Cancun is a world-class tourist destination known for its winning combination of Caribbean beaches, a vibrant 24-hour party scene and all-inclusive high-rise resorts.
Add in lush downtown plazas, Mayan ruins, and nearby national parks, and you have a true Mexican gem.
But knowing what each season brings — when prices rise and fall, when sunshine or storms will be forecast, when dance floors are packed or beaches are tranquil, and when sea creatures migrate — can help you plan a more fulfilling Cancun vacation. This seasonal guide will help you plan the best time to visit.
Winter and spring seasons offer ideal weather for sightseeing © Mariusz S. Jurgielewicz / Shutterstock
December to April is a great time for parties as the weather is pleasant.
Cancun’s winter and spring weather is near perfect, with sunny days and mild nights. The beaches are postcard-perfect, with swathes of white sand and turquoise waters perfect for building sand castles, sitting under a palapa (thatched shade) with a book, or snorkeling the nearby coral reefs. For kiteboarders, nearby Isla Blanca offers ideal conditions, with strong and constant winds. The mild climate also makes it easy to visit Cancun’s Mayan ruins of El Rey and San Miguelito, the nearby eco-park, and the outdoor market.
If you’re looking to party in Cancun, now is the best time of year. This is the time when people from all over the world flock to the Zona Hotelera (Cancun’s resort district) and enjoy a wild party scene, especially during New Year’s Eve, Spring Break and Semana Santa (Holy Week, the week after Easter), when Mexicans flock to the beaches to party.
Bars and nightclubs stay packed until late, with celebrity DJs and live bands adding to the atmosphere, and the party continues during the day at the beach club, with open bars, music and all sorts of edgy competitions.
Religious parades and carnivals fill the streets
At this time of year, downtown Cancun comes alive with various celebrations: the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (the patron saint of Mexico), Christmas, Three Kings Day and Easter, with religious processions and family parties held throughout much of the city.
Carnival, on the other hand, brings a different atmosphere: parades with extravagant floats and scantily clad dancers, flashy costumes, street parties and concerts in Cancun’s main square, Parque Palapas. The season ends with a city-wide celebration of the founding of Cancun, including free open-air concerts and a lively parade down Calle Tulum.
Of course, the downside to perfect weather and nonstop partying is skyrocketing prices for everything from airfare to margaritas. Hotel rooms can also be in short supply, so be sure to book your flights and accommodation early and prepare for higher prices during December holidays, spring break, and Semana Santa.
Sea turtles hatch on the coast between July and August and make their way to the ocean © MM Sweet / Getty Images
July and August are the best months for wildlife watching.
July and August are the months when heat and humidity are at their peak, as tourists, especially Mexicans, spend their summer holidays in Cancun. Sure, there’s the occasional rain, but the sun always peeks out.
After the low season in May and June, the beaches start to fill up and warm nights see partygoers bar-hopping and dancing until dawn. More tourists mean higher room rates, but they never reach winter or spring prices. Book in advance to get the best options and prices.
Observe whale sharks and sea turtle hatching
This time of year is also the peak of whale shark season, when these gentle giants come to feed in the nearby waters just north of Isla de Contoy National Park. Local dive shops offer snorkelling trips to swim with these giants, which can grow up to 36 feet (11 metres) in length. Tours can fill up, so book a few days in advance.
Likewise, this is the best time to watch baby sea turtles make their first journey into the ocean: some hotels organise turtle releases on the beach, usually at midnight, where you can watch the tiny hawksbill, loggerhead and green turtles crawl out of their sandy nests and into the sea.
Nesting areas are often fenced off and each nest has a small sign posted. It’s important to follow the rules and avoid contact with the hatchlings. Independent guides also offer trips to more isolated beaches, such as Isla Blanca, just north of town.
The Day of the Dead is a huge Mexican festival held in early November. © Sergio Carrasco / Sony Photography Awards
May to June and September to November are great months to travel on a budget and with fewer crowds.
May-June and September-November are the months when fewer people visit Cancun and prices drop significantly. You’ll usually find discounts on hotels, tours, airfares and even entrance fees. Why? In May, days get increasingly hotter (some would say unbearable) and muggy, and in June the rains begin to fall, signaling the official start of hurricane season. November marks the end of hurricane season.
The Sargassum seaweed that plagues the Caribbean usually appears in the summer too, but don’t let the weather forecast discourage you: most days in May and June are still sunny and the waves are stronger, but resorts do a great job of clearing the seaweed every day.
Anyway, the beaches are still as beautiful as ever and there are fewer people so you feel like you have the beach to yourself, plus you can still go out and party, especially with the locals, at the clubs – this is Cancun after all.
The best months are September and October
September and October are the slowest months of the year, with lower room rates, especially at all-inclusive resorts and international chain hotels. Rains become heavier and the risk of tropical storms increases (historically, storms hit the region in the fall).
Please keep an eye on the weather and take hurricane warnings seriously. Evacuate inland if necessary. Nightlife in Cancun will also be on the decline, with partying limited to weekends. In October, some tour operators and restaurants will close for a month.
November is when downtown Cancun and the Zona Hotel Ela come alive with Day of the Dead celebrations. The weather improves, with pleasantly warm temperatures and the rain finally stopping. Tourist numbers remain low until the end of the month, meaning the beaches remain surprisingly empty and prices remain low.
This article was first published on September 16, 2021 and updated on February 8, 2024.
