10 Things to Do in Cancun in December

Although it is a destination with a strong tourist character, Cancun preserves among its inhabitants the tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Eve, so you will be able to feel at home in these special dates.

Celebrate the arrival of Christmas with the lighting of lights and the arrival of Santa Claus on a jet ski, buy gifts in one of the best shopping malls in Cancun, or enjoy iconic places like Cozumel or Chichen-Itza under the most pleasant weather conditions of the year.

Cancun always has a lot to offer but in December it was not going to be less. Read on to discover the best plans.

Cozumel Island is one of the most visited reefs in the world for its natural beauty. Even the famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau dedicated a documentary to it to show the richness hidden under its waters. Many of the tours and excursions organized from Cancun have this beautiful island as their destination.

December is one of the best months to visit the island of Cozumel, since temperatures are much more pleasant than the rest of the year and being able to say goodbye to the year in the area can be a real luxury.

You can also arrive by plane, with a journey of approximately half an hour, or enjoy the scenery in a pleasant crossing aboard the ferry from Playa del Carmen.

In addition to its fine white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, the island of Cozumel is also home to towns such as San Miguel, a town full of commercial and restaurant spaces adorned with graffiti from the "SEA Walls, Murals For The Oceans" project.

The best alternative to get to know the island of Cozumel in depth is to travel along the coast road and visit places like the Punta Sur Eco-Beach Park, where you will find remains of the Mayan civilization and a natural reserve with native species.

Also in the month of December, as extravagant as it may seem, you can spend the day in one of the many parks in Cancun to enjoy with family, friends or as a couple the many activities they have to offer. The good weather even at this time of the year will make you enjoy yourself to the fullest.

There are theme parks for all tastes and ages, from those with natural areas for water activities, to zip line parks with dolphin shows, and virtual reality experiences. I leave you this list of the most important parks in Cancun with the articles we have prepared with all the information about each one of them:

• Visit Extreme Adventure Eco Park in Cancun
• Xcaret Park Excursions in Riviera Maya from Cancun
• Visit XPlor Multiadventure Park in Cancun
• Tickets for Xel-Ha Park in Cancun: how to buy and prices

If you are looking for a different plan for your next Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve dinner, you can reserve a table at one of the restaurants along the beautiful Kukulkan Boulevard.

The restaurateurs organize Christmas dinners and lunches with special menus, decorate their premises with Christmas motifs and include performances and entertainment events for after-dinner drinks and dancing included.

Located right on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, Kukulkan Boulevard is the perfect setting to welcome the New Year in the best company.

Puerto Juarez is a neighborhood located two kilometers from downtown Cancun. During the month of December they celebrate the arrival of Christmas with the festival "Santa comes from the sea".

You can see Santa Claus arriving at the port on a jet ski surrounded by his helpers with their red suits, swimsuits and sunglasses. It is a contrast that we visitors from other latitudes are not used to.

The arrival of this original summer Santa Claus kicks off the neighborhood' s Christmas festival, during which numerous cultural events are held and consumption is encouraged in the area's commercial establishments.

The "Christmas Show" Christmas light show is active throughout the month of December on Cancun's Malecon Tajamar.

Although less known, it has nothing to envy to the light shows that we can see in our cities during the month of Christmas. In addition to strolling through its streets, you can mimic the local Christmas spirit through the musical threads and entertainment events that are organized.

Are you traveling with children to Cancun? They will love this experience, as they will be able to meet their favorite cartoon characters in the streets of the Malecon.

If you want to know more Christmas plans for your trip to Cancun be sure to read our post about 10 things to see and do in Cancun at Christmas.

The warm temperatures and summer wardrobe can make you forget about your Christmas shopping and gifts. But Cancun locals keep the Christmas spirit alive and don't miss their pre-Christmas Eve shopping.

You won't miss a thing. In Cancun you will find all kinds of stores for your Christmas shopping. Some of the best shopping malls in the area are Plaza Las Americas, La Isla or Plaza Kukulkan.

Decoration, toys, fashion, electronics... Have you already prepared your letter to the Mexican Santa Claus?

Yes, you read that right. In Cancun you can sunbathe and enjoy a swim in warm waters the same morning of December 25.

And to complete an unforgettable day and without leaving the water you can visit the Underwater Museum of Art of Cancun (MUSA).

It is an incomparable visual spectacle, since at 3 meters deep you suddenly find about 500 sculptures that pay homage to the native population of the area in different postures and daily activities.

December is a time when the sea is calmer due to the decrease of rainfall in Cancun.

This makes it possible to access the territories near the beautiful Isla Mujeres. This location is a paradise for sports enthusiasts and a splendid place to relax on one of its white sand beaches.

You can go scuba diving or snorkeling and visit the Garrafon Park, where you can swim with dolphins, go kayaking, swim in a pool with catering service included or challenge the heights on a zip line. In Cancun you have many activities to enjoy an unforgettable trip.

Although you must also protect yourself from the sun, traveling to Chichen-Itza in December is much more pleasant than at other times of the year. It is located in the municipality of Tinum, about three hours drive from the tourist center of Cancun.

As always, I recommend you book one of the organized tours for all the advantages of not missing out on details and not having to worry about transfers.

Crowned by the temple of Kukulkan, Chichen-Itza is an archaeological site inherited from the Mayan civilization. The perfection of its constructions makes an impact on any visitor, especially considering that they are buildings erected between 800 and 1100 A.D.

If you want to organize your trip in advance, you should know that as a general rule, the visit is available from 9:00 to 17:00 hours. It is worth reserving a day of your trip to contemplate all the charm of Chichen-Itza.

Late November and early December are the dates when the famous Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is held in Puerto del Carmen .

This event is considered one of the 10 best festivals of the genre worldwide. It has two main attractions that make visitors fall in love with it:

• It is able to bring together the best international jazz stars.
• Admission to the event is totally free.

They say that December is the best time of the year to travel to Cancun. And this is largely due to its 28-degree high and 18-degree low on average throughout the month.

These figures allow you to enjoy all the outdoor activities without having to worry about the excessive heat.

However, you cannot relax. You should wear a hat to cover your head, sunglasses and sun protection during the whole trip.

Once you land in Cancun you have several possibilities to move around the area.

If you have planned a relaxing trip, it is best to hire a transfer to the hotel from the airport and rely on organized tours to see the most interesting places.

In case you prefer a more active vacation, the first option is the rental car. Thanks to it you can move around more freely and organize your own departures and schedules.

Other options for transportation in Cancun are buses, which you can book online to compare routes and prices of different companies, colectivos (vans that make trips between nearby towns) and cabs or Uber services, which you should always hire from authorized companies for greater security guarantee.