Destination head-to-head
Cancun or Los Cabos in December?
Los Cabos edges it on paper in December at 7.7 out of 10 against Cancun's 7.1, but the gap closes fast once you price the flights, the food and the day trips.
Quick verdict
Cancun for families, exploring solo, beaches. Los Cabos for dramatic desert scenery.
Cancun, Mexico
8.6/10
28C days, 27C sea, 105mm rain
Los Cabos, Mexico
7.5/10
25C days, 12mm rain
Rated side by side
Out of five on each criterion.
| What matters | Cancun | Los Cabos |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Los Cabos |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 28C | 25C |
| Rainfall | 105mm | 12mm |
| Sea temperature | 27C, swimmable | Varies by season |
| Beach quality | Wide white sand, calm Caribbean | 3 out of 5 |
| Getting there | under 5 hours from most of North America | 2h 30m from Los Angeles |
| Typical cost | Highest rates of the year, so lock in early. | Expensive |
| Between beach days | Chichen Itza, Tulum, cenotes, Isla Mujeres, reef snorkelling | Dramatic desert scenery, Whale watching Dec to Apr |
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 Los Cabos genuinely wins
- Dramatic desert scenery
- Whale watching Dec to Apr
- Strong golf and luxury scene
Pick Los Cabos if your budget is open and you specifically want what only it offers: dramatic desert scenery.
What catches people out
- Many beaches are unswimmable
- Expensive
- Very little greenery or culture
The Cancun edge
Cancun lets you actually swim off the beach, all year, for far less per night.
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.
Cancun or Los Cabos for your kind of trip
Compare Los Cabos in other months
Other places people compare with Cancun in December
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