December in Cabo San Lucas opens whale season, brings dry sunny weather, and splits between calm early-month value and the busy, pricey Christmas and New Year holidays. Here's the full breakdown.
What You Should Know
- December opens humpback whale season in Cabo San Lucas: the first arrivals appear mid-month and build toward the end, so late December offers the year's first reliable whale tours.
- Weather is excellent and dry, with comfortable warm days and cooler evenings; water is cooling and occasional north winds return, so it feels like early winter rather than summer.
- The month splits sharply: early-to-mid December is calm and reasonably priced, while Christmas and New Year are the busiest, most expensive days of the entire year.
- Book early-to-mid December for value with the season's first whales, or book Christmas and New Year months ahead and expect peak prices and crowds.
Cabo San Lucas in December: Is It Worth It?
⭐ Best December window: the first two-to-three weeks (before Christmas). You get dry, excellent weather, the opening of whale season, and far lower prices and crowds than the Christmas and New Year peak that follows.
Cabo San Lucas in December is two trips in one. The first half of the month is calm, dry, and good value, with whale season just beginning. The second half is the festive peak of the year, when Christmas and New Year fill the resorts and push prices to their annual ceiling. The weather is excellent throughout: dry, sunny, and comfortably warm by day, cooler by night. Which December you get depends entirely on whether you travel before or during the holidays.
| Factor | December Rating |
|---|---|
| Weather | 9/10 — dry, sunny, comfortable days; cooler evenings and occasional wind |
| Crowds | 4/10 — calm early month; Christmas and New Year are the year's busiest days |
| Prices | 3/10 — reasonable early December; the holidays are the most expensive of the year |
| Beaches | 8/10 — dry and sunny, with cooling water and some Pacific-side swell |
| Whale Watching | 6/10 — season opening mid-month; building and most reliable late December |
| Sportfishing | 6/10 — winter fishing; striped marlin, tuna, and the last dorado |
| Nightlife | 9/10 — festive holiday energy peaks around Christmas and New Year |
| Families | 7/10 — great holiday atmosphere and weather, at peak prices and crowds |
| Couples | 8/10 — dry weather and festive evenings; book quieter zones over the holidays |
💰 Average December hotel prices (Cabo San Lucas / Tourist Corridor, mid-range 4-star):
Early December: ~$240/night · Christmas / New Year (Dec 20–Jan 2): ~$450/night
Rough mid-range estimates; rates vary by property and booking lead time.
So who is December for? We'd lean toward early December for travellers who want excellent weather, the first whales of the season, and reasonable value. We'd book the holidays only if a festive Christmas or New Year in the sun is the goal and the budget allows, since these are the priciest days of the year. We'd steer value seekers firmly to the first half of the month. Most people don't realize how different the two halves of December are; the same weather can cost less than half as much before the holidays as during them.
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Cabo San Lucas Weather in December
| Metric | December |
|---|---|
| Avg High | 26°C (79°F) |
| Avg Low | 16°C (61°F) |
| Water Temp | 23–24°C (73–75°F) |
| Rain Days | ~1 |
| Humidity | Low |
| Wind | Moderate (north winds returning) |
| Hurricane Risk | None (season runs June–November) |
Temperature and Humidity
December brings crisp, dry winter comfort. Daytime highs settle around 24–27°C (75–81°F) with low humidity, ideal for desert tours and beach days. Evenings turn cool, with lows near 16°C (61°F), so a light jacket is useful after dark and for early whale tours. Occasional cool fronts can drop temperatures briefly early in the month. It is a noticeable shift from autumn's warmth into proper winter conditions.
Rain Pattern
Rain is minimal. December sits firmly in the dry season, with most days clear and sunny and only the rare passing shower or cool front. It is one of the most dependable months for settled, rain-free weather.
Sea and Outdoor Conditions
The water is cooling to 23–24°C (73–75°F), still swimmable but heading toward the midwinter low, so many guests prefer a wetsuit for longer snorkel or dive sessions. Occasional north winds return through the month, chopping up the Pacific side and open water on some afternoons. Mornings are calmer and clearer, which also suits the season's first whale tours. Médano Beach stays the most protected swimming bay.
Cabo Weather by Month: How December Compares
December is the dry, comfortable start of winter and whale season. Here is how it lines up against the rest of the year across the four factors that most shape a trip.
| Month | Weather | Water Temp | Whales | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent (dry, mild) | Cool | Peak | Very high |
| February | Excellent (dry, mild) | Cool | Peak (best for calves) | High |
| March | Excellent, warming | Warming | Peak | High (spring break) |
| April | Warm, dry | Warming | End of season | Moderate (Easter spike) |
| May | Warm, dry | Pleasant | None | Moderate (low) |
| June | Hot, sunny | Warm | None | Low |
| July | Hot, humid | Warm | None | Moderate (summer) |
| August | Hot, humid | Warmest | None | Moderate |
| September | Hot, humid, storm risk | Warmest | None | Low (quietest) |
| October | Warm, easing | Warm | None | Low–moderate |
| November | Warm, dry | Pleasant | Not yet | Moderate |
| December | Excellent (dry, mild) | Cooling | Season starts | High (late-month holidays) |
Crowds and Prices in December
December has the sharpest split of any month: a calm, reasonably priced first half and the busiest, priciest holidays of the year in the second. Picking your dates is the whole game.
