The best time to visit Cancún is from December to April: this is the dry season, with 29 to 33 °C (84 to 91 °F) in the afternoon and little rain, especially from February to April. From June to November, the heat is heavier, showers are more frequent and it is hurricane season, with a rainfall peak in September and October.
When should you go to Cancún? It is hot all year on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán: even in January, lows stay around 20 °C (68 °F). So the choice comes down to rainfall, hurricane risk, the presence of sargassum on some beaches, crowds and prices, which climb at Christmas, in March (spring break) and at Easter. Here are the benchmarks, based on the official normals of Mexico’s Servicio Meteorológico Nacional.
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When to go to Cancún at a glance
- Best time December to April; March and April are the driest months
- Good price/weather compromise early May and early December (outside the holidays)
- Hottest month August, with an average high of 35.1 °C (95 °F)
- Driest month March (38.7 mm (1.5 in))
- Wettest month October (277 mm (10.9 in)), then June (184 mm (7.2 in)) and September (182 mm (7.2 in))
- Hurricane season June to November, according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026)
- Cheapest period September and October, outside the autumn school holidays
When to go to Cancún by priority
- Best weather: December to April; March (39 mm (1.5 in)) and April are the driest months
- Cheapest: September and October, outside the autumn holidays, but in the middle of hurricane season; early May and early December for a good compromise
- Fewest crowds: May, then September–October; avoid the year-end holidays, spring break in March and Holy Week
- Events: equinoxes at Chichén Itzá around March 21 and September 21; Independence Day on September 16; Día de Muertos on November 1 and 2
Cancún: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: January, February, March, April, may, December
❌ Period to avoid: September, October
The climate in Cancún month by month
The table gives the 1991–2020 normals for the Cancún weather station. Temperatures in the hotel zone, on the sandbar between the lagoon and the sea, are very close; the sea breeze makes the heat a little more bearable there.
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28.7 °C (84 °F) | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | High | High | ✅ Mild, a few showers and northers |
| February | 30.1 °C (86 °F) | 20.6 °C (69 °F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | High | High | ✅ Sunny, high season |
| March | 31.5 °C (89 °F) | 21.4 °C (71 °F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | Very high (spring break) | Very high | ✅ Driest, but very busy |
| April | 33.1 °C (92 °F) | 22.9 °C (73 °F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | High (Easter) | High | ✅ Dry and hot, the best compromise |
| May | 34.2 °C (94 °F) | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | Medium | Medium | ✅ Hot, few people, sargassum possible |
| June | 34.0 °C (93 °F) | 24.9 °C (77 °F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | Medium | Medium | ⚠️ Showers, start of hurricanes |
| July | 34.8 °C (95 °F) | 25.0 °C (77 °F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | High (holidays) | High | ⚠️ Hot and humid, sargassum possible |
| August | 35.1 °C (95 °F) | 25.0 °C (77 °F) | 102 mm (4.0 in) | High (holidays) | High | ⚠️ The hottest, hurricane risk |
| September | 34.2 °C (94 °F) | 24.6 °C (76 °F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Hurricane peak, frequent rain |
| October | 32.2 °C (90 °F) | 23.7 °C (75 °F) | 277 mm (10.9 in) | Low to medium | Low | ❌ The wettest, hurricanes possible |
| November | 30.3 °C (87 °F) | 22.3 °C (72 °F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | Medium | Medium | ⚠️ Gradual return of good weather |
| December | 29.4 °C (85 °F) | 21.0 °C (70 °F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | High (holidays) | Very high | ✅ Pleasant, prices highest at Christmas |
According to the same normals, Cancún has on average 4 to 7 rainy days a month from February to May, against 15 to 18 days in September and October. In the wet season, rain often falls in short showers followed by sunny spells; episodes of several days of rain are mostly linked to tropical storms.
The seasons in Cancún: pros and cons
Dry season (December to April): high season
This is the most popular period with European and North American travelers. Highs rise from 29 °C (84 °F) in December to 33 °C (91 °F) in April, and rainfall drops noticeably from February. In December and January, northerly gales (nortes) can cool the air, stir up the sea and bring a few showers for one to three days.
- Pros: often clear skies, bearable heat for visiting Chichén Itzá, Tulum or the cenotes, calm sea on the Isla Mujeres side
- Cons: prices at their highest at Christmas, New Year, in March (American spring break) and during Holy Week
- Our tip: aim for February, the second half of April (outside Easter) or the very start of December
Wet season (May to November): heat, showers and hurricanes
From June, humidity rises and showers multiply. July and August are often still sunny, with 35 °C (95 °F) in the afternoon, but September and October bring most of the rain. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026), the hurricane season in Mexico normally runs from June to November, and tropical storms and hurricanes can cause floods, landslides and disruption to transport. This is also the period when sargassum, a brown seaweed, can wash up in large quantities on some beaches; its presence varies greatly from one year and one week to the next.
