Best Places in Mexico to Visit in December

Why December is a Great Time to Visit Mexico

December is one of the best times of the year to visit Mexico thanks to its warm, sunny weather without being too hot. While tropical storms have passed and the rainy season is over, temperatures still reach comfortable highs in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit (mid 20s Celsius). With cooler and drier air, humidity levels are lower, making for ideal outdoor sightseeing conditions.

In addition, December sees smaller tourist crowds compared to the busy winter months of January and February. You’ll beat some of the rush from snowbirds flocking south to escape colder northern climates. Airlines and hotels haven’t hit their peak rates yet. And with kids still in school, you’ll encounter more couples, friends trips and solo travelers this time of year.

December also brings plenty of festive celebrations across Mexico. One of the biggest is the Virgin of Guadalupe pilgrimage from December 1st through the 12th. Millions of Catholics from across Mexico pay homage to their beloved patron saint. You’ll witness elaborate festivities, processions, songs, dances and more.

There are also vibrant preparations for Navidad (Christmas) and New Year’s. Mexican families celebrate with posadas, reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter with candlelit processions. Christmas markets and light displays decorate plazas and public spaces. It’s a joyous time to experience Mexican holiday cheer.

So for ideal weather, smaller crowds and festive holiday vibes, December shines as a top month for visiting Mexico. Here are the best places to visit during this magnificent month:

Mexico City.

The sprawling capital of Mexico overflows with incredible sights. As one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas, there is an endless array of things to see and do in Mexico City. During December it glitters even brighter with Christmas cheer and festivities.

Historic plazas and buildings like the Zócalo main square and National Palace decorate with twinkling lights and nativity scenes. The downtown area hosts vibrant Christmas markets where you can shop for handcrafted gifts and decorations. Listen for the sound of street musicians serenading crowds.

Make sure to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, especially on the Day of the Virgin (December 12th). Join millions of Catholic pilgrims paying respects by singing and dancing along the procession routes. Even if you’re not religious, it’s an incredible cultural event to witness.

Some other top attractions to visit in Mexico City include:

• Chapultepec Park & Castle - Wander one of the world’s largest city parks and tour a hilltop 18th century castle with amazing views over the city.

• Anthropology Museum - This impressive museum houses artifacts and relics spanning Mexico’s rich history and pre-Hispanic civilizations.

• Frida Kahlo Museum - See where the famed Mexican artist lived, worked and drew inspiration in the colorful house museum.

Recommended Activities

• See the Ballet Folklorico dance performance at the magnificent Palace of Fine Arts theater

• Stroll along the glittering Paseo de la Reforma boulevard with its monumental statues and Christmas light displays

• Wander through traditional markets like the bustling Mercado de la Merced to try street foods, sample spices and people watch

Oaxaca.

The charming colonial city of Oaxaca de Juárez in southern Mexico comes alive in December. It’s known for its rich cultural traditions, architecture, indigenous crafts and vibrant festivals. Come during Christmas season for an incredibly festive time.

In the historic downtown, the main square called the Zócalo overflows with decorated trees, lights, and nativity altars. Wander the picturesque streets to discover stunning churches, galleries, shops and markets. Try Oaxacan street food specialties like tlayudas, memelitas and chorizo stuffed baked potatoes.

Make sure to catch one of the many parades, dances or other celebrations happening in December. Guelaguetza is the region’s largest cultural festival with Indigenous music, costumes, food and crafts. Or see reenactments of the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph searching for shelter during Las Posadas.

While in Oaxaca, also explore the magnificent ancient Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán situated on a mountain with panoramic views over the whole Valles Centrales valley. It’s a can’t miss UNESCO site if you want to learn more about the area’s rich pre-Columbian civilizations.

