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Weather in Cancun
Caribbean turquoise, cenotes, and ancient ruins
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About Cancun
Cancun's beach zone has some of the most beautiful Caribbean water in the world. But beyond the resorts lies the Yucatan peninsula: the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza, an extraordinary network of freshwater cenotes, and the Riviera Maya's coral reefs.
Best months to visit
January, February, March, April, December
Things to do in Cancun
Chichen Itza
Tulum ruins
Cenote swimming
Isla Mujeres
Snorkelling reefs
Street taco crawl
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
Recommended
January
26C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
February
27C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
March
28C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
April
29C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
May
30C
Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.
June
30C
Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.
July
31C
Hot and humid, with some rainy days.
August
31C
Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.
September
30C
Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.
October
29C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
November
28C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
December
27C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Cancun is the place that invented the Caribbean beach resort formula and it remains one of the best examples of it — the Hotel Zone is a narrow sandbar of white sand and turquoise sea that runs for 22km, with the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza a day trip away, the cenotes of the Yucatán peninsula offering extraordinary freshwater swimming, and a Mexican food culture that transcends the tourist restaurants if you venture downtown. The sea here is genuinely that colour.
Best areas to stay in Cancun
Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone)
The 22km sandbar of resort hotels, beach clubs, and turquoise Caribbean sea — the classic Cancun experience and one of the world's great beach settings.
Downtown Cancun
The real Mexican city behind the resort strip — excellent tacos al pastor, local markets, authentic restaurants, and prices a fraction of the Hotel Zone.
Tulum
A coastal town 1.5 hours south of Cancun — archaeological ruins perched above the Caribbean, bohemian beach clubs, and the best cenote access in the region.
Isla Mujeres
A tiny island 30 minutes by ferry from Cancun's port — golf carts, turquoise water, excellent seafood, and a completely different pace from the mainland resort strip.
Getting to Cancun
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Flights
Cancun International Airport (CUN) is served by direct charter and scheduled flights from London Gatwick and Manchester; connecting options via Miami, Dallas, or Mexico City are available year-round.
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From London
~10–11 hours direct from London (seasonal)
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Getting around
R1 buses run along the Hotel Zone cheaply; taxis are metered; hire car is the most flexible option for day trips to ruins and cenotes. Use authorised taxi stands at the airport to avoid overcharging.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Cancun?
December to April is the peak season — sunny skies, low humidity, and calm seas. May to November is the Atlantic hurricane season, with August–October carrying the highest storm risk. Shoulder season (May, early November) offers good weather and lower prices.
Can I visit Chichen Itza from Cancun?
Yes — Chichen Itza is around 3 hours by bus or 2.5 hours by hire car from Cancun. It's one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and an essential day trip. Go early morning to beat the heat and the large tour groups.
What is a cenote and which should I visit?
Cenotes are natural sinkholes filled with crystal-clear fresh water, sacred to the Maya — there are thousands across the Yucatán. Ik Kil (near Chichen Itza) is most famous; Dos Ojos is outstanding for snorkelling; Gran Cenote near Tulum is excellent.
Is Cancun safe for tourists?
The Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) is generally safe. Downtown Cancun is a normal Mexican city requiring standard urban awareness. The FCDO recommends checking travel advice; tourist areas are well policed but common sense precautions apply.
Should I stay in Cancun or Tulum?
Cancun offers the most developed resort infrastructure and easy access to excursions; Tulum has a more boutique, eco-chic atmosphere with proximity to its own ruins and cenotes. Many visitors split their time between both.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Cancun in January was absolute perfection — 28°C, calm turquoise sea, and not a cloud in three weeks. The cenote near Tulum we swam in was breathtaking; the colour of the water is genuinely supernatural. Chichen Itza made me feel appropriately small.
Melissa H. · January 2024
★★★★☆
Brilliant beach holiday with excellent day trips — Isla Mujeres for snorkelling with whale sharks (seasonal), cenote swimming, and the ruins at Tulum. The hotel zone food is average but head downtown for the real Mexican tacos.
Brian T. · March 2023
★★★★★
Off-peak November Cancun is amazing value — our resort was half price and the sea was still warm and clear. We had some of the best snorkelling we've ever done at the Mesoamerican Reef, second only to the Great Barrier Reef in size.
Laura N. · November 2024
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