spectacular hiking opportunities with comfortable weather, where visitors can witness the dramatic granite spires, pristine lakes, and diverse ecosystems that include guanacos, condors, and the elusive puma, while December's long days maximize opportunities for photography and wildlife encounters. El Calafate provides access to the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier, where December's summer conditions allow for ice trekking, boat tours to witness calving icebergs, and comfortable viewing from observation platforms that showcase one of the world's most accessible and dynamic glacial systems. The charming town of El Chaltén, known as Argentina's trekking capital, offers world-class hiking opportunities to Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, with December's stable weather conditions providing clear mountain views and comfortable camping temperatures for multi-day expeditions. December visitors can experience Patagonian estancias (ranches) where traditional gaucho culture comes alive through horseback riding, sheep shearing demonstrations, and authentic asado barbecues featuring locally raised lamb and beef, while the region's emerging wine industry offers tastings of high-altitude varietals in stunning landscape settings. The Valdés Peninsula becomes a wildlife paradise in December, with southern right whales, elephant seals, and Magellanic penguins creating one of the world's most spectacular marine wildlife viewing opportunities, while the region's unique geology and paleontology can be explored through fossil hunting and geological tours that reveal Patagonia's ancient history.
