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Cancun Weather in December: Rain, Temperatures

Cancun weather in December
Average high temperature and rainfall for Cancun in December. © 2023 Scott S. Bateman

Cancun weather in December is appealing to people who want to escape the cold northern countries but don’t want to spend time in the ocean.

This resort city on the Caribbean coast of Mexico is hugely popular during most of the year because of its beaches, attractions and convenient location.

Cancun lies at about the same latitude as the Turks and Caicos islands, which are the northernmost islands in the Caribbean. Cancun’s northern location also means cooler winter months than most destinations in the Caribbean region.

Cancun Temperatures in December

The average high temperature in December is 83 degrees Fahrenheit or about 28 degrees Celsius, according to historical data from the National Water Commission and Mexico Ministry of Tourism.

That average high makes December the second coolest month of the year after the slightly cooler January. By comparison, the average high is 92 degrees in July and August when the city is one of the hottest destinations in the Caribbean.

The average low temperature is 69 degrees Fahrenheit or about 20 degrees Celsius. The nighttime lows and trade winds make beaches and swimming uncomfortable at times, especially in the mornings. It is why December is not the best month to go for beach lovers. The beaches themselves are warm, but oftentimes not the water.

But warm daytime temperatures make December popular for land activities in particular.

Risk of Rain in December

Cancun gets high levels of rain during the rainy season from June through November. They are the same months of the Caribbean hurricane season.

The average rainfall reaches about nine inches a month in September and October, five inches in November and about four inches in December. Four inches is moderate but still above average compared to the rest of the Caribbean.

In contrast, average rainfall from February through April is about one to two inches a month during the city’s dry season.

It rains only about five days a month during that dry season, while December has an average of 10 to 11 days of rain during the month.

December is not the best month to visit Cancun for anyone wanting ideal weather conditions. February, March and especially April are better months.

Still, this Mexican resort city is popular in December for anyone wanting to escape northern winters.

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Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera.
November 11, 2023

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