Destination head-to-head
Cancun or Barbados in December?
It is close in December: Cancun 7.1 out of 10, Barbados 7.2. The tiebreaker is what you do between beach days, and that is where Cancun runs away with it.
Quick verdict
Cancun for all-inclusive, value for money, nightlife. Barbados for easy and safe.
Cancun, Mexico
8.6/10
28C days, 27C sea, 105mm rain
Barbados, Barbados
7.2/10
29C days, 105mm rain
Rated side by side
Out of five on each criterion.
| What matters | Cancun | Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| NightlifeBars, clubs and late-night energy | ||
| BeachesSand quality, water clarity and swimming | ||
| Food sceneRange, quality and local character | ||
| FamiliesKid-friendly resorts, pools and day trips | ||
| RomanceCouples, honeymoons and adults-only stays | ||
| Things to doExcursions, culture and day trips | ||
| All-inclusiveChoice and value of all-inclusive resorts | ||
| Value for moneyWhat a typical day actually costs | ||
| Easy and safeComfort for first-time visitors | ||
| Exploring soloHow easy it is to get out on your own | ||
| Flight accessDirect routes and flight time from North America |
Side by side in December
| Factor | Cancun | Barbados |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 28C | 29C |
| Rainfall | 105mm | 105mm |
| Sea temperature | 27C, swimmable | Varies by season |
| Beach quality | Wide white sand, calm Caribbean | 4 out of 5 |
| Getting there | under 5 hours from most of North America | 4h 30m from Miami |
| Typical cost | Highest rates of the year, so lock in early. | Expensive |
| Between beach days | Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkelling | Great rum and food culture, Two very different coasts |
What is on in Cancun in December
- Guadalupe Day pilgrimages on 12 December
- Christmas and New Year fireworks over the lagoon and beach
- Cool, dry, sunny days in the high 20s
Crowds. Peak season. Book flights and restaurants well ahead.
Prices. Highest rates of the year, so lock in early.
Seaweed. Sargassum seaweed risk is low, so the sand is at its cleanest.
Storms. Outside hurricane season entirely.
Dated plans and community meetups are listed on the Cancun events calendar.
Book Cancun for December
- Check Cancun hotel ratesLive all-inclusive and boutique pricesOpen
- Browse Cancun toursChichen Itza, cenotes, Isla Mujeres and moreOpen
- Get an airport transfer quoteFixed price, 20 minutes to the Hotel ZoneOpen
Prefer a plan first? Build a free day-by-day Cancun itinerary.
Where Barbados genuinely wins
- Great rum and food culture
- Two very different coasts
- Friendly and easy to navigate
Pick Barbados if your budget is open and you specifically want what only it offers: great rum and food culture.
What catches people out
- Pricey by Caribbean standards
- Longer flights from the US
- Fewer excursion options
The Cancun edge
Cancun is cheaper to reach, cheaper to stay, and packs more variety into a week.
Cancun is the rare beach destination that also works as a base. The airport is one of the busiest in Latin America, the transfer to your hotel takes twenty minutes, and within two hours you can be swimming in a cenote, climbing a Mayan pyramid, snorkelling the second largest reef on the planet, or eating cochinita pibil in a downtown market for the price of a coffee elsewhere. That combination is why we keep building these comparisons and keep reaching the same conclusion.
Cancun wins for you? Start here.
Compare Barbados in other months
Other places people compare with Cancun in December
- Cancun or Punta Cana in December
- Cancun or Dubai in December
- Cancun or Mexico City in December
- Cancun or Jamaica in December
- Cancun or Nassau and the Bahamas in December
- Cancun or Aruba in December
- Cancun or Costa Rica in December
- Cancun or Tulum in December
- Cancun or Playa del Carmen in December
- Cancun or Cozumel in December