When is the best time to go to Cancun?

The city of Cancun, along the Riviera Maya, is particularly welcoming during the dry season which lasts from November to around April or May. However, it is ready for tourists and holidays in the sun all year round. Throughout the dry season, Cancun is accented with cultural events that make it even more attractive such as Christmas time, which attracts crowds of vacationers as well as New Year's and Easter, which are very popular events with American students. Cancun is always very lively. During the wet season, rainfalls occur more often and the times allotted for outdoor excursions are rather limited. However, for those looking to combine tranquility with affordable prices, the rainy season - which also coincides with the low tourist season of September and October - is the one that allows for a pleasant holiday at the lowest cost. The beaches are relatively deserted and staff is both highly available and charming before the start of the high season.

So, when is the best time to go to Cancun? Here's some more information to help you in your decision:

  • The best months for good weather in Cancun are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, November and December
  • On average, the warmest months are April, May, June, July, August, September and October
  • The rainiest months are June and October
  • The best months for swimming are April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December



Annual weather in Cancun

For full information about the climate and weather in Cancun a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:

January 74°F/79°F
5.2in
February 76°F/81°F
3in
March 76°F/83°F
2.2in
April 77°F/85°F
3.3in
May 81°F/86°F
6.7in
June 83°F/88°F
9.7in
July 83°F/88°F
5.2in
August 83°F/90°F
7.2in
September 83°F/88°F
8.4in
October 79°F/86°F
11.1in
November 77°F/83°F
6.5in
December 76°F/81°F
5in


Weather and climate in Cancun

Located in the Yucatan region of Mexico, the city of Cancun benefits from a tropical climate along with a dry season and two major weather periods throughout the year. The weather is relatively nice, much resembling that of the neighboring countries, the US or Belize.

The Cancun Dry Season

The dry season in Cancun extends from the month of November to that of May, with relatively little rainfall and mild or warm temperatures throughout the entire period. However in certain areas, the proximity of the sea helps attenuate the sensation of heat, as it does in Tampico for example. In fact, heat is less oppressive than inland, such as in Mexico. The sky is sunny and the sea offers an ideal temperature for swimming. The temperature difference with the wet season is barely noticeable although slightly cooler, especially between December and February.

The Cancun Climate During the Wet Season

The Cancun climate during the wet season, which runs between the months of June and October, is marked by particularly high humidity. This season is also called the hurricane season, because it is not unusual for tropical storms to become hurricanes especially between September and October. This season is warmer than the dry season, particularly because of the high humidity that amplifies the overall suffocating feeling. The temperatures only rarely reach 30° C during this time of year.

Cancun :



Charts: temperature and rainfall in Cancun

In the charts below, you can see the following seasonal norms for the city of Cancun: the minimum and maximum outdoor temperature, the risk and amount of monthly rainfall, daily average sunshine, sea temperature, and relative humidity for each month of the year.

Outside temperature

Precipitation (rainfall)

Daily sunshine hours

Sea temperature

Humidity


Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Cancun

Find out when Cancun has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in Cancun

  • Very low season in Cancun
    The months with the lowest number of tourists are: May, June, September and October.
  • Low season in Cancun
    The months with low numbers of tourists are: February and July.
  • High season in Cancun
    The number of visitors to Cancun is high in: January, March, April, August and November.
  • Peak season in Cancun
    The largest number of tourists visiting Cancun is during: December.

Figure: Visitor index for Cancun month by month


Best time for low prices in Cancun

Average prices of hotels in Cancun month by month

Generally, October is the month with the lowest hotel prices in Cancun. So this is a great time to save on your holiday! In contrast, February is statistically the most expensive month of the year for hotels.

Find the best price for your hotel room

Average price for flights to Cancun

A return flight between London and Cancun is generally cheaper if you go in march ($ 550 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 260 more for your airline ticket to Cancun if you go in august.

Find the best price for your flight

Average price of hiring a car in Cancun

On average, it costs $ 17 per day to hire a car in Cancun. This price varies by $ 4.8 depending on the month. In may, hiring a car costs an average of $ 15 per 24 hours, so this is the best time to save money! In contrast, the average price in february is $ 20.

Find the best price for your car rental



Other cities and places near Cancun

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