Best Time to Visit Cancun

Panoramablick über die Hotelzone und den Strand von Cancun (Daniel Lorig)  Copyright 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'
On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit Cancun. We created climate tables and charts for the location of Cancun. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more.

Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Cancun for your holiday.

Climate Overview

Thermometer Symbol 20 °C to 35 °C
Waves Symbol 26 °C to 29 °C
Rainy Cloud Symbol 1.6110.71 in (4 – 16 Days of Rain)
Show temperatures in degree

Geographical location

In the southeast of Mexico, the city of Cancun is located directly on the coast. The city is located in the aisle between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Cancun is the tourist centre of the Riviera Maya holiday area and belongs to the state of Quintana Roo.

Cancun is only 62 miles away from Cuba as the crow flies and was specially planned and implemented for tourism. About 628,000 inhabitants live here on an area of 1300 square miles, more than 3.5 million tourists travel to the region every year. Most hotels are located on a narrow promontory directly on the beach.

The region has a very good infrastructure, the international Cancun Airport is catered by various direct flights from the United States and Europe.

Climate in Cancun

Blick über den Strand von Cancun (Daniel Lorig)  Copyright 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources' Cancun is known for its very warm and fantastic weather. The temperatures scratch at 30 °C all year round. From March to October this is even significantly exceeded. The subtropical climate zone provides year-round precipitation, which in the main season, however, is low at around 1.97 in per month.

Daytime temperatures at the Riviera Maya are always between 28 °C to 35 °C, although it can get oppressively hot in summer. The subtropical climate also brings with it the rainy season in Cancun in the middle of the year. Cyclones can also reach the coast during this time. The hurricane season officially runs from June to November, with most hurricanes occurring between August and October. However, Cancun and the Riviera Maya are rarely hit directly.

In the last 25 years exactly two hurricanes have hit the coast directly, modern early warning systems make it possible today to predict hurricanes five days before their arrival. There is therefore no danger for holidaymakers, as the hoteliers are also optimally prepared for the “worst case”.

Best Time to Visit Cancun: Overview

JanuaryJan
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Cancun
FebruaryFeb
Best time to traveltime
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MarchMar
Best time to traveltime
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AprilApr
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MayMay
Sticky and Hotsticky + hot
yet little rainlittle rain
JuneJun
Beginning of Rainy SeasonBeg. Rainy Season
Beginning of Hurricane Seasonrisk of Hurricane
JulyJul
Rainy SeasonRainy Season
Hurricane Seasonrisk of Hurricane
AugustAug
Rainy SeasonRainy Season
Hurricane Seasonrisk of Hurricane
SeptemberSep
Rainy Season, stickyRainy Season / sticky
risk of Hurricanerisk of Hurricane
OctoberOct
Rainy Season, stickyRainy Season / sticky
risk of Hurricanerisk of Hurricane
NovemberNov
Beginning of Dry SeasonBeg. Dry Season
weather getting more pleasantpleasant weather
DecemberDec
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When to visit Cancun?


Cancun and the surrounding holiday resorts of the Riviera Maya can be described as a year-round destination, as the temperatures are high all year round and mostly sunny weather prevails. Due to the effects of the rainy season with existing hurricane danger, however, the summer months have to be travelled through with some restrictions. In addition, it will be oppressively hot in and around Cancun from mid-May.

We therefore recommend the period from December to the end of April as the best travel season for Cancun. In the best travel season the temperatures rise up to 32 °C, the water temperature is comfortably warm with 26 °C to 27 °C. You don’t have to freeze at night either, the temperatures drop to a minimum of 20 °C. The dryest months are February to April, we particularly recommend this time of the year.

Climate Chart Cancun

Climate Chart Cancun
Show temperatures in degree

Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia

Climate Table Cancun

In the following, you will find the climate table for Cancun, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, and Water Temperatures.

