Playa del Carmen in December is peak paradise. With turquoise waters, festive beach clubs, and sunshine all around, it’s the perfect mix of laid-back and lively. Whether you’re hitting the beach, exploring cenotes, or celebrating Christmas with margaritas, packing right means comfort and style under the Yucatán sun.
December is the start of the dry season, so expect sunny skies with a slight chill in the evenings. Bring a mix of beachwear, breathable clothing, and something light for the occasional breeze. Don’t forget the essentials — this is prime vacation season!
📝 Note: This article is all about what to pack for Playa del Carmen in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
December is warm and sunny, with low humidity and perfect beach weather.
- 🌡️ Average high: 28°C / 82°F – hot and sunny
- 🌙 Average low: 20°C / 68°F – cooler at night
- 🌞 Mostly dry with occasional light showers
- 🌊 Sea temperature: ~27°C / 81°F – ideal for swimming
- 🎉 Expect holiday events, beach parties & NYE celebrations!
What to Pack for Playa del Carmen in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Carry-on suitcase – 🧳 light and beach-trip ready
- Checked bag – 🛄 if you’re bringing extra shoes or gear
- Duffle bag – 🏖️ ideal for quick beach outings
- Daypack – 🎒 for excursions, ruins, or cenotes
- Packing cubes – 📦 organize outfits by activity
- Shoe bags – 👟 protect from sand
- Toiletry bag – 🧼 leak-proof and compact
- Document organizer – 📁 keep passport and bookings secure
- Foldable tote – 🛍️ perfect for beach or souvenirs
- Laundry bag – 🧺 separate sandy or wet items
- Luggage scale – ⚖️ handy for shopping trips
- Luggage lock – 🔒 for hotel or airport security
- Money pouch – 💰 wear under clothes for safety
- Quick-dry towel – 🧻 essential for beach or cenotes
- Neck pillow – 💺 great for flights
- Sleep mask – 😴 ideal for travel or bright hotel rooms
👗 Clothes
- Tanks & T-shirts (5–7) – 👕 breathable and colorful
- Shorts (3–4) – 🩳 lightweight and comfy
- Sundresses (2–3) – 👗 easy style for day or night
- Swimsuits (3–4) – 👙 mix of bikinis and one-pieces
- Cover-ups (2–3) – 🏖️ from beach to bar
- Light romper or maxi dress – 🌺 casual chic
- Evening outfit – 👠 for rooftop bars or fine dining
- Light sweater or denim jacket – 🧥 evenings can cool off
- Joggers or long pants – 👖 for flights or cenote visits
- Pajamas – 🛏️ breathable cotton is best
- Underwear (7+) – 👙 bring extras for beach days
- Bras (3–4) – 🧺 include strapless and sports
- Socks (3–4) – 🧦 mostly for walking tours or travel
- Sun hat or cap – 🧢 must-have for sun protection
- Light scarf or wrap – 🧣 optional for air-conditioned places
💆 Skincare
- Cleanser – 🧴 gentle, for sunscreen removal
- Hydrating toner – 💧 refresh after sun exposure
- Moisturizer – 🧴 light and non-greasy
- Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 30+ – ☀️ essential for beaches and snorkeling
- After-sun aloe – 🌿 soothe any sunburns
- Makeup remover – 🧽 wipes or balm
- Exfoliator – 🛁 use 1–2x/week
- Eye cream – 👁️ for tired, sun-exposed eyes
- Face mist – 💦 cooling in the heat
- Lip balm with SPF – 💋 sun protection for lips
- Spot treatment – 🎯 breakouts can happen in the heat
💄 Makeup
- Tinted moisturizer or BB cream – 💄 light coverage with SPF
- Concealer – 👁️ quick touch-ups
- Waterproof mascara – 👁️ pool- and heat-proof
- Waterproof eyeliner – ✒️ smudge-resistant
- Cream blush – 🌺 blends easily on warm skin
- Highlighter – ✨ adds that tropical glow
- Shadow stick – 🎨 easy for evening glam
- Brow gel – 🧴 keep brows in place in humidity
- Lip tint or gloss – 💄 for a fresh finish
- Setting spray – ❄️ keep everything in place
- Brush set – 🖌️ travel-sized and minimal
💇 Hair Care
- Wide-tooth comb – 💇♀️ for salt-tangled hair
- Hair ties & clips – 🧷 for beach and breezy days
- Hydrating shampoo + conditioner – 🧴 restore after pool/beach
- Leave-in conditioner – 💧 keep hair soft & shiny
- Hair oil or serum – 🌬️ tame frizz
- Dry shampoo – 🌺 perfect for non-wash days
- Heat protectant – 🔥 if using tools
- Mini styling tool – 💁♀️ optional for evening styling
- Hair accessories – 🎀 for boho resort vibes
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Flip-flops – 🩴 go-to for beach & pool
