Cancun weather in December

In December, Cancun sees average daytime highs of 26°C and overnight lows near 24°C, with 61 mm of rain across 11.4 wet days and about 10.7 hours of daylight. It is the 9th-warmest and 9th-wettest month of the year here.

Day-to-day highs hold fairly steady near 26°C through the month. The sky is clear or mostly clear about 51% of the time in December, and the air most often feels oppressive.

Daylight stretches from about 10 h 48 min at the start of December to 10 h 42 min by month's end. Set against the rest of the year, December is Cancun's 5th-clearest and 6th-windiest month. For the whole year in context, see Cancun's year-round climate.

Daytime high
26°
9th warmest
Overnight low
24°
3rd coldest
Rainfall
61 mm
11.4 wet days
Daylight
10 h 42 min
6:22 AM – 5:05 PM
Cloud cover
45%
5th clearest
Wind
23 km/h
6th windiest
Solar energy
3.69 kWh/m²
Travel score
6.8
out of 10

Cancun is municipal seat of Juárez, State of Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Founded
1970

Air quality: WHO Ambient Air Quality Database. Density & description: Wikidata (CC0), GeoNames.

Temperature in December

Average highAverage lowShaded bands: 10–90% of days

Day-to-day highs hold fairly steady near 26°C through the month.

A typical December day in Cancun reaches about 26°C in the afternoon and slips back to 24°C overnight — a 1°C spread between the day's warmth and the night's chill. On most days the high lands between 24°C and 27°C. Set against its neighbours, December runs about 1°C cooler than November and on par with January.

20°23°25°28°30°151015202531
Avg high (°C)Avg low (°C)
12625
22625
32625
42625
52625
62625
72625
82624
92624
102624
112624
122624
132624
142624
152624
162624
172624
182624
192624
202624
212624
222624
232624
242524
252524
262524
272524
282524
292524
302524
312524

How December really feels in Cancun

Once humidity and wind are folded in, December averages 0 days that feel above 32°C and 0 that feel at or below 0°C — the comfort signal a plain temperature reading hides.

Days feeling ≥ 32°C
0
heat index over the day's high
Days feeling ≤ C
0
wind chill below the day's low

December sits comfortably in between — no days that feel dangerously hot or drop to a hard freeze once humidity and wind are folded in.

Cancun weather by month

How December compares with the rest of the year at a glance. December is the 9th-warmest and 9th-wettest month here — the current month is highlighted below.

MonthHigh / Low (°C)Rainfall (mm)Wet daysDaylight (hours)Travel score
Jan25° / 24°6710.710.97.0
Feb25° / 24°336.611.37.7
Mar26° / 24°25511.98.0
Apr26° / 25°264.912.57.8
May27° / 26°759.5136.8
Jun28° / 27°13315.413.35.5
Jul28° / 27°6511.113.25.8
Aug29° / 27°8814.612.75.3
Sep28° / 27°16220.312.14.4
Oct28° / 26°19019.211.55.2
Nov27° / 25°9011.8116.5
Dec26° / 24°6111.410.76.8

Cloud cover in December

ClearMostly clearPartly cloudyMostly cloudyOvercast

The sky is clear or mostly clear about 51% of the time in December.

Beyond those clear spells, partly cloudy skies cover about 19% of December, with mostly cloudy or overcast conditions the remaining 30%. Skies tend to cloud over as the month goes on.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Clearer (%)Cloudier (%)
17327
27327
37426
47426
57426
67426
77426
87426
97228
107228
117129
127129
137030
146832
156832
166832
176733
186733
196634
206634
216733
226733
236733
246733
256832
266832
276931
286931
297030
307030
316931

Chance of precipitation in December

Any precipitation

Cancun gets around 61 mm of rain over 11.4 wet days in December. The line is the day-by-day chance of measurable precipitation.

Day to day, the chance of measurable rain averages around 37% and peaks near 39% on the wettest days.

0%10%20%30%40%50%151015202531
Rain chance (%)
137
237
337
437
537
637
737
837
937
1037
1137
1237
1338
1438
1538
1638
1739
1839
1939
2039
2138
2238
2338
2437
2537
2636
2736
2836
2936
3036
3136

Humidity in December

DryComfortableHumidMuggyOppressiveMiserable

Most of December feels oppressive — the stacked bands show each day's mix of comfort levels, read off the dew point.

By dew point, December lands in the oppressive band about 42% of days. Sticky, muggy-or-worse air turns up on roughly 74% of them.

