The Best Time To Visit Cozumel: A Month By Month Guide

Just off the coast of Playa Del Carmen lies Cozumel, a snorkeler and scuba diver’s dream destination. This little island paradise may only be 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, but it packs a big punch.

Known as Mexico’s premier diving spot and a popular stop for cruise ships, Cozumel is also easy to reach thanks to its own airport—Cozumel International (CZM).

Life on Cozumel is all about embracing the laid-back beach vibes. Whether you’re drawn to the island for its world-class snorkeling and scuba diving or simply want to soak up the marine life, it’s a must-visit if you’re over the megaresorts of Cancun.

And when it comes to places to stay, Cozumel has no shortage of incredible resorts and boutique hotels to pair with your adventures—like Illa Cozumel and Hotel B Unique.

But when’s the best time to visit?

If you’re planning a trip, you’ll want to think about a few factors—like weather, crowds, and budget—before deciding when to go. Below, we’ll break down everything you need to know to figure out the best time to visit Cozumel for your perfect getaway.

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Where Is Cozumel Located in Mexico?

Cozumel is the largest island in Mexico, located in the State of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico.

It’s situated just off of Mexico’s Riviera Maya and consists of mostly undeveloped land. To the west of the island is Playa Del Carmen.

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What Is Cozumel Known For?

Cozumel is best known as a cruise ship port and a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkeling.

In fact, Cozumel is known for some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world. Why exactly is it so good here? Well, it’s because it’s part of the Mesoamerican Reef which is the second-largest reef in the world.

What that means is that you’re going to get the chance to see some pretty amazing marine life you probably won’t see anywhere else.

On top of that, you can also expect white sand beaches, jeep tours galore, unlimited beach lounging opportunities, and a truly laid-back lifestyle.

As we noted, Cozumel is a major cruise ship port. The island typically welcomes more than 4 million cruise passengers each year and as many as eight cruise ships per day.

To quickly give you an idea of some of the best things to do in Cozumel:

  • Diving at Palancar Reef
  • Exploring San Miguel de Cozumel
  • Laguna Chankanaab & the National Marine Park
  • Seeing the ruins at San Gervasio
  • Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
  • Stingray Beach
  • Discover Mexico Park Cozumel (particularly popular among cruise ships!)
How To Get To Cozumel From Cancun - Travels With Elle

What Are Cozumel’s Travel Seasons?

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

  • WET SEASON: May to October. Wet season tends to be hotter than the dry season.
  • HURRICANE SEASON: June to November, with peak storm chances from August to October. Hurricanes are rare (only two in 30 years), so expect occasional rain but still decent travel weather.
  • DRY SEASON: December to April. Cooler temps with lower humidity.

High Season In Cozumel

Cozumel’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 Cozumel and the rest of Mexico to be very busy. Cozumel’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 Cozumel

Cozumel’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. Cozumel’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 Cozumel, Cancun and Playa Del Carmen 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 Cozumel if you’re traveling on a budget.

Shoulder Season In Cozumel

A ‘shoulder season’ is a travel term, defined by the time between the high season and the low seasons of traveling to a specific destination.

In our opinion, the best time to go to Cozumel is during the shoulder season, during the months of April, May, November, and December.

During these months, you’ll experience lesser crowds and more mild weather conditions, and pretty reasonable rates.


When Is The Best Time To Visit Cozumel?

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

We personally love visiting during the last week of November (right after Thanksgiving), leading into December. By this time, the November rains have come to an end, and sunny days are more common than not. We also love that hotels during this time tend to be a teensy bit cheaper compared to official high season. It’s the perfect little sweet spot for us.

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Let’s look at some of the different ‘best time to visit’ categories below.


Best Time To Visit Cozumel For Perfect Weather

December to April

Cozumel 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.

The weather is extremely comfortable: sunny, low humidity, and low chances of rains or hurricanes. It’s ideal weather for spending time on the beach, while not feeling too hot or too cool.

