Cancún in December

In December, Cancún averages 28°C (82°F) during the day and 21°C (70°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (102 mm total).

High season

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

December is a great month to visit Cancún: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

28°C
Avg high
21°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
102 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Cancún

12th
warmest month of the 12
5th
wettest month of the 12
8%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
10 h 51 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Cancún (12th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (5th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C below the annual average (31°C). December runs 1°C cooler than November (29°C) and stays flat into January.

December sunrise & sunset in Cancún

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:17 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:08 PM
Day length
10 h 51 min

Times shown for Cancún local time (America/Cancun), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Cancún — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Cancún's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:17 AM – 6:57 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:57 AM – 7:57 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:28 PM – 6:28 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:28 PM – 7:08 PM

📅 When to book — Cancún in December

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (High season) and Cancún's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-4 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
3-5 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — December in Cancún

High season

This is a busy month in Cancún — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather Christmas / New Year travel surge

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Cancún

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.4
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Cancún — December

27.5°C (82°F)
bath-warm
tropical and comfortable for hours

Across the year Cancún's sea swings from 26.7°C (February) to 29.5°C (September) — December sits at 27.5°C.

Cancún in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 28°C / 82°F 20°C / 68°F 89 mm 8
February 29°C / 84°F 20°C / 68°F 56 mm 6
March 30°C / 86°F 22°C / 72°F 41 mm 4
April 32°C / 90°F 23°C / 73°F 39 mm 4
May 33°C / 91°F 25°C / 77°F 109 mm 7
June 33°C / 91°F 26°C / 79°F 165 mm 9
July 34°C / 93°F 26°C / 79°F 89 mm 8
August 34°C / 93°F 26°C / 79°F 116 mm 9
September 33°C / 91°F 25°C / 77°F 218 mm 13
October 31°C / 88°F 24°C / 75°F 196 mm 11
November 29°C / 84°F 22°C / 72°F 102 mm 8
December 28°C / 82°F 21°C / 70°F 102 mm 9

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Cancún in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Cancún in December?

In December, Cancún averages a high of 28°C (82°F) and a low of 21°C (70°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Cancún in December?

December sees occasional rain in Cancún, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Cancún?

December is warm. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Cancún in December?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full December packing list for Cancún for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Cancún on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.