Climate - Cancun (Quintana Roo)

In Cancun, located in Mexico, just north of the Riviera Maya, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, the climate is tropical, with a muggy, rainy season from May to October and a cooler, relatively dry season from November to April. However, also in the latter season, rainfall may occur, in addition to wind and cloudiness, especially in December and January.
The average temperature ranges from 23.5 °C (74.5 °F) in January to 28.5 °C (83.5 °F) from June to August. Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to about 1,350 millimeters (53 inches) per year, with a minimum in March and April and a maximum in September. Here is the average precipitation.

The dry season, from November to April, is warm, with pleasant temperatures, and a warm sea in which you can swim. However, in November, hurricanes and tropical storms can still affect this area (see below), while from late November to early March, the wind from the north, called el Norte, can blow, bringing cool and windy days, with highs around 22/23 °C (72/73 °F) and lows around 13/15 °C (55/59 °F), and also clouds and some rain.

The rainy season, from May to October, is hot and above all humid. The breeze tempers a bit the heat, but moisture is high. There is no shortage of sunshine, since the rains occur mainly in the form of showers or thunderstorms, usually short but intense.
The main danger comes from hurricanes, which can be devastating, although fortunately, they are relatively rare. The hurricane season runs from June to November, although they are more likely from August to October.



The amount of sunshine in Cancun is not great, but neither it is poor. The sunniest period is from March to May, ie after the season of northerly disturbances and before the season of hot weather and thunderstorms. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea near Cancun is warm enough to swim in all year round, as we can see in the following table.

Best Time

The best time to visit Cancun runs from mid-March to late May, which is a warm period, relatively dry and with frequent sunshine. In April, a bit of sultriness begins to be felt, and in May, the first thunderstorms can occur. In winter, from December to mid-March, you may very well find a warm and sunny week, but at other times, there may be a few days with wind, clouds and some rain. Until March, when the Norte can blow, it can be cool at night, so it's better to bring a sweatshirt for the evening.

Cancun - Weather by month

Based on the period 2012-2018

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In January, the coolest month of the year, the weather in Cancun is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.4 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 19.2 °C (66.6 °F) and a maximum of 27.6 °C (81.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Cancun is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Cancun is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.7 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.1 °C (84.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Cancun is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.3 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 22.2 °C (72 °F) and a maximum of 30.4 °C (86.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (91 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (80 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In May, the weather in Cancun is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.7 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.9 °C (75.1 °F) and a maximum of 31.6 °C (88.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In June, the weather in Cancun is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 25 °C (76.9 °F) and a maximum of 31.8 °C (89.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 185 mm (7.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In July, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Cancun is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.5 °C (76 °F) and a maximum of 32.5 °C (90.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In August, the weather in Cancun is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.3 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 150 mm (5.9 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Cancun is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.9 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.9 °F) and a maximum of 32 °C (89.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 225 mm (8.9 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In October, the weather in Cancun is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.0 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F) and a maximum of 30.9 °C (87.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (65.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 185 mm (7.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In November, the weather in Cancun is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.0 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 20.9 °C (69.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.1 °C (84.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In December, the weather in Cancun is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19.7 °C (67.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (80 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.