Christmas in Cancun: The Holly Jolly 17 Best Things for Families to Do in Paradise
Forget shoveling snow in freezing temps this holiday season. Pack up the fam ‘cause you’re rocking a holly jolly Christmas in Cancun!
I mean, who doesn’t want to wake up on Christmas day in Cancun? Your girl here knows from experience that few things are merrier than celebrating with Santa on the velvety shores of the turquoise Caribbean. My family and I spent a week in Cancun last holiday season. We had such an amazing time that we’re headed back this year!
So, what makes spending Christmas in Cancun so special?
Well, for one, ’tis the season for glorious, tropical weather. We’re talking 70° – 85° degrees with the year’s lowest rainfall and humidity. So you can count on spending dry, sunny days basking in the blissful, bathwater-warm Caribbean. Where you won’t find a lick of sargassum in the winter.
Then there’s Cancun’s Christmas spirit. No one parties like Mexico, and as you can imagine, the holidays here are one flashy fiesta! Expect locals, businesses and hotels to go all out, festooning the city with twinkling lights, festive decorations, towering Christmas trees, and thoughtful Nativity scenes. Cancun’s got a Christmas parade, concerts, Christmas markets, treasured cultural traditions, and holiday parties for you to join in. And if you stick around long enough, you’ll catch some spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Plus, if you’re anything like me, gifting your kids an incredible experience beats putting a box of rocks under the tree any day. And I’d say a beach holiday in paradise pretty much tops the “incredible experience” list! From swimming with dolphins to zip-lining through the jungle, spending Christmas in Cancun is guaranteed to create unforgettable, holiday memories.
And there’s no thankless feast to cook, or pesky gift wrapping to clean up!
Ready to jingle all the way to paradise? Here’s 17 ways for your family to have the merriest Christmas in Cancun!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Holly Jolly
Best Things for Families To Do
for Christmas in Cancun
Cancun Christmas Parade
Every year, eager locals inaugurate the holiday season with the Cancun Christmas Parade. If you happen to be in Cancun in early December, you can join in this joyous procession along Avenida Tulum, which ends in a ceremonial tree-lighting. You’ll mingle with locals dressed as biblical figures, like Mary, Joseph and the 3 Wise Men, who’ll be shaking their booties to cumbia and salsa music! Even the most religious holidays in Mexico are all about fiesta!
Las Posadas
Speaking of religion, one of Mexico’s most profound Christmas traditions is steeped in biblical roots. From December 16th – 24th, or the 9 days leading up to Christmas, the whole country participates in the tradition of Las Posadas.
Las Posadas, which literally means “The Inns,” recreates Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in the bible before Jesus was born. In Cancun, and all over Mexico, locals dressed as Mary and Joseph go from home to home searching for an “inn” to take them in. Some households will refuse, until one finally welcomes them inside.
Any idea what happens next? You guessed it – fiesta! People sing Christmas carols, children break open a star-shaped piñata (which has 7 points symbolizing each of the 7 deadly sins), and everyone shares lots of delicious food.
You can catch these Las Posadas street processions in and around Cancun. Although don’t count on an invite for the fiesta.
Today, the word posada has come to mean virtually any Christmas party in Mexico. You may find your hotel throwing a posada for its guests, or discover restaurants in Cancun hosting posadas, as well.
Cancun Christmas Village
Cancun went all out last year constructing an epic Christmas Village along a vast portion of the Malecón Tajamar. Presided over by Santa, and adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights, Cancun’s Christmas Village features fabulous food, gift vendors, an ice skating rink, and live performances, as well as crafts and kid’s activities.
Cancun’s Christmas Village is also a great place to try some traditional, seasonal Mexican food and drinks. Yum!
Tamales, a pillow-shaped dough made of corn masa that’s stuffed with different fillings like cheese, vegetables, meat, and chicken, are Mexico’s most anticipated food of the season. Wash then down with Ponche Navideño, a hot and spiced apple cider-type drink made with different fruits, sugar cane, cinnamon, and piloncillo. Just make sure not to order your kids the adult version, called Ponche con Piquete, which contains a generous dash of tequila, rum, brandy, or whiskey. For a sweet holiday treat, buñuelos, a crispy fritter sprinkled with sugar that appears in Mexico at Christmas time, should hit the spot.
Xcaret Parks
The Xcaret Group operates several ridiculously fun water-slash-adventure parks throughout the Riviera Maya. The most popular, Xcaret, Xplor and Xel-Ha, all make for an exceptional family day out. And they’re all open on Christmas and New Year’s Day!
