Best time to go
Best time to visit Cancún: weather, seaweed and crowds month by month
When Cancún is driest, when the sargassum seaweed tends to arrive, and when to go for the best prices.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read
Quick answer
- December to April is the best time to visit Cancún: dry, sunny and in the low to mid 80s°F.
- March is the busiest month because of spring break; mid-January to February is just as sunny and calmer.
- Sargassum seaweed usually affects Caribbean beaches from about April or May to August or September, but the amount varies a lot from year to year.
| Best months | December–April |
|---|---|
| Busiest | Christmas–New Year, March |
| Best value | May, November, early December |
| Hurricane season | June 1–November 30 |
| Whale shark season | About June–September |
| Sea temperature | About 79–84°F all year |
Dry season (December to April)
This is peak season for good reason: little rain, low humidity, warm sea and cool evenings. Christmas, New Year and March are the most expensive times, when the Hotel Zone fills with families and spring breakers.
For the same weather with fewer people, aim for the second half of January or February.
Shoulder months (May and November)
May is hot and usually still fairly dry, with lower prices after the spring rush. November marks the start of the dry season and is a good-value time to go; Day of the Dead celebrations on November 1 and 2 are worth seeing in the towns of the Yucatán.
Rainy and hurricane season (June to October)
Summer brings heat, humidity and short tropical downpours, usually in the afternoon. Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. Storms are not frequent, but flexible bookings are wise.
Summer is also whale shark season. From about June to September, tours leave Cancún, Isla Mujeres and Holbox to swim alongside these gentle giants.
About the sargassum seaweed
Since 2011, large mats of sargassum seaweed have drifted onto Caribbean beaches, mostly between spring and late summer. Some years are much worse than others, and beaches on the east-facing coast are affected most.
The beaches along Cancún's northern Hotel Zone, facing Isla Mujeres, and the island of Isla Mujeres itself usually see less seaweed. Mexico's navy and local authorities publish monitoring maps during the season.
Getting there and where to stay
Cancún has more nonstop flights than anywhere else in Mexico. From Houston and Dallas it is about two to two and a half hours; from Chicago, New York and Toronto, about four hours.
- Hotel Zone: the classic beach strip between the lagoon and the sea, about 20 minutes from the airport.
- Playa del Carmen: a walkable town with its own beach, about 45 to 60 minutes south of the airport.
- Tulum: boutique hotels and Mayan ruins on the coast, about two hours south, or fly into Tulum's own airport.
- Day trips: Chichén Itzá (about two and a half hours by road), the cenotes around Valladolid, and the 20-minute ferry to Isla Mujeres.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to go to Cancún?
February is often the best: dry, sunny and warm, with fewer crowds than March. December to April as a whole is the dry season.
When is seaweed season in Cancún?
Sargassum usually arrives from around April or May and can last until August or September. The amount varies greatly from year to year, and some beaches are affected much less than others.
Is it safe to go to Cancún during hurricane season?
Many people travel between June and November without problems, as hurricanes are not frequent. The highest risk is from August to October, so choose refundable bookings and consider travel insurance.