0%25%50%75%100%151015202531
Dry (%)Comfortable (%)Humid (%)Muggy (%)Oppressive (%)Miserable (%)
1061333453
2061333453
3061333453
4071432453
5071432453
6071431453
7081430453
8081429453
9091429462
10091528462
11091527462
121101626452
131101626452
141101726452
151101726442
161101826442
171101826432
181101927421
191101927411
201101928401
211101929391
221101930381
231101931381
241101932371
251101833371
261101833371
271101733371
281101734371
291111634371
302111634371
312111633371

Wind in December

Winds average 23 km/h in December.

Across December, daily wind ranges from about 22 km/h on the calmest days to 23 km/h at its breeziest. It stays fairly steady from day to day.

0102030151015202531
Wind speed (km/h)Feels
123breezy
223breezy
323breezy
423breezy
523breezy
623breezy
722breezy
822breezy
922breezy
1022breezy
1122breezy
1223breezy
1323breezy
1423breezy
1523breezy
1623breezy
1723breezy
1823breezy
1923breezy
2023breezy
2123breezy
2223breezy
2323breezy
2423breezy
2523breezy
2623breezy
2723breezy
2823breezy
2923breezy
3023breezy
3123breezy

Sunrise & sunset in December

DaylightNight

Daylight runs from about 10 h 48 min at the start of December to 10 h 42 min by month's end. The lit band spans sunrise to sunset each day.

Days shrink by about 6 minutes over December. Sunrise moves from 6:13 AM to 6:29 AM, and sunset from 5:01 PM to 5:12 PM.

12 AM4 AM8 AM12 PM4 PM8 PM12 AM151015202531
Daylight (h)Sunrise (AM)Sunset (PM)
110.86:135:01
210.86:145:01
310.86:145:02
410.86:155:02
510.86:165:02
610.86:165:02
710.86:175:02
810.86:175:03
910.76:185:03
1010.76:195:03
1110.76:195:03
1210.76:205:04
1310.76:205:04
1410.76:215:04
1510.76:215:05
1610.76:225:05
1710.76:235:06
1810.76:235:06
1910.76:245:06
2010.76:245:07
2110.76:255:07
2210.76:255:08
2310.76:255:08
2410.76:265:09
2510.76:265:09
2610.76:275:10
2710.76:275:10
2810.76:285:11
2910.76:285:11
3010.76:285:12
3110.76:295:12

Solar energy in December

Daily solar energy (kWh/m²)

Average shortwave solar energy reaching the ground each day in December, about 3.69 kWh/m² — the year's lowest.

For context, solar energy here swings from a low near 3.69 kWh/m² to a high of 6.58 kWh/m² in July across the year — December's 3.69 kWh/m² sits near the bottom.

01234151015202531
Solar energy (kWh/m²)Level
13.8Moderate
23.8Moderate
33.8Moderate
43.8Moderate
53.8Moderate
63.8Moderate
73.8Moderate
83.7Moderate
93.7Moderate
103.7Moderate
113.7Moderate
123.7Moderate
133.7Moderate
143.6Moderate
153.6Moderate
163.6Moderate
173.6Moderate
183.6Moderate
193.6Moderate
203.6Moderate
213.6Moderate
223.6Moderate
233.6Moderate
243.6Moderate
253.6Moderate
263.6Moderate
273.7Moderate
283.7Moderate
293.7Moderate
303.7Moderate
313.7Moderate
Planning a trip in December

Hazard calendar for Cancun

In seasonPeak

None of Cancun's seasonal hazards are active in December. The full-year calendar below shows when the rainy season, cyclone risk and dust haze do peak.

Cancun sits in the Atlantic hurricane belt; the season peaks August–October.

Cancun's rainy season runs August–November, when most of the year's rain falls.

Atlantic hurricane
Rainy season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Is December a good time to visit Cancun?

Our two travel scores rate December for general sightseeing and for beach or pool weather — 0 (poor) to 10 (ideal).

6.8
Sightseeing
5th-best month of the year
6.3
Beach & pool
8th-best month of the year

December is a reasonable time to visit Cancun for sightseeing. The water and warmth also suit a beach or pool day.

What to pack for Cancun in December

From December's temperature range, rain chance, sun and wind — what's worth putting in the bag.

In December, Cancun sees daytime highs around 26°C and nights near 24°C. Worth packing: light clothes, rain gear and a windbreaker. About 11 days see rain.

light clothesrain geara windbreaker

Sea temperature near Cancun in December

The nearest coast averages about 27°C in December — the other half of the beach question. The full-year curve and swim-comfort zones are below.

The sea at the nearest coast (about 24 km away) is warmest in September at about 29°C and coldest in February near 26°C.

The water stays above 20°C all year — warm enough for a swim any month.

