Headed to Cancun for the holidays? Lucky you! There’s nothing like a Christmas vacation to Cancun. Here’s the scoop on where to meet up with Santa, find Cancun Christmas events, and taste yummy eats. Discover kid-centered Christmas in Cancun during the 2019 holiday season!
Updated for the 2019 season.
Find the lowest prices on family-friendly hotels in Cancun
We’re an affiliate of Booking.com. When you book through us, you still get their lowest price guarantee and we get a few dollars. Thanks for helping to keep Trekaroo free.
Cancun Christmas- Know Before You Go
November to early March is high season in Cancun, and prices peak around Christmas time. Book hotels early for the best options.
Most resorts are located in the Hotel Zone. This narrow island provides easy access to brilliant blue water and white sand beaches. A few archaeological sites even reside here.
The U.S. government suggests exercising increased caution when visiting Cancun. However, if using common sense, visitors will be safe-especially in the Hotel Zone. Just avoid dangerous areas of the city.
Xcaret Eco-archaeological Park
Photo by Xcaret
Celebrate the Posadas, the traditional Mexican holiday celebrations, while your family explores beautiful Xcaret eco-archaeological park just south of Cancun. Your family can take part in the walk of the virgin Mary and Joseph searching for shelter. It ends with a celebration and colorful piñatas everyone to take aim at.
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort
Photo Courtesy of Moon Palace
Celebrate the holidays at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort this winter for a unique variety of family vacation fun. Don’t miss their Christmas Village with massive tree, live music, holiday-themed food truck snacks, miniature train, and more family fun. Santa will also be on the premises for the holiday. Be sure to check out the mechanical Chocolate Christmas Village.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Photo courtesy of Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Tree decorating, gift exchanges, and various holiday-themed programs are all part of the Christmas experience at Grand Velas Riviera Maya. Guests can celebrate holidays at the resort with Christmas trees (pre-decorated or with ornaments to decorate as a family) and toys delivered to their spacious suites.
Everything can be easily pre-selected from an online list prior to arrival. Choose preference of ornaments, tree toppers, and gifts for under the tree to be delivered on December 24th. Additional family-friendly holiday activities at the resort include ornament decorating, cooking classes, and Santa’s Workshop.
Find amazing deals on family-friendly hotels in Cancun.
NIZUC Resort & Spa
Nizuc Resort & Spa was once a station for Mayan astronomers and a presidential retreat for global leaders. This white sand beach resort is just 15 minutes from the Cancun Airport on the secluded Punta Nizuc.
Over the holiday season, Nizuc Resort & Spa entertains little ones with plenty of holiday activities. Kids can write letters to Santa, decorate cookies, and participate in Mexican Posadas. This tradition is an important part of Mexican Christmas celebrations. It recreates Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun
Photo courtesy of Grand Residences Riviera Cancun
This holiday season, enjoy Grand Residences Christmas special, a package featuring family-friendly activities for the holidays in Mexico. The resort offers activities such as decorating gingerbread houses and writing a letter to Santa. Families can meet a “Grinch” who tries to convince guests not to celebrate Christmas.
The package includes a traditional Christmas Eve dinner prepared by celebrated chefs. It also provides free afternoon high tea, complete with finger foods and pastries that kids will love.
Find out what a stay at Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is like!
Palladium Hotels and Resorts
With four locations in the Riviera Maya, Palladium Hotels all-inclusive, beachfront properties offer special programming for the whole family during their Christmas in Cancun.
Activities include taking pictures on Santa’s lap after his dramatic arrival on horseback. Then dress up like Santa or his elves at Palladium Kids’ Club. Decorating holiday cookies, make Christmas cards for family and friends, and even write a letter to Santa.
At a special Raggs Christmas Show, see two Raggs rockin’ original holiday songs, “Santa Paws” and “I’d Rather Be an Elf.”
Paradisus Playa del Carmen · La Esmeralda
Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda offers performances and live music in a special Christmas ambiance with artificial snow and Christmas carols. On Christmas day, Santa Claus will come with gifts for all the children. After Christmas dinner, the children of the Kids Zone will present a Mini Show.
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral
In December, the resort’s Fiesta Kids Club and Teens Club offer seasonal activities like cookie decorating and Christmas tree decorating. The resort incorporates seasonal elements into each of the activities, such as holiday cooking dishes, or holiday dances.
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral also hosts a traditional Posada Navideña celebration each December. This celebration comes from an old Spanish tradition. Celebrations are held the week before Christmas to honor the time Mary was pregnant. Celebrate the holiday in the modern style with carols, lanterns, fireworks, and piñatas.
The resort invites families to attend the event and enjoy the traditional activities. These include hot punch, buñuelos (sweet fritters), and hitting the seven-star piñata. The piñata represents the seven deadly sins. The person that breaks the seven-star piñata releases the joy and goodness represented in the candies and lanterns. Santa Claus visits the resort on Christmas Day.
Find more Christmas events near you! Trekaroo has guides for dozens of cities across the country.
Pin this to bookmark all the holiday fun; we update it yearly:
Featured photo by: Shutterstock