Season guide · Cancún · Mexico
Cancún in winter
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Xe3osc, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The dry high season: warm, sunny days, occasional breezy cool fronts and the highest prices around Christmas and New Year. Expect highs up to 29°C (84°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F), with about 19 rainy days across December–February. December–February are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 20°C (68°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 19
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 26°C (79°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 7 | 11 h | 4/5 |
| February | 29°C (84°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 4 | 11.4 h | 5/5 |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 8 | 10.9 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 28°C (82°F) against a yearly 31°C (88°F), and 19 of the year's roughly 95 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Día de Reyes with rosca de reyes cake (6 January)
- February: Cancún Carnival (usually February or early March, before Lent)
- December: Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (12 December)
- December: Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations at resorts and in Punta Cancún
Make the most of the weather
Experience · Caribbean Sea
Swimming with whale sharks
Take seasickness tablets before you go; the boat ride can take more than an hour each way across open sea.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Nature
- Iconic
- Active
Beach · Costa Mujeres
Isla Blanca
North of Costa Mujeres, Isla Blanca is a narrow sandy peninsula between the Caribbean and the Chacmuchuch Lagoon, mostly undeveloped and reached by a rough sandy road.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
- Active
Nature · Southern Hotel Zone
Punta Nizuc snorkelling
Wear a rash guard and use biodegradable sunscreen; operators often ask you not to wear ordinary sunscreen in the water.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Active
Beach · Punta Cancún
Playa Chac Mool and Playa Gaviota Azul
Just south of Punta Cancún around km 9–10, these neighbouring public beaches have white sand and the first open-Caribbean views of the Hotel Zone, handy for a swim between restaurants and bars.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Beach · Southern Hotel Zone
Playa Delfines (El Mirador)
Check the flag colour before swimming and stay on the sand on red-flag days; bring shade, as there is little natural cover.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Views
Day trips in winter
- Holbox (About 2.5 hours by car plus a 20-minute ferry) — A car-free island of sandy streets, hammocks and flamingo-dotted lagoons on the north coast of the Yucatán.
- Ruta de los Cenotes (About 45 minutes by car) — Inland from Puerto Morelos, a road through the jungle is lined with cenotes, freshwater sinkholes for swimming and snorkelling, such as Siete Bocas and Verde Lucero, each charging a small entry fee and some with zip lines or rope swings.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Cancún?
Yes: December–February are among the best months. The dry high season: warm, sunny days, occasional breezy cool fronts and the highest prices around Christmas and New Year.
+What is the weather like in Cancún in winter?
Highs of up to 29°C (84°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F), with about 19 rainy days over the season.