10 Things to do in Cancun at Christmas

Winter is considered by many travelers as the best time to travel to Cancun because it allows you to escape the cold. From December to February, Cancun has spectacular weather, with very little rain, mild nights and sunny skies all day long. Consequently, the activities to see, do and enjoy in Cancun at Christmas are numerous, varied and, above all, fun.

Ponche con piquete is a traditional Mexican drink that is prepared during the Christmas holidays, especially during the celebration of the traditional Posadas.

The drink consists of a traditional fruit punch (plums, apples, guavas, etc.) seasoned with cinnamon and a "piquete" of alcohol that can be tequila, rum or aguardiente, depending on the preparation.

To make your stay in Mexico even more memorable, enjoy the colorful and explosive gastronomy of this beautiful country to the fullest. If you go to Cancun in December for your Christmas vacation, don't forget to include in the list of "delicacies to try" the Mexican punch with piquete.

According to tourists and locals, Christmas time is considered the best time to travel to Cancun and enjoy its beaches due to its ideal temperatures, with sunny days and few rains that characterize the winter in the Yucatan Peninsula.

This is one of the reasons why so many tourists visit Cancun between December and February. If you are one of the lucky ones, take advantage of your stay to visit the best beaches in Cancun and enjoy activities such as snorkeling, surfing or just lying under the sun to relax.

Winter in Yucatan is characterized by minimum temperatures of 20 degrees and maximum of 28 degrees; the hurricane season has come to an end so the presence of bad weather is practically nonexistent and the sea is very calm. If your stay allows it, this season is also ideal to book an excursion to the Mujeres Islands and have a full day of fun in the sun.

The great weather that characterizes winter days in Cancun makes Christmas the perfect time to do as many outdoor activities as possible. One of the best is to visit the Xtreme Adventure Eco-Park, which as its name suggests, is an ecological park located in the well-known "Ruta de los Cenotes", in the Puerto Morelos area, just 20 minutes away from Cancun's Hotel Zone.

The park is focused on adventure and fun in natural surroundings, which makes it a great option if you are looking for things to do in Cancun with kids. Some of the sports and games you can enjoy at the facilities are zip-lining through the cenotes, horseback riding, buggy rides, kayaking and snorkeling.

And if you are a lover of these adventure sports remember that you can also book an excursion with snorkeling with whale sharks in Cancun, a quad tour through the jungle of Cancun or live an adventure in the jungle with speedboat and snorkeling in Cancun.

Useful Info

• Duration: You must reserve between 4 and 6 hours for the experience.
• Hours: The park is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
• Price range: Around 80 € per traveler approximately.

Cancun is a destination famous not only for its beaches, but also for its nightlife, often considered among the best in the world. If you find yourself spending the holidays in this paradise, you can't pass up the opportunity to join a New Year's Eve party.

And an unbeatable option, without a doubt, is to book your ticket to the Coco Bongo nightclub, the most popular nightlife center in Cancun's hotel zone. Upon arrival you will find a huge disco full of sound effects, decoration, music, live entertainment and lots of Latin music. Plus, this skip-the-line ticket includes an open bar the entire time you're inside the club.

Other options to celebrate New Year's Eve in Cancun

Below is a complementary list of varied options, however, keep in mind that Cancun is full of clubs, so I invite you to do your own research:

• Bar La Vaquita: Young-spirited travelers should visit La Vaquita for New Year's Eve celebrations in Cancun. It is a modern concept pub where Hip-Hop, electronic, dance and other styles of music are played. Almost all alcoholic beverages are sold by the liter in jumbo-sized jugs.
• Señor Frogs Bar: Señor Frogs Bar's New Year's Eve party is always epic, with live bands and amazing drinks including options if you're going to Cancun with alcohol-free kids. A great option if you're looking for a more family-friendly atmosphere.
• La Habichuela Sunset: An ideal restaurant for those visiting Cancun as a couple and looking for a relaxed and romantic atmosphere.

An excellent plan for Christmas Day is to go to a good restaurant in Cancun's Hotel Zone and enjoy a traditional lunch. Of course, it is essential that you make your reservation in advance in order to avoid running out of room.

If you are traveling to Cancun around this time it is important to know that most popular attractions are open to the public on Christmas Day, due to Cancun's popularity as an end-of-the-year tourist destination. So if you feel like taking a tour to the Chichen Itza Ruins or an excursion to the Tulum Ruins, both are open to the public on December 25.

Best Mexican restaurants in Cancun for Christmas

• Mextreme: Famous for being one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in the Hotel Zone. If you want to take home a taste of Mexican culture and ambiance, this is the place to go - their mole sauce is unbeatable!
• CAO De Tierra Y De Mar: Ideal to enjoy the exquisite gastronomy of the Port of Cancun. The atmosphere is elegant and its cuisine is inspired by the northern part of Mexico.
• El Huerto del Edén: One of the best options for lunch and breakfast in the area. If you go to El Huerto be sure to try their traditional huevos motuleños.
• Taqueria Coapenitos: A small and modest place that prepares some of the best tacos in all of Cancun.

Las Posadas is the name given to one of the most important traditional Christmas celebrations in Mexico. It takes place during the nine days leading up to Christmas, to commemorate the journey of the pregnant Virgin Mary and St. Joseph on their way to the town of Bethlehem.

