Weather in Mexico in December: Sunshine Escapades While America Shivers

The Reality Check: Weather in Mexico in December By Region

Mexican weather in December isn’t a one-size-fits-all forecast. The country spans nearly 761,600 square miles, creating a climate variety show that ranges from “I need another margarita to cool down” to “Perhaps I should have packed that light sweater after all.” Understanding these regional variations prevents the classic tourist faux pas of bringing only flip-flops to Mexico City’s 7,350-foot elevation or packing a down jacket for Cancun.

Beach Destinations: Horizontal Sunbathing Weather

Cancun and the Riviera Maya transform into meteorological celebrities in December, with temperatures maintaining a steady 75-85°F that seems precision-engineered for tourism brochures. Rainfall becomes so scarce (averaging just 3-4 days monthly) that seeing actual precipitation might warrant a social media post. The Caribbean waters hover around a bathtub-pleasant 79°F, making swimming possible without that involuntary gasp northern beaches inspire. Think Miami conditions but with significantly fewer people wearing socks with sandals.

Over on the Pacific side, Puerto Vallarta offers similar daytime temperatures between 70-85°F, though mornings occasionally require a light cover-up until the sun finishes its coffee. Humidity settles into a comfortable 65% range—present enough to keep skin glowing but not so aggressive that hairstyles surrender within minutes. The experience compares to San Diego’s climate but with tacos that don’t need qualifying adjectives like “California-style” and a refreshing absence of rush hour traffic.

For those seeking the driest December experience, Los Cabos delivers with temperatures ranging from 65-80°F and rainfall so rare it’s practically theoretical. The desert-adjacent location creates perfect days but cooler evenings dropping into the 60s—a detail overlooked by first-timers who find themselves shivering slightly at dinner. Consider it the Arizona of beach destinations, except with beaches people actually travel thousands of miles to visit and without anyone trying to explain why dry heat “feels different.”

Colonial Highlands: Perfect Wandering Weather

In San Miguel de Allende and similar colonial cities, December days maintain civilized temperatures between 65-75°F—ideal for photographing colorful streets without developing unfortunate sweat patterns. The overnight drop to 45-50°F comes as a shocking plot twist for visitors who packed exclusively for “Mexican heat.” The resulting scramble for overpriced shawls at tourist markets creates a windfall for local vendors who’ve seen this same story play out every December for decades.

Mexico City presents its own meteorological personality in December, with mild 70°F days that disguise the effects of the city’s substantial elevation. The thinner atmosphere means sunlight delivers more punch than the temperature would suggest, creating tourists sporting unexpected sunburns while simultaneously complaining about being chilly in the 48°F evenings. This weather paradox resembles Denver’s conditions, except with significantly better street food and museums that don’t require hiking equipment to reach.

Oaxaca hits the December weather jackpot with pleasantly warm 75-80°F days tapering to cool 50°F evenings—temperatures perfectly calibrated for exploring outdoor markets by day and appreciating mezcal’s warming qualities after sunset. The minimal rainfall creates ideal conditions for visiting Monte Albán and other archaeological sites without either melting or seeking shelter. The experience parallels Santa Fe’s appeal but substitutes turquoise for mezcal and adds several thousand years of additional history.

Accommodation Reality: December Premium Pricing

Budget travelers seeking December bargains will need either extraordinary luck or connections in high places. Budget accommodations ($40-80/night) become as rare as rainfall, with hostel beds commanding prices that would fund private rooms during shoulder season. Properties like Rossco Backpackers in Puerto Escondido or Mama’s Home in Tulum maintain somewhat reasonable rates but require booking 2-3 months ahead. The budget traveler’s December mantra becomes “book early or prepare to splurge.”

Mid-range options ($100-200/night) experience similar December inflation, though value can still be found slightly off the beaten path. In Puerto Vallarta, looking five blocks inland rather than beachfront often cuts prices by 30% while adding only a seven-minute walk to your routine. Boutique hotels like Casa Cupula offer December rates that initially cause gasping but include substantial breakfast spreads that eliminate lunch expenses. For colonial cities, properties like Hotel Quinta Lucca in Querétaro provide reasonable value while remaining within walking distance of main attractions.

The luxury category ($250+/night) sees December rates that would make even Wall Street analysts flinch. However, these properties often include amenities that offset sticker shock—breakfast buffets resembling small food festivals, airport transfers eliminating taxi negotiations, and resort credits that can be applied to overpriced cocktails. Las Alcobas in Mexico City and Hotel Esencia on the Riviera Maya exemplify the “yes it’s expensive but…” category, where the experience quality eventually numbs the pain of the credit card statement.

Weather-Based Activities: Maximizing December Conditions

December’s clear waters and minimal rainfall create peak conditions for snorkeling and diving throughout the Riviera Maya. Visibility often extends beyond 100 feet, revealing underwater landscapes typically obscured during rainier months. Akumal’s bay offers almost guaranteed turtle sightings, while Cozumel’s reefs display color palettes that seem digitally enhanced but are entirely natural. For those seeking larger marine encounters, December marks the beginning of whale season in Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, with humpbacks arriving for their winter vacation alongside human tourists.

The highlands’ mild December days create perfect conditions for walking tours and outdoor markets without the summer need for strategic shade-hopping. In Oaxaca, December brings optimal weather for visiting Monte Albán, where the clear skies and moderate temperatures allow for proper exploration without the summer challenge of finding shadows to hide in every fifteen minutes. Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park becomes particularly inviting during December, when the comfortable temperatures and minimal rainfall create perfect conditions for museum-hopping between outdoor strolls.

For photography enthusiasts, December’s atmospheric conditions create lighting scenarios worth the plane ticket alone. The combination of dry air and moderate sun angle produces what photographers call “the golden hours”—except they last significantly longer than an hour. In San Miguel de Allende, the December light hitting the pink parroquia creates a natural filter that makes amateur smartphone photos look professionally edited. Along coastal areas, the clear December air creates sunsets with color gradients that would make Photoshop jealous, particularly at places like Puerto Vallarta’s malecon or Tulum’s beach ruins.

Packing Strategies: The December Paradox

The greatest December packing challenge involves preparing for Mexico’s regional temperature variations without checking a suitcase the size of a small vehicle. The solution lies in the ancient art of layering, with lightweight options that can be added or subtracted as conditions demand. A simple cotton cardigan becomes the MVP of highland evenings, while serving as an airplane blanket during transit. Convertible pants with zip-off legs solve the day-to-night temperature swing without doubling luggage weight.

The surprising items most Americans forget when packing for Mexico in December create predictable shopping emergencies upon arrival. Sunscreen ranks as the most common oversight—the association between December and winter runs so deep that UV protection seems as irrelevant as snow boots. Yet the December sun in Mexico delivers surprising intensity, particularly at higher elevations where the atmosphere provides less natural filtering. The light jacket or pashmina for evening temperature drops represents another common packing blind spot, especially for beach destinations where “but it’s a tropical location” logic overrides practical weather research.

Space-saving techniques become particularly valuable for December trips that span multiple Mexican climate zones. Compression packing cubes transform from gimmicky accessories to essential equipment when preparing for both Cancun’s beaches and Mexico City’s cooler evenings. Limiting footwear to three versatile options (comfortable walking shoes, water-friendly sandals, and one slightly dressier choice) prevents the common suitcase takeover by shoes that will never leave the hotel room. The true December packing victory comes from arriving prepared for all conditions while smugly avoiding baggage fees.