Mexico Playa del Carmen Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Playa del Carmen is very good
Playa del Carmen Weather in December — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 28° / 21°
- Rainfall
- 100mm · 7 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, Playa del Carmen in December averages a high of 28°C and low of 21°C with 100mm of rain over about 7 days. Warm dry-season days — around 28°C/21°C (82°F/70°F). Light summer clothing, a swimsuit, and a light layer for breezy nights and AC. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses year-round.
December is very good for Playa del Carmen.
December returns to lovely dry-season weather — warm around 28°C/21°C (82°F/70°F), drying out, with low sargassum and a calm, clear sea. It's a great month to be on the Riviera Maya.
It's firmly high season, and the Christmas/New Year stretch is the single priciest, busiest window of the year — hotels can run 2-3x normal and central places sell out, so book months ahead for that period. Earlier December is a touch calmer before the holiday surge.
Travel score
Playa del Carmen December Weather Stats
Avg High
28°C
Avg Low
21°C
Rainy Days
7
100mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
79%
comfortable
UV Index
7
High
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 32
Sea Temp
27°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
9 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
30°C
Nighttime
21°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Warm, drying dry-season weather
- Low sargassum, calm clear sea
- Festive holiday atmosphere
- Great diving and beach conditions
Cons
- Christmas/New Year is the priciest, busiest peak
- Book months ahead for the holidays
- Occasional breezy 'norte' fronts
- Crowded sites and beaches
December Events & Festivals
- Dry-season high season; Christmas/New Year is the peak
- Low sargassum — clean beaches and calm sea
- Holiday-season crowds and top prices late month
- Festive atmosphere on 5th Avenue
Playa del Carmen in December — Full Picture
December returns to lovely dry-season weather — warm around 28°C/21°C (82°F/70°F), drying out, with low sargassum and a calm, clear sea. It's a great month to be on the Riviera Maya.
It's firmly high season, and the Christmas/New Year stretch is the single priciest, busiest window of the year — hotels can run 2-3x normal and central places sell out, so book months ahead for that period. Earlier December is a touch calmer before the holiday surge.
The beaches look their best, the diving off Cozumel is clear, and the day trips run in comfortable conditions; 5th Avenue takes on a festive holiday atmosphere.
Note: aside from the holiday-week prices and crowds, the main caveat is that occasional 'norte' cold fronts can bring a few breezy, cloudier, or briefly rainy days — but overall it's prime time. Reef-safe sunscreen and water still essential.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Warm dry-season days — around 28°C/21°C (82°F/70°F). Light summer clothing, a swimsuit, and a light layer for breezy nights and AC. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses year-round.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
30.7°C
22°C
5.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
32.7°C
24°C
10/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
30.7°C
23°C
10.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current28°C
20.3°C
6.3/mo
Playa del Carmen Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 28° | 20° | 7d·95mm | 7.5h | 78% | 8 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 28° | 20° | 5d·60mm | 8h | 76% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 29° | 21° | 4d·50mm | 8.5h | 75% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| 31° | 22° | 4d·50mm | 9h | 74% | 11 | Busy | Peak | |
| 32° | 23° | 8d·105mm | 8.5h | 76% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 11d·165mm | 7.5h | 78% | 11 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 33° | 24° | 9d·110mm | 8.5h | 76% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 24° | 10d·130mm | 8h | 77% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 12d·175mm | 6.5h | 80% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 23° | 11d·155mm | 7h | 79% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 29° | 22° | 8d·100mm | 7h | 78% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| December (Best) | 28° | 21° | 7d·100mm | 7h | 79% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Playa del Carmen December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen in December is very good. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Playa del Carmen in December?
Playa del Carmen December averages a high of 28°C and a low of 21°C.
Does it rain much in Playa del Carmen in December?
Playa del Carmen December averages 100mm of rainfall over about 7 rainy days.
What should I wear in Playa del Carmen in December?
Warm dry-season days — around 28°C/21°C (82°F/70°F). Light summer clothing, a swimsuit, and a light layer for breezy nights and AC. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses year-round.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Playa del Carmen in December?
Playa del Carmen December sunrise is 06:45 and sunset is 17:45, with 11h 00min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Playa del Carmen in December?
Playa del Carmen December air quality (AQI) averages 30, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 9μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Playa del Carmen in December?
In December, Playa del Carmen is great for Beach and beach-club days, Cozumel diving and snorkeling, Cenote tours.
Is December peak season in Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Playa del Carmen
View Other Months
Planning a December trip to Playa del Carmen?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.