Keep in mind that in March and April, the rowdy spring break crowds will flood into the Cancun and Riviera Maya areas, which can lead to larger crowds and busier areas across the entire peninsula.

So while the weather might be amazing, if groups of young travelers are not your cup of tea, you’ll want to travel closer to the December, January or February months.

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Best Months To Visit Cozumel For Beaching (And Beach Clubs)

December To April

The best months for relaxing at the beach or hanging out in Cozumel’s many beach clubs (like Mr. Sanchos Beach Club or Paradise Beach) are typically between December and April thanks to the sunny, nearly perfect weather!

The water is also warm and clear, making it perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities!

For the best of the best weather, aim for the months of March or April, when temperatures range between 87 and 90 degrees daily.


Best Time To Visit Cozumel For The Best Deals

May To November

The Yucatan Peninsula definitely has a peak/high and a low season. This pattern coincides with the local weather.

Due to the drier weather during the high season, December through April are typically the busiest months in Cozumel. People are also flocking to warmer destinations to get away from the chill, wind, snowy conditions back home.

With that said, everything is going to be pricier during the high season.

If you’re looking to snag a deal on your 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 travelers.

Like we mentioned above, November is the sweet spot. There are lower chances of rain, the humidity that has plagued the region for the last few months is slowing dwindling down, and those great low season deals are still going strong.

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Best Time To Visit Cozumel For Avoiding Crowds

September to October

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

People flock to the Yucatan for their summer vacations throughout June, July and August. People flock to the area for their winter holidays (December and January). People flock for Spring Break.

The months of 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 Cozumel For Nightlife

Did you know Cozumel has a nightlife scene of its own? Sure, Cancun is infamous for its party life and lively nighttime entertainment, but you can get down in Cozumel too!

With tons of restaurants, bars, and lounges on Cozumel, you’re guaranteed a fantastic time. The island even has its own Senor Frogs! Other spots with fun music most nights of the week include Wet Wendys, The Pub, and Woody’s.

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

March and April are when many people flock to Mexico during spring break–you can find lots of beach parties during the day, and energetic lounges/clubs later on in the evenings.

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The summer is another popular time for parties since lots of younger travelers are on their summer breaks.

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


Best Time To Visit Cozumel: Month-by-Month Breakdown

Each month offers different pros and cons when it comes to planning your vacation to Cozumel. To figure out which month is the best time for you to make your visit, consider these details:

January in Cozumel

You can kick off the new year in Cozumel with some really great weather.

During this month, you can expect warm days reaching in the mid-80’s, with a dip to the low 60’s during the nighttime. It’s comfortably warm, and past the holiday rush.

While the holiday crowds thin, January still sees a decent number of tourists, especially snowbirds escaping colder climates. It’s not entirely “calm,” but it’s manageable.

February in Cozumel

The heat starts to kick up in February, getting slightly warmer than in January.

February is a popular time for travelers to visit; Valentine’s Day and Carnival can draw some crowds, especially mid-month. But overall, it’s quieter than March.

February is also a great time for snorkeling, as the water is particularly clear and you can see everything you’re looking for.

Key events in February: Carnival – A lively celebration that takes place in late February /early March, just before the start of Lent. Expect colorful parades, live music, dancing, and lots of traditional costumes!

March in Cozumel

Cozumel continues to get warmer into March, where the daytime and nighttime temperature begin to match each other around the mid to high-80’s. It’s a great time to visit for comfortable beach weather and little to no rain!

March is also when spring break begins for some colleges, and students start to flood into the Cancun/Playa area for beach parties and club hopping. You can expect to find lots of parties and events around the Yucatan region.

With that said, early March is less crowded than late March when Spring Break is in full swing.

March is also the last month of the year where you’ll get near-perfect weather.

April in Cozumel

April is the driest month of the year for Cozumel – you can expect rain maybe one to two days out of the month. It’s humid but still relatively comfortable compared to the coming summer months, so you can still enjoy outdoor activities without feeling too miserable.

April is one of Cozumel’s shoulder season months, which means it’s your chance to visit before the hot, humid, and rainy months begin.

