Cancún is warm and the sea is suitable for swimming all year round.

When choosing a date, the most important factor isn’t whether the temperature will be 28 or 31 °C. The quality of a beach holiday is much more dependent on rain, humidity, wind, waves, the presence of Sargassum seaweed and, during the autumn, the risk of tropical storms.

The weather is usually most stable from late January to early April. From May onwards, humidity, showers and seaweed gradually increase, whilst September and October are the least reliable months.

Temperatures and humidity throughout the year

Cancún has a tropical climate with little difference between winter and summer.

From December to March, daytime temperatures usually range between 26 and 29 °C. In the evening, the temperature may drop to around 20 to 23 °C, and on windy days you’ll be glad to have a light jumper.

From May to October, expect temperatures of mostly 30 to 32 °C, warm nights and significantly higher humidity. The heat index is usually considerably higher, and this period is more tiring, particularly for sightseeing or travelling by bus.

Weather in January

January is one of the best months to visit Cancún. It is warm, the humidity is lower than in summer, and rainfall is usually brief.

Occasionally, cold northern fronts known as ‘nortes’ pass over Cancún.

These can bring cloud, strong winds and large waves for several days, particularly at the open stretch of Playa Delfines. In such conditions, you’ll find calmer swimming at Playa Langosta, for example.

January is part of the peak season and hotel prices are at their highest.

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Weather in February

We consider February to be one of the two best months to visit Cancún. There is little rainfall, the humidity remains pleasant and temperatures are ideal for swimming and excursions.

A windy northerly front may still occur, but the weather is generally more stable than in January. The likelihood of sargassum is also low.

The downside is high prices and high hotel occupancy rates. You should therefore book your accommodation in Cancún well in advance.

Weather in March

March is usually the driest and , overall, the most reliable month. The days are sunny, the evenings are warm, and the humidity remains pleasant compared to summer.

Conditions are excellent for swimming, boat trips and visiting Mayan ruins. The risk of sargassum and tropical storms is very low.

However, bear in mind that this is the peak season and coincides with the American spring holidays. It’s usually busiest around the clubs and beaches at Punta Cancún.

Weather in April

April is still a very good month to visit Cancún. It is warmer than March, but rainfall usually remains relatively low.

Humidity gradually increases and the sargassum season begins. Particularly in the second half of the month, it is no longer possible to guarantee a clean beach in advance, although conditions are still significantly better than during the summer.

During Easter, the Zona Hotelera can get very busy and hotel prices rise.

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Weather in May

May marks the transition between the drier and wetter seasons. It is hot, humidity rises and short tropical showers occur more frequently.

There are still plenty of hours of sunshine, but the risk of sargassum increases significantly.

If a clean and calm sea is a priority for you, the north-facing beaches around Playa Gaviota Azul and Playa Langosta offer a better chance. However, even here there are no guarantees.

May may offer more favourable prices than the winter season, but you should also choose your accommodation based on the quality of the swimming pools and other hotel facilities.

Weather in June

June marks the start of the main rainy season, and 1 June also marks the official start of the hurricane season.

Most showers are short and intense, so even a daily forecast of rain doesn’t necessarily mean your holiday will be ruined.

However, when a tropical wave passes through, it can rain continuously for several hours or days.

The sea is very warm, but sargassum is more common. On open beaches, such as Playa Chac Mool, you should also expect larger waves.

Weather in July

July is very hot and humid.

Sunny spells alternate with short showers and afternoon thunderstorms, which can build up very quickly.

The sea is around 29 to 30 °C. Ideally, go for a swim in the morning, when it’s less windy and showers are less likely.

The main drawback remains the sargassum. The open Playa Delfines can be stunning, but it can just as easily be overrun by seaweed within a few days.

Weather in August

August is one of the hottest and most humid months.

The nights bring only a slight drop in temperature, and the perceived temperature is usually significantly higher than the reading on the thermometer.

Showers are frequent, but they do not usually last all day. At the same time, the likelihood of tropical storms and hurricanes increases, and the peak sargassum season continues.

August can be a good option if you can find a high-quality resort at a good price. However, book accommodation with a cancellation option and don’t plan your itinerary solely around the sea.

Weather in September

September is the riskiest month in terms of the weather.

It is one of the rainiest times of the year and also falls right in the middle of the peak hurricane season.

You may still experience a few sunny days, but there is an increased risk of prolonged rain, cancelled boat trips and beach closures. Humidity also remains high, as does the likelihood of sargassum.

The advantages are lower airfares and hotel prices, and fewer tourists. However, we wouldn’t choose September for your first or only beach holiday in Cancún.

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Weather in October

October remains rainy, and the risk of tropical storms remains high, particularly in the first half of the month.

The weather usually starts to improve towards the end of October, but there are significant variations from year to year.