- Early-to-mid December (Dec 1–19): the value window. Excellent dry weather, the opening of whale season, light-to-moderate crowds, and rates well below the holiday peak. Our take: the smartest time to visit in December by far.
- Christmas and New Year (Dec 20–Jan 2): the annual peak. Resorts fill, rates hit their yearly ceiling, and the marina and beaches are at their busiest. Festive and fun, but expensive; book months ahead.
- Whale timing: the first humpbacks arrive mid-December and build toward month's end, so late December offers better whale odds than early December, just at holiday prices.
Expect mid-range 4-star hotels around $240/night in early December, spiking to roughly $450/night over Christmas and New Year. Flights follow the same pattern, peaking sharply over the holidays. Most guests find early-to-mid December the sweet spot: the same superb weather as the holidays, the season's first whales, and a fraction of the cost.
Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas in December
December is when the humpbacks come back. The first arrivals typically appear around mid-December, migrating into the warm Baja waters to breed and calve, and numbers build steadily toward the end of the month. Early December is too soon for reliable tours, but by late December operators are running regular whale watching trips and sightings become dependable, a fitting finale to the year and a preview of the January-to-March peak.
If whales are a priority for a December trip, aim for the second half of the month and book a morning tour. In our view, December whale watching is best seen as the exciting opening act: not yet peak numbers, but the first real chance of the season, often with fewer boats on the water than in the busy months ahead.
Cabo Whale Watching Calendar
Humpback season in Cabo runs mid-December through April. Here is the month-by-month arc so you can see exactly where December falls.
| Month | Whale Activity |
|---|---|
| December | Season starts; first arrivals mid-month, building toward late December |
| January | Peak; mother-calf pairs and frequent breaching |
| February | Peak; often the strongest month for mother-calf sightings |
| March | Peak to very active; the easiest peak month to book last-minute |
| April | Declining; whales thinning out but still present early in the month |
For the full operator comparison and what to expect on the water, see our complete Cabo San Lucas whale watching tours guide. Ready for peak season? Our Cabo in January guide covers the first of the peak months. Late-December morning tours give the best odds and calmest seas.
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Christmas and New Year in Cabo San Lucas
The holidays are December's defining event, and they transform the town. Whether they're a draw or something to plan around, here's what to expect.
- Peak prices and demand: Christmas through New Year (roughly December 20 to January 2) is the most expensive, fully booked stretch of the year. Reserve hotels, tours, and holiday dinners months in advance.
- Festive atmosphere: resorts run special holiday programming, the marina is lively, and New Year's Eve brings fireworks over the bay and parties across town. The energy is a genuine draw for many.
- Where to base yourself: the marina and Médano Beach are the busiest and most festive; the Tourist Corridor and San José del Cabo are calmer if you want a quieter holiday.
- Cool fronts and wind: the holidays can coincide with occasional cool fronts and north winds, so pack a layer for evening events and expect some choppy afternoons on the water.
Our take: the holidays in Cabo are festive and reliably sunny, but you pay the year's top prices for them. If the celebration is the point, book very early; if it isn't, the first half of December gives you the same weather for far less.
Best Activities in Cabo San Lucas in December
| Activity | December Rating | Best Time of Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale watching | 6/10 | Morning | Season opening; reliable by late December, building toward January |
| ATV desert tours | 9/10 | Morning | Dry, comfortable winter air; excellent desert conditions |
| Camel ride & eco ranch | 9/10 | Morning | Cool, dry, and pleasant; a comfortable half-day |
| Zipline canyon circuit | 9/10 | Morning–midday | Clear, dry skies and great visibility over the hills |
| Tequila tasting | 9/10 | Any | Festive and weather-proof; great on a cool or windy day |
| Sunset catamaran cruise | 8/10 | Evening | Festive holiday cruises; bring a layer for the cool evening |
| Whale shark swim (La Paz) | 8/10 | Morning | La Paz season in full swing; a strong wildlife day trip |
| Snorkeling tours | 6/10 | Morning | Cooling water; a wetsuit helps for longer sessions |
| Scuba diving | 7/10 | Morning | Good winter visibility; dress for cooling water |
| Sportfishing (La Paz / Cabo) | 6/10 | Morning | Winter striped marlin and tuna; the last of the dorado |
| Hip hop boat party | 7/10 | Daytime | Festive holiday crowd; cooler water than summer |
What we'd prioritise in December
December's dry winter air is superb for land tours, so we'd give the edge to ATV tours, camel rides, and the zipline circuit. Late in the month, the season's first whale watching tours start running, and the La Paz whale shark day trip is in full swing. Festive sunset cruises and an indoor tequila tasting round out the holiday mood. For the complete menu, see our guide to the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas, and our Cabo San Lucas itinerary guide for sequencing it all.