And while it’s shoulder season, some holiday travelers during Easter week (Semana Santa) can add a temporary uptick in visitors.

There might still be spring breakers and party-goers in this part of Mexico in April, but crowds do start thinning throughout the month. It’s nothing as crazy as what you’d encounter in March.

May in Cozumel

Once May hits, the days start to heat up and it gets HOT during the afternoon. You can expect the high daytime temperatures to reach the 90’s and above.

This month marks the start of the offseason (fewer crowds and lower rates), but it’s also the beginning of the transition to the rainy season.

Aside from the weather, the main benefit of visiting in May is your increased chances of encountering sea turtles and whale sharks!

The sea turtles begin to nest on the beaches and the whale sharks begin arriving in the ocean areas of Cancun (mostly around Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres). There’s a lot of on-land wildlife activity that you really must experience for yourself.

Key events in May:

Cedral Fair – This festival blends culture, faith, and fun. Celebrated for over 150 years, this annual festival honors the anniversary of the first Catholic mass in Mexico, which was held in El Cedral. The week-long festival consists of parades, bullfights, music, food, and other cultural activities.

Rodeo de Lanchas Mexicanas Cozumel – annual game fishing tournament where competitors from around the world to fish for marlin, wahoo, dorado, tuna and more.

isla holbox cancun mexico

June in Cozumel

June is the start of some of the warmest months of the year in Cozumel, with high temperatures reaching into the high 90’s during the daytime.

It’s a great time to visit if you’re looking to relax during your vacation, get a good tan, and spend some time out in the water!

June does mark the start of hurricane season in Cozumel, however, it is relatively unlikely you will experience hurricanes during this month. You can expect some rain throughout the month, so at worst, you should anticipate a few days spent partially indoors. Rain in June often comes as short, heavy downpours rather than all-day rain.

Because June is considered part of the wet season, this means accommodation rates and flight prices are usually very affordable during this month.

While the warmer weather may be good for swimming, diving, and snorkeling, it does make more inland activities (exploring ruins, jungle excursions) a bit harder to bare. We recommend prioritizing beach/water activities closer to the coast during the month of June.

July in Cozumel

Let’s not sugarcoat it–July is one of the hottest months in Cozumel. July brings even hotter and more humid weather than June, however, there are less rainy days on average.

Even when there are heavy downpour storms in July, they tend to pass relatively quickly so you can continue to enjoy your day outdoors. Just be prepared by packing a wind-proof umbrella and/or a light rain jacket.

Again, we recommend sticking with water activities near the coast, but if you do venture out into the jungle or to the ruins, be sure to bring plenty of water with you to combat the semi-stifling heat!

July sees slightly more visitors (compared to June) as this usually marks the start of summer vacation. However, crowds are still quite thin, which is totally awesome for those looking for a quieter trip.

Accommodation rates and flight prices are still very affordable during this month.

August in Cozumel

The last official month of summer brings lots of humidity and high heat, and even though it does tend to cool down throughout the month, you won’t feel much of a difference due to the constant mugginess.

August is a transition month: it’s still summer, but rainfall gradually increases, especially toward the end (the closer it gets to September).

While the weather may not be the most pleasant, August is a good month to visit to enjoy the last bits of the summertime and to see marine life. The turtle hatchlings that started in late July continue on in early August, and usually, the pods of whale sharks (up north) are still in the area to enjoy.

For outdoor activities, get them scheduled for early-morning in order to beat the heat.

September in Cozumel

September marks the peak of hurricane season for Cozumel. What you’re more likely to experience a decent amount of rain because September is Cozumel’s wettest month.

When it’s not raining, though, you can expect warmer water temperatures compared to August, and plenty of opportunities to spend time on the beach.

Two huge perks of visiting in September? The summer crowds have usually gone as the kids are back in school by then. Additionally, you can still witness many of the sea turtle babies hatching at this time!

There will be very light crowds wherever you go, so if you’re looking to travel on a budget and want to score the best travel deals Cozumel has to offer, September is a great time to visit.

