Cancun In May: Everything You Need To Know

Being one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, people are likely to visit Cancun at all times of the year. Because the climate in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera is semi-tropical, you can visit at nearly any time of the year and expect to have a great time.

But when exactly is the best time to visit?

If you were to ask me, I’d tell you that I love visiting Cancun during low-humidity months like December/January.

Others may love visiting in March/April for spring break madness, June/July for summer vacation, or September/October for the unbeatable low-season deals. The answer really depends on what you want out of your trip.

If you’re looking into taking a trip to Cancun in May, you’ll want to consider a few things. You’ll want a good understanding of the weather, hotel/flight deals, crowds, and more to find out whether Cancun in May is right for you.

To help you plan your Cancun vacation, we’ve compiled this post to help you learn more about whether you should visit Cancun in May.

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!

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Cancun In May: At A Glance

The weather in Cancun is warm, with highs of 91°F (33°C), lows of 75°F (24°C). Cancun’s wet season technically starts in May, but with just 5 days of rain on average, you can rest assured that you won’t be rained in on your vacation.

Plus, the sea turtles begin to nest on the beaches of Cancun and the whale sharks begin arriving in the ocean areas of Cancun!

Crowd Levels: Lower (May is considered shoulder season)

Ideal time for budget travelers: Yes

Events This Month: Cinco de Mayo, Festival de Cultura del Caribe, Cancun Jumpoff, Regata del Sol a Sol, Travesia Sagrada Maya

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What Are Cancun’s Travel Seasons?

There are three distinct travel seasons for Cancun: high season, low season, and shoulder season. Before we dive into Cancun’s travel seasons, here’s a quick breakdown of how the weather fluctuates throughout the year in Cancun.

• WET SEASON: The wet season runs from May to October and tends to be actually hotter than the dry season.
• HURRICANE SEASON: Hurricane season spans June to November, with a higher likelihood of storms from August to October. Actual hurricanes are rare though, so it’s still a decent time to visit if you don’t mind periodic rain showers here and there throughout the day. (The area has seen only two hurricanes in the past 30 years.)
• DRY SEASON: The dry season is from December to April. Travelers will find cooler, more pleasant temperatures.

High Season In Cancun

Cancun’s high season typically stretches from late December to April. 

This is peak season across the world’s sunbelt—especially in Mexico! From Christmas onward, expect Cancun and the rest of Mexico to be very busy. Cancun’s pristine white sands will be covered with flocks of tourists ranging from kids on their winter break, party-goers flocking in for Cancun’s infamous Spring Break events, and more.

Because of the increase in tourism during the high season, you can expect a similar spike in airfares, hotel rates, and all-inclusive resort costs as well. Especially around Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Spring Break!

Pro Tip: To get around this, visit Mexico in early December, before all the mayhem begins!

Low Season In Cancun

Cancun’s low season runs from May through October because this time period coincides with Mexico’s main rainy season. You can expect super hot, sticky, and sweltering days with frequent downpours and unpredictable weather. Cancun’s hurricane season also falls within the low season.

While it is the rainy season, rest assured you likely won’t be rained in during your entire vacation. The rain typically comes in short bursts–a downpour for a few days followed by sunny skies the next.

Also during the summer months, the shorelines of Mexico tend to draw in a lot of seaweed (sargasso). Hotels and resorts do their best to clean up the seaweed but do expect to see more seaweed than normal during the low season.

Since tourists tend to avoid Cancun during this time, you can often find the best hotel deals in the low season. You’ll get crowd-free beaches, cheaper airfare and hotel rates, and better hospitality. The is often considered the best time to visit Cancun if you’re traveling on a budget.

Shoulder Season In Cancun

In our opinion, the best time to go to Cancun is the shoulder months of April, May, November, and December. During these months, you’ll experience lesser crowds and more mild weather conditions, and pretty reasonable rates.

We especially love going towards the end of November/first week of December right after Thanksgiving. We’ve been three times during this timeframe and have always been met with nearly perfect weather!

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Cancun In May: What To Expect

In May, the weather starts to kick it up a notch with the heat. Cancun’s wet season technically starts in May, but with just 5 days of rain on average, you can rest assured that you won’t be rained in on your vacation. The frequent showers don’t usually start until June.