Sargassum gradually recedes, though it can still appear in large quantities. After rainfall, you should also expect more mosquitoes, particularly in the evenings around the Nichupté Lagoon.

Only choose October if you can get a significantly good deal and have the flexibility to change or cancel your booking.

Weather in November

November is a transitional month between the rainy season and the peak tourist season. Rainfall decreases, humidity drops and the likelihood of sargassum appears significantly.

The hurricane season does not officially end until 30 November, but the risk of tropical storms is considerably lower in the second half of the month than in September and October.

At the same time, the first windy northerly fronts may begin to appear.

Late November is one of the best times to visit in terms of the balance between weather and prices, and is ideal for combining a beach holiday with sightseeing.

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Weather in December

December brings drier weather, lower humidity and pleasant temperatures. The sea remains warm enough for swimming and the likelihood of sargassum is low.

Occasional ‘nortes’ fronts can bring strong winds and rough seas to open beaches. The wind is also often noticeable in the more exposed area of Costa Mujeres.

The first half of December offers good value for money. The period over Christmas and New Year marks the start of one of the most expensive parts of the season.

Does it rain all day during the rainy season?

The period with higher rainfall lasts from around May to October.

It usually rains most in September and October, whilst the driest months are February, March and April.

However, rain in the forecast does not automatically mean a ruined holiday. During the summer, short, intense showers or thunderstorms often occur, after which the skies clear again. Yet, statistically, the whole day is counted as rainy.

Continuous rain lasting several hours or days most often accompanies a tropical wave, a cold front or a storm. In such situations, the sea may be closed to boats, trips may be cancelled, and the weather does not improve even between showers.

Treat ten-day forecasts in the tropics as a rough guide only. When planning for a specific day, check the hourly forecast and the rainfall radar no earlier than 24 to 48 hours in advance.

Wind and waves depend on the specific beach

The weather isn’t the same on all of Cancún’s beaches. The narrow Zona Hotelera juts out into the sea, and different sections of the coastline face different directions.

The open Caribbean side around Playa Delfines and Playa Chac Mool tends to be windier, with larger waves and stronger currents. The colour of the water here is usually the most beautiful, but red flags and swimming bans are not uncommon.

The north-facing beaches around Playa Langosta, Playa Gaviota Azul and parts of Punta Cancún tend to have calmer waters. You’ll notice the difference particularly on windy days and when travelling with young children.

From December to February, Cancún can be affected by cold northern fronts known as ‘nortes’. These bring stronger winds, clouds, rough seas and a brief drop in temperature. Even in winter, therefore, not every day is automatically ideal for swimming.

After rain, it’s a good idea to use insect repellent, particularly in the evening near vegetation and the Nichupté Lagoon.

How warm is the sea?

The Caribbean Sea is warm all year round in Cancún. In winter, it is around 26 °C, whilst in summer it warms to between 29 and 30 °C.

So, no month is particularly cold for swimming. In January and February, it’s the strong wind that can be rather unpleasant when getting out of the water. Unheated hotel swimming pools can even be colder than the sea on winter mornings.

When does sargassum appear in Cancún?

Brown sargassum seaweed is just as important to consider when planning a beach holiday as the rain.

The main season usually runs from April to October. However, the start, end and intensity of the season vary from year to year, and the seaweed may also appear in other months. The amount found on a particular beach is influenced by the wind, ocean currents and the speed of clean-up operations.

The open Caribbean side tends to be the most affected, for example Playa Delfines or Playa Chac Mool. The north-facing beaches of Playa Langosta and Playa Gaviota Azul generally offer a slightly better chance of clear water. However, there are no guarantees anywhere, except perhaps on the beach on the island of Contoy.

Large resorts clear the seaweed several times a day, whilst on the natural stretches of Isla Blanca, sargassum may remain for longer.

Hurricane season

The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. The highest number of tropical storms and hurricanes usually occurs between August and October.

Staying during the hurricane season does not mean that Cancún will be hit by a hurricane. Most visitors will enjoy a perfectly normal holiday.

However, if a severe storm does approach the coast, the consequences may include cancelled flights, closed beaches, a ban on boat traffic and restrictions on hotel operations.

Where should you stay if you want calmer seas?

If swimming is your top priority, don’t choose a hotel based solely on the ‘Zona Hotelera’ label. Also check the orientation of its beach.

On the calmer northern side, for example, is the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach.

The Hyatt Ziva Cancún is situated right on the Punta Cancún headland and has access to beaches facing in different directions.

Even the hotel’s location cannot guarantee clear seas every day, but it can significantly increase your chances of being able to swim at least on one nearby beach during windy weather.

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What to pack

• Light, breathable clothing.
• Sun cream with a high SPF and a hat.
• Insect repellent, especially for evenings by the lagoon and after it has rained.
• A light waterproof jacket rather than a heavy raincoat.
• A light jumper for air-conditioned buses, restaurants and the winter wind.