Each park incorporates the area’s stunning tropical landscape to offer snorkeling, zip-lining, rafting, amphibious boating, visits to animal sanctuaries, floating along lazy rivers, spectacular shows, and way more than I can fit into this post! In short, Xcaret parks are awesome and you have to go at least once.
Xcaret generally runs good ticket promos during the holidays. These are well worth booking in advance instead of paying top dollar when you’re already here. If you’re staying at any of the Xcaret Hotels, not only do you get to experience their awesome holiday decorations and posadas, but entrance to the Xcaret Parks is free.
Children of all ages are welcome at Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and admission is free for little ones under 4-years old. At all other Xcaret Parks, children must be 5 or older to be admitted.
Jungala Aqua Experience
If family pampering is on your Christmas wish list, Jungala is your kinda spot. A ridiculously fun water park for entertaining the kids that keeps the creature comforts of parents in mind.
This “luxury water park” (their words, not mine, ‘tho I’m kinda here for it) boasts an exciting mix of extreme water slides for older kids, and more mild attractions for youngsters. For mom and dad, you’ll find an adults-only spa pool and private cabanas available for rent. Wanna up the luxe factor on your cabana? Go for upgrades like the fruit platter, gourmet dining options, a bottle of champagne, luxury towels, a private safe for your belongings, and Evian face mist. And definitely book the private attendant who cleans your sunglasses!
Did I mention Jungala is owned by the neighboring, ultra-exclusive luxury resort, Vidanta? So definitely expect nothing but the best! And if you’re staying at Vidanta, ask about discounts on your Jungala tickets.
And yep — Jungala’s open on Christmas, too!
Aqua Nick Riviera Maya
The Nickelodeon Hotel and Resort Riviera Maya brings you Aqua Nick, a rollicking water park where you’ll be splish-splashing about with the likes of SpongeBob Squarepants, and other Nickelodeon stars. High-octane water slides entertain bigger kids, while little ones will love the calmer waters of Paw Patrol Adventure Bay. Aqua Nick park also features games, a climbing wall, wave pool, lazy river, no shortage of food options, and plenty of slime!
If you’re staying at the Nickelodeon Hotel, you’re eligible for discounted tickets. And, like the other water parks on this list, Aqua Nick is open on Christmas.
Interactive Aquarium Cancun
Cancun’s aquarium is a top family activity any time of year, but it’s extra festive at Christmas time with holiday-themed decorations. Visiting the aquarium is a great outing for little ones curious about marine life. It houses several touch pools, an array of sea life from sharks to amphibians, educational spaces that address marine conservation, and the whole family can even swim with dolphins.
Cancun’s aquarium is open 365 days a year, which means it’s open on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Croco Cun Interactive Zoo
Curious about crocs? A visit to Croco Cun Interactive Zoo will teach you and your little ones everything you’ve ever wanted to know about these razor-toothed reptiles. Visits come with a 60 – 75 minute tour that enlightens visitors about vulnerable species, and discusses how the sanctuary’s animals arrive there through donations, rescues and seizures. You’ll have the chance to touch, hold and feed some of Cancun’s local animals, like snakes and spider monkeys, and even take a walk among the crocodiles. Yikes!
Christmas at the Beach
The whole reason you’re spending Christmas in Cancun is to enjoy the pristine beach, so let’s get to it! There’s certainly no shortage of water toys to rent in Cancun, either at your hotel or at various kiosks along the sand. Kayaks, catamarans, stand-up paddleboards, and waverunners are all excellent ways for families to pass the day. For a longer jaunt at sea, consider hiring a captain and renting a boat for the day.
Or you might choose to lounge with a margarita on the sand while the kids swim and play frisbee. That’s a fine way to spend the holidays, too!
Museum of Underwater Art
The only thing better than spending Christmas on the water? Spending it under water.
Travelers looking for a super cool experience can snorkel, dive or rent a glass-bottom boat to visit Cancun’s Museum of Underwater Art. This incredible underwater installation comprises over 500 life-sized sculptures. A visit also brings you face-to-face with the remarkable array of marine life thriving along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This is the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world, running from just north of the state of Yucatan along the whole length of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Don’t forget your GoPro to take snaps of all the sculptures and incredible marine life!
Christmas Parties & Events at Hotels
Many hotels and resorts in Cancun host holiday parties, deals and events. These could range from anything like discounts on amenities to special concerts and performances. If your hotel has a kid’s club, Christmas activities for the kids are practically guaranteed.
