Cancún features a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and warm, drier winters. The city experiences two main seasons: a rainy season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. Abundant sunshine, warm sea temperatures, and occasional tropical storms make Cancún a year-round beach destination with distinct seasonal contrasts.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Cancún’s climate is shaped by its Caribbean coastal location, resulting in consistently warm temperatures and high humidity. The rainy season runs from May to October, bringing hot, muggy weather with average highs of 31–34°C and lows around 24–26°C. Rainfall is frequent but usually comes as short, intense showers or thunderstorms, often in the afternoon or evening. September and October are the wettest months, with up to 270 mm of rain and increased risk of hurricanes. Despite the rain, sunshine is plentiful, and the sea remains warm at 28–30°C, perfect for swimming and water sports.
The dry season lasts from November to April, with pleasant temperatures – highs of 27–30°C and lows of 19–22°C. Rain is infrequent, humidity is lower, and the air feels fresher, especially when cool northern winds ("el Norte") blow in winter, occasionally bringing cooler, breezy days and nights. Sunshine is abundant, with 7–10 hours per day, and sea temperatures stay inviting at 25–27°C. Even in winter, the weather is ideal for beach activities, and water visibility is excellent for snorkelling and diving. Winds are generally moderate (12–18 km/h), with breezier conditions in winter and during storms. Annual precipitation averages 1,300–1,400 mm, and Cancún enjoys over 2,700 hours of sunshine each year.
| Average climate data for Cancún, Mexico | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 26 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 66 | 39 | 26 | 43 | 78 | 112 | 62 | 85 | 90 | 135 | 83 | 63 | 881 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 20 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 225 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 75 | 74 | 73 | 76 | 76 | 78 | 75 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 77 | 76 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 39 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 33 | 23 | 24 | 30 | 35 | 34 | 37 | 31 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
The best time to visit Cancún is from December to April, when temperatures are warm (27–30°C), humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal. These months offer the most comfortable weather for beaches, outdoor activities, and water sports, with abundant sunshine and calm seas. It’s also the peak tourist season, so book accommodations early for the best options.
The least favourable time to visit is from September to October, when rainfall and humidity peak, hurricane risk is highest, and storms can disrupt outdoor plans. Summer (June–August) is also hot, humid, and rainy, with frequent afternoon downpours and the possibility of sargassum seaweed affecting beaches.
Cancún has a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and warm, drier winters. The rainy season runs from May to October, while November to April is drier and more comfortable for travel and outdoor activities.
Summer temperatures in Cancún typically reach 31–34°C, with high humidity. Afternoon showers are frequent, but the rain is usually brief. Nights remain warm, and the sea is perfect for swimming.
Snow is unknown in Cancún. Winter temperatures rarely fall below 17–19°C at night, though occasional cold fronts can bring cooler evenings. Frost is extremely rare, and the sea remains warm year-round.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. While direct hits are rare, tropical storms can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas during this period.
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and a rain poncho or umbrella for summer and autumn. Bring a jumper or jacket for cool winter evenings. Water-resistant shoes are useful year-round, especially during the rainy season.
Cancún enjoys abundant sunshine, with 7–10 hours per day depending on the season. The sunniest months are March to May, while even in the rainy season, showers are usually brief and followed by sun.
Cancún is humid, especially from May to October, with humidity often above 75%. Winds are generally moderate, with breezier days in winter and during storms or hurricanes.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (30.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (26.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 28.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (27.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (22.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 24.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (29.5 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is January (25.6 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 27.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (135.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is March (26.4 mm). Over the whole year there are 881.3 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is October (23.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is April (12.4 days). Over the whole year there are 224.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is June (78.3 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is March (73.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 75.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is March (18.6 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (13.1 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 16 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (39.3 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (23.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 30.8 %.
The months with the longest days, so the most daylight, are June and July (Average daylight: 13 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is April (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 7.2 h). Over the whole year there are 8.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 6). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.7.