Key events in September:

Fiestas de San Miguel Arcangel – religious festival honoring the patron saint of the island. Features daily processions, colorful foods, and arts and crafts fairs.

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – nationwide festival celebrating Mexican Independence Day! Features parades, fireworks, musical performances, colorful folkloric dance performances, and lots of food and drink.

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October in Cozumel

October tends to bring more rain, but less overall rain compared to September. At this time, the hot/humid weather will start to drop down a little, bringing more comfortable temperatures along with less overall humidity.

October is the lull between the busy seasons of the summer and the holiday months. This is one of the lower tourist months, and is a great time to visit for a more relaxed vacation.

You’ll likely find some of the best travel deals during this time!

Key events in October: Cozumel Bird Festival – A three-day event in October that celebrates Cozumel’s diverse bird population. The festival includes bird-watching excursions, lectures, and workshops.

November in Cozumel

November brings even cooler weather than October. Having said that, remember that Cozumel weather is pretty much summer all year round!

Come November, Cozumel experiences the tail end of hurricane season. The weather in November is usually warm, sunny, yet still unpredictable.

During the day you can expect the temperature to remain around the mid-80’s range. This is excellent weather for lounging on the beach, enjoying the beach clubs, as well as other activities including hiking, sightseeing and more.

There could very well be rain, especially towards the beginning of the month. Having said that, it’s rare that you will be rained in for a full day as Cozumel usually experiences passing showers that last for a few hours.

As you reach the end of November, you can expect more people starting to flock in to spend their holidays in Mexico (and to escape the cold where they live).

Key events in November:

Cozumel Scuba Fest – Scuba Fest consists of 9 dives on the most beautiful reefs of Cozumel and includes the “Punta Francesa” reef in honor of Simone Cousteau, the first woman diver and mother of Jean-Michel.

Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) / Día de Todos Los Santos (All Saints Day)

Ironman Cozumel – A grueling triathlon that takes place in November, attracting athletes from around the world. The race consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run.

December in Cozumel

Arguably the best month to visit Cozumel, December offers a bit of everything for vacationers.

The weather continues to stay in that comfortable mid-80’s range during the day, with slightly cooler temperatures at night. You can still enjoy wonderful beaching conditions during the day, but won’t break too much of a sweat when you’re out exploring! Very rarely will you need a long sleeve at night.

At night, you can expect more tourists at the various bars and restaurants, with many people visiting for the holiday season.

If you’re visiting in December, you’ll want to book accommodations as early as you can, as it’s one of the busiest months.

Key events in December: Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – an island-wide festival celebrating The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Features pilgrimages, races, food, folkloric dances, and musical performances.

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When Is Cozumel’s Wet Season?

The wet season runs from May to October. This is when tropical storms usually hit the Yucatan Peninsula. While you may think a wet season will be cold, it actually tends to be hotter than the dry season.

Hurricane season in Cozumel 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.)


When Is Cozumel’s Dry Season?

The dry season is from December to April. Travelers will find cooler, more pleasant temperatures.

If you don’t do well with rain or wind, we would recommend visiting during the dry season.


When Is Cozumel Most Humid?

If you’re looking to avoid high humidity weather, try to avoid the months of May and June.

May and June are the hottest and most sweltering months, with high humidity, high rainfall and high temperatures.


Is Cozumel Cold in December?

While it might be cold in December for many other cities/destinations in the world, Cozumel is not one of those places. In fact, December is arguably the best time to visit Cozumel, Mexico!

Days are warm, nights are cool and comfortable, and skies are almost always sunny and clear. Average highs are around 82°F (27°C). Average temperatures rarely fall below 76°F.

Get ready for some near-perfect weather in December!


Does It Rain All Day in Cozumel 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 Cozumel, 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!


