Average high temperature and rainfall for Cozumel weather in January. © Scott S. Bateman

Cozumel weather in January is warm, sunny and dry. But that doesn’t mean the beaches and swimming are ideal.

Mexico’s largest island is one of the most popular destinations on western Caribbean cruises from January through April.

January is part of the dry season for Cozumel and other stops on western cruises such as Jamaica, Roatan and Grand Cayman.

The average temperatures in Cozumel during January look invitingly warm, but they also are a bit deceiving.

Cozumel Temperatures in January

The average high temperature in Cozumel during January is 84 degrees Fahrenheit and 29 degrees Celsius, according to the Mexican government’s meteorology service, Servicio Meteorológico Nacional.

So far so good. That means the daytime temperatures feel comfortable enough for shorts and T-shirts.

The average low temperature is 67 degrees Fahrenheit and 19 degrees Celsius.

That average low temperature usually takes place at night. It is low enough to make water chilly and possibly unpleasant for swimming at times, especially in the mornings.

If the trade winds are strong enough—as we found out during one visit—the wind chill factor makes swimming feel even cooler and sometimes too uncomfortable.

Seawater warms up again in the afternoon as the sun and air temperatures rise. Hope for warmer than usual weather.

Rain in January

Despite the cooler waters, Cozumel is popular in January partly because people want to get away from the winter up north and partly because January is the start of the island’s dry season.

January in Cozumel has an average total rainfall of about three inches, according to Servicio Meteorológico Nacional.

Rainfall declines even more from February through March. But the total rain in January is near the lowest of the year for Cozumel and similar to many other Caribbean destinations during the month.

By comparison, Cozumel has heavy amounts of rain during the Caribbean hurricane season, especially in September and October. It also clearly has above average rainfall for a Caribbean destination during most other months of the year.

Another way of looking at the risk of rain is the average number of days it rains each month.

For Cozumel in January, the average days with rain is nine. Again, that total is not nearly as good as the average of only four in March and April, which are ideal weather months. But it is still low for the Caribbean.

Although January is not the best month for weather in Cozumel, it is much better than the rain that pounds the island during the fall months.

• Cozumel weather in: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December