Christmas Eve in Mexico is called nochebuena. Traditionally, this is when Mexican families get together to feast on dinner and open gifts. In this spirit, many hotels and resorts host a special Christmas Eve dinner party, as well as a dinner and fiesta for nochevieja, or New Year’s Eve. I recommend emailing or calling your hotel before your trip to see what’s on so you can reserve in advance.
🎅🏻 MEXICO HOLIDAYS DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON
🎄 Las Posadas | “The Inns” | December 16th – 24th
🎄 Nochebuena | Christmas Eve | December 24th
🎄 Navidad | Christmas | December 25th
🎄 Nochevieja | New Year’s Eve | January 31st
🎄 El Año Nuevo | New Year’s Day | January 1st
🎄 Dia de los Reyes | Day of the Kings | January 6th | Officially the end of Mexico’s holiday season
Museo Maya de Cancun & Mayan Ruins
Mild weather at Christmas means it a great time to scour Mayan ruins located inside the Hotel Zone. The El Rey and San Miguelito archaeological sites represent ancient Mayan cities that thrived in the area between 1200 and 1350 AD. The Maya eventually abandoned these cities when the Spanish invaded in the mid-1500s.
The El Rey ruins, formerly a port along an important ancient trade route, is the bigger site. It comprises 47 structures, including temples and pyramids. By comparison, just 15 structures remain at San Miguelito. To explore San Miguelito, access is granted when you visit the Museo Maya de Cancun (Cancun Mayan Museum). The museum is fascinating, with lots of cool artifacts and info about ancient Maya civilization.
Yes, Cancun is all about fun in the sun. But if you’re here for a few days, visiting the museum is a great opportunity for the whole family to learn a bit about the Yucatan Peninsula’s rich history.
Christmas Shopping
You can’t have Christmas without Christmas shopping, and Cancun’s got plenty of glitzy malls to do just that. Cancun’s malls are jam-packed with Christmas spirit, lights and festive decor, and you’ll also find enticing holiday discounts.
The bustling, open-air La Isla Mall makes for a great family visit. Between the LEGO store, massive ferris wheel, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, and array of ice cream shops, good luck dragging your kids back to the beach!
Marina Puerto is another family-friendly mall. Upstairs you’ll find the arcade Circus Park, a movie theater (I love seeing a movie on Christmas!), and Xtreme Jumping, an indoor trampoline park that my 8-year-old and his friends can’t get enough of.
Mercado 18 is a sprawling, local market where you can pick up authentic Mexican goods that make great Christmas gifts and souvenirs. Expect to find everything from artisanal crafts and clothing to Mexican food vendors and a range of bottled tequilas. Be warned there’s not a ton for kids to do here except pester you for candy and toys. LOL.
And an honorable mention for Luxury Avenue, Cancun’s boutique temple to high fashion. There’s not much for kids to do here, either, but it’s a great place for mom to do some damage!
Day Trip to Isla Mujeres
Overwhelmed by Cancun’s throngs of tourists? Hop the ferry for a day trip over to Isla Mujeres. This beautiful, lush island is just an hour ferry ride from Cancun across the Caribbean. Isla Mujeres is a little crowded this time of year, but the crowds pale in comparison to those of Cancun.
The best things to do on Isla Mujeres is rent a golf cart, explore the island, snorkel or dive in the shimmering sea, and just chill. Head to the impossibly gorgeous Playa Norte. As soon as you see it, you’ll understand why it’s considered one of the world’s best beaches. Playa Cocos, with its shallow and surreal turquoise waters, is also a front runner on that list.
Day Trip to Isla Contoy
Isla Contoy is a hidden Mexico gem, and one of the most pristine beaches you’ll ever visit. The whole, tiny island, situated where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean, is a designated Mexico national park.
Just an hour from Cancun, Isla Contoy is a place of extraordinarily unspoiled natural beauty. No one lives there except a coast guard or two, and a few biologists. The island is a protected haven for precious wildlife — it’s a nesting site for seabirds, as well as hawksbill and white turtles. Isla Contoy boasts 7 saltwater lagoons, but Laguna Azul is the only one open to visitors.
The Mexican government allows just 200 visitors a day to be ferried to Isla Contoy by designated eco-tour companies. Visiting is an ultra-special experience that’ll make for one heck of a special Christmas memory.