When attending Las Posadas you will hear traditional Christmas carols and see a religious procession that includes a couple dressed as Mary and Joseph and dozens of believers dressed in traditional white costumes. The party concludes with a piñata.

The best option to celebrate Las Posadas in the Riviera Maya is to visit Xcaret Park from Cancun; an eco-archeological park located south of the city where the celebration takes place. In addition, there you can enjoy at least 40 different attractions. In the city of Cancun you will find numerous local companies that offer this type of experience to travelers with private transportation to and from the Hotel Zone to the park.

Useful Information

• Duration: Varies depending on the company you hire and the itinerary. It usually lasts from 6 to 12 hours.
• Schedule: The companies leave Cancun early in the morning to make the most of the day at the park.
• Price range: From 150 € per traveler.

Plaza Kukulcan is an important shopping mall located on one of the most touristic boulevards in Cancun's Hotel Zone. During practically the entire month of December, small events commemorating the Christmas holidays are held for the enjoyment of tourists and locals alike.

Many plazas and shopping malls in Cancun join in the Christmas celebrations through numerous initiatives, including themed decorations, Christmas lights, tree lighting parties and the presence of iconic characters such as Santa Claus. If you decide to attend, take advantage of your visit to stroll along Boulevard and enjoy its decorations and atmosphere.

Then, head to the spectacular Kukulcan Ferris wheel, known by locals as El Sol de Cancun. From its highest point you will have spectacular views of Cancun's skyline.

Useful Info

• Address and directions: The plaza is located on Kukulcan Boulevard, in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone.
• Hours: Open to the public Monday through Friday between 7 am and 11 pm.
• Price range: Free for all public.

Take advantage of your stay in Cancun and the festive spirit of the city to do your Christmas shopping. You will find a very diverse and interesting offer, ranging from traditional gifts that you can buy in any big city to unique objects characteristic of Cancun.

Here are some alternatives

• El Mercado 28: It is a picturesque and beautiful flea market style shopping area with stalls of handicrafts, curiosities and restaurants. If you want to buy unique souvenirs be sure to visit it.
• Plaza Las Americas: In this plaza you will find all your favorite international and local brands. From Victoria Secret and Sears to the famous Adidas.
• La Isla Shopping Village: Located on Kukulcan Boulevard, this is the most popular shopping mall in the area. Visitors and locals alike come for the shopping options, but also for its many family entertainment options.

One of the inaugural events of the Christmas holidays in Cancun is the Christmas parade and tree lighting, which has been held for the past few years in downtown Cancun, usually in the first weeks of the month. If you happen to be in town on this date, don't hesitate to join the celebration.

Thousands of local citizens and tourists of all ages participate in the event that takes place at the end of the day. The event begins with a parade of floats on Avenida Tulum, Cancun's most important avenue, located on the edge of the Hotel Zone. The protagonists of the parade are the traditional Mexican Christmas figures including the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus, Santa Claus and the Three Wise Men.

As it could not be otherwise, in Cancun tropical rhythms, such as cumbia and merengue, are an important part of the celebration along with traditional Christmas carols. After lighting the gigantic Christmas tree in the plaza of the Municipal Palace, there is a presentation of a Christmas classic, such as The Nutcracker.

Useful information

• Hours: From 6 p.m.
• Price range: Free for all audiences.

If you find yourself spending your Christmas in Cancun, you can't miss the Christmas light park that takes place every year in Malecon Tajamar and that goes by the name of Christmas Show Cancun.

The attraction is an initiative carried out by the local government and intended for the enjoyment of the locals, but also for the thousands of tourists who come to the city for these dates.

Open to the public from the first days of the month until December 31, the park of lights offers visitors a place of family recreation thanks to the sculptural figures erected on site and adorned with twinkling Christmas lights. It is possibly one of the best things to do in Cancun at night during the holiday season.

Useful Information

• Address and directions: The Malecon is located on Benito Juarez Avenue, in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone. You can get there by taking bus lines R-1 and R-66. The "Fuente" stop is a four-minute walk away.
• Hours: Traditionally, the place is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 6 pm to 10 pm.
• Price range: Free for all public.

Christmas in Cancun coincides in dates with the high season in the city, which includes the months of December and January. This implies a high influx of travelers and a high demand in hotels, amusement centers and entertainment venues.

During these months, with winter in the northern hemisphere, many travelers from the United States and Europe travel to the warm waters of the Caribbean to spend a few weeks in Cancun. In addition, many Mexican families enjoy vacationing, which increases the flow of domestic tourism.

The best strategy for visiting Cancun at this time of year is to make all reservations in advance, especially if you are traveling with a companion.

Cancun in December is characterized by an almost perfect weather to enjoy all the things to see and do in Cancun, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 20 degrees at night and a maximum of 28 degrees during the day.

Likewise, during Christmas, rainfall is scarce and the days are sunny and clear. Taking these aspects into consideration, some of the items that should not be missing in your suitcase are:

• Swimsuits to enjoy the sea and the pool.
• Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
• Sandals for the beach.
• Evening clothes for going out to clubs and restaurants.
• A light coat.
• Cool cotton clothes for walking.