Travel ideas · Best places to visit in Latin America & Caribbean in December
Best places to visit in Latin America & Caribbean in December
Where to go in Latin America & Caribbean in December: destinations at their best that month.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Top picks for December: Cancún, Montego Bay and Punta Cana. Cancún averages 28°C (82°F); Montego Bay averages 30°C (86°F); Punta Cana averages 29°C (84°F). All 6 destinations below list December among their best months or have reliably pleasant weather then.
Key facts
- Destinations
- 6
- Warmest
- Montego Bay (30°C (86°F))
- Driest
- Havana (6 rainy days)
Latin America & Caribbean
Mexico · 28°C (82°F) · 8 rainy days
Cancún
Turquoise Caribbean beaches, Maya ruins, cenotes and island day trips. Pleasantly warm and drier, with the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year over Christmas and New Year.
Jamaica · 30°C (86°F) · 7 rainy days
Montego Bay
Jerk smoke, reggae and reef-protected beaches on Jamaica's north coast. Pleasant and breezy; Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive of the year.
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Dominican Republic · 29°C (84°F) · 10 rainy days
Punta Cana
Palm-lined white-sand beaches and all-inclusive resorts on the Dominican east coast. Pleasant, breezy weather; the Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive of the year.
Cuba · 26°C (79°F) · 6 rainy days
Havana
Colonial plazas, the Malecón seawall and live son music on every corner. Dry, warm and the busiest time of year, especially around Christmas and New Year.
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Bahamas · 26°C (79°F) · 6 rainy days
Nassau
Pastel colonial streets, Junkanoo and turquoise water on New Providence. Dry and comfortable; Christmas and the Boxing Day Junkanoo parade make it the most festive month.
Puerto Rico · 29°C (84°F) · 13 rainy days
San Juan
Spanish forts, blue cobblestones and city beaches in Puerto Rico's capital. Festive and busy, with parrandas (carolling parties), lights in the old town and coquito everywhere.
Beach, city or budget: December picks by trip type
| Trip type | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Beach trips | Cancún, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, Havana, Nassau, San Juan |
What's on in December
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- Cancún: Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (12 December)
- Montego Bay: Grand Market — Christmas Eve street markets in Jamaican towns (24 December)
- Punta Cana: Christmas and New Year celebrations at resorts and in local towns
- Havana: International Festival of New Latin American Cinema (usually December)
- Nassau: Junkanoo Boxing Day parade on Bay Street (26 December, in the early morning)
- San Juan: Christmas season with parrandas and lights in Old San Juan (December)
Daylight in December
Day length on these trips ranges from about 10.6 hours in Nassau to 11 hours in Montego Bay (sunrise to sunset on 15 December). Longer days mean more sightseeing time; shorter ones favour museums, food and evenings.
December weather compared
| Destination | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancún | 28°C (82°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 8 | 5/5 |
| Montego Bay | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 7 | 4/5 |
| Punta Cana | 29°C (84°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 | 4/5 |
| Havana | 26°C (79°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 | 5/5 |
| Nassau | 26°C (79°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 | 5/5 |
| San Juan | 29°C (84°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 | 5/5 |
Questions travellers ask
+Where is good to travel in December?
Cancún, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, Havana, Nassau and San Juan are all at or near their best in December.