Incredible places to spend Christmas on the Beach

With its weather reaching 24°C throughout December, Miami is considered by many people as one of the best winter vacation destinations for a tropical Christmas. But what does the coastal metropolis have to offer on this occasion apart from its famed South Beach? To be amazed by an entertaining light show, lovely festive decorations, joyful rides, and the biggest Christmas tree in Florida, visit Santa’s Enchanted Forest. You will truly love seeing the Winterfest Boat Parade and spending some time at Santa’s Drive-Thru Village.

For an impeccable Christmas meal, visit Chica restaurant. This is one of the best places in the city to enjoy vibrant flavors of Latin American food culture, mixology, and the best examples of authentic viticulture. Chica was opened in 2017 by Celebrity Chef Lorena Garcia. She was driven by an idea to bring the essence of Latin cuisine to visitors. At the same time, chef Lorena experiments with modern cooking tendencies and creates a fusion of authentic Latin and global foods. Apart from being a chef, Lorena Garcia has published several bestselling cookbooks, participated in global TV-shows, she designs cookware, and has founded a non-profit organization devoted to the problems of childhood obesity, “Big Chef, Little Chef”.

The welcoming, airy ambience at Chica is achieved by choice of a tropical color palette and the style of classical South American cigar lounges. The dining area gives a sophisticated flair of terra cotta and brass with Latin American craftsmanship. And their spacious bar with greenery hanging from the ceiling is one of the most spectacular bars you will find in the USA.

For an unforgettable dinner this Christmas Eve, make a reservation at Chica Miami and have a homely gathering while sipping mezcal old-fashioned and enjoying crunchy tuna tacos, exquisite wagyu empanadas, succulent tableside tomahawk steak with the side of smoky char-grilled broccolini. For dessert, don’t hesitate to order The Flaming Skull, a warm lava cake with fruits, ice cream and marshmallows. All desserts have been created by their executive pastry chef, Jessica Scott. Since the Christmas menu is a la carte, you can pick from a whole variety of delicious dishes.

With the ideal 27°C in December, Cozumel is one of the most recognized tropical destinations in Mexico. Clear turquoise-blue Caribbean Sea surrounding the island with the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef make this paradise an incredible spot for snorkeling and diving. Whether you are just a beginner or already an experienced diver, you will be able to admire extensive coral and sea life. To distract yourself from daily troubles and achieve inner peace, try aquatic massages, visit beachfront spas, or join indoor or outdoor yoga programs.

Cozumel has a lot of wonderful restaurants and bars serving local and international cuisine. For an authentic festive dinner at the sea, visit El Palonar.

An iconic building that is over a century old houses this restaurant. El Palomar has arguably the most beautiful seating area on a wraparound terrace with stunning seaview as well as a cozy garden seating option. Locals and tourists love this place for its fantastic atmosphere and for a thoughtful fusion of Mexican, Caribbean, Latin island cuisines and modern seafood-based dishes. Their creative team keeps constantly inventing new offers to show a good time to customers. For example, on Sundays, you can be treated with a complimentary fruity mimosa during breakfast hours.

Try their homemade Mexican dishes such as tacos with shrimp, lobster, or fish, flavorful roasted octopus, naan stuffed with shrimp, and appetizing catch of the day served with white beans, chorizo, and clams. Don’t forget to order some of their artisan mezcal-based cocktails such as Little devil (with spicy chamoy, tamarind and mango) and pink Perfect love with pineapple. Freshly squeezed juices and healthy smoothies will be a refreshing non-alcoholic option for you. Do consider spending these winter holidays in Cozumel and making a dinner reservation at El Palomar.

Our next pick is the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife. Here, you can choose to spend time at lively beaches with golden sand in the south of the island or discover quiet remote beaches with dark, volcanic sand. Tenerife is one of the few islands in the world where you can see blue whales, orcas, and dolphins close to the coast. Consider booking a whale-watching tour on a boat to witness these incredible mammals for a once in a lifetime experience.

This December, expect comfortable weather between 18°C and 21°C in Tenerife. While exploring Canarian cuisine in Tenerife, try fish and Sancocho Canaria (braised fish), Ropa Vieja Canaria (authentic dish with chickpeas and meat), Conejo al salmorejo (rabbit stew), Arroz a la cubana (made of rice, sausages, fried bananas, and eggs).

For the most lovely, tasty, and pocket-friendly Christmas Eve dinner, visit Akustito restaurant. Opened in 2017, this place has quickly become well-known for its impeccable food, light pastel-color palettes creating an airy ambience, and great live music accompanying the guests’ meal time. We recommend their excellent cod filet with cheese sauce, crushed tomatoes, and thyme, flavorful salmon filet with dill, honey and mustard sauce, and tender chicken breast with mango and rice or noodles.

