Are you debating spending Christmas in Mexico? Keep scrolling for my honest opinion about whether or not it’s worth going to Mexico for Christmas vacation!
This Christmas in Mexico review was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
My family and I live in the Seattle-area and by the time winter break comes around, we’re ready for beaches and sunshine. So, it’s no wonder that we’ve done a few trips to Mexico over Christmas.
A few years ago we did a multi-generational trip to Los Cabos and this past Christmas, we went to Cancun. These are two of the most popular places to spend Christmas in Mexico as a tourist.
I figured I’d write up a quick blog post about what our time was like in Mexico so you could decide whether or not it’s the right place for your next holiday vacation.
The Appeal of a Mexican Christmas Vacation
The biggest perk of a Christmas vacation in Mexico (for our family) is the weather. We’re all about the sunshine and warm air. My kids love lounging in a cabana by the pool and getting unlimited churros.
It’s a great place for people who aren’t looking for a white Christmas or don’t want to bundle up to go skiing or snowboarding. Instead, there are opportunities like ziplining, snorkeling, or sunbathing at the beach.
You can also hear Spanish Christmas carols (yes, there are more besides Feliz Navidad).
Experiencing Christmas in Los Cabos
I did a LOT of research before planning our trip to Los Cabos and part of it was figuring out the whole Santa thing. My kids were at the age where we usually visited Santa and I was wondering if that was a thing in Mexico.
After searching online and asking in Facebook groups, the consensus was that it’s NOT really a thing. I was originally disappointed but I was pleasantly surprised that our resort actually DID have a Santa and he gave each kid a present.
After asking around, it sounded like most resorts in Los Cabos did something similar with a Santa arrival.
Our resort also had a holiday parade, special Christmas dinners, and lots of festivities. Plus there were tons of holiday decorations all across the resort.
For our family, it was a great resort vacation with a bonus Christmas vibe. We ended up bringing filled stockings for the kids so they had something to open on Christmas morning. But, we opened our presents at home BEFORE the trip.
Christmas Adventures in Cancun
We saw tons of Christmas decor as we drove through the Hotel Zone, including massive Christmas trees at shopping centers and Santa hats on hotel signs. It was really festive!
And the famous Cancun sign at Playa Delphines was also decorated for the holidays.
Our hotel (Hyatt Ziva Cancun) was fully decorated for Christmas. There were multiple Christmas trees and huge decorations throughout the resort.
They also offered activities like Gingerbread making and Santa made an appearance. And they had holiday entertainment.
Pros and Cons of a Mexican Christmas Vacation
The week of Christmas is one of the most expensive times to travel (especially for airfare and resort rates).
Some people are able to go the week AFTER Christmas and that can be more affordable. But if you want to spend Christmas IN Mexico, be prepared to shell out the cash.
But, many resorts offer all-inclusive packages that make budgeting easier and provide a range of activities for all ages.
It can be hard for some families to do a resort vacation during Christmas. You won’t have your own Christmas tree and the whole present thing can be stressful.
I suggest discussing how you’d like to handle it with your family. My family was on board celebrating early so they could play with their presents before the trip. It also took the pressure off from Christmas Day.
Another option is to consider buying gifts in Mexico to reduce luggage and explore local crafts and products, making gift-giving part of the travel experience.
You might also think about trying local holiday traditions, like attending a midnight mass or enjoying a Christmas day feast at a local Mexican restaurant.
Tips for Travelers Considering Mexico for Christmas
We stayed at the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos and the Hyatt Ziva Cancun during Christmas. I also have a whole list of kid-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.
I recommend booking your airfare and resort during the summer. If you wait until October/November, the prices will be really high, and there will be limited rooms available. Trust me.
We had family try to join us in Cancun but didn’t start looking until a month prior and it was crazy pricey. My neighbor started researching the week before Christmas, and she couldn’t even get affordable flights, let alone a room somewhere.
If you’re able, it’s always a good idea to pay extra for refundable rooms and airfare. With crazy winter weather and illness in the air, it’s smart to hedge your bets.
Mexico for Christmas Wrap-Up
Personally, our family really enjoys visiting Mexico during Christmas. We love the Christmas decorations and music in Los Cabos and Cancun. And there are fun holiday activities in the resort areas.
We think it’s totally worth doing a Mexico Christmas vacation if you love beaches and pool time. It’s a great place to soak in some sunshine while celebrating the holidays.
Looking for more Mexico travel resources? Check out Hawaii vs Mexico: Which Has the Best All-Inclusive Resorts, 15 Mexico Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts Worth Booking, and Cabo vs Cancun: Navigating Mexico’s Premier Family Destinations!