Some other top things to do in Oaxaca City include:

• Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca - Excellent museum covering the state’s history and 16 different indigenous groups
• Take a day trip out to artisan villages like San Bartolo Coyotepec to see barro negro pottery being made
• Try your hand at making Oaxacan regional specialties by booking a mole or cooking class
• Sample drinks like smoky mezcal, frothy hot chocolate and 14 types of local mole sauces

Recommended Activities

• Indulge in Oaxacan cuisine by trying chapulines (grasshoppers), tlayudas, tamales and chocolate mole
• Check out cultural sites like Santo Domingo church, the Textile Museum and Casa Juarez Museum
• Buy handicrafts and artisan wares at the bustling Mercado 20 de Noviembre

Puerto Vallarta.

For beach vibes and outdoor adventures, the resort town of Puerto Vallarta shines. Stretching along Banderas Bay with the Sierra Madre Mountains as its backdrop, Puerto Vallarta has a lively mix of beautiful beaches, boutique hotels and buzzing nightlife.

December is an ideal time to visit with dry sunny days averaging around 80°F (27°C). Whale watching season starts ramping up too. Take a cruise into the sparkling blue Bay of Banderas to spot humpback whales breaching and playing with their calves.

Some of Puerto Vallarta’s best golden sand beaches include the popular Los Muertos Beach with beach clubs and bars or the more secluded Guadalupe Beach tucked south of downtown. Spend days kayaking, paddle boarding, or just relaxing under a palapa umbrella with a bucket of Pacificos.

In the evenings, check out Puerto Vallarta’s exciting culinary and nightlife scene. Tuck into street tacos and margaritas. Or try international cuisine at one of the high-end restaurants run by celebrity chefs. Then bar hop along the lively Malecón boardwalk, sample Mexico’s national spirit mezcal, or dance the night away at a high-energy club.

Recommended Activities

• Snorkel with tropical fish or scuba dive at secluded beach coves only accessible by boat

• Zip line across the Sierra Madre jungles or sail across Banderas Bay on a catamaran cruise

• Escape for a day trip south to the small fishing village of Yelapa or north to the exclusivity of Punta Mita

With plenty of adventures in the sun during the day and vibrant nightlife after dark, Puerto Vallarta makes for an amazing beach destination in December before high season crowds descend.

Los Cabos.

Located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, Los Cabos enjoys beautifully warm weather in December. Daily average highs reach the mid 80s Fahrenheit (about 30°C), with little rain or humidity. It’s an idyllic time to visit this paradise of beach resorts, championship golf courses, luxury yachts and fine dining.

The two towns that make up Los Cabos are San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, linked by a scenic tourism corridor dotted with all-inclusive resorts. In the winter months like December, you’ll find fewer crowds and lower rates before the peak holiday weeks.

Los Cabos boasts some jaw-droppingly gorgeous beaches and landmarks. The must-see El Arco (arch) landmark is a natural stone formation hewn by the wind and tides framing the Sea of Cortez against the Pacific Ocean. Nearby Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach are sandy paradises good for swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing.

While the luxury resorts and dining attract many tourists, don’t miss out on some exciting outdoor adventures too. Go snorkeling, diving, jet skiing or sailing along the Cabo sea cliffs that Jacques Cousteau once called “the world’s aquarium”. Whale watching, sport fishing and eco tours are also popular ways to spend sunny December days here.

Recommended Activities

• Take a Glass Bottom Boat Tour to see colorful tropical fish and sea lions without getting wet
• Harness up and soar 500 feet high on a jungle Canopy Zip Line course with ocean views
• For great snorkeling and an iconic photo opp, head north to the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park
• Charter a Yacht and sail off into the sunset with views back along Los Cabos’ impressive coastline

With very pleasant weather, lower rates and crowds, December makes for a wonderful pre-holiday getaway to Los Cabos before it starts filling up fast for the high winter season.

San Miguel de Allende.

For a taste of old world Mexico, the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende is a must-visit. Cobblestone streets, Baroque Spanish architecture, vivacious arts scenes and mouthwatering cuisine collide in this UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the Bajio mountains of central Mexico.

December is an ideal time to visit this popular expat retreat when the summer rains have passed. You’ll be treated to sunny 70°F (21°C) days perfect for leisurely strolling around the historic sights.

