Best time to visit Cancún
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart recolours live for your heat & sea limits 27°C · sea 29°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Default 29 °C is the Beach Climate Index "bathtub" line (Morgan et al.) — where the sea stops being refreshing and starts feeling like a warm bath.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Similar climatesBridgetown91% · Miami89% · Nassau88%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Cancún (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Cancún's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22–27 | 28 | 15 | 169 | 11.3 | 70% | 19 | 221 | 6 | Quiet | 6 |
| Feb | 22–27 | 29 | 12 | 142 | 11.8 | 67% | 20 | 225 | 8 | Quiet | 7 |
| Mar | 23–28 | 30 | 10 | 118 | 11.8 | 64% | 21 | 267 | 10 | Quiet | 7 |
| Apr | 24–30 | 32 | 7 | 87 | 12.4 | 63% | 21 | 264 | 10 | Quiet | 6 |
| May | 25–31 | 34 | 13 | 163 | 12.5 | 65% | 20 | 273 | 11 | Quiet | 4 |
| Jun | 25–30 | 34 | 20 | 269 | 13.4 | 74% | 19 | 232 | 10 | Quiet | 2 |
| Jul | 26–31 | 36 | 17 | 178 | 10.5 | 69% | 16 | 270 | 10 | Quiet | 3 |
| Aug | 26–31 | 36 | 20 | 202 | 10.1 | 70% | 16 | 259 | 10 | Busy | 2 |
| Sep | 25–31 | 36 | 20 | 218 | 10.9 | 73% | 15 | 239 | 10 | Busy | 2 |
| Oct | 24–30 | 34 | 22 | 250 | 11.4 | 72% | 17 | 233 | 8 | Moderate | 2 |
| Nov | 23–28 | 31 | 18 | 252 | 14.0 | 73% | 17 | 228 | 6 | Peak | 3 |
| Dec | 22–27 | 29 | 16 | 195 | 12.2 | 70% | 18 | 220 | 5 | Peak | 5 |
UV Index in Cancún by Month
UV index in Cancún peaks at 11 (very high) in May, dropping to 5 (moderate) in December. March, April, May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
February
7/1022–27°C (feels 29°C) · 12 rain days (142h) · 225 sun hours · 67% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
March
7/1023–28°C (feels 30°C) · 10 rain days (118h) · 267 sun hours · 64% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high)
January
6/1022–27°C (feels 28°C) · 15 rain days (169h) · 221 sun hours · 70% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
April
6/1024–30°C (feels 32°C) · 7 rain days (87h) · 264 sun hours · 63% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
May
4/1025–31°C (feels 34°C) · 13 rain days (163h) · 273 sun hours · 65% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 11 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
June
2/1025–30°C (feels 34°C) · 20 rain days (269h) · 232 sun hours · 74% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
July
3/1026–31°C (feels 36°C) · 17 rain days (178h) · 270 sun hours · 69% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (extreme)
August
2/1026–31°C (feels 36°C) · 20 rain days (202h) · 259 sun hours · 70% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
September
2/1025–31°C (feels 36°C) · 20 rain days (218h) · 239 sun hours · 73% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (extreme)
October
2/1024–30°C (feels 34°C) · 22 rain days (250h) · 233 sun hours · 72% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
November
3/1023–28°C (feels 31°C) · 18 rain days (252h) · 228 sun hours · 73% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 6 (high)
December
5/1022–27°C (feels 29°C) · 16 rain days (195h) · 220 sun hours · 70% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
Frequently asked questions about visiting Cancún
When is the best time to visit Cancún?
February is the highest-scoring month (7/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 22–27°C (12 rainy days). The top three months by score are February, March, January.
What is the worst time to visit Cancún?
June is the lowest-scoring month (2/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 25–30°C (20 rainy days).
Is Cancún too hot in summer?
9 months (March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Cancún?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in April and peaks in November. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Cancún have good weather but fewer tourists?
February (climate 7/10, crowd index 5) and March (climate 7/10, crowd index 2) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Cancún by month?
UV peaks at 11 (very high) in May and is lowest in December at 5 (moderate). Monthly peak values: Jan 6, Feb 8, Mar 10, Apr 10, May 11, Jun 10, Jul 10, Aug 10, Sep 10, Oct 8, Nov 6, Dec 5. March, April, May, June, July, August, September reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Cancún in May?
May is the peak UV month in Cancún, with a daily-peak UV index of 11 (very high). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Cancún on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. May is the worst case: typical days average UV 11 (very high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 12 (extreme) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, February, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, December. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Cancún bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 4 months: May, June, July, August. The worst month is July with a typical-day mean of 16 µg/m³ (unhealthy for sensitive); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 25 µg/m³ (unhealthy) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.