Cancun, Mexico: When to Go and Weather

Weather: The sun shines 240 days a year in Cancun, making it a year-round vacation destination. The city is located on the Yucatan Peninsula near the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, so while the humidity is high, the annual temperature average is 80 degrees F - ideal for sunbathing, parasailing, kayaking, or just taking a siesta in a hammock.

Summer: Unsurprisingly, summer is the hottest season in Cancun. Sweltering afternoons can be too hot on the beach, but intermittent summer rains break up the heat for a few hours. The average temperature is 85 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 6 inches.

Fall: Cancun weather is tumultuous in fall. Hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic bring strong winds and rain to the beach, though some weeks are warm and sunny. The average temperature is 80 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 8 inches.

Winter: Cancun is crowded in winter for a reason. The temperatures of both the air and the ocean are warm, but pleasantly so, and humidity is low. The average temperature is 78 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.5 inches.

Spring: Starting in March and heading into April, the temperatures heat up to an uncomfortable level, humidity rises, and rain clouds pass through in the afternoon. The average temperature is 82 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2 inches.

Local sources for weather include Cancun Weather Today.

When to Go: Peak Season

Cancun's peak season occurs in December, January, and February. These months often signify snow and freezing temperatures in many US cities, and travelers from all over the country can take advantage of discounted packages to get away to the sun and sand of Cancun for a long weekend or a more extended holiday. The resorts are booked to capacity up and down the oceanfront, so be sure to reserve accommodations well before your departure, and be prepared to stand in line at restaurants and pool bars. Prices are high, but you can find an affordable vacation deal to Cancun just by spending 30 minutes searching on the web.

When to Go: Off Season

The rainy season is also Cancun's off season. From late August through the start of November, Cancun weather can be wet and windy due to tropical storms in the Atlantic. If you plan to travel during this time, be sure to purchase travel insurance so that you can postpone your trip in the event of an oncoming hurricane. That said, Cancun weather can also be gorgeous during this time: the temperatures are warm, not hot, and the ocean feels like bath water after months of intense summer sun. Crowds and rates are significantly less due to the threat of tropical storms.

When to Go: Shoulder Season

The months of March through July see fewer visitors to Cancun than in the winter months. That's because temperatures are heating up back in the US, and fewer travelers feel the need to get away to sunny climes. Cancun temperatures can be too hot to bear without a beach umbrella, too, starting in April, so the weather is a little less appealing during this time. Spring breakers explode onto the scene around this time as well, so try to plan your trip after the first few weeks of April if you want a better selection of hotel rooms (and a little peace by the pool.)

• Mon

   

  Partly Cloudy

  88  71

• Tue

   

  Isolated Thunder- storms

  83  70

• Wed

   

  Scattered Thunder- storms

  80  69

• Thu

   

  Isolated Thunder- storms

  80  69

• Fri

   

  Scattered Showers

  80  64

• Sat

   

  Partly Cloudy

  79  65

• Sun

   

  Partly Cloudy

  81  66

Get more information on Cancun weather.