Temperatures, Precipitation

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature28°29°31°32°34°34°34°35°34°32°30°29°
Night Temperature20°20°21°23°24°25°25°25°24°23°22°21°
Water Temperature26°26°26°27°28°28°29°29°29°29°27°27°
Precipitation (inch)4.121.951.741.623.425.443.073.447.1610.75.133.39
Rainy days965471191014161110
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature is 27.2 °C.

For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C

Warmest month: August (29.7 °C)
Coldest month: January (24.1 °C)

The maximum water temperature is 29 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.

Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
all months

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 51.19 inch on 112 rainy days

For comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in

Rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): September, and October
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 17.87 in

You cannot expect snow in any month.

Highlights and Attractions


The diving paradise Cancun offers majestic impressions below the water surface, which make the heart of every diver beat faster. Who does not want to go into the depths of the Caribbean Sea gets the possibility to get to know the underwater world while snorkeling. For divers the trip is also recommended during the months May to September.

On this coast the Pacific, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf Stream meet. During this time you can experience breathtaking dives, admire unique corals and whale sharks and many other underwater inhabitants. From March to April the so-called Spring-Break takes place in Cancun, but also in the rest of the year Cancun offers a wide range of going out possibilities.

In the surroundings of the Riviera Maya, as the name suggests, there are countless testimonies of the ancient Maya. The most famous sites are Chichén Itzá, Cobá and Tulum. Other popular destinations in the region are Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos.

More information about the best things to do: Cancun | Mexico

Popular Activities

More attractions

Isla Mujeres: Catamaran with Snorkel, Open Bar, and Transfer | From Cancún: Cobá, Cenote, Tulum and Playa del Carmen Tour | From Cancun or Riviera Maya: Isla Contoy & Mujeres Day Trip | Cancun: Chichen Itza, Ik Kil Cenote, & Valladolid with Lunch | Riviera Maya: Cobá and Chichén Itzá Tour with Cenote & Lunch | Cancun: Jungle Tour Adventure with Speedboat and Snorkeling | Riviera Maya: Turtles and Cenote Snorkeling Tour |

Current Weather and Forecast

Current Weather in Cancun (Station Cancún)
clear sky     clear sky, 22.9 °C
Clouds: 0 %       Wind: 7 mph O
Air Pressure: 1016 hPa       Humidity: 81 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 09:42 am
The next days …
7th Feb 20238th Feb 20239th Feb 202310th Feb 202311th Feb 202312th Feb 2023
light rain23 °C to 27 °Clight rain24 °C to 27 °Clight rain24 °C to 27 °Clight rain23 °C to 27 °Clight rain21 °C to 23 °Clight rain20 °C to 24 °C
23 °C to 27 °C24 °C to 27 °C24 °C to 27 °C23 °C to 27 °C21 °C to 23 °C20 °C to 24 °C
Clouds: 5 %Clouds: 3 %Clouds: 4 %Clouds: 3 %Clouds: 91 %Clouds: 19 %
0.09 in of rain0.09 in of rain0.17 in of rain0.19 in of rain0.08 in of rain0.01 in of rain
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree

Mexico: Regions

Cancun is part of the holiday destination Mexico. We analyzed the climate for additional regions, in order to provide you with information about the best time to visit and the expected holiday weather:

Cancun: Experiences of our Visitors

There are 4 reviews for Cancun holiday already. Average rating is 4.5 of 5 stars.
  1. Avatar Preview
    Thomas, 48 years old was there in November

    Were November in the Playacar district a week.1 day of rain otherwise best weather.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  2. Avatar Preview
    Daniel, 35 years old was there in March

    On the first evening a little shower, otherwise always bright and sunny. Temperatures at 25-30 °C and sea water pleasantly warm.

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  3. Avatar Preview
    mike , 54 years old was there in August

    Best travel weather At night from time to time light rain showers also times a thunderstorm which was very spectacular

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  4. Avatar Preview
    Melanie, 31 years old was there in October

    We’ve been in Cancun for 10 days. The weather was mostly good. Warm, sunny and pleasant. However, the waves were constantly very strong and the red flag waved every day.

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

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Mexico: Holiday Dream Riviera Maya

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