All Articles The best time to visit Cancun for great weather and deals

The best time to visit Cancun for great weather and deals

People Snorkelling Around The Ship Wreck Near Cancun In The Caribbean Sea
Image: Ingus Kruklitis - EyeEm / Getty Images
By Nur Sofia17 Mar 2022 4 minutes read

Cancun is a year-round holiday destination with much to offer at any time of the year. During its peak season between December to April, hordes of beachgoers swarm its shores to enjoy its irresistible sunshine, year end festivities and spring break. From June to October, you’ll see thinner crowds, and sea turtles and whale sharks making a grand appearance. Though watch out for hurricane season, you might have to bear with unpredictable weather.

Not sure when’s the best time to visit? Here’s all you need to know about visiting Cancun at every time of the year.

Cancun’s peak season: December–early April

Ditch your umbrellas and snow boots, this is a fantastic time to travel to Cancun as temperatures hover between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Indulge in glorious sunny days, balmy weather, and minimal rain. Pack a light jacket or sweater for the cooler nights.

While airfares and hotel rates tend to surge spring break, Easter break and in winter—especially around Christmas and New Year’s—you can avoid the hefty price tags by booking your trip at least three to four months in advance. Also, pick the best areas to stay in Cancun like Isla Mujeres or Riviera Cancun instead of the bustling Hotel Zone.

Aerial view of a Cancun resort and pool during spring break
Image: Adam P / Tripadvisor

On the plus side, more spas, nightclubs, and restaurants are open for tourists during these months. For avid swimmers, the sublime ocean temperatures are excellent for a snorkeling trip or a relaxing sailing tour.

To experience Cancun’s magical festivities, visit during Christmas week. Enjoy tantalizing seasonal menus and special themed events. There will be plenty of nativity scenes and candlelit processions to brighten the atmosphere too. For tipple lovers, here’s a pro-tip: get a hold of Noche Buena, a Mexican beer available only for Christmas.

Spring break in Cancun

From late March till early April, the Yucatán shores become a buzzing hub of spring break activity. With over 200 bars and nightclubs hosting nonstop events, Cancun attracts droves of college and high school students every year.

Most of the hotels in Cancun, especially the budget-friendly ones, will be sold out months in advance. If you’re traveling with younger kids, steer clear of popular spring break spots like Grand Oasis Cancun or Hard Rock Hotel Cancun.

Skip the packed beaches like Playa Delfines and retreat to quieter ones like Playa Chac-Mool or Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres. The slower pace will allow you to unwind and recharge without the loud bands and pulsating techno beats. Nightclubs, open bars, and epic foam parties will house rowdy college students till daybreak. So if you’re looking for a more tranquil respite, you might want to visit at another time of year.

Cancun’s shoulder season: mid-April–May, November

In Cancun’s shoulder season—in April, May, and November—airfares, hotel, and tour rates take a significant dip. Budget travelers, rejoice!

Not to mention, May is a terrific time to encounter wildlife in Cancun, from spotting sea turtles nesting to swimming with whale sharks. There’s a near 100% chance of spotting these gentle giants.

A woman swimming with a whale shark in Cancun in May
Image: TravFam / Tripadvisor

The ocean temperatures are also perfectly suited for snorkeling in Cancun. Marvel at underwater sculpture gardens and keep your eyes peeled for brilliantly-colored fish. Some top snorkeling spots include Punta Nizuc, The Cancun Underwater Museum, and Manchones Reef in Isla Mujeres.

The shoulder season is particularly ideal if you’re planning a destination wedding or honeymoon too. Rates at luxury resorts are much lower so you have the perfect excuse to splurge. Just keep in mind that Thanksgiving in November is a popular time for Americans to head south of the border.

Towards the end of the year, the weather in Cancun starts to mellow out. It’s a sweet period for solo travelers, honeymooners, and families to enjoy Cancun’s beauty and wonder—before the mayhem of December.

Cancun’s low season: June–October

Between June and October, Cancun sees fewer travelers due to the hurricane and rainy seasons. Many tour companies and restaurants operate at reduced hours, so it’s important to double-check timings before heading out.

A woman standing in front of Chichen Itza near Cancun
A group of people riding ATVs in a jungle in Cancun
Image: Kay (left), D’lana S (right) / Tripadvisor

As the tourist crowds taper off, it’s the best time to explore Cancun’s must-see hotspots. For starters, get a clean shot of Chichén Itzá and enjoy the mysticism (and ocean breeze) of the area’s ancient sites and ruins on an all-inclusive tour of Cancun. It includes a visit to nearby cenotes as well, where the waters will be much clearer, without all the thick vegetation.

Unleash your inner thrill-seeker with some action-packed activities. Fly through the treetops on a zipline, navigate jungle terrain on an ATV, or go speedboating. With no snaking queues, you can populate your itinerary with many more adventures.

Besides sightseeing and nature, you might also want to embark on a food trail. Mercado 23 is one of the most well-known markets in Cancun to have a taste of Mexican street food. Try some hand-pressed tortillas and tacos, Caribbean fruits, jars of fresh salsa, and cool off with fresh coconut water or pulque, a traditional Mexican alcoholic beverage.

Hurricane season in Cancun

Mexico’s hurricane season falls between June and November and is when hotels and tours are the cheapest. But be rest assured, hurricanes are rare in Cancun.

Reserve your accommodation early and you might even snag a free room upgrade later. Take the opportunity to stay at Cancun’s most luxurious resorts, like Hyatt Zilara Cancun, for a fraction of the cost.

Rainy season in Cancun

The rainy season in Cancun stretches from May to October, with humidity at an all-time high. Rain showers usually occur in the late afternoons (around 4 or 5 p.m.), but days remain sweltering and sticky. You’ll normally see overcast skies with temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you plan on doing many outdoor activities in Cancun, avoid September as it’s the rainiest month of the year—which may pose a danger (and possible cancelations) for water sports and boat tours. During this period, Mexico’s shorelines see massive heaps of brown seaweed too. While resorts do their best to clean up, expect to see more seaweed than usual that might obscure the crystalline sea.

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Nur Sofia
Nur Sofia majored in International Trade, but found her calling in storytelling. She is passionate about travel and lifestyle, and still dreams of visiting Bora Bora someday. When she's not planning her next trip, you'll likely find her predicting the next blindside on Survivor.