Cancun Average Monthly Weather
It Has Hotter Summers and Cooler Winters Than Most Caribbean Destinations
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| Cancun beaches are chilly at times during the winter. |
This tourist mecca on the east coast of Mexico is the second most popular vacation destination in the Caribbean.
Besides its warmth, Cancun has a large number of luxurious hotels, fine restaurants, shopping, nightlife and attractions.
Not every month is a good month to visit. We were surprised at the chill during a February visit. Trade winds plus chilly seawater kept overone on land. Fortunately, our pool was well heated.
The average Cancun climate has monthly daytime temperatures ranging from the low 80s Fahrenheit in the winter to low 90s in the summer. Average rainfall ranges from two inches a month in the dry season to nine inches in the rainy season.
Average Cancun Temperatures
Cancun weather has an average monthly daytime temperature of about 88 degrees Fahrenheit or 31 Celsius, according to Mexico's National Water Commission.
| Cancun Climate Chart | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Mean Temperature oF | Mean Total Rainfall (mm) | Mean Number of Rain Days | |
| Daily Minimum | Daily Maximum | |||
| Jan | 69.1 | 82.2 | 136.4 | 10.5 |
| Feb | 69.3 | 83.7 | 45.7 | 5.4 |
| Mar | 70.7 | 85.8 | 52.7 | 5.4 |
| Apr | 74.1 | 88.7 | 37.9 | 4.1 |
| May | 75.9 | 90.9 | 88.0 | 6.6 |
| June | 77.4 | 91.4 | 137.5 | 11.1 |
| July | 77.4 | 92.1 | 57.0 | 8.8 |
| Aug | 76.6 | 92.5 | 109.5 | 10.0 |
| Sept | 76.5 | 90.9 | 224.6 | 14.0 |
| Oct | 74.8 | 87.8 | 221.1 | 16.3 |
| Nov | 72.9 | 85.3 | 131.6 | 12.4 |
| Dec | 70.2 | 82.8 | 95.7 | 10.6 |
| Source: World Meteorological Organization | ||||
Average highs reach 82 Fahrenheit and average lows drop to 69 Fahrenheit in January and February. These low nighttime temperatures cool the sea temperatures and often make swimming too chilly, especially in the mornings. But winter visitors who want to swim shouldn’t despair. Some warmer afternoon temperatures and weak trade winds may make swimming possible.
Average Rainfall
Rainfall totals more than 50 inches annually -- similar to an island such as St. Lucia. But it rains much less in the spring and much more in the fall than the typical destination. In fact, it rains nearly nine inches a month in both September and October.
Those two months receive the worst weather of the Caribbean's annual hurricane season, which officially lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30. It rains on average about five days a month from February through May and up to 16 days in October.
The most popular months to visit Cancun are March, June, July and December, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The least popular are January (cool weather and water), September and October (heavy rains).
Vacationers will find that most months are fine for visiting Cancun. But March through May are the best weather months for an ideal combination of rain and temperatures.
• Weather in
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas.
- May 17, 2021