Absolute Best Time to Visit Cancun


With beautiful beaches, all-inclusive resorts, adventurous activities, archeological wonders, and vibrant nightlife — Cancun is one of the hottest travel destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Whether you’re looking to party for spring break, soak up the summer sun, relax in the fall, or escape to a warm place for winter, Cancun is calling year-round. And when you’re ready to plan your trip, Travel Yucatan can help with hotels, tours, transfers, and expert advice.

Here’s a look at what each season offers to help you pick the best time to visit Cancun!

 

Cancun in the Spring

With near-perfect weather, plenty of activities, and iconic spring break parties, spring is a great time to visit Cancun. While spring is the high season in Cancun, there are plenty of ways to break away from the crowds of spring breakers and explore attractions off the beaten path.

Cancun’s beaches are arguably one of the biggest draws to the area. Take note that February and March are ‘sargassum season.’ This time of the year can bring a layer of seaweed that comes and goes over the white sand beaches.

Spring Weather

Looking for the ideal weather for your Mexican getaway? Springtime in Cancun is sunny and breezy, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s and very little rain until about the end of May. There’s also no threat of hurricanes this time of year, making it a great time to visit and enjoy the beautiful beaches.

Best Things to Do in Spring

Photo Credit: Bruno Bergmann

Spring is perfect for outdoor activities in Cancun, whether you prefer soaking up the sun at the beach or going on an adventure.

  • Beaches
  • Snorkeling
  • Exploring the Mayan Ruins
  • Day trips to the cenotes
  • Day cruises to Isla Mujeres
  • Ziplining
  • ATV adventures

Spring Events

Between the Easter holiday and spring break happenings, there are lots of fun spring events in Cancun.

  • Spring Break: Cancun is one of the most famous spring break destinations worldwide. In March and April, you’ll find tons of spring break parties at hotels, bars, and nightclubs across Cancun, plus party cruises, concerts, and more.
  • Semana Santa: Also known as Holy Week, it is a weeklong celebration leading up to Easter that features cultural celebrations, processionals, and special masses at local churches and cathedrals. Many resorts also plan special Easter-themed brunches, parties, and events.
  • The Cancun Jumpoff: A 5-day music festival at the end of May that features hip hop, R&B, soca, and reggae performances.

Cancun in the Summer

With hot, sunny weather and the benefit of low season, summer can be a great time to visit Cancun to enjoy fewer crowds, lower prices on hotels, and see the summer whale shark migration.

Summer Weather

We’re not going to sugarcoat it: Cancun weather in the summer can be muy caliente! Daytime temperatures reach the 80s and 90s with high humidity, while nighttime brings a bit of reprieve with temperatures in the upper 70s and cool breezes. But — if you love water activities, summer is the perfect time to visit. You won’t feel the heat while swimming, snorkeling, or floating down a lazy river.

Summer in Cancun also includes the rainy season and hurricane season. Although it’s rare for it to rain all day, showers typically move through within a few hours, and direct hits from hurricanes are also rare. Visitors are advised to stay informed on local forecasts, pack a poncho, and have some backup plans just in case!

Best Things to Do in Summer

Photo Credit: Pandora Pictures

With hot and rainy weather in the summer, you’ll want to cool down in the water or head inside to enjoy some of Cancun’s indoor attractions.

  • Beaches
  • Snorkeling
  • Rafting at Xavage
  • Day trips to the cenotes
  • Water parks
  • Day cruises to Isla Mujeres
  • Museums
  • Shopping

Summer Events

Photo Credit:DavideAngelini

Summer may be hot in Cancun, but it’s also full of unique events you won’t find at any other time of year, especially if you want to check swimming with whale sharks off your bucket list!

  • Whale shark season: From late May to early September, whale sharks migrate to the waters off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. To get up close and personal with them, guided snorkeling tours are available for a one-of-a-kind below-the-waves view that is the ultimate bucket list adventure.
  • Summerfest at Temptation: One big party, all summer long, Temptation Resort hosts unique events throughout the entire summer, from pool parties and pub crawls to theme nights and foam dance parties.
  • Summer concerts: Summer is the unofficial concert season in Cancun. You’ll find an array of concerts, from country to hip-hop, throughout Cancun during the summer months.

Cancun in the Fall

With a mixed bag of weather and summer travel winding down, fall is a bit of a shoulder season in Cancun. Early fall is still hot, humid, and rainy, with fewer crowds, but late fall begins to dry up and cool off and ushers in some fun festivals.

Fall Weather

Early fall in Cancun can be an extension of summer, with heat, humidity, rain, and temperatures in the 80s and 90s. But come October, the rain begins to dissipate, the temperatures come down into the 70s and 80s, and the threat of hurricanes fade.

Best Things to Do in the Fall

Photo Credit: Kamira

With mixed weather in the fall, it can be a great time to explore some of the adventure parks that offer both indoor and outdoor activities. But don’t worry; there are still sunny days when you can enjoy the water and beaches!

  • Visit Xavage Adventure Park
  • Day trips to Xcaret
  • Beaches
  • Snorkeling
  • Museums
  • Shopping

Fall Events

Fall in Cancun is full of cultural events and concerts.

  • Cancun Hip Hop Fest: A 5-day celebration of hip hop music featuring concerts and parties at Planet Hollywood in early October.
  • Hanal Pixan: A 3-day cultural event, also known as the Food for the Souls festival, from October 31st to November 2nd that honors the departed. The event features food, costumed parades, and cultural performances. It’s often compared to the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival celebrated in other parts of Mexico, but Hanan Pixan is unique to the Mayan culture of the Yucatan Peninsula.
  • Cancun Jazz Festival: A 3-day festival of nightly jazz concerts, food, and drinks in early November.

Cancun in the Winter

With warm, sunny weather and holiday travel in full effect, winter is one of the busiest times in Cancun. But don’t worry, there’s plenty to do if you want to break away from the crowds.

Winter Weather

Winter weather in Cancun is sunny and breezy, with temperatures mostly in the upper 70s or low 80s. A few nights can get chilly with temperatures in the upper 60s, but nothing a light jacket won’t fix. Winter is the dry season in Cancun, so there is little to no rain on most days.

Best Things to Do in Winter

Photo Credit: Jure Divich

With comfortable temperatures and plenty of sunshine, winter is a great time for pretty much all outdoor activities in Cancun.

  • Beaches
  • Snorkeling
  • Exploring the Mayan Ruins
  • Day trips to the cenotes
  • Day cruises to Isla Mujeres
  • Ziplining
  • ATV adventures

Winter Events

Winter in Cancun is full of food, music, and holiday fun.

  • Christmas & New Year’s Eve: Spending the holidays in Cancun can be a lot of fun. You’ll find special holiday events at nearly every resort, bar, and nightclub, which include food, music, holiday lights, NYE countdown parties, and more.
  • Crash My Playa Country Music Festival: A 4-day celebration of country music with concerts, pool parties, and BBQs in January.
  • Cancun Carnival: One big street party. It is reminiscent of other Caribbean Carnival festivals that take place in February and feature food, drinks, costumed parties, parades, and more.

When Will You Visit Cancun?

With mild weather and endless activities year-round, there’s never a bad time to visit Cancun. So pack your bags and get ready for pristine beaches, epic parties, awe-inspiring adventures, and incredible culture.

Ready to book? Travel Yucatan can help you find the best rates on hotels, transfers, tours, and more.

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