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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Are you ok with cold? Winter is cold. If you want Europe, I'd do London or Switzerland around Christmas time because the lights and markets are lovely. I personally prefer to stay cold weather around Xmas to enjoy the holiday spirit (or go skiing).

If Christmas or cold are not your thing, the alts to that (in direct flights) would be: Mexico City and surrounding area; Panama City with 2-3 day trips out of the city if you're up for a car (though it's rainy season Nov-Dec); or Bogota.

All of those have direct flights which make for easy transit. [/quote]

Following. Tell me more about Mexico City vs Panama City vs Bogota [/quote]

what in particular? I have been to all three. In order of preference, I choose: Panama City, Bogota, CDMX. 
I know that everyone raves about CDMX these days but I just use CDMX as an airport transit to surrounding towns. I love Mexico, am Mexican American, and have been to MX countless times (places other than CDMX). I prefer Cuernavaca or GDL over CDMX because the pollution honestly kills me. My nose does nothing but drip, my eyes itch, and the smog gives me migraines. It's a big city and if that's not your thing, you may enjoy 2-3 days in CDMX, 1 day to Teotihuacan, 1 - 2 days to Taxco (there are lots of day tours) or Cuernavaca, and/or to Cholula. It might be a ton of time in the car but I personally would do this type of itinerary with my kids to get out and see "real Mexico". Tepotzlan is also not far. It's designated as one of the pueblos magicos. I like taking my kids there to get a better sense of Mexico than CDMX. Next time we spent more nights in Taxco.

Bogota is a great place to spend maybe 3 days but then you feel like you need to get out of the city. There are lots of options for day trips to parks and/or fincas outside the city, or you can add another flight to Cartagena, if you have that time. It is very user/pedestrian friendly but I found the issues with fake bills/pick pocketing to be far more in Colombia than in Mx. Right now they're having a VZ migrant issue. It wouldn't keep me from going (I might head down for Xmas) but just FYI. I normally drive in countries for travel but in Colombia I will likely get a driver.

Panama is easily one of my favorites with kids/families. Infrastructure is good, country is one of safest in LATAM, it's easy to drive/navigate, English widely spoken but it is very expensive. You'll have to contend with US prices on everything. Maybe 1-2 days in the city but then I'd recommend a tour to Soberania National Park (drive yourself if you can). The park is very much worth it, and then head to Gamboa Reserve for the tours that they offer. You can also drive to Portabelo on the Caribbean side for scuba or snorkeling, or stick to the Pacific coast for surfing.

My kids preferred Panama over Mex, though for family/nostalgia reasons I will always pick Mex. In sum, all three are fantastic locals for a Dec vacation. [/quote]

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