Cancun has a tropical climate: warm all year, with a sunny dry season from about November to April and a hot, humid rainy season from May to October. Daytime highs run from about 29°C (84°F) in winter to 34°C (93°F) in summer, and the Caribbean stays warm enough to swim every month. Below you’ll find month-by-month averages, what to know about hurricanes and sargassum, and the best time to visit for different goals.
At a glance
- Dry season: roughly November to April – sunny, less humid, the busiest and most expensive months.
- Rainy season: roughly May to October – hotter and more humid, with short heavy showers; September and October are the wettest.
- Hurricane season: June 1 to November 30; most activity from mid-August to mid-October.
- Sea temperature: about 26°C (79°F) in winter to 29°C (84°F) in late summer.
- Sargassum: most likely in spring and summer; conditions change daily and by beach.
Dry season vs rainy season
Dry season (November–April). This is Cancun’s most comfortable weather: sunny days, lower humidity and highs around 29–32°C (84–90°F). From December to February, cold fronts from the north (called nortes) can bring a day or two of wind, clouds and cooler nights, and sometimes rough seas that close the beaches to swimming. April is usually the driest month of the year.
Rainy season (May–October). Heat and humidity build from May, and highs reach about 34°C (93°F) in July and August. Rain usually comes as short, heavy afternoon or evening showers, followed by sunshine, rather than all-day rain. September and October are the wettest months, with more than 200 mm of rain on average, and also the peak of hurricane season.
Cancun weather by month
Averages for the Cancún weather station (SMN/CONAGUA climate normals). Sea temperatures are long-term averages. Temperatures are rounded; any single year can be warmer, cooler, wetter or drier.
| Month | High / low °C | High / low °F | Sea °C / °F | Rain (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29 / 19 | 83 / 67 | 26 / 79 | 56 | Coolest month, dry season; occasional cool, windy fronts (nortes) |
| February | 29 / 20 | 85 / 67 | 26 / 79 | 43 | Dry and pleasant; busy with winter visitors |
| March | 31 / 21 | 87 / 69 | 26 / 79 | 45 | Dry and sunny; spring break crowds |
| April | 32 / 22 | 90 / 72 | 26 / 79 | 37 | Driest month; Easter week is very busy; sargassum can start |
| May | 33 / 24 | 92 / 75 | 27 / 81 | 84 | Hot and humid; rains begin late in the month |
| June | 34 / 25 | 93 / 76 | 28 / 82 | 146 | Rainy season and hurricane season start |
| July | 34 / 25 | 93 / 76 | 28 / 82 | 111 | Hot; Mexican summer holidays |
| August | 34 / 25 | 94 / 76 | 29 / 84 | 115 | Hottest month; warmest sea |
| September | 33 / 24 | 92 / 75 | 29 / 84 | 223 | Very wet; peak of hurricane season; quietest and cheapest |
| October | 32 / 23 | 89 / 74 | 28 / 82 | 242 | Wettest month; hurricane risk continues |
| November | 30 / 22 | 86 / 71 | 28 / 82 | 113 | Rain eases; season ends Nov 30 |
| December | 29 / 20 | 84 / 68 | 27 / 81 | 80 | Dry season returns; holiday peak from mid-month |
Hurricane season in Cancun
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, most activity happens between mid-August and mid-October. A direct hit on Cancun in any given year is unlikely, but tropical storms can bring several days of rain and wind, and flights may be delayed or cancelled.
- Before you book: choose flexible fares and hotel rates, and consider travel insurance that covers hurricanes.
- Before you fly: check the National Hurricane Center (nhc.noaa.gov) and Mexico’s Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (smn.conagua.gob.mx) for active storms, and your airline for flight changes – see our Cancun Airport departures page.
- If a storm approaches: follow your hotel’s instructions and official civil protection alerts. Hotels in the area have hurricane procedures.
Sargassum season
Sargassum is a brown seaweed that drifts in from the Atlantic and can pile up on Caribbean beaches. It generally arrives in spring and summer, with the heaviest landings often around May to August, and usually eases in autumn and winter – but the amount varies a lot from year to year, week to week and beach to beach.
- Check before you go: Mexico’s Navy (SEMAR) publishes a daily sargassum traffic light for the Quintana Roo coast, from green (little sargassum) through yellow and orange to red (very high), Quintana Roo’s environment department (SEMA) reports conditions beach by beach, and the independent Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo posts its own regional traffic light.
- Beaches facing Isla Mujeres: the north-facing beaches of the Hotel Zone, such as Playa Langosta and Playa Caracol, look onto the sheltered Bahía de Mujeres and usually receive less sargassum than the long east-facing stretch of the Hotel Zone.
- Have a plan B: cenotes, island trips and Maya sites are not affected.
Best time to visit Cancun
- For beach weather: late November to April – dry, sunny and less humid. March and April are reliably dry.
- On a budget: late August to early December (outside the Thanksgiving week) usually has the lowest hotel rates, in exchange for heat, rain and hurricane risk.
- To avoid crowds: avoid the Christmas–New Year holidays, March spring break, Easter week and the July–August Mexican school holidays. Late April to May and November are good compromises.
- For whale sharks: trips run in summer from Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Holbox. In 2026 the season ran from May 15 to September 17; dates are set each year, so check before booking. See our Holbox tour and Cancun tours.
What to pack for Cancun
- Light, breathable clothes, swimwear, sandals and comfortable walking shoes for ruins and cenotes.
- A light sweater or long sleeves for winter evenings, cold fronts and air-conditioned restaurants and buses.
- A compact umbrella or rain jacket from May to October.
- Sunscreen labeled reef-safe or biodegradable (required at many cenotes and eco-parks), a hat and sunglasses – the sun is strong all year.
- Insect repellent, especially in the rainy season and for jungle or cenote trips.
More tips in What to know before you go to Cancun.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
Whatever the weather, a pre-booked private transfer gets you from Cancun Airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone in 15–35 minutes, from 44 USD one way or 88 USD round trip per vehicle for up to 8 people.
Book your Cancun Airport transfer
FAQ
What is the best month to go to Cancun?
For weather, March and April are hard to beat: dry, sunny and warm. December to February is also pleasant, though cold fronts can bring a few cooler, windy days. For lower prices, consider late April to May or November.
When is the rainy season in Cancun?
Roughly May to October. Rain usually comes in short, heavy showers. September and October are the wettest months, with more than 200 mm of rain on average.
When is hurricane season in Cancun?
From June 1 to November 30, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. Check the National Hurricane Center and Mexico’s SMN before you travel during these months.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in winter?
Yes. The Caribbean off Cancun averages about 26°C (79°F) in January to March and about 29°C (84°F) in August and September.
When is sargassum season in Cancun?
Sargassum is most likely in spring and summer and usually eases in autumn and winter, but it changes daily. Check the daily sargassum traffic light from SEMAR and beach reports from Quintana Roo’s SEMA before heading to the beach.