In the heart of downtown, the picture-perfect El Jardín main plaza comes decked out for the holidays in December. Lined by cafes, boutiques and taverns, this leafy square buzzes with activity. Nearby Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel church is one of Mexico’s most photographed landmarks with its soaring pink spires.

Wander along Calle Aldama to find art galleries and design shops displaying fine art, hand woven textiles, pottery and Talavera tiles. Later sample some exquisite high-end Mexican cuisine infused with international flair. From street food tacos to Michelin-rated restaurants, San Miguel de Allende is a foodie haven.

Recommended Activities

• Take a walking tour or cooking class at one of the lavish former hacienda estates surrounding the city
• Visit the stunning Sanctuary of Atotonilco, a UNESCO site covered in vivid religious murals
• Shop for art, apparel, jewelry and handicrafts at Mercado Ignacio Ramírez market or the Saturday Organic Market

With cooler temperatures in December before the winter crowds hit, San Miguel de Allende shines as the perfect place to experience authentic colonial Mexico.

Tulum.

About 80 miles south of touristy Cancun lies the bohemian beach paradise of Tulum along the Caribbean “Riviera Maya”. Once a sleepy fishing village, Tulum has transformed into a trendy destination with yoga retreats, boutique eco-resorts, farm-to-table restaurants and Mayan ruins overlooking white sand beaches.

December brings cooler temperatures in the 70s F (low 20s C) along with lower chances of rain or storms. It’s before the peak crowds descend for the winter holidays, making it a lovely laid-back time to visit Tulum.

Must-see attractions include the clifftop ruins of the 13th century walled city and El Castillo pyramid offering spectacular seaside views. Unique to Tulum are the surrounding cenotes, natural sinkholes and underground rivers to explore. Strap on a snorkel and dive into these crystalline freshwater caverns filled with tropical fish.

Of course the beaches are stunning in Tulum too. Kick back at one of the funky beach bars and boutique hotels dotted along the coastline. Try your hand at kite surfing or paddle boarding if you want some adventures between sunbathing sessions. Or take an eco-tour to swim with sea turtles out on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world after Australia’s.

Recommended Activities

• Rent bikes and cruise from the ruins down the coastal road to beach clubs like Papaya Playa Project
• Visit the neighbouring Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve for bird watching, jungle treks and floating through lagoons
• Take side trips to more ruins like Coba or the island town of Isla Holbox to see whale sharks

With cooler dry weather and smaller crowds, December serves up the perfect mix of sunshine, beaches and ruins to experience Tulum before peak tourist season hits.

Conclusion

December brings ideal weather and festive cheer across Mexico’s hottest destinations. From ancient ruins, colonial cities and world class culture to gorgeous beaches, outdoor adventures and vibrant celebrations, Mexico dazzles this time of year.

While this list covers of the top spots, there are so many other amazing places to explore in Mexico beyond these heavy hitters. Towns like San Cristobal de las Casas, Guanajuato and Valle de Bravo also make for great December destinations. Or head off the beaten path to lesser visited colonial cities, artisan pueblos and remote beach getaways.

Wherever you travel in Mexico this December, you’ll be rewarded with sunny warm weather, holiday magic and authentic culture without the peak winter crowds. Just be sure to bring sunscreen, a camera plus a big appetite. Because between the wealth of handicrafts, ruins, beaches and tacos – you’ll want to take it all in on a trip to Mexico before the masses arrive in high season.

Hopefully this guide gives you inspiration to visit magical Mexico this December. Let us know if you have any other questions to help plan your perfect holidays south of the border. ¡Vámonos a Mexico!

For more vacation inspiration, check out these blog posts for the Best Places to Travel in January USA, Best Places to Visit in Germany , Best Places to Visit in Spain, Best Places to Visit in France , Best Places to Travel in 2024 , Best Places to Visit in Africa,  20 Best Places to Visit in December, ,GlobetrotterGO.