- Pros: very warm sea, low prices in September and October, whale shark season off Isla Mujeres and Holbox in summer
- Cons: muggy heat, showers, risk of tropical storm or hurricane, possible sargassum
- Our tip: between June and November, choose flexible bookings and insurance covering weather events; to avoid sargassum, Isla Mujeres and the bay beaches, on the north side of the hotel zone, are generally less affected
When to go to Cancún by type of trip
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and relaxation | February to May | Hotel zone (bay side), Isla Mujeres, Playa Norte |
| Maya sites | December to March (less hot for walking) | Chichén Itzá, Tulum, Cobá, Ek Balam |
| Cenotes and snorkeling | March to May (clear water, little rain) | Cenote route, Puerto Morelos, MUSA |
| Whale sharks | Roughly June to September (check with licensed operators) | Off Isla Mujeres and Holbox |
| Family trip | Winter and spring school holidays | Hotel zone, Riviera Maya theme parks |
| Tight budget | September to mid-November, outside the autumn holidays | Downtown Cancún, Isla Mujeres |
| Combined with the Yucatán | December to April | Valladolid, Mérida, Bacalar |
Major events in Cancún and the Yucatán
| Period | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| March | North American college spring break | Hotel zone, nightclubs |
| March or April | Holy Week (Semana Santa), Mexican holidays | The whole coast, very busy beaches |
| March 21 and September 21 (approximately) | Equinoxes: the « serpent » shadow effect on the Kukulcán pyramid | Chichén Itzá |
| September 16 | Mexican Independence Day | Downtown Cancún |
| November 1 and 2 | Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) | The whole region |
| December | Year-end holidays | Hotels full, prices at their highest |
Cancún month by month
January: 28.7 °C (84 °F) in the afternoon and 20 °C (68 °F) at night. A few showers (104 mm (4.1 in)) and possible northerly gales. A good month for the Maya sites; prices stay high in early January.
February: Sunny (59 mm (2.3 in) of rain) and 30 °C (86 °F): one of the best months. High season, book early for the winter holidays.
March: The driest month (39 mm (1.5 in)), 31.5 °C (89 °F). Spring break: the hotel zone is noisy and expensive. Equinox at Chichén Itzá around the 21st.
April: 33 °C (91 °F) and only 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain. Outside Holy Week, this is the best compromise between weather and crowds.
May: 34 °C (93 °F), still fairly dry (87 mm (3.4 in)). Few people and falling prices. Sargassum may start to arrive.
June: Start of the hurricane season and the first heavy showers (184 mm (7.2 in)). Start of the whale shark season.
July: 35 °C (95 °F) and less rain than in June (67 mm (2.6 in)). Mexican and European holidays: crowds and prices rise.
August: The hottest month (35.1 °C (95 °F)), 102 mm (4.0 in) of rain. Hurricane risk increases: follow the weather.
September: Peak of the hurricane season and 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain over 15 days. The lowest prices, with flexible bookings.
October: The wettest month (277 mm (10.9 in)). Hurricanes still possible. Best avoided for a beach stay.
November: The weather improves through the month (131 mm (5.2 in)), 30 °C (86 °F). Día de Muertos on November 1 and 2.
December: 29 °C (84 °F), pleasant weather. Reasonable prices in early December, then highest for Christmas and New Year.
When to book your trip to Cancún
For Christmas, New Year, February, March and Easter, book flights and hotel 4 to 6 months ahead: hotels in the hotel zone and flights fill up quickly. For May, June or autumn, two to three months is generally enough, with cancelable rates.
Planning your trip to Cancún
- Entry requirements: see the entry requirements for Mexico on our country page, and check the official sources there before you travel. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026), you must pay an entry tax to visit the state of Quintana Roo, which includes Cancún; it can be paid online before or during your stay.
- Currency: the Mexican peso (MXN). Use our currency converter to estimate your budget.
- Health: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026) lists Zika virus, chikungunya and dengue among the health risks in Mexico: protect yourself against mosquitoes. According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), tap water in many areas is not safe to drink and bottled water is safe.
To plan your stay, see our Cancún guide. For a wider tour, see when to go to Mexico and our Mexico travel guide. More ideas: where to go in February or April.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to go to Cancún?
April, outside Holy Week: 33 °C (91 °F) in the afternoon and only 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain according to the SMN normals. February and March are also very dry, but pricier and busier (spring break in March).
When is the hurricane season in Cancún?
From June to November according to the UK FCDO, with the most rain in September and October. A trip at this time is not necessarily disrupted, but follow the weather bulletins and the instructions of the authorities.
When is there sargassum in Cancún?
Seaweed arrivals are mostly seen from spring to autumn, with large variations from one year to the next. The bay beaches and Isla Mujeres are generally less affected than the east coast of the hotel zone. Ask your hotel just before you leave.
What is the wettest month in Cancún?
October, with 277 mm (10.9 in) on average, followed by June (184 mm (7.2 in)) and September (182 mm (7.2 in)). March is the driest month, with 39 mm (1.5 in).
Is Cancún warm in winter?
Yes: about 29 °C (84 °F) in the afternoon in December and January, and 20 °C (68 °F) at night. A norther can cool the air for a few days.
When is the cheapest time to go to Cancún?
In September, October and early November (outside the autumn holidays), when hotels cut their prices. It is the wettest period and the heart of the hurricane season: early May and early December are better compromises.
Our sources
- Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (Conagua): 1991–2020 climate normals of the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN, Conagua), Cancún station 23155, official file consulted on October 6, 2026
- Entry, safety and health information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Mexico (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Mexico country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
