The best season to visit Cancun
Traveling to Cancun is always a good idea, but not all seasons are the same. If what you're looking for is ideal weather, crowd-free beaches, or reasonable prices, then it pays to plan. What better way to do it than with tips from locals? Read on!
Seasons of the year: when to visit Cancun and when it is better to wait
🌞 Tourist season (December to April)
- Weather: Sunny, no rain, perfect for lying on the beach without worrying about anything.
- Pros: You can enjoy the Caribbean Sea at its best. It is ideal to escape the cold if you come from the Northern Hemisphere.
Additionally, during this season, the possibility of swimming in Cancun's waters without encountering Sargasso is very high.
- Cons: Higher prices, more tourists, and you must book everything in advance.
- Activities we recommend:
- Snorkeling in Isla Mujeres.
- Catamaran Trip
- Visit the ruins of Tulum or Chichen Itza without suffering from the heat.
- Eat in luxury restaurants in front of the sea... or the lagoon.
- Visit the natural water parks near Cancun, such as Xcaret and Xelha, among others.
- Travel to Cozumel, heaven.
- Get to know Holbox.
🌦️ Low season (May to November)
- Climate: More humid, occasional rains, and very, very hot.
- Pros: Lower prices, fewer people, and deals everywhere. This is the ideal season to enjoy multiple activities.
- Cons: Risk of hurricanes between August and October. It is advisable to check the weather before booking a tour, stay, or flight.
- Recommended activities:
- Swim in fresh cenotes.
- Take advantage of discounted spas and eat at popular local restaurants without waiting in long lines.
- Visit Cancun's beaches; they tend to be less crowded than usual during this time of year.
- Take advantage of tours that are usually in high demand; during this season, you may have a better chance of securing tickets.
- Go snorkeling.
- Visit the nearby islands.
Flights and hotels: when to spend less and travel more
✈️ Cheap flights: Usually between September and November, and sometimes in May. Subscribing to price alerts is very helpful.
🏨 Cheapest hotels: Low season, especially in June and September. Luxury hotels offer discounts of up to 40%.
Pro tip: Booking flights during the week and searching for hotel and flight combos on travel apps can help you save significantly on your trip.
Restaurants in Cancun: eat well without emptying your wallet
- During high season, tourist restaurants are often full, and prices tend to increase slightly.
- During the low season, you can dine at top places without needing to make reservations days in advance.
Not to be missed all year round:
- The Fish Fritanga for local seafood at a reasonable price.
- Taqueria Los Chachalacos or Los de Asada for local taqueria.
- La Madalena, if you want to enjoy an elegant meal without emptying your pocket.
- Cenaccolo, if you are a lover of high-end Italian food.
- Chester is a place for everyone, offering a variety of options, including pizza, pasta, and delicious sodas.
- Mr. Nohoch, very local birria tacos, which not everyone knows, but worth trying.
- Yamamoto, Japanese food, isthe best in Cancun.
- Los Koras offers seafood at a reasonable price and size, and it's also very delicious.
- Casa Mía is a family-friendly establishment serving exquisite Mexican cuisine for all tastes.
Traveler's recommendations.
- Avoid Easter and New Year's if you don't want to deal with crowds (and tripled prices).
- Bring repellent and biodegradable sunscreen if you visit Cancun during the rainy season or plan to swim in cenotes (use sunscreen after water activities).
- Book tours in advance in high season and leave room for improvisation in low season (although it is always advisable to book in advance).
- Explore beyond the Hotel Zone: there is more authentic life (and food) on the other side of Kukulcan Boulevard. Explore downtown shopping plazas such as Plaza Outlet, Las Américas, Malecón Américas, and Go Grand Outlet, among others.
Finally... When and what is the best season to visit Cancun?
- Perfect weather? Visit Cancun between January and April.
- Best prices? Go for September or May.
- A balance of everything? November is a gem; it has good weather, fewer people, and prices that are significantly better than the rest of the year.
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Ready to pack up? All that's left to do is choose whether to sip margaritas in the sun or explore ruins in the tropical rain. Either sounds pretty good.
Let us know in the comments what your favorite things to do in Cancun have been.
Published on Jul 10, 2025
