Has Cancun ever been hit by a hurricane?

Home to some of the most breathtaking beaches along the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun has been blessed to avoid much damage from hurricanes. In fact, the coastal city has only been hit by two major hurricanes (Gilbert and Wilma, respectively), which were 18 years apart.



People Also Ask

Recent Hurricanes in Cancun Hurricane Gilbert on Sept 15th 1988 and Hurricane Wilma on 21 October 2005. Hurricanes don't hit Cancun every year, far from it. There are also occasions where near misses have taken place and resulted in a lot of worry. However, they usually bring no major damage or disruption.

MORE DETAILS

Hurricane season in Cancun spans June to November, with a higher likelihood of storms from August to October. Fortunately, hurricanes are rare. The area has seen only two in the past 30 years.

MORE DETAILS

Hurricane Gilbert was the most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin until it was surpassed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the other major hurricane to directly impact Cancun.

MORE DETAILS

Cancun is located in a hurricane-prone area. The hurricane season starts from June 1st to November 30th. The last two hurricanes to hit Cancun were Gilbert on September 5, 1988, and Wilma on October 21, 2005.

MORE DETAILS

Cancun's rainy season starts in June and can run through to November, with the wettest months being September and October. While hurricanes are possible over this time period, the risk is extremely low in Cancun, where only two hurricanes have made landfall in the last 35 years.

MORE DETAILS

Walking around at night is not recommended. The Hotel Zone is okay but you should opt for a taxi to get from A to B anywhere else. Non-touristy areas: While you should experience local life in Cancun, you don't want to walk into the wrong neighborhood. The crime rate is much higher outside of the popular tourist zones.

MORE DETAILS

TRAVEL ADVICE: IS CANCUN SAFE? If you're thinking about a vacation and wondering, “Is Cancun Safe?” … the short answer is: the Yucatán Peninsula, including Cancun, Tulum, and the Riviera, is the safest area of Mexico in 2023, according to the US State Department.

MORE DETAILS

Avoid visiting during Christmas, New Year's, and especially Spring Break as these are the most hectic travel periods for Cancun. If possible, avoid Mexico's hurricane season, which stretches from late-July to late-October.

MORE DETAILS

The best time to go to Cancun is the shoulder months of April, May, November, and the beginning of December. The best weather in Cancun is between December and April. Rainy season in Cancun runs from May to October, which is the best time to visit Cancun on a budget.

MORE DETAILS

Weather in Cancun in November starts to mellow out, making November one of the best months of the year to visit. It isn't as rainy as the other fall and summer months, you'll find inexpensive flights and hotel accommodation, light crowds and beautiful Cancun weather to set the stage for a fun and relaxing holiday.

MORE DETAILS

Dry, warm November may be the ideal month to visit Mexico overall, offering a sweet spot between the heavy fall rains and the beginning of the busy season. (Other November pros: depending on your timing and whereabouts, you might catch Día de los Muertos festivities or the magnificent monarch butterfly migration.)

MORE DETAILS

June is the hottest month in Cancun with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F) and the coldest is January at 23°C (73°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 11 in August. The wettest month is September with an average of 270mm of rain.

MORE DETAILS

So how many days should you spend in Cancun? Our Tripadvisor community recommends a three- to five-day vacation to enjoy most of what Cancun has to offer, and up to 10 days for the full experience. But even if you just have the weekend, here are some ideas on what you can do in Cancun.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, you need mosquito repellent in Cancun. It is a tropical climate so there are mosquitos. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and a hat if you're planning to spend time outdoors or leave the resort.

MORE DETAILS

Downtown Cancun It's a bustling part of the city that is full of markets, local restaurants (with some of the best tacos) and local businesses. Whilst this is still a safe area to stay, walking around at night can be a bit more sketchy than in the Hotel Zone.

MORE DETAILS

Stick to the Hotel Zone. Hotel Zone – (known locally as Zona Hotela) This monster resort island is the safest area for tourists in Cancun. You'll find all-inclusive resorts, golden sands, local bars, and it's safe to walk around at night. Plus some Mayan ruins are close by.

MORE DETAILS

The short answer is no. Tap water in Cancun is not recommended for drinking, even for locals.

MORE DETAILS

Currently, it is not recommended to use Uber from the Cancun International Airport. Booking ahead of time through the airport or a private company may be the best and safest option when leaving the Cancun Airport.

MORE DETAILS