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You could argue that there’s no bad time to visit Cancun. And in a lot of ways, you’d be right. But there are certain times of the year when it might be better to visit.
For some people, weather is the factor that decides when they go on vacation. For others, it’s when they can snag a bargain. Some will want to avoid the crowds – or to seek them out.
Based on those preferences, here are some tips to help you decide when’s best to take your next well-earned All-Inclusive vacation to Cancun.
When Is The Best (And Worst) Weather In Cancun?
Weather can make a real difference to your vacation, and like everywhere, Cancun has some months when the weather’s more comfortable than others.
Let’s start with one great aspect of Cancun’s weather – it’s hot all year round. In January, when much of the northern hemisphere is (literally) freezing, Cancun will be luxuriating in daytime temperatures somewhere in the 80s. Summertime temperatures are usually in the 90s, and nighttime temperatures rarely fall below 70 degrees.
What does vary in Cancun though, is the amount of rainfall, humidity, and storms.
The rainy season in Cancun runs from May to October, with September generally being the wettest month and the most likely to see storms or a hurricane. When it comes to humidity, Cancun is pretty sticky all year round, but it’s noticeably more humid – sometimes oppressively so – in the summer months of June to September.
As an aside, the summer months also see the most sargassum seaweed being washed ashore – which has been the case this year – and this may put a damper on your beach time.
Recommendation: If weather is your main vacation criteria, aim to visit December to March, when it’s warm, dry, and the least humid.
When Are Vacation Prices Cheapest (And Most Expensive)?
The cost of All-Inclusive hotels in Cancun’s Hotel Zone can fluctuate wildly through the year, but there are some pretty reliable patterns when you can expect to see hotel prices fall, or rise.
Cheapest
Prices for Cancun hotels tend to be lowest from around May to June, and again from September to October. This is because the temperature, rainfall, and humidity are all peaking, and tourists are less inclined to visit.
The early-December and late-April shoulder seasons can also be great for securing a reasonably priced vacation while enjoying some great weather.
Recommendation: If cost is the most important factor in choosing your vacation, your best bet will be May, June, September, or October.
Most Expensive
Some of the most expensive times to visit Cancun coincide with major holiday seasons, particularly Christmas and New Year, Easter, and spring break. These times see the highest visitor numbers and some of the best weather, and so naturally command the highest prices.
Recommendation: To avoid being stung on All-Inclusive hotel costs, try to visit outside the major winter and spring holiday periods.
When is Cancun the Busiest?
Whether you visit Cancun when it’s busy or quiet will depend on personal preference, but there are some times of the year when Cancun will be busier than others. The holiday periods below are likely to be full to bursting in the Hotel Zone’s All-Inclusive resorts.
What: Spring Break
When: It varies – from late February through early April
Many sources report that Cancun is no longer the most popular haunt of spring-breakers. But there will still be plenty of college kids flying out there to let loose. This could be fine if it’s your age group – or your party style – but otherwise, it might be worth checking dates and avoiding this time of year. Or you can choose a resort that doesn’t allow spring breakers – check the resort regulations before booking.
What: Easter
When: changes each year, March – April
Mexico is predominantly a Catholic country and many domestic tourists like to make the most of their Easter vacation by spending it in the Mexican Caribbean. International visitors also flood in, enjoying some of the best weather of the year in Cancun. Hotels will be busy over the 1-2 week Easter period, and they’re also generally more expensive.
What: Christmas and New Year
When: A two-week period starting just before Christmas until just after New Year’s
Christmas and New Year’s are some of the busiest days of the year for Cancun. Not only is the weather great, but most people have some time off work around the holiday season – and really, where’s better to spend it than on a tropical beach? This does mean most resorts will be full to capacity, so bear this in mind.
What: Summer break
When: July and August
Although the weather might not be at its best in the summer months, that doesn’t stop a huge influx of domestic and international tourists from descending on Cancun’s Zona Hotelera. It’s often one of the only times families with kids have an extended period of time together. If this is your situation, the summer can be a great time to visit. But if you want to avoid hotels when the kids’ clubs are bulging, perhaps give the summer break a miss.
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