Best Time to Visit Cancun

Is this your first time in Mexico and you are looking for what to see and do in Cancun? No problem! There are thousands of plans to make and yet it is important to plan your vacation correctly.

As is often the case, it is important to choose the right season. Fortunately, Cancun benefits from the warm Caribbean climate and it is very difficult to miss the right season.

Before you start planning your vacation, it is important to keep in mind that Cancun has only two seasons: one warmer and more humid and the other cooler and drier.

In both cases, the temperature remains warm for most of the year. The cold is a great unknown since the minimum temperatures do not usually drop below 12º (a very rare eventuality indeed).

In short, there is no bad season to visit Cancun. In any case, each season has its own characteristics and recurring events; read on and find out what they are!

Winter is synonymous with high season. Prices are usually higher than usual because the weather is pleasant and at night, the breeze coming from the sea is refreshing without being cold.

Mexico is a Catholic country and one of the most important dates is Three Kings Day. Normally, parades are held in the streets or at the Beto Avila baseball stadium (Avenida Mayapan Supermanzana 21).

The local tradition is somewhat different from the Spanish one. In Mexico, children leave outside their house a pair of shoes filled with straw. After the passing of Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar, the hay is replaced by gifts. As in Spain, in the North American country the traditional Rosca de Reyes is eaten.

Another important date takes place 40 days after Christmas. On February 2, La Candelaria, a religious holiday commemorating the presentation of Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem, is celebrated. On this day, locals dress a figure of the baby Jesus and take him to church to be blessed.

During this festivity it is common to eat tamales and drink atole, a corn-based drink. By the way, if you want to find the best tamales, you can go to:

• Flor de Lis (South Tulum Avenue, Supermanzana 15A)
• Tlayudas Oaxaca (Avenida Nichupte. Fracc. Villas Del Caribe, Supermanzana 99, 64 Batallón de Infantería)
• El Pocito (31 Norte Lte 23 Mz35 SM 63, Centro)
• PAISAtamales (Catarina 362-34)

In case you are traveling to Cancun in February, there is one last date that is worth noting: the Day of the Flag. It is a moment of national unity and is accompanied by official ceremonies, plays and parades. The events take place on February 24

Visiting Cancun at Christmas

During the Christmas holidays, thousands of tourists travel to Cancun to escape the cold. Lows never drop below 18º, highs hover around 28º, rainfall is infrequent and there is less humidity than in summer. What more could you ask for?

You can do all the water activities you want: kayaking, snorkeling, jet skiing, catamaran rides and more. If you don't feel like it, just lie on the sand and enjoy the sun. Cancun's coastline is 22 kilometers long and alternates dreamy sandy beaches such as Playa Tortuga, Chac Mool, Playa Delfines and Playa Caracol.

As for Christmas traditions, Cancun, as in the rest of Mexico, celebrates the pastorelas, small theatrical plays that represent passages from the Bible.

They take place on the beaches and last about an hour. It is a very suggestive spectacle, especially if it takes place at sunset. They usually start in the second week of December and end before the 25th.

You have several options for dinner on the night of the 24th or Christmas Day. Here is a list of restaurants that are not located inside a hotel or resort:

• Marakame, a cafeteria restaurant known for its rich Christmas buffet with open bar (Avenida Xpuhil Sur SM 19, L. 25 M2).
• Lorenzillos, the temple of lobster. It is prepared in more than 20 versions: coconut, Mayan style, fried, grilled, etc. You can also taste the seafood soups and fish, shrimp or even meat dishes (Boulevard Kukulcán, Km 10.5, Hotel Zone).
• Puerto Madero, the carnivorous option. It is an Argentinean restaurant with high quality cuts and great reviews (Boulevard Kukulcan, Km. 14.1, Hotel Zone).
• Bubba Gump, the restaurant that pays homage to Forrest Gump. Their fried shrimp are finger-licking good (Flamingo Mall, Km 11.5, Boulevard Kukulcan, Hotel Zone).

For more complete information, I recommend you read the post dedicated to things to see and do in Cancun at Christmas.

If you want to save some money, spring should be your choice. April in Cancun is always a good option but the same goes for May. In these months, hotels have good deals and if you book a flight in advance, your vacation can be quite cheap.

With fewer tourists, I recommend visiting the most popular attractions, such as the cenotes. Chac Mool, Tajma-hál, Suytun, Ponderosa and the other karst depressions await you with open arms and with fewer people in the water, you will enjoy the experience even more.

Alternatively, you can opt for an ATV tour from Cancun or an excursion to the ruins of Tulum.

If you are passionate about fishing, you will be pleased to know that at the beginning of May the Torneo De Pesca Deportiva "Don Andres Garcia Lavin" (Don Andres Garcia Lavin Sport Fishing Tournament) takes place. It is a very popular tournament with important cash prizes.

