When's The Best Time To Visit Cancun? Although seaweed does tail off by August, as a general rule, Mexico's coast is usually completely cleared only by November, when the water finally cools down in the Northern Hemisphere and algae reproduction – including sargassum – slows down.
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In Mexico, sargassum seaweed season is generally between May and October each year. If you travel to the Caribbean coast of Mexico outside of that time period you can generally avoid large mats of seaweed on the beaches. Cancun to Tulum seaweed map in March 2022.
In November and December, as the climate “cools” to a still-pleasant average temperature of between 75-84°F, the presence of the seaweed is far lower – with most beaches free of the noxious nuisance completely.
Sargassum is at its worst between April and August, peaking in July and August, although this year saw the seaweed arrive early, with some beaches being hit heavily in March.
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.
In November, Cancun's beaches enjoy a warm and inviting climate. Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and water sports in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. The pleasant weather in Cancun in November is perfect for water activities such as snorkeling, diving, and swimming with whale sharks.
Check out our Guide to Caribbean Beaches without Sargassum Seaweed. The seaweed season in Cancun is generally over by the end of October. However, some towns such as Puerto Morelos sometimes continue to receive sargassum seaweed past that date. Erosion of the beaches in Playa del Carmen is also an issue.
Sargassum season in the Mexican Caribbean typically runs from May through October, with July and August generally being the worst months for its arrival.
Sargassum, a brown seaweed that floods the Mexican Caribbean coast during the spring and summer months, is typically present until the fall months. Its presence is something that many visitors would rather not deal with on their vacations because it's unsightly and smells.
2023 is shaping up to be a banner year for sargassum, a type of brown macroalgae now starting to wash up on beaches across the Caribbean. The thick dead tangled heaps of seaweed stink like rotten eggs and could cost many millions in holiday revenues this summer.
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.
Low season crowdsNovember is at somewhat of a crossroads in the Riviera Maya travel seasons. It is not nearly as busy as it is in summer, it does not have the buzz of spring break, and is much less hectic than a few weeks later, during Christmas and New Year's.
The best time to visit Cancún is from December to April during the peak season. Even though the crowds are heavier, you'll experience near-perfect weather and find some of the cheapest flight and room rates for a winter getaway at the beach.
Weather-wise, visiting Cancun in November is better than in October if you want cooler temperatures, drier days, and sunnier skies. And the Caribbean sea is usually free of seaweed! That said, fewer tourists in October mean fewer crowds at incredible sites like Chichen Itza and better prices on hotels and flights.
Rain and Humidity in Cancun During NovemberA typical November is quite a dry month with an average of 3.8 inches (ca. 10 cm) of rain falling on 5 rainy days throughout the month making it the 5th driest month of the year.
During the dry season, between November and April, it gets a little colder and sometimes windy, so you might want a pair of long (but still fairly thin) pants or a light sweater. Temperatures are usually between 80 and 88 degrees, but occasionally dip down to around 65 degrees.
September is the rainiest month of the year, expecting at least ten wet days with an average monthly rainfall of 270mm. Humidity levels are high due to cloud coverage, ranging from 58% to 98% throughout the wet season. Cancun weather in the winter is very pleasant with average highs of 28°C.
Like many other travelers, you've probably already heard about the seaweed or sargassum problem along the Quintana Roo coastline. Get to know more about Playa Mujeres: A Sargassum-Free Haven in Cancun, and prepare to enjoy a spectacular Caribbean getaway!