Essential Travel Tips For Cozumel, Mexico

  • Hurricane season runs from June through November. While hurricanes are unlikely, 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 Cozumel. 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. Your hotel will likely provide you with free filtered water.
  • Cozumel is extremely tourist-friendly. If you can’t speak a lick of Spanish, you’ll be okay. This region (Yucatan Peninsula) largely caters to English-speaking visitors, and you’ll find that English is spoken by most locals, hotel/restaurant staff, and tour guides.
  • Cozumel is 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 Cozumel.

Essentials To Pack For Cozumel, Mexico

  • Lightweight Packable Day Bag | I always bring a lightweight, packable backpack to use for day-to-day exploration. A mini backpack or a sling bag is perfect for carrying a few snacks, a lightweight jacket, cameras, phones, a water bottle, and whatever else you need for the day.
  • Laundry Bag | Tropical weather = lots of sweaty, smelly worn clothes. Don’t soil your entire bag by mixing worn clothes with your unworn clothes! Bring a laundry bag to separate your clean clothes from your dirty clothes to maintain the utmost freshness.
  • Light Rain Jacket | Traveling to warm, tropical areas does not necessarily mean there won’t be rain or wind. Packing a light rain jacket will definitely come in handy in unpredictable tropical climates. Bring something that’s ultralight, wind and water-repellent, and take up virtually no space.
  • Adventure Sandals | Tevas and Chacos are my go-to brands for multipurpose summer sandals. If you’re planning on having an adventurous day or two, you should definitely consider getting adventure sandals — comfortable for long-distance walking, safe for submerging in water, and super durable.
  • Walking Shoes | One pair of closed-toed shoes (ideally a pair of comfortable walking shoes) is always crucial for any trip. 
  • Dry Shampoo | Bring some dry shampoo to use in between washes to instantly revitalize and freshen your semi-dirty hair.
  • Leave-In Conditioner | I recommend bringing a leave-in conditioner to help nurture your hair after spending time in pools and the salty ocean. As someone with naturally frizzy hair, my hair tends to get tangled, coarse, and even more frizzy after it’s submerged in water. This leave-in conditioner is a cult favorite – just put it in your damp hair after your shower and comb it through.
  • Sunscreen | Applying sunscreen to your face and body is absolutely necessary for tropical destinations. Even if it’s overcast and cloudy, the UV index can be very high, so be sure to apply it whenever you’re outdoors. If you plan on snorkeling near the reefs, choose a coral reef-safe mineral sunscreen like Thinksport or All Good, as traditional sunscreen contains chemicals that damage and even kill the precious reefs.
  • Insect Repellent Lotion | Mosquitos love hot climates, so I would definitely recommend packing insect repellent. Our current favorite right now is PARA’KITO — ALL of their products are made in France using only natural essential oils, yet work so well to deter the bugs. 
  • Dry Bag | Another multi-purpose item on the list! Don’t set foot on a kayak, boat or canoe without putting your stuff in a dry bag. Trust me, it’s better than ending up with a phone or camera submerged in water in the case where the boat tips or something. It’s also super handy for carrying around wet bathing suits and towels. Or even doubling as your laundry bag!
  • Portable Power Bank | You’re probably going to be out all day, snapping away taking pictures, GPSing to all the great food spots… the last thing you want is to be stranded with no phone battery! A portable power bank is a must-have, and Anker’s ultra-light, ultra-portable power bank is tried and true by so many travelers! I never embark on a day of exploration without it.
  • Snorkel Set | If you plan on snorkeling a lot, bring your own snorkel set to save on rental costs.
  • Medicine | If you get motion sickness, consider bringing a motion sickness reliever like Dramamine for various watercraft adventures or even the ferry ride over to Isla Mujeres. If you need other meds, don’t forget your painkillers, antacids, etc.

We hope you found this post useful and now have a better idea of when to visit Cozumel. Happy vacationing!

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AUTHOR

Elle Leung

My name is Elle and I'm a travel blogger and adventurer based in California. I love helping people plan trips and create unique itineraries based on their interests and their budgets. I'm a huge fan of outdoor adventures and doing off-the-beaten-path things in my state (and all around the world too)!

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