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When can you go to Cancun without seaweed?

From October to May to avoid seaweed If you want to dip into sargassum-free beaches, the best season is from October to May.



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Since 2011, 2023 still ranks in the top half of the worst sargassum seaweed seasons. With the latest data, USF researchers say in June, sargassum will likely decrease in the Gulf of Mexico, meaning beachgoers may not have such a smelly experience. The USF lab forecasts the decrease to continue through August.

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The best time to visit Cancun is from December to March, the least humid months of the year (65% on average). The air is damp but comfortable enough. April, May, October, and November are acceptable.

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Another benefit of traveling between the beginning of December and the end of May is that the tide is the lowest and calmest, so you can safely swim in Cancun's characteristic blue waters. Scuba divers also get the most visibility during these months!

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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.

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Sargassum season in the Mexican Caribbean typically runs from May through October, with July and August generally being the worst months for its arrival.

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While exposed eastern shores are most likely to get hit by surges of sargassum, some beaches in Mexico have no sargassum. This includes Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo and Cozumel's western shore. They're generally seaweed-free. However, much depends on winds and ocean currents.

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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. Credit: Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo.

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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.

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Escape the 'blobs:' These beaches in Cancun have little to no seaweed
  • Isla Contoy. “Spanning just five miles long, the island's pristine white sand, untouched by sargassum, stands as its undeniable centerpiece, drawing visitors in with its sheer beauty. ...
  • Playa Tortugas. ...
  • Isla Mujeres Playa Centro. ...
  • Isla Mujeres - Punta Sur.


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Due to distance, speed of travel and currents, Cancun and Playa del Carmen beaches are expected to remain relatively free of the seaweed. The upcoming 2023 summer vacation holiday season for Cancun and Riviera Maya are forecast to be sargassum-free according to Esteban Jesús Amaro Mauricio.

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In Cancun, by far the most sought-after beach destination this summer, travelers can expect to encounter sargassum across beaches in the hotel zone, as well as in Costa Mujeres.

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The Pacific Coast is sargassum-free, and in parts of Mexico's Caribbean Coast, the impact varies. For example, the resorts of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres have shown small to virtually no signs of sargassum this year.

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While exposed eastern shores are most likely to get hit by surges of sargassum, some beaches in Mexico have no sargassum. This includes Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo and Cozumel's western shore. They're generally seaweed-free.

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The beaches in Playa del Carmen experience a seasonal seaweed influx that can change throughout the year. While efforts are being made to address the situation, visitors should know that the seaweed may impact their beach experience.

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While the seaweed shows up from the Gulf of Mexico around June each year, it always piles up the most between July and August. If you're looking to schedule your trip to Key West when it's least likely to be consumed with seaweed, you'll want to make plans to arrive between October and May.

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Thick rafts of a seaweed-like algae species known as sargassum have caused resorts to close in the Caribbean before, and now they're piling up on Mexico's Riviera Maya in foul-smelling heaps.

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From October to March, the climate is generally dry and slightly warm. Summer days and nights tend to offer high temperatures and humidity. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, so check local weather forecasts and hurricane warnings before booking your trip.

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How many days in Cancun you should plan will depend on your interests, but I'd say 3 to 5 days is the perfect amount of time. However, I'd recommend planning a trip to Cancun for a full week if you also want to go on day trips.

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Low season in Cancun The low season is from June to October, with September and October being the least crowded.

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