Oaxaca in December
Dry, festive and radish-carving
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is a reasonable month in Oaxaca — with trade-offs.
December is dry and festive, with posadas and the Noche de Rábanos, the radish-carving competition held every 23 December.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- 11–29°C
- Dry and sunny, with cool nights.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Popular sights fill up at peak hours, so book timed entries ahead.
- Prices
- $$$
- Mid-range hotel rates.
+Dry weather and Christmas traditions.
–Busy around Christmas and New Year.
My tip for December
Reserve restaurants and accommodation for the Christmas–New Year period.
- Noche de Rábanos
- Posadas
- Markets
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
4th of 12 overall in Oaxaca, 4th for weather, 9th for space, 10th for value. The emptiest month is June; the best value is September.
See all twelve months for OaxacaPlan around
What’s on in Oaxaca in December
- Noche de Rábanos
- The radish-carving competition draws crowds to the Zócalo.
23 December
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Weather
Weather in Oaxaca in December
In December Oaxaca averages a high of 29°C (84°F) and a low of 11°C (52°F), with about 9 mm of rain or snow over 1 wet days. The warmest month is April (around 35°C) and the coolest is January (around 29°C); the wettest month is June.
- Average high
- 29°C
- 84°F
- Average low
- 11°C
- 52°F
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Wet days
- 1
Climate data: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Oaxaca in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit Oaxaca?
- December is a reasonable month in Oaxaca — with trade-offs. It ranks 4 of 12 months in Oaxaca overall (4 for weather, 9 for space, 10 for value). The main upside: Dry weather and Christmas traditions. The main downside: Busy around Christmas and New Year.
- What is the weather like in Oaxaca in December?
- Average highs are around 29°C and lows around 11°C. Expect about 9 mm of rain or snow over roughly 1 wet days. Dry and sunny, with cool nights. For comparison, the warmest month is April (around 35°C) and the coolest is January (around 29°C).
- Is Oaxaca crowded in December?
- Crowds are moderate-high. Popular sights fill up at peak hours, so book timed entries ahead. The quietest month is June.
- How expensive is Oaxaca in December?
- Prices are at level 3 of 5 ($$$). Mid-range hotel rates. The best-value month is September.
- When is the best time to visit Oaxaca?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, February is the best month overall (December ranks 4 of 12). The quietest month is June and the best value is September.
Ready to book December in Oaxaca?
Dry weather and Christmas traditions.
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