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More December Activities Worth Booking
Beyond the headliners, a few experiences round out a December trip especially well, even if they don't have a dedicated guide on this site yet:
- Late-December whale watching: catch the very first tours of the new season, often with fewer boats than the peak months ahead.
- La Paz whale shark day trip: the season is in full swing, a memorable wildlife outing while Cabo's humpbacks are just arriving.
- New Year's Eve cruise or dinner: festive sunset and dinner cruises and special resort menus mark the holidays; book well ahead.
- Early-morning desert tour: dry, cool December air makes ATV, camel, and zipline tours especially comfortable.
- San José del Cabo Art Walk: the Thursday-evening gallery stroll runs through the high season, a relaxed festive-season evening.
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From Our Experience
The one thing we'd tell every December visitor is that the date you choose matters more than in any other month: the first two-to-three weeks deliver the same dry, excellent weather as the holidays at roughly half the price, while Christmas and New Year are worth it only if the festive atmosphere itself is the reason you're coming.
Tips for Visiting Cabo San Lucas in December
- Travel before December 20 for value. Early-to-mid December has excellent weather, the season's first whales, and far lower prices than the Christmas and New Year peak.
- Book the holidays months ahead. Christmas and New Year are the busiest, priciest days of the year; hotels, tours, and dinners fill early.
- For whales, aim late in the month. The first humpbacks arrive mid-December and build toward month's end, so late-December morning tours offer the best odds.
- Pack layers for cool evenings. Nights are cool and occasional cool fronts pass through, so bring a jacket for evening events and sunrise tours.
- Lean into land tours. Dry, comfortable December air makes ATV, camel, and zipline tours some of the best of the year.
- A wetsuit helps in the water. The sea is cooling to 23–24°C, fine for short swims but cool for longer snorkel or dive sessions.
- Watch for north winds. Book water tours for the morning and choose free cancellation, as afternoons can get choppy.
- Visiting at a different time of year? December opens whale season; our Cabo in November guide covers the dry, value-friendly run-up, and Cabo in January covers the first of the peak whale months. The full season runs mid-December through April.
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How We Put This Guide Together
The Cabo Tour Guides team built this December guide from long-run climate data for Los Cabos, humpback whale season records for the Sea of Cortez, La Paz whale shark season timing, and the booking and pricing trends we track across local operators and hotels through the holiday high season. Ratings reflect what actually shapes a December trip: dry, comfortable winter weather, the opening of whale season mid-month, cooling water and returning north winds, and a crowd-and-price profile that is reasonable early before spiking to the year's peak over Christmas and New Year. We weighed each activity on how its real-world conditions change in December rather than on its year-round reputation. Tour recommendations point to operators with verified booking records and strong review volume, with an emphasis on morning departures and free-cancellation flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabo San Lucas good in December?+
Yes. December has excellent dry, sunny weather and opens whale season mid-month. The catch is the split: early-to-mid December is calm and reasonably priced, while Christmas and New Year are the busiest, most expensive days of the year. Travel before December 20 for the best value.
What is the weather like in Cabo San Lucas in December?+
December is dry, sunny, and comfortable by day with cooler evenings. Daytime highs average about 26°C (79°F), lows near 16°C (61°F), and rain is minimal. Occasional cool fronts and north winds appear, and ocean water cools to 23–24°C (73–75°F).
Can you see whales in Cabo San Lucas in December?+
Yes, by mid-to-late month. Humpback season opens in mid-December, with the first arrivals building toward month's end, so late December offers the year's first reliable whale tours. Early December is usually too soon. The La Paz whale shark season is also in full swing for a day trip north.
How busy is Cabo San Lucas at Christmas and New Year?+
Very busy. Christmas through New Year, roughly December 20 to January 2, is the most expensive and fully booked stretch of the year, with resorts full and the marina and beaches at their busiest. It is festive and reliably sunny, but book hotels, tours, and holiday dinners months ahead.
Is December expensive in Cabo San Lucas?+
It depends on the dates. Early December is moderate, with mid-range 4-star hotels around $240/night. Christmas and New Year spike to roughly $450/night, the highest of the year, with flights peaking too. The first half of the month is far better value for the same weather.
What is the best week to visit Cabo in December?+
The first two-to-three weeks, before December 20. You get dry, excellent weather, the opening of whale season, and far lower prices and crowds than the Christmas and New Year peak. For the best whale odds within that window, lean toward mid-December as the first arrivals build.
What activities are best in Cabo in December?+
December's dry winter air is superb for desert tours like ATV rides, camel rides, and ziplining. Late in the month the season's first whale watching tours run, the La Paz whale shark day trip is in full swing, and festive sunset cruises suit the holidays. The water is cooling, so a wetsuit helps for snorkeling.
Is there a hurricane risk in Cabo San Lucas in December?+
No. Cabo's hurricane and storm season runs June through November, so December carries zero hurricane risk. The only weather variables are occasional cool fronts and north winds, which can chop up the water on some afternoons but are a comfort issue, not a safety one.
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