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Weather Overview for Cancun

Cancun receives a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round and distinct wet and dry seasons. Cancun is on the eastern coast of Mexico on its Yucatan Peninsula.

The yearly average temperature in Cancun is around 26ºC and yearly rainfall averages around 1400mm. The coolest period is around January/February with an average of 23 ºC, but temperature rarely drops much below 20ºC even at night. From June till July is the hottest time, and temperatures in the mid 30s are not uncommon. However, Cancun is on the coast and there is nearly always a cooling sea breeze; it does not get as hot as inland areas which can get temperatures in the 40s.

Although temperature doesn’t vary widely across the year, there can be said to be two distinct seasons in Cancun. The wet season runs from May to October and is slightly hotter, the dry season is from November to April and sees cooler temperatures. This is due to the north trade winds which are strongest in this season and bring cooling breezes to the coast. In terms of weather, the best time of year to travel to Cancun is during the coolest months of the dry season, in January and February. March and April are the driest months in the year, with about 40mm per month on average, and also the sunniest. Humidity can be high in Cancun, often around 80%. It is at its lowest in April and May.

The months of September and October, at the end of the wet season, generally see the most rainfall. These months can see over 200mm of rain. However, because this rainfall often occurs in short but heavy tropical downpours, even these months see a lot of blue sky. Rainstorms often last just a couple of hours before sunshine and blue sky returns.

Sea temperature is fantastic year round, averaging about 27ºC. It varies from about 23ºC at its coolest to almost 30ºC, which can feel like a warm bath. This makes swimming a pleasure at any time of year.

Although the coastal position of Cancun means it gets much more favourable temperatures than those found inland, there is one major disadvantage: the vulnerability to hurricanes. Hurricane season in the region is officially from June to October, though September and October are the most likely months. The last significant hurricane to hit Cancun was a huge one. Hurricane Wilma struck in October 2005 and was category 5 when it hit land. The storm battered Cancun for nearly 3 days with winds of up to 130mph and caused damage of over $3 billion.

Although devastating, your chances of being caught in a hurricane are quite low – on average Cancun receives a direct hit every 12 years, though it does get brushed by one once every 2.5 years. Last summer (2007) saw a near miss from hurricane Dean. Warnings and predictions are accurate and past experience has taught the region how to cope, with the introduction of emergency and evacuation procedures.

Heat can also be hazardous and is certainly more common than hurricanes in Cancun. In temperatures around the 30s and in high humidity the risk of dehydration and sunstroke is high. Be sure to carry water with you, avoid going out in the peak of the day's heat and wear high factor sun block.

As with anywhere in the world weather patterns can occur outside the norm. You’ll get dry years and wet years and heat waves and cool periods. According to the records the highest temperature recorded in Cancun is 38ºC and the lowest is 7ºC.