Weather Comparison
Side-by-side weather comparison for December
| Metric | Playa del Carmen | Cancun | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average HighHigher is warmer | 26°C (79°F) | 26°C (79°F) | Tie |
| Average LowHigher is milder | 23°C (73°F) | 23°C (73°F) | Tie |
| Rain DaysFewer is drier | 10 days▲ | 11 days | Playa del Carmen |
| PrecipitationLess is drier | 44 mm▲ | 53 mm | Playa del Carmen |
| Sunshine HoursMore is sunnier | 10h/day | 10h/day | Tie |
| HumidityLower is more comfortable | 78% | 78% | Tie |
| UV IndexLower is safer | 3 | 3 | Tie |
| Wind SpeedCalmer is better | 15 km/h▲ | 19 km/h | Playa del Carmen |
Based on sunshine hours, rain days, comfortable temperatures, and humidity levels, Playa del Carmen edges ahead as the better destination in December. Playa del Carmen offers 10 hours of daily sunshine with only 10 rain days, while Cancun sees 10 sunshine hours and 11 rain days.
Playa del Carmen sits in the comfortable travel range at 26°C. Cancun is also comfortable at 26°C.
For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Playa del Carmen is the stronger choice in December.
Playa del Carmen reaches an average high of 26°C (79°F) and drops to 23°C (73°F) at night during December. The daily temperature range is 3°C, meaning relatively stable temperatures from day to night.
Cancun averages 26°C (79°F) for the high and 23°C (73°F) for the low, with a daily range of 3°C. The two cities feel quite similar in terms of temperature.
Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in December.
Playa del Carmen receives approximately 44 mm of rainfall across 10 rain days during December. You can expect rain roughly every other day.
Cancun sees 53 mm over 11 rain days. That makes Playa del Carmen the drier option by 1 rain day and 9 mm of total precipitation.
Both cities share similar humidity levels at 78%.
Highs of 26°C, lows of 23°C, 10 rain days
Highs of 26°C, lows of 23°C, 11 rain days
Pack for both: light layers, a light jacket for evenings, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, compact umbrella, waterproof shoes, moisture-wicking fabrics. These items are useful in either destination during December.
The table below shows average high temperatures and rain days for every month. December is highlighted for quick reference.
| Month | Playa del Carmen | Cancun | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | Rain | High | Rain | |
| Jan | 26°C | 10d | 25°C | 11d |
| Feb | 26°C | 7d | 26°C | 8d |
| Mar | 27°C | 7d | 27°C | 7d |
| Apr | 28°C | 7d | 28°C | 7d |
| May | 29°C | 14d | 29°C | 14d |
| Jun | 29°C | 20d | 29°C | 19d |
| Jul | 30°C | 18d | 30°C | 18d |
| Aug | 30°C | 22d | 30°C | 21d |
| Sep | 30°C | 25d | 29°C | 24d |
| Oct | 28°C | 21d | 28°C | 21d |
| Nov | 27°C | 12d | 27°C | 12d |
| Dec | 26°C | 10d | 26°C | 11d |
Playa del Carmen Weather in December
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities
Cancun Weather in December
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities