Best time to visit Cancun

In comparison to the other months, January is the coldest. However, at the lowest, the temperature may drop to 20°C (68°F). Typically, the days and nights are almost equally warm, with only a several-degree difference in the temperature. During the day, it gets hotter, but never scorching: the northern trade winds, so-called El Norte, moderate the heat. As it’s windy all day long, after sunset, the weather might become chilly. For night walks, it’s good to have a light sweater or a jacket. The drop in the temperature doesn’t affect the water, and it remains comfortable for swimming throughout winter. The only thing that may intervene with the plans for beach vacations is cloudiness. In January, the sky is not that clear, and the sun might hide for a few days, but the clouds rarely bring rain. Being generally dry and warm, January is a good time for visiting Cancún.

In February, the weather is almost identical to the conditions of January. The temperature rises slightly. During the sunniest hours of midday, it might climb to 30°C (86°F), but such heat is an exception, not a rule. Even the warmest hours of the day are easy to get through as the northern winds bring a refreshing breeze. Compared to January, the sky is brighter and lets Cancún enjoy more sunshine hours. Occasional rain might burst in during the month, but it’s never prolonged and barely brings any inconveniences. In February, the Caribbean Sea has the lowest temperature, which is still as high as 26°C (79°F). Hence, the combination of warm water, moderate heat, and sunny days makes Cancún a favorable destination for a vacation in February.

The first few weeks of March, the weather in Cancún resembles January and February. Generally good conditions might be interrupted by light rain, and the sun might hide in the clouds. But starting from mid-March, the ideal time for visiting Cancún begins. The temperature doesn’t rise too much and usually stays under the mark of 30°C (86°F). The days are pleasantly hot, but the breeze doesn’t let them turn sultry. Meanwhile, the majority of the time, it’s sunny, and the clouds rarely appear in the sky. In March, the driest month of the year together with April, rain is a rare guest, and you don’t expect to witness it more than once or twice during your stay. The sea temperature is around 26°C (79°F), giving you a reason to spend an entire day swimming and sunbathing.

The first half of April is as pleasant as March. This time is ideal for a visit as the dry season is coming to an end, but the wet one hasn’t begun yet. A slight increase in the temperature marks the transition. However, the humidity remains relatively low and makes the heat bearable. When planning your stay in Cancún in April, take into account the temperature fluctuations. The days get hot, with the temperature rising over 32°C (90°F), and at night it drops to 23°C (73°F). For late evenings and nights, a light jacket won’t be odd. April is one of the driest spring months as the May thunderstorms are still ahead. By the end of the month, the first signs of the wet season come into sight. In late April, occasional rains may occur, but they come in light, brief showers. In the worst-case scenario, it might rain for several consecutive hours.

May is the official beginning of the rainy season. In Cancún, it lasts until October and brings higher temperatures and a noticeable increase in precipitation. However, the first weeks of May are the transition time, and the rains are somewhat rare. It is the mid-month when showers become more frequent and heavy, and you may expect a thunderstorm to intervene with your plans for sunbathing. Regardless of the rains, the weather is generally sunny: when a storm is over, the sky clears up quickly. Besides, the temperature rises and, at the hottest point, it reaches up to 34°C (93°F). Although the sea breeze moderates the heat a bit, it’s no longer the refreshing northern wind. Thus, staying outdoors at noon is not such a pleasant experience, and it’s better to plan activities for mornings or evenings.

The weather in June is not entirely pleasant, and it’s the start of the hurricane season in Cancún. It’s hot and humid, with frequent, intense rains. Together with September and October, June is one of the wettest months: you may expect pouring rains every other day. However, when the storm is over, the weather improves and becomes suitable for outdoor activities like sightseeing or swimming. The heat is the only inconvenience. Compared to spring, the temperature rises, yet not significantly. High humidity makes the heat more perceptible and, at about noon, especially bothersome. The nights are almost as warm as days and barely refreshing. Together with September, June is the cloudiest month of the year. It is particularly noticeable in the morning. By the end of the month, the conditions refine, and the rains become rarer and less intense.

During summer, the weather conditions hardly differ from month to month. Thus, July is as humid and sultry as June. The humidity of over 80% doesn’t let you forget about the heat, day and night, as there is almost no difference between temperatures throughout the day. In the afternoon, when the thermometer reaches over 31°C (88°F), staying outdoors is unpleasant and somewhat harmful. Due to the humidity, it might get harder to breathe. The only thing that saves the day is the breeze from the Caribbean Sea. In July, its water warms up to 29°C (84°F). In the morning, you can take your time to enjoy swimming and sunbathing. The first half of the day is usually sunny and dry. The weather deteriorates in the afternoon, closer to the evening, when it gets cloudy and rainy.

Being the hottest month, August is even more scorching than June and July. Throughout the day, the heat may rise to over 35°C (95°F). By night, it drops to a reasonable degree and becomes comfortable. At midday, it’s better to leave the beach and stay indoors as humidity makes the heat tiring. Before it becomes too hot, the weather in Cancún is suitable for swimming and sunbathing. In the morning, the sky is clear, and the water is usually warm and calm. However, the second part of the day brings prolonged rains. Their intensity and duration vary, but you may expect the storm to last for several hours. It’s not rare for a shower to be night-long.

The weather conditions deteriorate. During the summer, rains occur mainly in the afternoon. In September, the rain schedule switches to the morning shifts. You are likely to be waking up to the sound of rain, under the sky covered with clouds. Usually, the weather improves in the evening. However, it may start raining any moment during the day or night, so carrying an umbrella or a raincoat is a good idea. Frequent, abrupt, yet light, the rains are not torrential, but they may last for several consecutive hours. You may also expect thunderstorms. Besides, September is a risky month: tropical storms and hurricanes might hit the shore of Cancún. The chances are low, but they should not be neglected. Such conditions make September one of the wettest and cloudiest months of the year: it rains almost every day, and the cloud coverage reaches 70%. Although the sea is hot at 29°C (84°F), generally, the weather is not favorable for a beach vacation.

The first half of the month is almost identical to September. The days are rainy and cloudy, sudden showers and thunderstorms burst, and the risk of hurricanes persists. At this time, Cancún is not the best destination for swimming and other outdoor activities. Starting from mid-October, the weather conditions improve gradually. The first thing you’ll notice is the cloudless sky in the morning. The rains shift back to the evening and night hours. For you, it means that you can spend a day on the beach with no fear of being caught by a storm. Although the rains occur, they get lighter and shorter. The closer it’s to the end of October, the sunnier and drier the weather becomes.

In November, the daily temperature starts to fall gradually. The decrease is not abrupt, only a several-degree change, but it makes the weather more comfortable. The early mornings might be cloudy, and it takes a few hours for the sky to clear up. Although in November it’s pretty sunny, sunshine hours are fewer than during the summer. The second half of the month marks the beginning of the dry season that lasts until April. Rainy episodes are rare and light, causing no inconveniences and barely intervening with the plans for beach vacations. As the sunny, splendid weather prevails and the water is 27°C (81°F), the high season in Cancún kicks off.

In December, the northern trade winds are back to the shore, bringing the dry season. Firstly, the winds affect the temperature, which drops a bit. The air remains warm, and the thermometer doesn’t reach marks over 27°C (82°F). Combined with the low humidity, it makes the conditions in Cancún comfortable for any kind of outdoor activity. As the weather is mild, you can spend an entire day exploring the city or sunbathing, with no risk to suffer from the heat or to be caught by a sudden storm. A light rain might occur during the night or early in the morning, but it doesn’t affect the general conditions. In December, it gets windy, and the evenings might feel chilly. Some 20°C (68°F) is the lowest digit you are likely to see on the thermometer as the air is usually warmer.