Visiting Nayarit in December means hitting the dry season: clear skies almost every day, 30 °C (86 °F) beach days on the Riviera Nayarit, calm seas and the start of humpback whale season in Banderas Bay. Inland, in Tepic and the sierra, mornings are cool or downright cold, so the same trip can call for a swimsuit and a jacket.
December is also the most festive and most expensive month of the year. December 12 honors the Virgin of Guadalupe, then come the posadas (nightly Christmas gatherings), Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and Mexico’s 2026-27 school winter break runs from December 21 to January 5, filling beaches with Mexican families. Below you’ll find weather by region, the dates that matter, route ideas with distances and tips for booking in time.
Nayarit weather in December: coast, Tepic and sierra
December sits squarely in the dry season, which runs from November to May. It barely rains: roughly 20 to 24 mm for the whole month and one or two rainy days, usually short drizzles from a passing cold front. The figures below are the 1991–2020 climate normals from Mexico’s National Weather Service (SMN); for the full year, see our guide to Nayarit weather month by month.
| Area | Avg. high | Avg. low | December rain | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South coast: Banderas Bay (Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, Sayulita) | 30.8 °C / 87 °F | 17.3 °C / 63 °F | 20 mm, 1–2 days | About 25–26 °C / 77–79 °F, calm |
| North coast: Mexcaltitán, Santiago Ixcuintla (January figures) | 31.6 °C / 89 °F | 16.7 °C / 62 °F | Very little | — |
| Tepic (963 m / 3,160 ft) | 27.3 °C / 81 °F | 12.1 °C / 54 °F | 24 mm, 2 days | — |
| High sierra (La Yesca, Del Nayar) | Mild by day | Close to 5–6 °C / 41–43 °F on January mornings | Very little | — |
Expect sunny 28–31 °C beach days, and Banderas Bay water around 25 °C, warm enough to swim without a wetsuit. In Tepic afternoons are warm, but dawn drops to 11–12 °C (low 50s °F), and lower during a cold front.
Whale season 2026-27
Humpback whales come to the Nayarit coast every winter to mate and give birth. SEMARNAT, Mexico’s environment ministry, sets the official watching dates each fall in a notice in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF, the federal gazette). In 2025-26, Nayarit’s three zones (Banderas Bay, the Compostela coast and San Blas–Isla Isabel) all ran from December 8 to March 23 (2025-26 notice in the DOF).
As of late October 2026, when this guide was updated, the 2026-27 notice had not yet appeared in the DOF. Similar dates are expected, so plan your tours from around December 8, 2026, and confirm with your operator. Early December has fewer whales than January and February, the peak months. In 2026 a 2–4 hour tour costs about $800–2,000 MXN (45–115 USD) and leaves from Nuevo Vallarta, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Punta de Mita, Guayabitos or San Blas. Zones, boat rules and how to pick a responsible operator are covered in our humpback whale watching guide.
December festivities in Nayarit
- December 11–12, Virgin of Guadalupe. The biggest religious date of the month. In Tepic, thousands of pilgrims, many on foot, head to the Guadalupe sanctuary in the El Pichón ravine to fulfill a manda (a vow); nearly every town holds masses, dawn serenades and processions. If you’re driving these days, watch for pilgrims walking along the shoulder.
- December 16–24, posadas. The nine nights before Christmas are celebrated with piñatas, hot ponche (fruit punch), tamales and a sung procession that “asks for lodging,” re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter.
- December 24–25, Nochebuena and Christmas. A family holiday: dinner on the night of the 24th and midnight mass. On the coast, many hotels and restaurants serve Christmas Eve dinner by reservation.
- December 31, New Year’s Eve. The Riviera Nayarit, from Nuevo Vallarta to Sayulita and San Pancho, is one of Mexico’s favorite places to ring in the new year on the beach; hotels and restaurants host dinners and parties, nearly always by reservation.
- January 6, Día de Reyes (Three Kings’ Day). The season closes with rosca de reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread; many families head home that weekend.
Mexican school holidays and high season
According to the official 2026-27 school calendar published by Mexico’s Ministry of Education, SEP (agreement in the DOF), the winter break for basic education runs from Monday, December 21, 2026 to Tuesday, January 5, 2027; there are no classes on January 6 and students return on Thursday, January 7. Those two weeks overlap with the arrival of Canadian and U.S. snowbirds, making them, along with Holy Week, the busiest of the year.
- December 1–18 or so: great weather and mid-range prices; the sweet spot of the month.
- December 19 to January 6: peak occupancy on the Riviera Nayarit; hotel rates rise roughly 50–80% over base rates in 2026, and many hotels require minimum stays.
To compare budgets by area and season, see how much a trip to Nayarit costs and the best time to visit Nayarit.
Things to do in Nayarit in December: route ideas
The simple formula: days on the coast and, if you have time, one or two nights inland to see a different side of the state. Distances are approximate by road.