Skies are usually very clear and you’ll get more than 11 hours of sunshine on average. Since rain is still rare this time of year, the weather is wonderful for enjoying various outdoor activities as well as swimming, scuba diving, and laying out on the beach.

During the nights, you can expect to find pretty warm weather with nighttime temperatures averaging 79°F (26°C). You will most definitely not need to carry around a jacket with you (unless you’re preparing for rain and it’s a light rain jacket).

Aside from the weather, the main benefit of visiting Cancun in May is your increased chances of encountering wildlife! The sea turtles begin to nest on the beaches of Cancun and the whale sharks begin arriving in the ocean areas of Cancun! There’s a lot of wildlife activity that you really must experience for yourself.

You’ll also find that this is the optimal time to visit Cancun’s popular attractions (swimming in cenotes, Chichen Itza, Xcaret Eco Park, etc) as there won’t be long waits or huge crowds.

Yep, there are noticeably fewer tourists in Cancun during the month of May. That’s not to say that Cancun is completely dead during this time of year, but it’s a really good time to visit if you’re looking for more peace and quiet compared to the prior few months.

It’s important to call out that May is one of Cancun’s shoulder season months, which means you still have a chance to visit before the real heat, humidity, and rain begins.

In terms of how Cancun in May will impact your wallet… we have good news! Come May, flight prices and hotel rates will be low, so you can easily plan your Cancun trip if you’re on a budget.

Pro Tip: We recommend you make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. You’ll get cheaper rates the earlier you book!

We also recommend making restaurant reservations and reservations for excursions wherever possible, as early as possible. (Viator, our favorite way to book activities, added a cool new feature that lets you know if an excursion is likely to sell out. Check it out!)

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Cancun Weather In May

Temperature: Highs of 91°F (33°C), lows of 75°F (24°C).  It’ll be sunny and hot as the temperatures rise from April to May, but it’s not so uncomfortably hot that you’d need to be deterred from visiting. If it gets too hot, simply jump into the ocean, a cenote, or a pool to cool off.

Humidity: While it is more humid in May compared to the previous months, it still isn’t too bad with the breezes that come with May. May is the third driest month of the year, so the heat won’t feel stifling just yet. Humidity is way lower than what you’d face in June through November, so you really shouldn’t let this factor stop you from visiting.

Rain: May has 5 rainy days on average, with rainfall averaging 28mm. While the wet season technically begins in May, the frequent showers don’t typically come until June.

Hours of Sunshine: 11 hours

Sea Temperatures: 82°F (28°C)

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May Events In Cancun

Cinco de Mayo – Cinco de Mayo signifies the Mexican army’s victory over the French on May 5, 1862. While it is a national holiday in Mexico, you won’t find any major events or parades on this date. You may find the occasional happy hour deal or resort party in the more touristy areas, but there won’t be as many as you’d find in the USA.

Festival de Cultura del Caribe – This festival celebrates Caribbean cultures, including Mexican and Mayan cultures. The festival features food, parties, music, plays, and more.

Cancun Jumpoff – This event is like a huge 4-day spring break party for adults. Expect lots of music, beach parties, pool parties, and even overnight parties!

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Pro Tip: If you’re thinking about doing a lot of different excursions during your visit to Cancun, consider getting yourself a Go City Cancun All-Inclusive Pass to save money!

Read More: Go City Pass Review: Is It Worth The Money In Cancun?

Don’t Miss: 15 Essential Cancun Travel Tips: Things I Wish I Knew Before My Mexico Trip

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Is May A Good Time To Visit Cancun?

May is an awesome month to visit Cancun if you want to cut costs, avoid crowds, and still be able to enjoy the hot, dry weather before the wet season truly begins. It’s an especially great time to go for people looking to travel on a budget or for those looking for more peace and quiet.

There will still be quite a few tourists around, but the popular attractions won’t nearly be as crowded as they were in prior months.

With most of the international tourists heading back home from their Spring Break holidays, you will also find more hotel availability at cheaper prices, fewer crowds, and better hospitality almost everywhere you go.

Humidity and heat may be an issue for more sensitive travelers, but it’s really not as bad as it will be in the summer months (June to October).

