Weather in Cancun: best and worst months to go
Cancun’s climate is one of the reasons why this Mexican tourist enclave is the second most popular vacation destination in the Caribbean region.
Other reasons why Cancun attracts so many tourists include its hotel, commercial and restaurant strip; the inexpensive bus transportation system; many things to do; and convenient access to and from US airports It is a 1.5 hour flight from Miami and four hours from Chicago.
The best time to go to Cancun depends in part on whether you prefer to spend a lot of time on the beach and in the water, or if you like to spend most of your time shopping, dining, and visiting the various attractions in the region. Some fabulous Mayan ruins are located nearby.
Cancun’s climate is generally warm throughout the year; in fact, many hotels and resorts have open-air lobbies, but the coastal breeze can make the air and water cooler in the winter months.
Average temperatures
The average year-round high temperature for this tourist destination is nearly 88 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature is just under 74 degrees, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Cancun weather from May to September is the warmest time to visit when the average high temperature exceeds 90 degrees each month, peaking at 92.5 in August.
Cancun weather in December, January, and February is cooler when average highs are around 83 degrees.
The average low drops below 70 degrees in January and February, and barely exceeds 70 degrees in December.
Average Rain
Average rainfall is 4.4 inches per month and the average number of rainy days per month is 9.6.
Rainy and rainy days are roughly average for a Caribbean destination.
February, March, and April are the driest months when it rains less than 1.8 inches a month. It also rains only five days a month during that time.
Total precipitation increases in June, falls in July, and rises during the busiest months of the hurricane season of September and October, when it rains nearly nine inches per month.
November also has an above-average amount of rainfall.
Best times to go
Tourists will find that the best time to go to Cancun is from February to May, while they should avoid it in September and especially in October.
However, keep in mind that the water temperatures in February and March are cold and not comfortable for swimming for a long time.