| Destination | December weather | What to do | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, La Cruz | Sunny, 30 °C | Beach, whale tours from about Dec 8 | 15–30 min from Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR) |
| Punta de Mita and Islas Marietas | Sunny, calm sea | Snorkeling, Hidden Beach (Wed–Sun) | 45 km / 50–70 min from PVR |
| Sayulita and San Pancho | Sunny, 30 °C | Gentle surf, village life, New Year’s Eve | 40 km / 45–60 min from PVR; 130 km / 1 h 45 min from Tepic |
| San Blas and La Tovara | Warm, dry | Mangrove boat ride, migratory birds | About 65–70 km / 1 h from Tepic |
| Tepic | 27 °C by day, 12 °C at dawn | Historic center, December 12, food | 170 km / 1 h 45 min from PVR by toll road |
| Santa María del Oro crater lake | Mild, cool mornings | Kayaking, swimming, lakeside lunch | 50 km / 45 min from Tepic |
| Jala and Ceboruco volcano | Mild, cold nights | Pueblo Mágico, basilica, volcano drive | 80 km / 1 h from Tepic |
| Amatlán de Cañas | Mild | Hot spring pools | 120 km / 2 h 15 min from Tepic |
Coast: whales, Islas Marietas, Sayulita and San Pancho
Flying into Puerto Vallarta, base yourself on Banderas Bay and pair beach time with a whale tour from the second week of December. For the Islas Marietas, remember that Hidden Beach (Playa Escondida) is open Wednesday to Sunday only, with a limited daily quota; in high season book at least two weeks ahead. Sayulita and San Pancho get gentler winter waves, perfect for a first surf lesson.
Hot springs in Amatlán de Cañas
For a proper winter contrast, nothing beats a hot soak. In Amatlán de Cañas, a Pueblo Mágico (a federally designated “Magical Town”) in the south, springs emerge at 37–40 °C (99–104 °F) and feed several bathing complexes, the best known in the village of Agua Caliente; in 2026 entry starts at about $50–100 MXN (3–6 USD). Note that El Manto, often lumped in with hot springs, is actually a cold-water canyon for swimming and cliff jumping. More in waterfalls and hot springs in Nayarit.
Jala and the Ceboruco volcano
Jala, Nayarit’s first Pueblo Mágico, takes a morning: cobblestone streets, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption and, looming behind, Ceboruco (2,280 m / 7,480 ft), the state’s active volcano, which last erupted between 1870 and 1875. A road climbs from town to the antennas and steam vents, best in a high-clearance vehicle. December’s clear skies give wide views, but it’s cold up top, so bring a jacket.
Santa María del Oro and Tepic
The Santa María del Oro lagoon fills a volcanic crater 45 minutes from Tepic; in December the water is calm and the mornings cool, ideal for paddling. Pair it with a night in the capital to walk the historic center.
San Blas and La Tovara: migratory birds
From November to March, the mangroves of San Blas host migratory birds from North America alongside year-round residents: herons, ibises, roseate spoonbills and ducks. The boat ride on the La Tovara route leaves early and threads mangrove tunnels to a spring; you’ll see the most birds at dawn. Bring repellent: San Blas is known for its jejenes, tiny biting no-see-ums that are worst around sunset.
Practical tips for December
- Book early: for Christmas and New Year’s on the coast, book your hotel about three months out, meaning September or October. For early December, 3–4 weeks is usually enough. Book whale and Marietas tours at least two weeks ahead.
- Roads: the Jala–Puerto Vallarta toll road has been fully open since late 2024, linking the coast to the highway to Tepic and Guadalajara. On December 11–12 expect pilgrims on the shoulders, and from December 19 to January 6 heavier traffic and lines at toll booths. Drive mountain roads in daylight.
- What to pack: beachwear, reef-safe sunscreen and a hat (UV is high even in winter), plus a sweater or jacket for Tepic, Jala or the sierra, and closed shoes for the volcano.
- Where to stay and eat: browse hotels and restaurants by area in the Visita Nayarit directory.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cold in Nayarit in December?
Not on the coast: days reach 28–31 °C (82–88 °F) and nights 16–18 °C. In Tepic, dawn drops to 11–12 °C, and in the sierra it can approach 5 °C, so pack a sweater or jacket if you head inland.
Can you see whales in Nayarit in December?
Yes, from the second week. The official 2025-26 season began on December 8; similar dates are expected for 2026-27, pending SEMARNAT’s notice. January and February have the most whales.
When are Mexico’s 2026-27 school winter holidays?
From December 21, 2026 to January 5, 2027. There are no classes on January 6, and school resumes on Thursday, January 7, 2027.
Is the Riviera Nayarit expensive at Christmas and New Year’s?
It’s the priciest stretch of the year: between December 19 and January 6, hotel rates rise roughly 50–80% over base rates in 2026. Early December offers the same weather for less.
Can you swim in the ocean in December?
Yes. Banderas Bay water is around 25 °C (77 °F) and the sea is usually calm, good for swimming, snorkeling and surf lessons.
Where are the hot springs in Nayarit?
The best-known hot spring pools are in Amatlán de Cañas, with springs at 37–40 °C, about 2 h 15 min from Tepic. El Manto is a cold-water canyon, not a hot spring.
Area map
- 1Bucerías Banderas Bay in December: highs 30.8 °C, lows 17.3 °C; whales from about Dec 8.20.75559, -105.33435 · Open in Google Maps
- 2Sayulita Gentle winter waves; 40 km from Puerto Vallarta airport.20.868926, -105.440702 · Open in Google Maps
- 3San Blas Migratory birds in the mangroves November to March; La Tovara.21.542936, -105.284895 · Open in Google Maps
- 4Tepic December: highs 27.3 °C, lows 12.1 °C. December 12 pilgrimages.21.51192, -104.89159 · Open in Google Maps
- 5Santa María del Oro lagoon Crater lake 45 min from Tepic: kayaking and swimming.21.369391, -104.568904 · Open in Google Maps
- 6Ceboruco volcano 2,280 m; active volcano, last eruption 1870–1875. Cold at the top.21.125193, -104.507634 · Open in Google Maps
- 7Jala Nayarit's first Pueblo Mágico, 80 km from Tepic.21.103119, -104.436843 · Open in Google Maps
- 8Amatlán de Cañas Hot spring pools at 37–40 °C; 2 h 15 min from Tepic.20.807822, -104.404599 · Open in Google Maps