Having said that, for ideal hiking/outdoor exercising conditions, May is not recommended. Instead, you should go earlier in the year if you want a little cooler weather during the afternoon.

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Is Cancun Cold in May?

No, quite the opposite. In fact, May is one of the best months in terms of sunny skies and warm weather in Cancun, Mexico! It is one of the drier months of the year, so it’s the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy outdoor excursions.

You will certainly not need a jacket for the entirety of your trip (unless it’s a light rain jacket).

Days are warm, as are nights, and skies are almost always sunny and clear. Average temperatures hover around 81-83°F (27-28.5°C). Average temperatures rarely fall below 75°F (24°C).

Aside from some mugginess on the breezeless days, get ready for some near-perfect weather in May!

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Is Cancun Rainy in May?

No, not yet. Even though May marks the first month of Cancun’s rainy season, there are only 5 rainy days on average. May is one of the drier months in Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula which means there is usually a low chance of rain.

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Is Cancun Busy in May?

With Spring Break finally over, crowds will certainly thin out in May. Because of this yearly trend, hotel and flight prices will start to come down too. The high season is officially over, meaning a vacation in Cancun is now more affordable again.

There will be noticeably fewer tourists in Cancun during the month of May. That’s not to say that Cancun is completely dead during this time of year, but it’s a really good time to visit if you’re looking for more peace and quiet.

It’s also a popular time for honeymooners and couples!

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Best Time To Visit Cancun For Perfect Weather

Cancun has great weather for much of the year, but for the best weather, you should visit between the months of December and April. The average temperature stays around the mid-80’s, with little to no rain on most days.

It’s important to keep in mind around March and April the spring breakers will start to visit Cancun, which can lead to high crowds and busy areas.

So while the weather might be amazing, if you’re looking to avoid these groups of rowdy travelers, you’ll want to travel closer to the December, January or February months.

This time is great as the temperature is extremely comfortable, without having to worry about hurricanes or too much rain in general. It’s ideal weather to spend time on the beach, while not feeling too hot or cool.

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Best Time To Visit Cancun For The Best Deals

Cancun has a peak tourist season, as well as a low tourist season during the year. Due to the great weather during the summer/spring seasons, November through April are typically the busiest months in Cancun.

Beyond the weather, though, these times are most popular due to the holidays. Lots of people go on vacations to Cancun in November and December for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

On top of that, it is also particularly common for people who live in cooler areas to visit and escape the cold winter weather.

The popularity of these times of the year generally leads to a more expensive trip overall, with higher flight prices, hotel rates, and resort costs.

So, if you’re looking to snag a deal on your Cancun vacation, you’ll want to look into visiting between May and November.

This time of year brings fewer tourists due to the higher likelihood of rain and some inclement weather. Hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and airlines will usually lower their prices to attract tourists.

However, if you wait until the sweet spot between September and October, you can enjoy some of the more comfortable temperatures with a lower likelihood of bad weather (and still take advantage of those great deals).

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Best Time To Visit Cancun To Avoid Crowds

If you’re looking to avoid crowds, you’ll want to keep a few details in mind while planning your visit to Cancun.

As we discussed before, the holidays are a popular time for people to visit Cancun – specifically in November and December, and March and April for spring break. If you’re looking to avoid massive crowds, you’ll want to make sure you visit outside these months at the very least.

For the least amount of tourists visiting while you’re on your trip, you’ll want to look into visiting sometime in October or September.

Lots of people flock to Cancun for their summer vacations throughout June, July and August, leading to lower crowds than the holidays but still a sizable amount of tourists.

September and October lie in the sweet spot where you’re just out of the summer, but the holidays haven’t come up yet.

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Best Time To Visit Cancun For Swimming, Snorkeling and Diving

Cancun is a great place to visit if you’re looking to spend some serious time outdoors and in the water! There are a lot of opportunities to swim, snorkel, go diving and engage in other activities during your vacation.

If you want to do any of these things while in Cancun, you’ll want to visit during a month where the water is warm, and the weather is beautiful.

To have the best time on the beaches while in Cancun, you’ll want to go during the summer or early fall months. July, August, September and even October guarantee the warmest water of the year, allowing you to enjoy long periods of time swimming and snorkeling.

