Middle of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Oaxaca in December
Little changes in Oaxaca from November: highs stay near 74°F (23°C), lows near 49°F (9°C), and about 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain falls.
At 96/100 for comfort (2nd of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 74°F (23°C)
- Avg low
- 49°F (9°C)
- Rain
- 0.3 in (8 mm)
- Humidity
- 73%
- Cloud cover
- 43%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 59 min
- Comfort score
- 96/100 · Great
What December feels like
Highs settle around 74°F (23°C), warm enough for short sleeves most of the day.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 49°F (9°C), about 14°C (25°F) below the afternoon high.
Rain is scarce: about 0.3 in (8 mm) for the whole month.
Plan around December
December is one of Oaxaca's best months on the climate data.
- Shortest days of the year, about 10 h 59 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (94 → 96/100).
- December sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Mexico City to Oaxaca route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Light, breathable clothes74°F afternoons
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 49°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Oaxaca in December
December is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Mitla
Zapotec site with intricate geometric stone mosaics.
Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Gilded baroque church with the Museo de las Culturas in the former convent.
Hierve el Agua
Mineral springs and petrified waterfall cliffs in the mountains east of the city.
Why now December scores 96/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca
Cactus and native plant garden behind Santo Domingo, visited only by guided tour.
Why now Highs near 74°F and 0.3 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Teotitlán del Valle
Zapotec weaving village where families dye wool rugs with natural pigments.
Nearby in December
- Puebla in December~167 mi · highs 70°F, 0.4 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Mexico City in December~227 mi · highs 69°F, 0.2 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,953 m to Oaxaca's ~1,597 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Oaxaca in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Oaxaca?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 96/100. Expect highs of 74°F (23°C) and 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain. December is inside the Oct – Apr window our Mexico City to Oaxaca route recommends.
How hot is Oaxaca in December?
Average highs are 74°F (23°C) and average lows 49°F (9°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Oaxaca in December?
Not much: about 0.3 in (8 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 38.5 in (978 mm).
What should I pack for Oaxaca in December?
Bring light, breathable clothes (74°F afternoons), a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 49°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in December
- Mexico City to Oaxaca Oct – Apr
Planning Oaxaca in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.