Playa del Carmen in December
December is dry and mild. Highs are 82°F (28°C), the sea is 81°F (27°C) and the chance of a wet day is 19% to 23%. The first half is quiet, then the high season and the holidays arrive.
December at a glance
| Temperature | 82°F (28°C) by day, 65 to 67°F (18 to 19°C) at night |
|---|---|
| Sea temperature | 81°F (27°C) |
| Rain | 1.6 to 2.3 in per sliding 31-day period, 19% to 23% chance of a wet day |
| Humidity | Muggy on 66% to 78% of days (dew point measure) |
| Sargassum (typical) | Usually light. December to February has the lowest chance of large accumulations on the beach. |
| Hurricane season | Outside the hurricane season. |
| Crowds | Quiet in the first half. High season starts around December 15 and Christmas to New Year is the busiest stretch. |
| Best for | Dry, mild weather, Christmas and New Year's Eve in town, and an early-December visit before the crowds. |
Long-term averages, not a forecast. A range spans the month, low to high. Climate: Weather Spark (Cozumel and Cancun airport records plus NASA MERRA-2 data, 1980 to 2016).
Weather
In December, daytime highs are 82°F (28°C) and nights are 65 to 67°F (18 to 19°C). Weather Spark's average rainfall is 1.6 to 2.3 in per sliding 31-day period, and the chance of a wet day (at least 0.04 in of rain) is 19% to 23%. The sea is 81°F (27°C). On Weather Spark's dew point measure, 66% to 78% of days are muggy.
December is part of Weather Spark's cool season (November 28 to February 13). Highs are around 82°F, rarely below 77°F or above 87°F, and lows go from 67 to 65°F.
Rain keeps easing: the sliding 31-day rainfall falls from 2.3 in to 1.6 in, and the muggy-day share drops from 78% to 66%. Days are short, about 11 hours of daylight.
Sea and beach
Sargassum is usually light. December to February has the lowest chance of large accumulations on the beach, according to UNAM's sargassum group as reported by El Universal. This is a typical pattern, not a forecast.
It is outside hurricane season, which ended November 30. Cold-front season is under way, and Conagua forecasts 9 fronts for Mexico as a whole in December 2026.
What is on in December
- School winter break. Mexican schools are on break from December 21, 2026 to January 5, 2027, so many families travel in these two weeks. (date published)
- Christmas Day. December 25, 2026 is a Friday and a paid federal holiday, which makes a long weekend from December 25 to 27. (date published)
- Playa Fest, New Year's Eve. Playa del Carmen's municipal New Year's Eve party. The last one ran on December 31, 2025 at the Portal Maya in Parque Fundadores. The city's calendar lists Playa Fest 2027, with no venue or lineup yet. (usually this time of year)
- Cacao and Chocolate Fair. On the city's 2026 calendar for December 12 to 31 at Parque Fundadores. (date published)
Crowds and rates
The first half of December is quiet, which makes it a good time for a lower-key trip. The high season starts around December 15, and Christmas to New Year is the busiest stretch. Book early for those dates.
What to pack
Light clothes, a light jacket or sweater for evenings, swimwear, sunscreen and something dressier for New Year's Eve.
Plan December
Mild days suit walking, dining out and day trips. A few places to start.
Questions
What is the weather like in Playa del Carmen in December?
Dry and mild. Highs are 82°F (28°C), lows are 65 to 67°F (18 to 19°C), the sea is 81°F (27°C) and the chance of a wet day is 19% to 23% (Weather Spark).
Is December crowded in Playa del Carmen?
Quiet in the first half, busy from around December 15. Christmas to New Year is the busiest stretch, and Mexican schools are on break from December 21 to January 5, 2027.
Is there sargassum in Playa del Carmen in December?
Usually little. December to February has the lowest chance of large accumulations on the beach, according to UNAM's sargassum group as reported by El Universal.
What is on in Playa del Carmen for New Year's Eve?
Playa del Carmen holds a municipal New Year's Eve party called Playa Fest. The last one was on December 31, 2025 at the Portal Maya in Parque Fundadores. The city's calendar lists Playa Fest 2027, with no venue or lineup yet.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below. Climate numbers are long-term averages from one source for all twelve months. Sargassum is described as a typical pattern and is never a forecast.
- Climate: Weather Spark, Playa del Carmen in December: https://weatherspark.com/m/13836/12/Average-Weather-in-December-in-Playa-del-Carmen-Mexico
- Climate averages by month: Weather Spark, Playa del Carmen (year-round page, seasons and data sources): https://weatherspark.com/y/13836/Average-Weather-in-Playa-del-Carmen-Mexico-Year-Round
- El Universal, citing UNAM's sargassum group (GIES), on the low months: https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/destinos/en-que-meses-hay-menos-sargazo-en-cancun/
- NOAA National Hurricane Center, hurricane climatology: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/
- Conagua: 56 cold fronts forecast for the 2026-2027 season, September to May: https://www.gob.mx/conagua/prensa/se-pronostica-el-ingreso-de-56-frentes-frios-a-mexico-durante-la-temporada-2026-2027
- Excelsior on the SEP school calendar 2026-2027: https://www.excelsior.com.mx/nacional/calendario-escolar-sep-2026-2027-fechas-vacaciones-puentes
- Ley Federal del Trabajo, article 74 (obligatory rest days): https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LFT.pdf
- Riviera Maya News on Playa Fest, New Year's Eve 2025 at Portal Maya: https://www.rivieramayanews.mx/playa-del-carmen-shines-on-the-world-stage-with-playa-fest-new-year-2026/
- Riviera Maya News on the municipal fall calendar (announced September 4, 2026): https://www.rivieramayanews.mx/playa-del-carmen-announces-fall-festival-calendar-focused-on-local-food-culture-and-music/
Stay a short walk away
Penthouse 315 at Aldea Thai sleeps 10, with a private rooftop pool and ocean views, a 1-minute walk (about 230 ft) from Mamitas Beach.