Tulum · Month comparison

December vs November

November ranks #1 overall vs December at #4. The sweet spot transition: dry season returning, low crowds, good value — the locals' favourite.

Tulum December — aerial view of vivid turquoise Caribbean sea and white sand beach in the dry season

December

#4 of 12 months

Best match

Dry season quality returns with Christmas prices — book months ahead for December Tulum.

  • Dry season fully restored: 8.8h sunshine, 49mm rain, and comfortable 76% humidity
  • Christmas and New Year Tulum: vibrant beach-road scene with international visitors and curated events
Tulum November — green palm trees on white sand beside the turquoise Caribbean as the dry season returns

November

#1 of 12 months

Best match

The sweet spot transition: dry season returning, low crowds, good value — the locals' favourite.

  • Día de Muertos (Nov 1–2) in Tulum Pueblo: stunning altars, marigold decorations, and genuine community celebration
  • Dry season increasingly establishing itself: sun-to-rain ratio swinging back in the traveller's favour
FactorDecemberNovember
Weather score
8
7
Value score
4
7
Crowd score
4
7
Events score
7
7
Atmosphere
8
7
Avg high temp28°C29°C
Monthly rain49mm71mm
Daily sunshine8.8hrs8hrs

December trade-offs

  • Christmas and New Year week prices match or exceed March peak; beach-road eco-hotels at their most expensive
  • Popular venues and cenote tours require booking 2–3 months in advance
  • The "wellness and spiritual" Tulum is hardest to find in December; the commercial, party version dominates

November trade-offs

  • Early November still sees meaningful rain (71mm) — not yet fully dry season reliability
  • Some beach clubs still on reduced wet-season schedules in early November
  • Water temperature at its lowest (still 27°C, but noticeable to those accustomed to August warmth)
Scores compare months within Tulum. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →