Finding the Best Time to Take a Cancun Vacation

By Enid Glasgow

When is the best time to travel to Cancun? The answer depends on why you want to visit. Do you want the dusk till dawn party scene or serene beaches where your children can play? Do you want tequila shooters or unique cultural events? Besides these questions, it is very important to consider the time of year and weather you will find when you travel to this tempting Mexican city. What is the best time to go to Cancun?

You can best answer this question by eliminating times when it is less desirable to go. This depends on your tolerance of crowds and of heat. The summer season brings hot temperatures, which usually hover in the low nineties. This can be a pleasant time to enjoy the beautiful beaches and cool drinks that Cancun specializes in. June through November, however, is considered hurricane season. Before planning a trip, it is advisable to check weather conditions. If there should be a storm while you are in Cancun, make sure that you take the proper precautions and safety measures.

If you do not want to encounter masses of college students on spring break, it is advisable to stay away from Cancun in March. This Mexican city becomes a teeming center of reveling students and the noise level increases. April brings a more calm, peaceful pace, and is a pleasant time to visit with family or when you want to relax and enjoy the sights without crowds. Many people escape the cold winters in the north by coming to Cancun, which knows no winters. Warm temperatures and bright sun are enjoyed all year round.

Pricewise, the months of mid-December through March are more expensive thanks to those college kids! More people are visiting, so hotels, restaurants, and shops can charge higher prices. In the “low” season of May to November, hotels are trying to increase their occupancy rates, so you will find great deals on accommodations. Area businesses, too, lower their prices in line with the hotels. Since the weather is typically much the same all year round (in the eighties) and businesses are open continually, crowds and price may be your deciding factors.

No matter when you decide to visit Cancun, make sure that you stroll along the Riviera Maya, explore the Great Maya Reef, or visit the intriguing Xcaret, an “eco-archaeological amusement park,” that is a must-see. Visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Tulum, or Coba and get a glimpse into the past. Cancun is far more than college kids and tequila. Take the time to discover what this amazing Mexican city has to offer.

Travel Tips on Cancun