Their Christmas Eve menu looks impressive. For starters, king prawns carpaccio and sirloin carpaccio, followed by hot purple cauliflower creamed soup with dry cherry tomatoes and Parmesan coral cheese. The main course has two options: salmon filet with coconut milk, ginger and lime sauce with coriander-flavored rice, or turkey stuffed with bacon, cranberries, and nuts, accompanied by potatoes. The creamiest lemon cheesecake is planned for dessert at Akustito.
For an atmospheric holiday celebration, consider booking a table at this snuggery Canarian spot for the 24th of December.

Port d‘Andratx is located on the West Coast of Mallorca. Surrounded by scenic mountains, this exclusive harbor town is a real delight to the eye. Apparently, its picturesque views and pleasant weather all-year round (17°C in December) have made it so popular among talented, famous people. Until the end of the 20th century, the town was simply a small fishing port. Nowadays, you will see mostly insanely expensive yachts here. The most beloved activities among tourists are golfing at the 18-hole Golf de Andratx course, exploring fashion boutiques near the harbor, going on tours to an uninhabited island of Sa Dragonera, and savoring local specialties. Mallorcan cuisine is rich and flavourful. Try every local’s staple food – Mallorcan fry made of fried meats, potatoes, liver, and spices. Another discovery for you would be tumbet made with regional vegetables. For a quick bite, order Mallorcan breads with various fillings at any bakery in the town.

For the most stunning seaview, book a table at Latitud 39 this winter and have an unforgettable Christmas Eve dinner. Visitors love this place for its top location, great Mediterranean food, artisan cocktails, and wines always served with a smile. Their minimalistic decor with the dominant white color doesn't let anything distract you from ‌the bright blue palette of the Mediterranean Sea and hazy mountains in the distance.

For the Christmas dinner and the next day, the team of Latitud 39 offers you a great innovative menu. The feast will start with authentic Pa amb oli (bread with oil) topped with smoked sardine, black garlic mayonnaise, and pepper, followed by a traditional Mallorcan Christmas soup. The main course is capon stuffed with dried apricots, apples, and bacon with a side of potatoes. Every sweet tooth will be awed by the dessert at Latitud 39 – Cardenal de Lloseta – a soft sponge cake with meringue. For the booking details, contact the restaurant team.

This December, you can expect pleasant 25°C in Sydney. But why choose such a remote holiday destination? It will be ideal for those of you seeking a Christmassy mood but also looking for new discoveries. After visiting a traditional winter fair and seeing all the festive sparkles of the city, put on your dancing shoes and head to the free concert in Pyrmont. If you are traveling with kids, they will be more than amused by all the games and activities offered there.

Do not miss a chance to learn about Australian cuisine by sampling local staple food in the capital of the state of New South Wales. Try barramundi (local fish), distinctively flavored Sydney rock oysters with a glass of wine, moist, sweet Lamington cake, or steamed John Dory fish.

To create the most magical Christmas sensation, visit The Gantry within the historical Pier One hotel building, built in 1912. This restaurant offers its guests the most unique Australian harborside dining experience with the view to Walsh Bay. They have a newly redesigned, spacious dining room as well as an elegant wooden terrace. Their head chef, Rhys Connell, is focused on balancing Japanese ingredients with a strong Mediterranean vibe. His dishes are neatly flavored and gently cooked with care. He loves experimenting with traditional Australian dishes by giving them a different outlook.

On The Gantry’s Christmas menu, you can find locals' favorite yellow fin tuna, Sydney rock & Pacific oysters with exquisite Blanc de Blanc, slow-cooked and glazed Roaring Forties lamb shoulder, refreshing ginger-lime sundae, and classic Christmas snacks on ice. Their festive menu includes premium wine pairings and a complimentary glass of champagne.

Merry Christmas!

For some people, the idea of Christmas on the beach is synonymous with sunny Caribbean days with pina coladas and spicy jerk chicken. Others prefer the rocky views of the Canary Islands with a glass of sangria. We hope that our guide gave you a perspective on various options to spend your winter holidays in the best way possible. And if you don’t feel like socializing this Christmas and want to devote some time to cooking the festive dinner by yourself, check out our recipes section, and you will find dozens of wonderful ideas with detailed step-by-step instructions and tips.

What are your Christmas dinner plans? Share your thoughts with other foodies in the comment section below.