Here’s my quick plan for you:
- Why I still go during hurricane season
- Three real trips (the good, the scary, and the soggy)
- What I pack and skip
- How hotels handle storms
- Who should go, who should wait
- My final score
Why I Still Book It (Even When It’s Stormy)
I keep going to Cancun in hurricane season, and yes, I know that sounds wild. The season runs June through November, with the most action in August, September, and October. But you know what? The prices drop, the beaches aren’t packed, and many days are sunny with quick showers. Still, you can get a full-on storm. I’ve had both—lazy pool days and a mattress on a ballroom floor while the wind screamed. Both were real.
If you want an even deeper dive into what the season really looks like on the ground, my in-depth hurricane-season review covers logistics, costs, and coping tricks. For a no-fluff look at picking the smartest travel window and sorting out storm-season insurance, I lean on this guide from CNC Travel.
So, is it worth it? Depends how you travel and how your nerves handle rain that hits sideways.
Trip 1: September Girls’ Weekend — Wet but Chill
This was 2019, early September. We stayed in the Hotel Zone near km 11, at an all-inclusive that loved to blast 90s playlists by the pool. We got two days of off-and-on rain from a tropical depression. The sea was choppy. Red flags on the beach. No paddleboards.
For a wider look at Cancun’s shoreline in calmer weather, check out my honest sand-in-my-shoes review of the Playas de Cancún.
Here’s the thing: it wasn’t a bust. We switched to inside stuff. Spa deal, cooking class, roulette at the tiny casino room. The staff put out hot churros at tea time. The air smelled like wet hibiscus and sunscreen. We played lotería with the bartender. That part felt cozy. My only regret? I packed cute sandals instead of rubber slides. Rookie move. Slippery floors plus umbrella drinks—yeah, not smart.
When cabin fever strikes and you’re stuck in the room, one surprisingly fun way to pass the time is with a little flirty phone banter. If you want fresh lines that go beyond “Wish you were here,” dive into this collection of creative sexting ideas that walks you through consent, tone, and spicy prompts—perfect for keeping the spark alive until the storm passes.
If your trip gets postponed and you find yourself cooling your heels back in Southern California, you can still channel that vacation mood with a local, low-pressure meetup—sites like Listcrawler Simi Valley showcase real-time companion ads, giving you a hassle-free way to line up a coffee date or night out until it’s safe to swap rain clouds for Riviera sunshine again.
Trip 2: Hurricane Delta, October 2020 — The Real Shelter Night
This one got serious. I was at a big resort in the Hotel Zone (think mega buffet and a white wedding gazebo). Government alerts went out on TV and through WhatsApp. The hotel staff taped the big windows, asked us to pack a small bag, and moved everyone to a ballroom. We slept on thin mattresses. Box lunches came in brown paper bags: ham sandwich, juice, apple, cookies. The lights flickered. The generator hummed like a giant fridge. The wind? It howled. I could feel the glass doors pulse.
We were safe, though. The team stayed calm and kept checking on kids and older guests. That meant a lot. After the storm, the beach was a mess—seaweed, branches, even a stray beach chair. CFE crews worked fast; power came back in parts by the next day, then more. The pool opened in two days. We canceled a snorkel trip and got credit. Did I cry a little from stress at 3 a.m.? Yep. Would I go again? Also yes. But I bring a better flashlight now.
Trip 3: Hurricane Grace, August 2021 — Puerto Morelos Pivot
Different vibe here. I stayed in Puerto Morelos, the sleepy fishing town between Cancun and Playa. It’s cute—bright boats, a leaning lighthouse, great tacos. Grace hit overnight. The reef helped break the waves, but the port closed. No boats. Our snorkel got canceled. The next morning, the town smelled like wet wood and coffee. Folks swept sand off steps. One café ran a small generator and sold hot pan dulce. By day two, we were walking the pier. By day three, we got back in the water. The reef looked rough in spots, but turtles still cruised by like nothing happened.
Little tip: Puerto Morelos recovers fast for small stuff, but if you want big pools and big gyms right after a storm, the larger resorts fix up faster.
I’ve also found that if you crave a boutique-sized hideaway with solid storm procedures, Ceiba del Mar in Puerto Morelos delivers calm vibes and reinforced walls when the wind picks up.
What I Pack Now (And What I Skip)
- What comes with me:
- A power bank (my Anker 20,000 mAh is a hero)
- Zip-top bags for passports and phones
- A thin poncho and rubber slides
- A tiny flashlight or headlamp
- Snacks that don’t melt: nuts, dried mango, gummies
- Basic meds and a copy of my ID
- What I skip:
- Umbrellas (pointless in crazy wind)
- Fancy shoes
- Big, heavy books (use your phone—download stuff before)
I also watch weather on Windy and Apple Weather. Tour guides use WhatsApp a lot, so keep that handy. If a local captain says “no” due to red flags, you listen. The sea doesn’t care about your schedule.
How Hotels Handle It (From What I’ve Seen)
- All-inclusives are good at storm playbooks. They bring food to ballrooms. They post updates. They tape glass and move chairs.
- Curfews happen. Security stays kind but firm.
- After a storm, they clear branches fast. Pools open before beaches. Housekeeping works magic.
- Water can look brown for a day or two. Don’t panic. It clears.
Also, rooms with sliding doors can whistle in wind. Roll a towel at the base. It helps more than you’d guess.
Good Surprises vs. Pain Points
Good:
- Lower prices, shorter lines, easy dinner reservations
- Fewer families in late October, which makes it quiet
- Sargassum usually eases in fall, so beaches can look clean after the mess is cleared
- Tee times at the golf courses open up, and if you’re eyeing fairways, my week-of-rounds take on Cancun golf courses tells you what to expect.
Not so good:
- Tours cancel fast when ports close (fair)
- Humidity is no joke; everything feels damp
- Mosquitoes get bold after rain
- Flights shuffle; build a buffer day if you can
Should You Book It?
If you’re still weighing the hurricane-season pros and cons, this month-by-month breakdown from Let’s Travel to Cancun helps size up the odds.
Say yes if:
- You’re flexible and cool with Plan B, C, and sometimes D
- You like spa days, long breakfasts, and board games when the sky turns gray
- You want value and don’t mind a few curveballs
Maybe wait if:
- You need sun every day, no excuses
- You’re planning a must-not-miss event (wedding photos in a gale? no thanks)
- Weather anxiety keeps you up at night
My Bottom Line
Hurricane season in Cancun is a gamble, but not a blind one. Most days are still good. Storm days feel long, but hotels handle them well. I’ve had sweet, quiet trips, and I’ve had a loud, windy night on a ballroom floor. Both were real. Both taught me to pack smarter, ask questions, and roll with it.
My score: 4 out of 5 for value and warmth, dropping to 2.5 during an actual storm, and bouncing back to 4 once the sun returns. Would I go again in September or October? Honestly, yes—with a poncho, a power bank, and a loose plan.