Best Time to Visit Cancun

It's your first time in Mexico and you're looking for what to see and do in Cancun? No problem! There are thousands of things to do and yet it is important to plan your holiday 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 holiday, it is important to keep in mind that Cancun has only two seasons: a warmer and more humid one and a cooler and drier one.

In both cases, the temperature remains warm for most of the year. The cold is a great unknown, with lows rarely dropping below 12ºC (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 to find out what they are!

Winter is synonymous with high season. Prices tend to be higher than usual as the weather is pleasant and at night, the breeze from the sea is refreshing without being cold.

Mexico is a Catholic country and one of the most important dates is Three Kings Day. Parades are usually 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 a pair of shoes filled with straw outside their house. After the passing of Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar, the hay is replaced by gifts. As in Spain, the traditional Rosca de Reyes is eaten in the United States.

Another important date takes place 40 days after Christmas. On 2 February, La Candelaria, a religious festival commemorating the presentation of Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem, is celebrated. On this day, locals dress up 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 (Avenida Tulum Sur, 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 travelling to Cancún in February, there is one last date that is worth noting: the Day of the Flag. It's a moment of national unity and is accompanied by official ceremonies, plays and parades. The events take place on 24 February

Visiting Cancun at Christmas

During the Christmas holidays, thousands of tourists travel to Cancun to escape the cold. Lows don't drop below 18°C, highs are around 28°C, rainfall is infrequent and it's less humid than in summer. What more could you ask for?

You can do all the water activities you want: kayaking, snorkelling, 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 kilometres 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 evocative 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 different versions: coconut, Mayan style, fried, grilled, etc. You can also try 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 Kukulcán, 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. During these months, hotels offer good deals and if you book a flight in advance, your holiday 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'll enjoy the experience even more.

Alternatively, you can opt for an off-road 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" 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 trip or snorkelling activity. At the end of May, whale sharks arrive in these waters for the abundance of plankton, their favourite food. Swimming with the world's largest fish is priceless.

The first traditional festival coincides with the beginning of the season. On 21 June, 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 in several places in the area. One of the most evocative takes place at Chichen Itza, the famous archaeological site on the Yucatan peninsula. It is definitely worth booking an excursion to Chichen Itza from Cancun to enjoy the atmosphere.

At the end of the summer, Mexico's Independence Day is celebrated on 16 September. 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 Juárez is illuminated with the colours of the flag while the square in front of it is filled with live music, traditional costumes and typical food.

The central Avenida Tulum hosts a military parade and in the evening, fireworks close the celebrations.

If you have your hands free when it comes to choosing your holiday, I'd recommend taking it in autumn. At this time of year the humidity eases and temperatures remain sufficiently high (around 27 degrees Celsius).

In addition, you will be able to enjoy the charms of Cancun with more peace and quiet, as most tourists arrive during the summer or in December.

If that's not enough, there's one more attraction: the Day of the Dead. On 1 and 2 November, Mexicans set up altars decorated with cempasúchil 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 in Xcaret Park. For more information, I recommend you read the post about excursions to Xcaret Park from Cancun.

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

Hotels and resorts organise 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 there are only tropical rains that dump water in the afternoon (between 16:00 and 17:00) and then the sun comes out again.

In case you are unlucky, here is a list of indoor options for bad weather days:

• Museo Maya, with objects found in the archaeological sites of Chichen Itza, Palenque and Comalcalco (Boulevard Kukulcan km 16.5, Hotel Zone)
• Interactive Aquarium, where you can touch with your hand (literally) stingrays, starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. A perfect option if you are travelling 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. Supermanzana 8, Manzana 1 Lote 2)
• Museo Sensorial del Tequila. You will learn how this famous liquor is produced, its ageing process and how to taste it in the best way (Boulevard Kukulcan Km 11.5, Hotel Zone).

Of course! In Cancun, state police security is reinforced by private security. Without a doubt, the hotel zone is the safest in the country. As for the city itself, you should follow the classic guidelines: 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 Mercado 28 (San Miguel de Allende 28), Parque de las Palapas and the central ADO bus station (Pino Lote 1 and 2, Supermanzana 23) is the city's safe zone.

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:

• Autobús ADO, a quick and cheap solution. The journey takes about half an hour and costs around €4. You can find more information on the official website
• Taxi, the comfortable but not cheap option. The driver will meet you at the arrivals terminal and escort you to the door of the hotel. If you don't book in advance, you'll have to pay a whopping €35 for a 20/30 minute ride
• Car hire. Not recommended if your hotel or accommodation does not have a car park.