Parque Las Palapas
This large and lively park in downtown Cancun features a playground, several stalls buzzing with food vendors, picnic tables, and a stage for live concerts and open-air performances. During Christmas, a colorful Christmas tree lights up the park, and you’ll find plenty of holiday decorations. It’s an excellent place to soak in local vibes with your kiddos.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Beach
If you’re still in Cancun through the New Year, you’re in for a treat! A spectacular, New Year’s Eve fireworks display on the beach. You can see fireworks all along the coastline, so be sure to be on the sand or peeking out of your hotel room at midnight. And don’t forget to ask your hotel if they’re hosting any New Year’s Eve parties or events.
Christmas in Cancun FAQs
What’s open in Cancun on Christmas Day
Most places in Cancun’s Hotel Zone remain open on Christmas Day. As I mentioned above, some water parks and the aquarium are open if you’d like to get out and about. Restaurants outside of your hotel may or may not be open, so be sure to call ahead for info, and to make reservations.
What’s the weather like during Christmas in Cancun
The weather in Cancun is perfection during Christmas. Expect warm sunny days averaging 70° – 85° F with minimal humidity. Winter is the driest season of the year in Cancun, which means little chance of tropical showers. Evenings can bring a bit of a sea chill, so make sure to pack a light jacket or sweater.
Is there sargassum in Cancun during Christmas
Nope! Not a spec!
Sargassum “season” generally runs from March-ish – through October, so you’ll miss out on this unpleasant phenomenon. Another perk of visiting Cancun during Christmas!
Is Christmas in Cancun crowded
Thanks to Cancun’s natural beauty, gorgeous weather and seasonal lack of sargassum, winter is high tourist season. So yes, Christmas tends to be very crowded in the city. Accommodations will definitely fill up, so book your Christmas in Cancun getaway well in advance!
That said, I was in Cancun last Christmas season. Hotels were full, but there was plenty of room to frolic on the beach, and we never encountered things like restaurants, tours, amusement parks, or boat and jet ski rentals too busy or fully-booked. Trust me, if it was anywhere near awful we wouldn’t be going back again for Christmas this year.
What to Pack for Christmas in Cancun
☀️ Spf
🩳 Shorts
🩴 Sandals
👙 Swimsuit
😎 Sunglasses
👗 Sundresses
🥿 Water shoes
🧢 Sunhat or cap
🥻 Swimsuit cover-up
👚 T-shirts & tank tops
📷 Camera and go-pro
💦 Refillable water bottle
🤿 Snorkeling equipment
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
💃 Clothes for a festive night out
🧶 Light sweater or jacket for chilly evenings
Where to stay in Cancun during Christmas
Y’all know I’m a boutique hotel girl. I’m not crazy about mega hotels and resorts because service tends to be impersonal and hit-or-miss. More importantly, super-sized accommodations have a major environmental impact.
In Cancun, however, if you want access to the best beaches, and a first-class experience with all the food and holiday festivities thrown in, staying in a resort makes sense.
Here are some of my Cancun all-inclusive resort selections for families:
LUXURY FAMILY-FRIENDLY CANCUN ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS
Finest Playa Mujeres | Iberostar Selection Cancun | Vidanta
MID-RANGE FAMILY-FRIENDLY CANCUN ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS
Xcaret Hotels | Riu Palace Peninsula | Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun
BUDGET FAMILY-FRIENDLY CANCUN ALL-INCLUSEIVE RESORTS
Beachscape Kin-Ha Villas and Suites | Selina Cancun Laguna | Hotel Nyx
The Wrap
Well there you have it, fam! The absolute, holly jolly best things for families to do at Christmas time in Cancun. Traveling is one of my favorite ways to bond with my family during the holidays. I promise you Cancun is full of places and experiences that will bring you closer together, and create the best holiday memories!
And before I sign off, let me remind you that Cancun is also full of kid’s clubs, hotel spas and cocktails on the beach. So have no shame sending the kiddos off for a few hours so you can indulge in some very well-deserved R & R. Nothing quite says Merry Christmas like champagne and a massage!
For more outstanding ideas of things to do with the family while you’re on the Peninsula, check out my Ultimate 10-Day Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary, and my Unrivaled Guide to El Cuyo. If you’re looking for other Mexico winter destinations, I’ve got a whole round-up of those, too. If you don’t go anywhere but Cancun this time around, I know you’ll be back!
As always, travel inspired Amiga! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! ❤️ 💚
FYI – The World I Roam contains affiliate links. When you make purchases through these links, you support this site at no additional cost to you. Thanks for the love! ❤️
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