December is when Cancún's best season begins. The rains and hurricanes are over, the trade wind is back, and the Caribbean is usually at its clearest. It's also the month when the week you pick changes the price more than anything else.
Weather in December#
Dry, sunny and breezy. Days are warm, in the high 20s Celsius, evenings are pleasant, and humidity drops. Every so often a "norte", a cold front from the north, brings a windy, cooler day or two with rougher sea. Hurricane season ends on November 30.
Seaweed in December#
December is usually one of the clearest months. Sargassum mostly arrives in spring and summer. It follows currents rather than a calendar, so look at recent beach photos the week before you fly. The same pattern holds down the coast; our sargassum guide explains how it moves.
Prices: pick your week#
| Dates | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Dec 1 – about Dec 19 | Great weather, ordinary high-season prices |
| About Dec 20 – Jan 2 | Christmas and New Year: the most expensive and crowded weeks |
| From about Jan 3 | Prices ease, weather stays excellent |
New Year's Eve in Cancún#
- Hotel galas: most big hotels in the Hotel Zone hold a dinner with a show and fireworks. Book early.
- Clubs and parties: the Hotel Zone's party area has ticketed New Year events.
- Downtown Cancún: more local and much cheaper.
- Playa del Carmen: about an hour south, many people celebrate on Quinta Avenida and the beach. See Cancún vs Tulum vs Playa del Carmen.
Mexican traditions to join at midnight: 12 grapes, one per wish; red or yellow underwear, for love or money; and a walk around the block with a suitcase for a year of travel.
Tips#
- Book NYE dinners and parties weeks ahead.
- Pack a light layer for breezy evenings and "nortes".
- Get out of the Hotel Zone for at least one meal. Things to do in Cancún and is Cancún safe? cover the rest.
Spend December with someone who lives here#
A Local Friend knows where locals eat, which beach is calm when a norte blows, and where New Year's Eve is worth it. Roavi Local Friends in Cancún set their own rates and message you directly before you meet.
See Cancún beyond the Hotel Zone.
Meet a Local Friend in CancúnFrequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to go to Cancún?
Yes for weather: dry season starts, it's sunny and less humid, and the water is usually clear. It's worse for price from around December 20, when Christmas and New Year make it one of the most expensive stretches of the year.Is there seaweed in Cancún in December?
December is usually one of the clearest months: sargassum mostly arrives in spring and summer. It follows currents, though, so check recent beach photos or sargassum reports a week before you fly.What is the weather like in Cancún in December?
Warm, sunny days in the high 20s Celsius (low to mid 80s Fahrenheit), cooler breezy evenings, and occasional short showers or a windy 'norte' cold front. Hurricane season ends November 30.What is there to do in Cancún on New Year's Eve?
Hotels hold galas with dinner and fireworks, the Hotel Zone clubs have ticketed parties, downtown has more local celebrations, and many people go to Playa del Carmen's Quinta Avenida. Book dinners and parties ahead; they sell out.What are Mexican New Year traditions?
Eating 12 grapes at midnight, one per wish; wearing red or yellow underwear for love or money; and walking around the block with a suitcase for a year of travel.