24°26°28°30°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecwarmtropicalcomfortable to swim
Sea temperature (°C)Comfort
Jan27Warm
Feb26Warm
Mar26Warm
Apr27Warm
May28Warm
Jun28Tropical
Jul29Tropical
Aug29Tropical
Sep29Tropical
Oct29Tropical
Nov28Tropical
Dec27Warm

UV index in Cancun in December

LowModerateHighVery highExtreme

Clear-sky midday UV in December peaks around 6 — enough to warrant sun protection. The full-year curve, shaded by WHO exposure level, is below.

Under clear skies, the midday UV index in Cancun peaks around July 19 at about 12 (extreme) — sunscreen, a hat and midday shade are essential. It bottoms out near December 16 at about 6 (high).

The index reaches 3 or more — the level where the WHO recommends sun protection — every month of the year.

025710JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecVery highExtremeVery highHighJul 19UV 12Dec 16UV 6
UV index (midday)Level
Jan7High
Feb9Very high
Mar11Extreme
Apr12Extreme
May11Extreme
Jun12Extreme
Jul12Extreme
Aug12Extreme
Sep11Extreme
Oct10Very high
Nov7High
Dec6High

Air quality in Cancun in December

GoodModeratePoorUnhealthyVery unhealthy

Average fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) through the year — so you can see where December falls, not just the annual average.

Air quality in Cancun is worst in June — around 25 µg/m³ PM2.5 (moderate), about 4.1× the cleanest month (November, 6 µg/m³).

Modeled monthly averages (CAMS reanalysis, 2015–2024).

0102030JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecGoodModerateGoodJun 2024 µg/m³Nov 226 µg/m³
PM2.5 (µg/m³)Level
Jan7Good
Feb7Good
Mar8Good
Apr12Good
May15Moderate
Jun25Moderate
Jul22Moderate
Aug18Moderate
Sep12Moderate
Oct9Good
Nov6Good
Dec6Good
Location & terrain

Where is Cancun?

Cancun sits at 21.2°N, 86.8°W, 11 m above sea level, in Mexico. The nearest listed city is Isla Mujeres, 14 km away.

Chichen ItzaFelipe Carrillo Puerto

Topography around Cancun

How much the land rises and falls, and what covers it, within 3, 16 and 80 km of Cancun.

Within 3 km, the terrain around Cancun has only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 16 m around an average of 8 m above sea level; within 16 km, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 30 m; within 80 km, only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 31 m.

The land around Cancun is covered by artificial surfaces (87%) within 3 km, water (37%) and trees (32%) within 16 km, and water (53%) and trees (39%) within 80 km.

3 km
16 m
16 km
30 m
80 km
31 m
treesgrasslandartificial surfacesbare terrainwaterwetlandmangroves
December weather nearby: Isla Mujeres 14 km · Playa del Carmen 65 km · Cozumel 76 km · Tulum 125 km · Tizimín 135 km · Valladolid 151 km · Chichen Itza 187 km · Felipe Carrillo Puerto 217 km

Mexico travel facts

Travel advisory
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Power plugs
Type A / B
120 / 127 V · 60 Hz
Prices
≈ 54% of US
price level, 2025
GDP per capita
$13,889
2025
Happiness
7.0 / 10
World Happiness, 2025
Safe drinking water
43%
of population, 2024
Homicide rate
24.9
per 100k, 2023
Road deaths
12.8
per 100k/yr, 2019
Income group
Upper middle
World Bank
English
Very low
EF EPI 440
Religion
Catholic 78%no religion 11%other Evangelical Churches 8%Jehovah Witness 1%

Sources: World Bank, US State Department, World Happiness Report, WHO/UNICEF, EF EPI, CIA World Factbook.

Data sources

Temperature, precipitation, cloud, humidity, wind and solar figures are a 1991–2020 climatology for Cancun (21.1743°, -86.8466°, elevation 11 m), computed from hourly ERA5 reanalysis — contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Sun figures are astronomical calculations, not observations. City data © GeoNames, CC BY 4.0. Map outlines from Natural Earth (public domain); interactive map © Google. Tropical-cyclone seasons are the published climatological basin seasons (NOAA National Hurricane Center / regional warning centres). Sea temperatures are the NOAA OISST v2.1 1991–2020 monthly climatology (public domain), sampled at the nearest ocean point. UV index is derived from CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) clear-sky UV data — contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Monthly air-quality (PM2.5) seasonality is from the CAMS EAC4 reanalysis (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service), scaled to the WHO annual mean where available. Topography is sampled from the Copernicus DEM GLO-90 elevation model (© ESA/Airbus) and ESA WorldCover 2021 land cover (CC BY 4.0).