01Weather
Cancún weather in December
Afternoons in December average 27.9 °C (82 °F) and nights cool to 20.6 °C (69 °F). Compared with November it is 0.9 °C cooler; January is 0.8 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 30 °C / 86 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 25 °C / 77 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 16 °C / 61 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 3.8 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 36.0 °C / 13.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:08 | 18:04 | 10.9 h |
| 15 December | 07:16 | 18:08 | 10.9 h |
| 31 December | 07:24 | 18:16 | 10.9 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 0 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Cancun).
03Crowds
How busy Cancún is in December
very busy The main sights are very busy in December. What drives it:
- Christmas and New Year
- peak rates
- dry, warm weather
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Cancún in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin of Guadalupe | 12 December | religious |
| New Year's Eve | 31 December, Hotel Zone parties | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Cancún in December
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 4 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is dry, warm and festive, with afternoons around 28 °C, the Virgin of Guadalupe on 12 December with processions downtown, Christmas and New Year's Eve in the Hotel Zone the most expensive nights of the year, with minimum stays at the resorts. The first three weeks are calm and pleasant; the final ten days require booking months ahead. Rain falls on about five days. The sea is around 27 °C.
The posadas from 16 December bring neighbourhood processions. The cool northerly fronts, nortes, can bring a cloudy, breezy day or two. The sailfish season opens off Isla Mujeres. Daylight is around eleven hours. For the dry, comfortable peak-season month, see January.
09Compare
Cancún month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27 °C | 20 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| February | 28 °C | 21 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| March | 29 °C | 22 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| April | 30 °C | 23 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| May | 31 °C | 25 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| June | 31 °C | 26 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| July | 32 °C | 25 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| August | 32 °C | 25 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| September | 32 °C | 24 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| October | 30 °C | 24 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| November | 29 °C | 22 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| December | 28 °C | 21 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Cancún.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Miami in December | 26 °C | 6 |
| Orlando in December | 23 °C | 2 |
| New York City in December | 8 °C | 10 |
| Toronto in December | 3 °C | 10 |
| Las Vegas in December | 15 °C | 1 |
| Los Angeles in December | 20 °C | 2 |
11FAQ
Cancún in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Cancún?
December is a good month to visit Cancún. Daytime highs average 28 °C (82 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Cancún in December?
Expect warm days around 28 °C (82 °F) and nights near 21 °C (69 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 30 °C, and one in ten stays below 25 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Cancún in December?
December in Cancún, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Cancún in December?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Cancún crowded in December?
The main sights are very busy in December. Main drivers: Christmas and New Year; peak rates; dry, warm weather.
What time does it get dark in Cancún in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 18:08 and rises at 07:16, giving 10.9 hours of daylight.