Weather of Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean

Cancún, Cozumel, and the rest of the Mexican Caribbean have the sun's attention year-round.

The region's annual temperature averages a comfortable 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), dipping from time to time as low as 65 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius) in January. In May, the mercury can rise to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), though ocean breezes cool the region. In the Yucatan, however, jungle conditions keep the weather smolderingly humid and hot. Rainfall is rare, though violent storms called nortes can roll in on any afternoon very quickly and with very little warning. The storm's black clouds, high winds, and torrents of rain are usually followed within an hour by bright sun and clear blue sky.

The Caribbean coast of Mexico is on the outskirts of the hurricane belt, and though the risk of extreme weather is lower than many other sites in the Caribbean, it does exist. The official hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with August and September being the peak months. However, the Caribbean region is more vast than most people think, and the chances of any single island or area being hit directly by a hurricane are very slim. While it's true that these storms are rare, possible storm systems should be taken seriously.

Most often, heavy rains and wind will be the extent of the violent weather that Mexico receives from a nearby hurricane. Direct hits by major storms are so rare, in fact, that many elder inhabitants of the area still relate events in history to being before or after "the storm" because they may have only seen one or two of significance in their lifetimes.

Additionally, with today's meteorological technology, advanced warnings for hurricanes will reach you long before you are ever in danger, so keeping an eye on the weather before you leave will go a long way toward keeping you prepared.

If you hear that a hurricane has hit before you arrive, all is not lost. You may not have to alter your trip at all, but do call ahead to verify current weather conditions and extent of damage to the area; you may also want to obtain a statement from local business owners indicating whether they are operating as usual. It is rare, however, that an act of nature can deprive hot spots such as Cancún and Cozumel of their flourishing tourist activities.