For the lowest likelihood of rain and bad weather, you can avoid hurricane and rain season by going closer to June and July. This is also a great time to see the most amount of marine life, including turtles and sharks.

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Best Time to Visit Cancun for Whale Sharks

Speaking of sharks, did you know whale sharks are some of the most popular marine life people come to see when visiting Cancun? Don’t worry, despite them being in the shark family, they’re actually docile and friendly, and love to feed on plankton (not people).

To maximize your chances of seeing a whale shark when on vacation, you’ll want to visit Cancun during shark season. This season primarily takes place in June and July when the water is warm and the weather is at its best.

Sometimes, though, shark season extends past these couple months and can span anytime between mid-May and mid-September.

It’ll be hard to plan your trip around the potential for an extended season, so it’s best to just book your trip near June/July.

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Best Time To Visit Cancun For Nightlife

Beyond visiting Cancun to enjoy the beautiful beaches and resorts, many people go to take part in the vibrant nightlife. Cancun is infamous for its party life and lively nighttime entertainment, with tons of restaurants and nightclubs you can visit each night to guarantee a fantastic time.

If partying is one of your vacation priorities, you will want to visit Cancun either during March and April, or during the summer months.

March and April are when many people come out to Cancun during spring break–you can find lots of beach parties during the day, and packed nightclubs later on in the evenings.

The summer is another popular time for the younger crowd to come out to party, as the weather is at its best and it stays warm late into the night.

If you’re looking for a lively crowd to party with, but don’t exactly want to deal with all the craziness of spring break, you can also visit Cancun during October, November or December.

A lot of people (us included) tend to visit during this time to visit the various clubs and other attractions Cancun has to offer. And unlike the spring and summer months, this time of year the people visiting tend to be older and more relaxed.

If that sounds more like you, I’d skip March/April and visit towards the end of the calendar year!

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Does It Rain All Day in Cancun During the Rainy Season?

Yes and no. While there is a possibility it could rain all day, there’s also the possibility that it could rain for 30 minutes during the day with nothing but sunlight the rest of the time. It could also rain overnight with no rain in sight in the daytime.

The rain can be heavy at times in Cancun, but it is unlikely to rain for the whole of your trip. Usually, if it does rain, it will only last for 1-3 days.

Rest assured, if you do vacation during the rainy season, you will not be rained in during your entire vacation!

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When Is The Sargassum Season in Cancun?

Sargassum season in Cancun typically runs from June through October.

However, the timing and intensity of the season can vary from year to year. Depending on the year, Sargassum can begin washing up on Cancun’s beaches in early April until mid-November. While the amount of Sargassum does vary year over year, you can expect the beaches will generally be covered with a thick layer of seaweed.

Some years, you’ll barely even notice it, especially during the early months of April and May. In other years, it can be a huge problem.

The Sargassum season in Cancun has caused some inconvenience for beachgoers, as the seaweed can make swimming and sunbathing uncomfortable.

Having said that, the town’s businesses have also been working hard to clean up the beaches, and many of the beachfront resorts will do their best to clean up the seaweed on their private beaches.

If you are planning to stay in one of the beachfront hotels, you can call/email them before booking to make sure the beaches are maintained.

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Essential Travel Tips For Cancun In May

