Month guide · Oaxaca · Mexico
Oaxaca in December
What December is really like in Oaxaca: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: nsaum75 !Dígame¡ , CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Oaxaca. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 11.1 hours of daylight. Dry and sunny with cold nights; December festivals and Christmas make the second half of the month busy.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 27°C (81°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Oaxaca: days average 27°C (81°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with November (27°C (81°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:49
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:56
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
Late season (October). Rains taper off, marigolds bloom and altars appear as the city builds towards Día de Muertos at the end of the month.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Fiesta de la Virgen de la Soledad (around 18 December)
- Noche de Rábanos — carved radish displays on the Zócalo (23 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Museum · Santo Domingo and the Andador
Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca
The former Dominican convent beside Santo Domingo now houses the state's main history museum, spread over cloisters and vaulted halls.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
- Architecture
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Landmark · Centro Histórico
Zócalo and Cathedral
Take a coffee under the arcades in the early evening, when the square is at its liveliest and the marimba players set up.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- After dark
Market · Centro Histórico
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Two blocks south of the Zócalo, this food market is known for its Pasillo de Humo, a smoky corridor where you choose tasajo, cecina and chorizo from butchers, have it grilled over charcoal, then buy tortillas, grilled onions and salsas from the women walking the aisles.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Market · Centro Histórico
Mercado Benito Juárez
Buy mole paste here to take home; stallholders will let you taste the negro, rojo and amarillo before choosing.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 27°C, lows near 9°C and 1 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Oaxaca?
One of the best months to visit Oaxaca, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are January–March and October–November. Compare every month.
Oaxaca in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Oaxaca?
It is one of the best months to visit Oaxaca. Dry and sunny with cold nights; December festivals and Christmas make the second half of the month busy.
+How warm is Oaxaca in December?
Average highs are around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Oaxaca in December?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.