Cancún is all that it’s hyped up to be – spectacular white sand beaches, high-rise resorts and a world-renowned party scene that spills from the nightclubs to the beach clubs. It has some unexpected gems too: leafy downtown plazas, festivals and holiday celebrations almost monthly, even a nearby national park and Maya ruins.
Add to that blue skies and balmy weather, and it’s no wonder Cancún is such a popular destination. Prices can certainly be high, especially at popular times like Christmas and Spring Break, but deals (and quiet beach days) can be found if you’re willing to visit in the off-season. It may be hot and there may be some rain, but it’s glorious just the same.
Low season: May to June & September to November
Best time for travel deals
Hot weather and rain showers keep crowds at bay. Deal hunters will find major discounts on hotels, tours and even cover charges. The sun shines most days, but keep an eye on the forecast and heed hurricane warnings come autumn. Even if they don’t make landfall, stormy weather can mean heavy rain, powerful waves and a damper on nightlife too. November sees the return of beautiful weather and yet prices stay low.
High season: December to April
Best time for perfect weather and around-the-clock partying
Sunshine, warm weather and a legendary party scene brings plane-loads of beachgoers and partiers to Cancún, especially during Christmas, New Year and Spring Break. Book your accommodation far in advance and expect to pay a premium during the holidays. The temperate weather is optimal for sightseeing and snorkeling excursions, while strong and consistent winds on nearby Isla Blanca are ideal for kiteboarders.
Shoulder season: July to August
Best time for nightlife and whale sharks
The heat and humidity don’t stop partiers, especially Mexicans, from flocking to Cancún’s beaches. Short bursts of rain aren’t uncommon, but the sun always manages to shine. Balmy nights also mean perfect weather for bar hopping and dancing ‘til dawn. This is also the best time of year to snorkel with whale sharks and to watch sea turtle hatchlings make their first journey to the sea on Parque Nacional Isla Contoy. Hotel rates drop somewhat from high season, but not entirely.
January
Cancún is busy with travelers on an extended holiday and the last of the Christmas-related festivities. Peak-season prices continue through the middle of the month. Expect perfect beach weather – warm days and cool nights – with an occasional cloudy day.
Key events: Día de los Reyes Magos
February
The beautiful weather continues but Cancún slows down. The crowds dissipate until Carnaval when parades, wild costumes, street parties and live music take over downtown, including at Parque de las Palapas.
Key events: Carnaval
March
March brings spring-break madness as college kids descend on Cancún – expect epic beach parties, top-name musical acts, and packed nightclubs. Inception Fest, a month-long, nonstop party, adds fuel to the fire. Hotel rates peak and the weather gets warmer.
Key events: Spring Break, Inception Fest.
April
Spring breakers continue to arrive. Hotel rates stay high through Semana Santa (Holy Week) when Mexicans traditionally head to the beach. Cancún also celebrates its founding with free concerts and a parade along Avenida Tulum. The temperature continues to tick up.
Key events: Easter, Semana Santa, Fundación de Cancún.
May
The temperature breaks into the 90s and the humidity rises. It’s low season – tourism slows and hotel prices drop – but that doesn’t stop Cancún’s vibrant and often raucous events scene. Sea turtles begin to arrive on the shores of Isla Contoy for the nesting season.
Key events: Cancún Jumpoff, Wine and Food Festival Cancún, Challenge Cancún Triathlon,
June
Hurricane season officially begins. Expect hot, muggy days with occasional rain showers. Tourist numbers and hotel prices remain low though Pride Cancún brings a weekend of rainbow-themed beach parties, nightclub events and booze cruises.
Key events: Pride Cancún
July
July is a scorcher but marks the beginning of Mexican summer vacation. The city is busy again and hotel prices jump up. It’s the height of the whale shark season too, which runs from May to September; local dive shops offer snorkeling tours with these gentle giants near Isla Contoy. Festivals feature everything from beach cleanups to foam pits.
Key events: Festival de los Océanos, Destination X.
August
One of the hottest months of the year, August also sees an increase in rain. Mexican vacationers continue to arrive so prices hold steady. The first sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean from their nests on Isla Contoy.
September
It's the height of the hurricane season, which means rainy days, few tourists and lots of deals. Mid-September brings Mexican Independence Day celebrations in Parque de las Palapas. Nearby, El Grito, the traditional cry of independence, can be heard at city hall.
Key events: Día de Independencia
October
Heavy rains continue in October but the sun typically makes a daily appearance. Cancún’s slowest period, some tour operators and restaurants close for the month. Major deals continue and the beaches are gloriously empty. Halloween is celebrated in the Zona Hotelera with alcohol-fueled costume parties. The sea turtle season winds down.
Key events: Cancún Jazz Festival, Halloween
November
November brings a welcome break from the heat and rain. It kicks off with Day of the Dead celebrations in downtown Cancún and theme parties in the Zona Hotelera. Music and cultural events round out the month’s festivities. Tourist numbers remain low, as do hotel prices.
Key events: Día de Muertos, Día de los Inocentes, Festival de Cultura del Caribe, Festival Internacional de Música de Cancún.
December
The hurricane season is long gone and except for occasional nortes (storms bringing northerly winds), it’s perfect beach weather. Deals can be had until mid-December, when travelers begin to arrive for the Christmas holiday season, filling hotels and driving prices sky high.
Key events: Día de Virgen de Guadalupe, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Cancún
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