Best Time to Visit Tulum
Are you wondering when the best time to visit Tulum is? Well, you’re not alone. In this article, we will share the best months to go to Tulum and the ones you should avoid. Keep on reading to find the ideal time to visit and stay in Tulum for your kind of holiday.
Tulum is a beautiful beach town in Riviera Maya. It’s a more quiet and less developed alternative to visiting the famed Cancun and the quiet Playa del Carmen on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. This coastal paradise draws thousands of eco-travelers and nature lovers seeking leisure and spirituality, thanks to its ecolodges, various spa and yoga alternatives, lush forest, and all inclusive and luxury resorts.
Tulum has no international airport. Read our guide to find out what airport you need to fly to get to Tulum.
This is our comprehensive guide on the best times to visit the stunning town of Tulum, season by season and month by month.
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Winter months. November to February is a great time to be in Tulum if you want to spend relaxing days on the beach and not worry about the rain.
Humidity remains high in Tulum …Tulum is humid all year round…but not as severe as during summer. This way, you can go outside and enjoy the great outdoors without melting in the scorching heat of the summer.
November and the first half of December are the best months to visit the town of Tulum as you can enjoy the amazing weather and avoid the big crowds and salty accommodation and flight prices.
The high season in Tulum is from December to April. High season is also one of the most beautiful seasons and times for a trip to Tulum. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive times to visit!
Hotels and resorts are full, and lines form outside of most restaurants as the hordes of tourists descend to this small-town paradise to enjoy the beach, nature, and cenotes. Be ready to see tourists everywhere and pay significantly more for flights and accommodation.
Spring Break, Easter, and August are the most popular times to travel to Tulum. The temperature is very very hot in August, yet this is when many Mexicans and Europeans spend their holidays and spring break crowds make their way to Mexico and Tulum. If you want fewer crowds in Tulum then definitely try to avoid the high season of Spring break.
If crowds are not your thing or you are on a budget, then Tulum’s off-season, which runs from May to September, is your best bet. Low season has fewer crowds but also the hottest months (and we mean melting hot) for Tulum. Accommodations are trying to attract crowds with deals, and restaurants are half empty. If you are visiting Tulum during the low season be ready for the occasional rain showers during the day.
Hurricane season in Tulum is June to October. However, hurricanes are very rare in Tulum. The town is only experiencing a few storms every year. It does rain a lot more these months and especially during the day.
October is the worst month to travel to Tulum. Weather will still be pleasant for the most part of the day, but it is hurricane season at its peak, so get ready for heavier rain showers during the day.
Dry season in Tulum is December to April. It is also the most popular time for Tulum. During this season, you get the best weather in Tulum, with average temperatures in the mid-70s to low-80s Fahrenheit (24-29 Celsius). This also happens to be the busiest time of the year, so if you want to escape the crowds, make sure you make your way to Tulum during the wet (rainy) season.
The rainy season in Tulum is May to November. The temperatures are still very pleasant, but there is more rainfall and the looming possibility of hurricanes.
You will enjoy the wet season if you want to avoid the crowds and are ok with occasional showers and sprinkles of rain during the day or are on a budget and want to save money on transportation and hotels.
Here’s a monthly outlook at what to anticipate in Tulum month by month throughout the year (although festivals and events are always subject to change).
Average Temperature: 61 – 81°F
The first week of January is one of the busiest weeks of the year, with late-night partying, music, festivals, and the last Christmas-related celebrations. This is high season and you can expect sunny days, mild nights, crowds, and expensive pricing for accommodation and flights.
Key Events for January: Día de Los Reyes Magos (Epiphany), Zamna Festival (EDM Music), Arena Festival (Dance Music)
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Average Temperature: 64 – 86°F
The beautiful weather continues, but Tulum quiets down (still busy compared to the low season). Except during Carnaval celebrations, when parades, outrageous costumes, live music, and dancing take over the streets of this otherwise quiet town.
Key Events for February: Carnaval, Carnaval, Carnaval…
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Temperature: 64 – 88°F
The temperature rises by a few degrees as the spring breakers descend on Tulum’s beaches. It is certainly packed. Traditional Maya festivities commemorate the official start of spring.