• If you plan on traveling to Cancun in May, we recommend you make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. You’ll get cheaper rates the earlier you book.
• Humidity in May will be noticeably higher, especially towards the end of the month. On days with no breeze, get an early start! Do your outdoor excursions early in the mornings and head indoors by the late afternoon.
• To make sure you bring all the right travel gear and have all your bases covered, always check the weather forecasts before you leave on your trip to Cancun. No matter the season, it’s smart to bring a windproof umbrella and light rain jacket with you.
• There’s been sort of a seaweed problem in Cancun. Want to make sure you’re going to be getting crystal clear waters? Check the latest seaweed conditions report before heading to the beaches on Cancun or Isla Mujeres.
• The most popular times to visit Cancun range from June to early August and November to March (high season). If you’re looking for a quieter experience, plan your trip for mid-August to October.
• Cancun hurricane season runs from June through November. Most weather experts recommend purchasing travel insurance if you plan on visiting during hurricane season.
• Bring pesos with you just in case you need to pay with cash. Pick up pesos from an ATM wherever you depart from before heading to Cancun. Not all places accept credit cards on the island (small shopfronts, food vendors, etc.), and ATMs are few and far between.
• When using a credit card, choose to pay in the local currency instead of your home currency. You’ll get a better exchange rate and will be paying less than the home currency option. (In my case, I would pay in $MXN instead of in $USD.)
• The tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink. Instead of spending your money on plastic water bottles, bring a reusable water bottle and a rechargeable Steri-Pen (the way more environmentally friendly option).
• Cancun is extremely tourist-friendly. If you can’t speak a lick of Spanish, you’ll be okay. Cancun largely caters to English-speaking visitors, and you’ll find that English is spoken by most locals, hotel/restaurant staff, and tour guides.
• Cancun is pretty safe, but always practice self-awareness and caution. Certain areas of Mexico have long held a reputation for being unsafe due to cartel violence, but resort areas and tourists are not targeted. Just exercise increased caution as you would anywhere–avoid being flashy, don’t walk around alone at night, be wary of your surroundings, and you should be just fine.
• No matter what you’re budget is, you’ll find tons of accommodation options in Cancun. Most budget accommodations and hostels are located in downtown Cancun, while luxury and resort options are largely found in the Hotel Zone or more remote areas nearby such as Playa Mujeres or Puerto Morelos.
• Taxis in Cancun are costly, and buses are cheap. Taxis in Cancun follow a set price (Ex: ~$45 from Playa del Carmen to Cancun’s Hotel Zone; ~$26 from Cancun International Airport to the Hotel Zone).
• Many travelers opt for local bus transportation (colectivo), which is reliable, frequent, and inexpensive (under $1/ride) to ride between the Hotel Zone and downtown Cancun.
• Looking for transportation priced somewhere in the middle? A private transfer booked ahead will be your best bet.

If Cancun in May is NOT what you thought it was, consider visiting Cancun during another month of the year:

• The Best Time To Visit Cancun: A Month By Month Guide
• Cancun In January
• Cancun In February
• Cancun In March
• Cancun In April
• Cancun In May
• Cancun In June
• Cancun In July
• Cancun In August
• Cancun In September
• Cancun In October
• Cancun In November
• Cancun In December

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Other Popular Destinations Near Cancun, Mexico

• Isla Mujeres
• Playa Del Carmen / Riviera Maya 
• Isla Holbox
• Cozumel
• Tulum

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Mexico Travel Insurance

This is a no-brainer. When traveling internationally, be sure to get yourself some travel insurance.

I’ve heard of too many unfortunate experiences where friends and family have had baggage lost/stolen, hotels canceled, or have had unexpected medical emergencies while traveling where they’ve had to cut their trips short.

True story alert — in 2022, my partner even had his shoulder completely dislocated while surfing in Mexico, resulting in a $950 USD emergency room bill that we had to pay out of pocket for! Not fun… and most definitely not cheap.

Without travel insurance, you would have to pay out of pocket for these mishaps. This is why I get travel insurance for all my international trips now!

One of the best budget-friendly travel insurances for those traveling outside their home country is SafetyWing.

SafetyWing Insurance provides coverage for unexpected illness or injury, including eligible expenses for hospital, doctor or prescription drugs. This means that if you get ill or injured, THEY will cover the medical expenses.

In addition, it provides emergency travel-related benefits such as:

• emergency medical evacuation – very much needed if you like to go hiking or backpacking in the wild.
• travel delay
• lost checked luggage
• adventure sports coverage (add-on) – so you can rappel down waterfalls, cave dive, mountain bike, scuba dive, etc. with peace of mind.
• electronics theft (add-on) – get reimbursed if your laptop, phone, camera or other electronics get stolen.

Click here to price out how much travel insurance would be for your trip.

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We hope you found this post useful and now have a better idea of whether Cancun in May is right for you. Happy vacationing!

Want more Cancun travel tips? You might like:

25+ Exciting Things To Do In Cancun To Make Your Trip Unforgettable

25 Essential Cancun Travel Tips: Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Trip

14 Unforgettable Things To Do On Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Mexico All-Inclusive Packing List: 60 Essential Things To Bring With You

Xcaret Park Review: Is It Worth The Money?

7 Best Places To Dive And Swim With Whale Sharks