Christmas in the warm . . . where to go?

[feetheart]

We want to do something completely different for Christmas this year but not sure where to start.

• there are 4 of us - me, DH, DD(14), DS(12)
• we have only been abroad twice as a family - Lanzarote and Iceland
• we usually camp so don't need 5-star luxury
• no-one likes laying about on a beach/pool so walking, swimming, nature, etc would all be good
• we don't want to be somewhere where everything is shut over Christmas!

Who has been away for Christmas? Where did you go? What would you recommend?
Thank you :)

We have been to Kenya on a part beach part safari one Christmas and New Year.

Last year we went to Thailand - we did do a beach holiday then but if you go to mainland China it has loads to offer by way of tours etc as does Vietnam etc. Also the Far East is mega cheap to eat out etc still so don't be put off that meals aren't often included.

eg. 3 of us (DS is 15) had lovely 3 course meals and drinks for under a tenner!

I meant mainland Thailand rather than China although we had a great trip to China but not at Christmas.

South Africa is great for adventure. There's lots to do and the Rand is really weak at the moment.

New Zealand is an amazing holiday destination.

Patagonia? Brazil?

China won't be warm. Thailand, Cambodia and Laos are all good options. Vietnam will be pretty cold in the north and cool to cold in the middle part. Southern part will be warm.

We went to New Zealand a couple of years ago, lovely weather and stunning country, will be expensive though, we spent 3 weeks there, drove round, staying a night or 2 in hotels/B&B's across the north and south islands

Tenerife is warm in December. It's very sunny all year round.

Florida!
Pleasantly warm without being too hot. Lots going on over Christmas - don't mean just theme parks, but walking in the State Parks, paddle-boarding whilst manatee spotting (they come into the inland waterways during the winter). And the town of Celebration is fantastic at Christmas.
Or if you want to push the boat out a bit, how about Costa Rica?

BELIZE!!!! Honestly it is a fantastic once in a lifetime type holiday. I could go on and on so message me for more details of our trip. we did mayan temples, walks in the rainforest with howler monkeys, boat trips to see manatees, floating down the river in a tube in the rainforest, snorkelling with sharks and rays and loads of other young teen friendly stuff - oh and night time boat ride with the alligator protection people. its got lots going on over Christmas and New year, the weather was brilliant too. see, told you I could go on and on......

Another vote for Belize.
We got cheapish flights to Cancun and drove down.
It was a safe adventure.

It will cost you

So so expensive at xmas! What's your budget

If you are looking for somewhere cheaper then Costa del Sol. Weather approx 18 degrees, the attractions all empty (crocodile park, dolphinarium, Tivoli Land) and they only close for a few days over Christmas. We hired a car and did loads of travelling and the roads were clear, apparently in summer months they are chocabloc. We got £9.99 flights, cheapish apartments and car hire for 10 euros per day. We stayed a few days in old town Malaya and saw the lights come on which was amazing.

*Malaga