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'll be able to feel at home during these special dates.

Celebrate the arrival of Christmas with the lighting of lights and the arrival of Father Christmas on a jet ski, buy presents in one of the best shopping centres 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's not going to be any less. Read on to discover the best plans.

The island of Cozumel 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 that are organised from Cancun have this beautiful island as their destination.

December is one of the best months to visit the island of Cozumel, as 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 get there by plane, which takes about half an hour, or enjoy the scenery on a pleasant ferry crossing 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 coastal road and visit places such as the Punta Sur Eco-Beach Park, where you can find remains of the Mayan civilisation and a nature reserve with native species.

Also in the month of December, as extravagant as it may seem, you can spend the day in one of Cancun's many parks and enjoy the many activities on offer with your family, friends or partner. 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 with this list of the most important parks in Cancun with the articles we have put together with all the information about each one of them:

• Visit Extreme Adventure Eco Park in Cancun
• Excursions to Xcaret Park in Riviera Maya from Cancun
• Visit the XPlor Multi-Adventure 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 book a table at one of the restaurants along the beautiful Kukulkan Avenue.

The restaurants organise Christmas dinners and lunches with special menus, decorate their premises with Christmas motifs and include performances and entertainment events for the 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 neighbourhood located two kilometres 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 Father Christmas arriving at the port on a jet ski surrounded by his helpers in their red suits, swimming costumes and sunglasses. It is a contrast that we visitors from other parts of the world are not used to.

The arrival of this original summer Father Christmas kicks off the neighbourhood' s Christmas festival, which features numerous cultural events and encourages shopping in the local shops.

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

Although less well 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 get into the local Christmas spirit through the musical strings and entertainment events that are organised.

Are you travelling to Cancun with children? They'll love this experience, as they'll be able to meet their favourite cartoon characters in the streets of the Malecón.

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 attire can make you forget about your Christmas shopping and gifts. But Cancun's locals keep the Christmas spirit alive and don't miss out on their pre-Christmas Eve shopping.

You won't want for anything. In Cancun you will find all kinds of shops to do your Christmas shopping. Some of the best shopping centres in the area are Plaza Las Américas, La Isla and Plaza Kukulkan.

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

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

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

It is an incomparable visual spectacle, since at a depth of 3 metres you suddenly find yourself with some 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 in 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 sandy beaches.

You can go scuba diving or snorkelling and head to Garrafon Park, where you can swim with dolphins, go kayaking, swim in a self-catering pool or brave the heights on a zip line. In Cancun you have plenty of activities to enjoy an unforgettable trip.

Although you should still protect yourself from the sun, travelling 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 a three-hour drive from the tourist centre of Cancun.

As always, I recommend booking one of the organised tours for all the advantages of not missing out on details and transfers.

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

If you want to organise 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 well worth setting aside 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 in the world. It has two main attractions that make visitors fall in love with it:

• It is capable of bringing together the best international jazz stars.
• Admission to the event is completely free.

They say that December is the best time of the year to travel to Cancun. And this is largely due to its 28 degrees Celsius maximum and 18 degrees Celsius minimum 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 can't relax. Wear a hat to cover your head, sunglasses and sunscreen throughout your trip.

Once you land in Cancun you have several options for getting around the area.

If you have planned a relaxing trip, it is best to hire a transfer from the airport to your hotel and rely on organised excursions to see the sights.

If you prefer a more active holiday, the first option is a rental car. This will allow you to move around more freely and organise your own departures and schedules.

Other options for transport in Cancun are buses, which you can book online to compare routes and prices from different companies, colectivos (vans that travel between nearby towns) and taxis or Uber services, which you should always hire from authorised companies to ensure your safety.