Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Mexican Riviera & Baja cruises in December
Puerto Vallarta’s Fiestas Guadalupanas fill the first twelve days of December with nightly processions to the cathedral, and Las Posadas follow in the run-up to Christmas. Humpbacks start arriving in Banderas Bay mid-month, and the weather is dry and pleasant. Christmas and New Year sailings are popular and priced at a premium.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 80°F
- 11 hrs daylight
Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mexican Riviera & Baja in December: Best time to go
Puerto Vallarta’s Fiestas Guadalupanas fill the first twelve days of December with nightly processions to the cathedral, and Las Posadas follow in the run-up to Christmas. Humpbacks start arriving in Banderas Bay mid-month, and the weather is dry and pleasant. Christmas and New Year sailings are popular and priced at a premium.
Across Mexican Riviera & Baja cruise ports, December brings average highs around 80°F (27°C) and lows near 68°F, with about 1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Year-round; best November to April. Whale watching December to March; Pacific hurricane season mid-May to November 30.
- Average high / low
- 80°F / 68°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1 in
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 3 to 5 nights for Baja; 7 nights for the Mexican Riviera
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms.
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Mexican Riviera & Baja weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8027 | 8127 | 8228 | 8529 | 8630 | 8731 | 8831 | 8831 | 8731 | 8630 | 8329 | 8027 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6719 | 6619 | 6720 | 6921 | 7122 | 7424 | 7725 | 7826 | 7825 | 7624 | 7222 | 6820 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.024 | 1.025 | 0.922 | 0.37 | 0.820 | 3.692 | 3.692 | 6.0153 | 6.4163 | 3.794 | 1.025 | 1.025 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo San Lucas | 81°F | 70°F | 0.7 in | 11 h |
| Puerto Vallarta | 91°F | 71°F | 1.1 in | 11 h |
| Mazatlán | 81°F | 71°F | 0.6 in | 11 h |
| Ensenada | 68°F | 56°F | 1.8 in | 10 h |
| La Paz | 79°F | 66°F | 0.6 in | 11 h |
| Loreto | 77°F | 64°F | 0.2 in | 11 h |
| Catalina Island | 65°F | 57°F | 3.0 in | 10 h |
| Manzanillo | 86°F | 76°F | 0.4 in | 11 h |
| Huatulco | 94°F | 73°F | 0.1 in | 11 h |
| Zihuatanejo & Ixtapa | 89°F | 78°F | 0.2 in | 11 h |
| Acapulco | 91°F | 77°F | 0.1 in | 11 h |
| Los Angeles | 65°F | 57°F | 3.0 in | 10 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in December
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Panama Canal & Central America in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Antarctica in December
- Southeast & East Asia in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Mexican Riviera & Baja in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Mexican Riviera & Baja?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Puerto Vallarta’s Fiestas Guadalupanas fill the first twelve days of December with nightly processions to the cathedral, and Las Posadas follow in the run-up to Christmas. Humpbacks start arriving in Banderas Bay mid-month, and the weather is dry and pleasant. Christmas and New Year sailings are popular and priced at a premium.
What is the weather like on a Mexican Riviera & Baja cruise in December?
Across Mexican Riviera & Baja cruise ports, December brings average highs around 80°F (27°C) and lows near 68°F, with about 1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Mexican Riviera & Baja cruise in December?
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Mexican Riviera & Baja?
Year-round; best November to April. Whale watching December to March; Pacific hurricane season mid-May to November 30.. The best months are usually January, February, March, November, December.
Where else can I cruise in December?
December is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Panama Canal & Central America.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.