Events for March: Spring Break and Alborada Maya Festival (religious – Maya and Catholic traditions)
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Temperature: 65 – 91°F
Semana Santa (Easter Week) usually takes place in early April (and sometimes in late March), bringing local crowds to the town. Expect overbooked hotels, crowds, and price increases.
Events for April: Easter and The Holy Week
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Temperature: 69 – 92°F
A hot month combined with some rain signals and the official arrival of humid weather. Not unexpectedly, tourism is slowing down, and you can find some excellent hotel prices, fantastic deals and flight deals. Cinco de Mayo means booze specials in the bars…but not much more. Also, the first sea turtles make the long trip to Tulum to nest on the sandy beaches.
Events for May: Cinco de Mayo
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Temperature: 70 – 92°F
The hurricane season has officially begun; anticipate hot weather and bright days with brief rain showers. Tourist numbers remain low, making it a great month for best deals on hotel and flights. Sea turtles continue to visit the beaches for nesting.
Events for June: Not much. It’s just too hot and humid outside
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Temperature: 71 – 91°F
The weather remains hot and humid. This is the height of summer months vacation for Mexicans, with crowded beaches, vibrant nightlife, and higher prices.
Events for July: Not much. It’s just too hot and humid outside
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Temperature: 72 – 93°F
This is one of the warmest months of the year, yet the summer vacation season doesn’t stop (and neither do the short rain showers). Sea turtle activity is brisk, particularly in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, with mating, nesting, and the first turtle babies that make their dangerous first trip to the sea.
Events for August: Not much. It’s just too hot and humid outside
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Temperature: 69 – 89°F
The height of the storm season brings even more rain, while the sun manages to shine most days. Mexican Independence Day in mid-September signifies broad festivity in the town’s center square.
Events for September: Mexican Independence Day
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Temperature: 67 – 87°F
Hotels offer discounted accommodations as October is historically the rainiest month of the year. Several businesses shut down or modify their hours. Those that remain open often offer significant discounts. The weather is unpredictable, but the beaches are blissfully vacant, and you can finally take a picture of the Mayan ruins or the magnificent cenotes without getting photobombed. The turtle season is drawing to a close. Temperatures drop.
Events for October: The Sea Turtle Festival
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Temperature: 66 – 85°F
The wet season starts to wane, and temperatures begin to finally drop. The festival season resumes in earnest, with Dia de Muertos festivities in the town’s square, as the last of the turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea.
Events for November: Dia de Los Muertos, Dia de Los Innocentes, Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, Wine Festival, Art with Me, and the Caribe Cultural Festival.
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Average Temperature: 63 – 84°F
The hurricane season is officially over, and the weather is just picture-perfect. As a result, international tourism is kicking into full gear. The Christmas-New Year time brings peak season festivities, wild parties, completely booked hotels, and high season sky-high costs.
Events for December: Feast of the Virgen de Guadalupe, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
The best time to visit Tulum really depends on your interests and the activities you want to enjoy. Tulum has a tropical climate; thus, it is hot and humid all year, so you can’t really go wrong visiting Tulum any time of the year (ok…maybe try to avoid October).
It really depends on your nationality and passport.
No, it isn’t. Americans can still visit and travel to Tulum if their stay is less than 90 days. In reality, most international visitors will just need a tourist card rather than a visa.
If you want to remain in Mexico for more than six months, you must apply for Mexican residence.
Tulum is considered a safe and quiet town in the Yucatan Peninsula. Most tourists find it very safe even though crime is on the rise as more tourists arrive in this quiet town. Our Tulum safety guide can help you assess the safety of the destination yourself.
In Tulum, there is ALWAYS a party going on! But if you want to party hard, December through January, particularly around the New Year’s holiday, is when you’ll find the largest and greatest parties in Tulum.
They take New Year celebrations seriously, with parties practically every night. Parties in cenotes, jungle parties, beach parties, parties EVERYWHERE!
No one really knows. Sargassum (seaweed) in Tulum generally appears as the water temperature rises throughout the summer. Then, when the sea cools, it disappears.
But Tulum is much more than just the beach. So, if you’re going to visit and there’s sargassum, rent a bike and go swimming in cenotes.
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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