Summer coincides with Cancun's high season. The weather is hot, highs can reach 33º, and rainfall is somewhat more frequent. Don't worry, rainfall is still scarce and after a brief shower the sun always comes out.

This is the perfect season for a Cancun boat ride or snorkeling activity. At the end of May, whale sharks arrive in these waters for the abundance of plankton, their favorite food. Swimming with the largest fish in the world is priceless.

The first traditional festival coincides with the beginning of this season. On June 21, the day of the Summer Solstice, candles or small bonfires are lit to ward off negative energies. In the past, these offerings paid homage to the gods who ensured the passing of the years.

The ritual is carried out at various points in the area. One of the most suggestive takes place in Chichen Itza, the famous archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula. Without a doubt, it is worth taking an excursion to Chichen Itza from Cancun to enjoy the atmosphere.

At the end of the summer, Mexico's Independence Day is celebrated on September 16. On the same date in 1810, the North American country managed to free itself from the Spanish rule that had lasted for three centuries.

On this date, the Municipal Palace of Benito Juarez is illuminated with the colors of the flag while the square in front is filled with live music, traditional costumes and typical food.

The central Tulum Avenue hosts a military parade and at night, fireworks close the celebrations.

If you have a free hand when it comes to choosing your vacation, I would recommend you to take it in autumn. At this time of the year, the humidity softens and temperatures remain sufficiently high (around 27º).

In addition, you can enjoy the charms of Cancun with more tranquility, since most tourists arrive during the summer or in the month of December.

IF that were not enough, there is one more attraction: the Day of the Dead. On November 1 and 2, Mexicans set up altars decorated with marigold flowers, candles, food, skulls and other offerings. According to local folklore, the souls of the departed return temporarily to the world of the living to spend time with family.

In Cancun you will find altars in the streets as well as in bars and hotels. To experience it in a different way, you can opt for the Festival of Life and Death Traditions held at Xcaret Park. For more information, I recommend you read the post about excursions to Xcaret Park from Cancun.

Finally, there is one last party that closes the winter. It is not very Mexican but it has been adopted because of the geographic and cultural proximity to the United States. Naturally I am talking about St. Patrick's Day (March 17).

Hotels and resorts organize events and as an alternative, you can go to Mccarthy's Irish Pub Cancun (Plaza Solare, 222 Avenida Bonampak, Avenida Sayil Esq, Zona Hotelera).

In the Riviera Maya city, the rainy season is between May and October. Unlike other Caribbean locations, Cancun is not usually affected by hurricanes. In most cases we only talk about tropical rains that discharge water in the afternoon (between 16:00 and 17:00) and then the sun comes out again.

In case you are unlucky, I leave you a list with some indoor options for bad weather days:

• Museo Maya, gathers objects found in the archaeological sites of Chichen Itza, Palenque and Comalcalco (Boulevard Kukulcan km 16.5, Hotel Zone).
• Interactive Aquarium, here you can touch with your hand (literally) stingrays, starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. A perfect option if you are traveling to Cancun with children (La Isla Shopping, Boulevard Kukulcan Km. 12.5, Hotel Zone).
• Ka'Yok' Planetarium (Palenque s/n Mz 5 21)
• Dubai Palace, Cancun's casino (Avenida Tulum Col. Súpermanzana 8, Manzana 1 Lote 2)
• Tequila Sensory Museum. You will learn how this famous liquor is produced, its aging process and how to taste it in the best way (Boulevard Kukulcan Km 11.5, Hotel Zone).

Of course it is! In Cancun the state police security is reinforced by private security. Undoubtedly, the hotel zone is the safest in the country. As for the city itself, you will have to follow the classic indications: avoid remote areas and try not to be alone on the streets, especially at night.

According to the locals, in Cancun city, the triangle formed by the Mercado 28 (San Miguel de Allende 28), the Parque de las Palapas and the central ADO bus station (Pino Lote 1 and 2, Supermanzana 23) corresponds to the safe zone of the city.

It takes 10 hours to get to the Riviera Maya from Spain. After such a long trip, I am sure you will want to get to your accommodation quickly. Therefore, I recommend you to hire a transfer from Cancun airport. Alternatively, you can opt for:

• ADO bus, a solution both fast and cheap. The trip takes about half an hour and the fare is around 4 €. You can find more information on the official website
• Cab, the comfortable but not cheap option. The driver will wait for you at the arrivals terminal and will accompany you to the door of the hotel. If you do not book it in advance, you will have to pay a whopping 35 € for a 20/30 minutes ride.
• Rental car. I do not recommend booking it if your hotel or accommodation does not have a parking lot.