I’m Kayla, and I’ve been to Cancun in five different months over the years. I went for a birthday, a girls’ trip, a cheap fall escape, and even a “we need sun now” winter break. (For a deeper, data-heavy dive into picking the ideal month, I share charts and tips here.) I’ll keep it simple. Real trips. Real weather. Real crowds. And what I’d choose again.
For readers who crave hard numbers alongside my anecdotes, the detailed monthly weather averages compiled by Current Results map out Cancun’s temperature and rainfall shifts, while the month-by-month overview from Climates to Travel pairs those stats with on-the-ground advice to help you pin down the perfect travel window.
The quick answer (and the hill I’ll stand on)
My favorite windows:
- Mid-November to mid-December
- Late April
Why? Warm water. Soft sun. Lower prices. Fewer wild crowds. And less seaweed (usually). You can still swim, and you can sleep at night.
But that’s not the whole story. Let me explain.
January: clear skies, calm mind
I took my parents in late January. Temps hovered around 78°F in the day. Nights felt fresh. One day we got a cool north wind, and the red flag went up. No swimming that afternoon. The next day? Perfect.
We rode the Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres and spent a slow morning on Playa Norte. The water looked like glass. We ate grilled fish at a plastic table and watched pelicans face the wind. I loved the pace. Prices were fair. Spring break hadn’t started. If you like quiet beaches and easy sleep, January works.
Note: Pack a light sweater. Hotel lobbies blast the AC. (My full Cancun attire and packing list can help.)
March: fun, loud, and costs more
I went with friends the second week of March. Spring break. It was a scene. Coco Bongo had a line that curled around the block. Our Uber took forever. The beach outside our hotel was crowded by 10 a.m. It felt like a festival, and we made it fun—late nights, loud music, then churros on the walk back.
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But prices? Ouch. We paid more for the same room I booked in January. Also, the water got choppy two days in a row, so our snorkel plan got bumped. Worth it if you want that energy. Not great if you want naps.
Early May: warm water, seaweed surprise
My husband and I did an early May anniversary trip. The water was bath-warm (see my month-by-month temp chart here). The sky was a giant blue plate. But we hit sargassum (seaweed). Thick lines of it rolled in each morning. The hotel crew raked like champs, but the smell in the heat? Not cute.
We switched plans and went inland. Cenote Ik Kil felt cool and clean, like a secret well. Chichén Itzá by 8 a.m. saved us from both heat and buses. We still swam, just not every day on the ocean side. Would I go in May again? Maybe, but I’d stay on Isla Mujeres or book a hotel with a strong seaweed barrier. One solid option is Ceiba del Mar, a Riviera Maya hideaway that’s obsessive about daily beach cleaning and blissfully quiet at night. Or I’d plan extra cenote days.
July: hot, sticky, and incredible whale sharks
We did a family trip in July. It was hot and honest. Like 88–90°F, humid, with quick afternoon storms. Mosquitoes at dusk near the lagoon—bring spray.
But we saw whale sharks. We left at dawn on a small boat, took motion sickness pills (thank me later), and floated near these gentle giants as they fed. I cried in my mask. That memory is glued in my brain. Back at the hotel, we joined a turtle patrol one night. Staff roped off nests. We watched tiny flippers in the moonlight in late season. It felt special.
July is magic for wildlife. Just know the seaweed can still be heavy, and storms pop up fast.
September: cheap rates, storm nerves
I went for a long weekend in mid-September when flights were silly cheap. I watched the forecast like a hawk. A storm brushed past. We got two full rain days with huge, gray surf. Remember, this sits squarely in hurricane season, so trip insurance is smart.
But museums were empty. Mercado 28 had room to breathe. We ate cochinita pibil at a tiny spot by the bus stop and took the ADO to Valladolid the next day, blue sky back again. If you chase deals and don’t mind a Plan B, September can work. If you need guaranteed beach days, skip it.
November: my best overall trip
We came in early November once, right after Day of the Dead. The hotels had bright marigolds and sugar skull altars. The air felt clean. Mornings were gold. Water was clear. Seaweed was light. Prices were steady. We did a lazy ferry day to Isla Mujeres, then sunset at La Isla Shopping Village with a bag of warm churros. Honestly, this is my sweet spot. I’d book this on repeat.
The seaweed thing (and how I handle it)
Sargassum swings by season. It’s often heavier from late spring into summer, but it changes week by week.
Here’s what I do:
- Watch recent beach photos from hotels on social media.
- If I go in May–August, I favor north-facing spots like Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres or other playas de Cancún that dodge the sargassum.
- I plan at least one cenote day and one lagoon or boat day. Clear water, no piles.
- I ask the hotel about beach cleaning and barriers. Some do it well.
Crowds, prices, and vibes by season
- Late Nov–mid Dec: Calm, pretty, fair rates. My top pick.
- Late Dec–early Jan: Festive, pricey, great weather.
- Feb: Steady good weather, sports fans, couples, families.
- March–early April: Party time. Busy, fun, and expensive.
- Late April: Warm water, smaller crowds. Nice, but seaweed may start.
- May–Aug: Hot, humid, more seaweed, great for wildlife and long swims.
- Sept–Oct: Cheapest, but highest storm risk. Keep plans flexible.
Little planning notes I learned the hard way
- Ocean flags matter. Red means sit back. Don’t force it.
- Boats cancel when the wind pops. Have a backup plan (tacos count).
- Motion sickness pills for whale shark days are not “extra.” They’re the key.
- Bug spray for lagoon sunsets. Trust me.
- Early starts win. Ruins at 8 a.m. feel like a private tour.
So…when should you go?
If you want the best mix of sunshine, price, and peace: mid-November to mid-December. If you want warm water and fewer crowds, and you’re okay rolling with a bit of seaweed: late April.
If you want a wild story, go in July and meet a whale shark. If you want a crazy party, go in March and bring earplugs.
Me? I keep booking November. I like waking up to quiet waves and that soft, bright sky. You know what? It just feels right.