When to go · Mexico
Mexico in December
Great month. Dry and clear; Guadalupe pilgrims (12 Dec) and Christmas peak on the coasts.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- High
- Mexico
- Prices
- High
- Mexico
Verdict
Dry and clear; Guadalupe pilgrims (12 Dec) and Christmas peak on the coasts.
Weather in December
- Central highlands · Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuatocool
Dry, sunny and mild Nov–Apr with cold nights (near 5 °C in Dec–Jan); afternoon storms May–Oct, mornings usually clear. Air quality in Mexico City is worst Feb–May.
- Yucatán and Caribbean coast · Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mérida, Bacalarbest weather
Hot and humid; Mérida tops 40 °C in April–May. Hurricanes Jun–Nov, sargassum seaweed on the Caribbean beaches roughly Apr–Sep.
- Pacific coast · Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca coast, Los Cabosbest weather
Dry Nov–May; heavy rain and hurricane risk Jun–Oct, with September the wettest. Whale season Dec–Mar.
- North and Baja · Chihuahua, Copper Canyon, Baja Californiacool
Desert extremes; Copper Canyon has snow some winters and is best Mar–May and Oct–Nov.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Virgin of Guadalupe
12 Dec
Pilgrims walk to the Basilica in Mexico City; roads blocked.
Posadas and Christmas big impact
16–24 Dec
Family travel peak; coasts full until early January.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Mexico
- High
- Prices · Mexico
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
Where to go in December
Rated best or good this month
Yucatán and Caribbean coast
Best weather of the year (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mérida, Bacalar)
Pacific coast
Best weather of the year (Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca coast, Los Cabos)
Dry; posadas and holiday crowds.