Guides · Cancún
Cancun in December: Beaches, Cenotes, Ruins & Christmas
By Viktorija Dvariskyte · Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Cancun in December marks the start of the dry season. Hurricane season has ended, humidity drops, daytime temperatures sit around 28°C and the Caribbean stays warm enough to swim every day. It is also when Mexican Christmas traditions fill downtown, from the Virgin of Guadalupe celebrations on 12 December to nightly posadas before Christmas Eve. This guide covers 5 things to do in Cancun in December away from the Hotel Zone crowds, from a quiet beach peninsula to the jungle ruins of Cobá.
Each entry includes the exact address, how to get there by bus, ferry or colectivo, its distance from downtown Cancun, and a practical Pro Tip. Prices are given in Mexican pesos (MXN) with euro equivalents, at roughly MXN 20 to €1. One entry is downtown, one is a short drive north, and three are day or overnight trips into the Yucatán Peninsula.
Plan at least five days: one for Isla Blanca, one each for Dos Ojos and Cobá (easily combined with a night in Tulum) and two for Holbox, leaving evenings for downtown. Prices and crowds peak from about 20 December to New Year, so book transport early if you are spending Christmas in Cancun.
Check dates for Cancún
See what is available on your dates.
1Isla Blanca - Cancun's Quiet Beach Peninsula
Isla Blanca is a long, narrow strip of sand north of Cancun, with the Caribbean on one side and the shallow Chacmuchuch Lagoon on the other. It has almost no development beyond a few simple beach clubs, so it feels far removed from the Hotel Zone. In December the sea stays around 26-27°C, and the water on the Caribbean side is usually clear and turquoise.
The steady winter winds make the lagoon side one of the best kitesurfing spots in the region from December to March, and local schools offer lessons. The road becomes a rough dirt track towards the end of the peninsula, and there is little shade, so bring water, sun protection and cash for the beach clubs.
2Cenote Dos Ojos - Snorkelling Through Underwater Caves
Cenotes are natural sinkholes that open into the Yucatán's vast underground river system, and the Maya considered them sacred gateways to the underworld. Dos Ojos, meaning "two eyes", is named after two neighbouring cenotes linked by a flooded cavern. It forms part of the Sac Actun system, one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world, and its water stays clear and around 25°C all year.
Snorkellers follow guide ropes through the caverns, with sunlight beaming down through the openings, while certified divers come from around the world to explore deeper passages. Entry usually costs around MXN 350-500 (about €18-25), and guided snorkel tours with lights cost extra. Sunscreen and insect repellent are not allowed in the water, and you must shower before entering.
3Cobá - Maya Ruins in the Jungle by Bicycle
Cobá was a major Maya city between around 600 and 900 AD, built between two lakes and linked to other cities by raised white roads called sacbeob, one running about 100 km west to Yaxuná. Its ruins are spread through the jungle, and the Nohoch Mul pyramid, at about 42 metres, is one of the tallest in the Yucatán. Climbing it is no longer permitted, but the view from its base is still striking.
The groups of ruins are several kilometres apart, so most visitors rent a bicycle or hire a pedal taxi at the entrance. The forest canopy keeps the paths shaded, and December's cooler, drier air makes it one of the most comfortable months to visit. Entry costs a modest fee, and the site is far quieter than Chichen Itza.
Check dates for Cancún
See what is available on your dates.
4Holbox - A Car-Free Island on the Gulf Coast
Holbox is a narrow island off the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula where the streets are sand and the traffic is mostly golf carts and bicycles. Brightly painted houses and murals line the village, and the island lies within the Yum Balam nature reserve. In December the sea is calm and shallow, and you can wade out across long sandbars at Punta Mosquito and Punta Cocos.
Winter is a good time to see flamingos and pelicans in the lagoon behind the island, on boat trips that also stop at a freshwater spring. The whale shark season runs in summer, not December, so the island is quieter. Holbox has only a couple of ATMs, so bring cash, and plan to stay at least one night to make the long journey worthwhile.
5Parque de las Palapas - Christmas Traditions in Downtown Cancun
To see how locals celebrate Christmas in Cancun, head downtown to Parque de las Palapas. On 12 December, the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's most important religious day, brings processions, music and pilgrims. From 16 to 24 December, families hold posadas, nine nights of songs re-enacting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, ending with piñatas and warm ponche, a hot fruit punch.
The square usually has a Christmas tree, Nativity scene and evening entertainment, and food stalls sell tamales, buñuelos and marquesitas, crispy rolled crepes filled with cheese. On New Year's Eve, many Mexicans eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each month, and fireworks light up the Hotel Zone beaches.
Take this guide with you
Get every place in this guide, with addresses and map links, in your inbox — easy to open on your phone during the trip.
One email to the address on your account. No newsletter.
Cancun in December: Beaches, Cenotes, Ruins & Christmas - FAQ
No - plan at least five days. Dos Ojos and Cobá are each two hours or more from Cancun, and Holbox needs an overnight stay. Isla Blanca and Parque de las Palapas can share a day, with the beach in the afternoon and downtown in the evening.
Start with a beach day at Isla Blanca, then head south for Dos Ojos and Cobá, staying a night in Tulum between them. Spend two days on Holbox, and save Parque de las Palapas for an evening back in Cancun, ideally on 12 December or during the posadas before Christmas.
None strictly require advance tickets, since Dos Ojos and Cobá sell entry at the gate. Guided cenote snorkel tours, Holbox ferries and accommodation should be booked ahead over the Christmas holidays. Isla Blanca and Parque de las Palapas are free.
Budget around MXN 2,000-3,500 (about €100-175) per person, excluding meals and accommodation. Dos Ojos costs about MXN 350-500 and Cobá a modest fee plus bike hire, while transport to Holbox, Tulum and Isla Blanca makes up most of the rest. Isla Blanca and the downtown Christmas events are free.
Playa Delfines, Isla Mujeres and Chichen Itza are the classic additions. The Museo Maya de Cancún, snorkelling at the MUSA underwater museum and the Tulum ruins above the Caribbean are also worth considering, especially if you are based in the Hotel Zone.
Yes, you can swim in Cancun in December. The Caribbean stays around 26-27°C and daytime air temperatures reach about 28°C. Some days bring wind and stronger waves on the Hotel Zone beaches, so check the coloured flags before going in.
Yes, December is one of the best times to visit Cancun. It is the start of the dry season, hurricane season has ended, and humidity drops. The trade-off is higher prices and bigger crowds from about 20 December to New Year.