- Sandals – 👡 flat or wedge for outings
- Water shoes – 🏞️ helpful for cenotes or snorkeling
- Sneakers – 👟 for ruins, hikes, or walking
- Evening flats – 🥿 stylish yet comfy
- Sun hat – 👒 wide-brimmed for beach safety
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ polarized = better visibility
- Beach bag – 🧺 roomy and water-friendly
- Crossbody purse – 👜 safe and hands-free
- Minimal jewelry – 💍 keep it simple and tropical
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport – 🛂 required for entry
- Travel insurance – 🏥 highly recommended
- Flight and hotel confirmations – 📧 paper & digital
- Credit/debit cards – 💳 widely accepted
- Some pesos – 💵 for tips and small vendors
- Driver’s license – 🪪 for scooters or car rentals
- Health insurance card – 🩺 bring a copy
- Notebook + pen – 🖊️ great for journaling or notes
- Wallet – 👛 small and secure
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – 🩹 for shoe blisters
- Pain relief – 💊 for headaches or sore feet
- Allergy pills – 🤧 for dust or bites
- Motion sickness meds – 🚤 for boats
- Antiseptic wipes – 🧽 for cuts or bug bites
- Tweezers – ✂️ splinter or grooming aid
- Thermometer – 🌡️ optional but useful
- Gauze + tape – 🩼 basic first aid items
- Cotton pads/Q-tips – 💠 personal care use
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Toothbrush + paste – 🪥 essential
- Floss – 🧵 travel-size is perfect
- Deodorant – 🧼 choose long-lasting
- Razor – 🪒 for smooth beach skin
- Feminine products – 🩸 bring your preference
- Wet wipes – 🧻 great for freshening up
- Hand sanitizer – ✋ important when traveling
- Perfume/body spray – 🌸 go light & tropical
- Mirror – 🪞 compact and unbreakable
- Eye drops – 👁️ relief after sun or salt
- Contact lenses + solution – 👓 and backup glasses
- Tissues – 🧻 always helpful
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone – 📱 travel, maps, and photos
- Chargers – 🔌 don’t forget your cords!
- Power bank – 🔋 beach + excursion essential
- Waterproof phone pouch – 📱 protect at cenotes or beach
- Bluetooth speaker – 🎶 for room or pool vibes
- Headphones – 🎧 for flights or chilling
- E-reader or tablet – 📚 save luggage space
- Offline maps/apps – 🗺️ helpful for exploring
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – 📖 beach reads or thrillers
- Podcasts – 🎧 downloaded for excursions
- Shows or movies – 📺 for relaxing evenings
- Travel journal – 📓 document your beach days
- Games/cards – 🃏 perfect for downtime
🎁 Extras
- Reusable water bottle – 🚰 hydration is key
- Snacks – 🍫 granola bars, trail mix for tours
- Shopping tote – 🛍️ for souvenirs and beach
- Snorkel gear – 🤿 optional but nice to have
- Beach blanket – 🌊 more comfy than hotel towels
- Bug spray – 🦟 especially inland or near cenotes
- Cooling towel – ❄️ helpful for ruins and hikes
- Sleep aid – 🌙 useful for flights or jet lag
🌍 Travel Tips
- Use reef-safe sunscreen – 🐠 protect the marine life
- Bring pesos for tips – 💵 small change is handy
- Don’t drink tap water – 🚱 stick to bottled or filtered
- Book popular tours early – 📅 December is busy
- Carry a copy of your passport – 📸 always smart
🛂 Visa Tips
- No visa needed for US, Canada, EU – 🛂 just bring your passport
- Tourist card (FMM) provided upon arrival – 🎟️ keep a copy with you
- Proof of return flight may be asked – ✈️ have it ready
- Travel insurance highly recommended – 🏥 peace of mind
⭐ Must-Haves
- Swimsuits – 👙 pack extras
- Reef-safe sunscreen – 🧴 non-negotiable
- Sunglasses & hat – 🕶️🧢 shield from the sun
- Beach bag – 🧺 keep all your beach gear in one spot
- Comfortable sandals – 👡 walk-friendly & cute
- Phone & charger – 📱 don’t miss a moment
- Waterproof pouch – 📱 for beach & cenote protection
- Light sweater – 🌙 for those cool sea breezes
- Reusable bottle – 🚰 save money & stay hydrated
- Passport + travel docs – 🛂 always secure and accessible
👍 Good-to-Have
- Snorkeling mask – 🤿 better fit than rentals
- Extra swimsuit – 👙 you’ll use them all
- Cooling mist – 💧 pure bliss after sun
- Beach toys – 🪣 if traveling with kids
- Umbrella – ☂️ for sun or surprise rain
- Spanish phrasebook or app – 📖 helpful for local interactions
