The best time to visit Cozumel, Mexico is between January and April. The island enjoys a tropical climate and this period usually brings settled weather, warm, sunny days, and relatively lower humidity.
Cozumel is a spectacular diving destination year-round, with thriving coral reefs and excellent visibility. For the best beach weather, though, aim for the winter months.
Visiting Cozumel by Season
Summer
Beach in Cozumel
Summer in Cozumel is hot and humid. June is actually one of the wettest months of the year, with rainfall tailing off again in July and returning in August. The official hurricane season in the Caribbean begins on June 1, although hurricanes are rare in Cozumel.
When it does rain, it doesn’t always rain all day; more common in the tropics are short, sharp showers that clear the air.
Fall
Fall has two stages in Cozumel. September and October are still the height of the rainy season, with hot, humid days and frequent sharp downpours. By November, though, the weather is changing to become less steamy and more settled.
November is a good time to go to Cozumel for a taste of local culture, as the Day of the Dead is in the beginning of the month, when ancestors and the deceased are celebrated.
Winter
December, January, and February are peak season in Cozumel. The humidity is still high but more tolerable, and there’s less chance of rainfall. Cozumel is one of the best warm destinations in January, although it is the coolest month of the year, with average daily highs of 82°F (27°C).
December and January can be cloudy, and sometimes the heat is tempered by the el norte wind that blows from the north.
February (or March, depending on when Easter falls) is when Carnival takes place, before Lent begins. This is a time of colorful parades, live bands, and general merriment.
Read: Best Beaches in February
Spring
March and April are the best time to go to Cozumel, when you’ll find hot, sunny days and the lowest rainfall. Both experience fewer days on which it rains; four each, on average, compared to 16 in October, the wettest month. Expect daytime temperatures from 78.2°F (25.6°C) in March to 82.7°F (28.1°C) by May, with deliciously warm sea temperatures.
By May, the weather is warming up and the humidity is increasing. May is regarded as a shoulder season month, although local festivals draw big crowds. The Cedral Fair celebrates the anniversary of the first Catholic mass held in Mexico and goes on for a week, with parades, food festivals, and live music.
Guacamole
When Is Rainy Season?
August to October is the peak of the rainy season in Cozumel, while June is also a very rainy month with an average of 7.5 inches (190mm). In September, the average rainfall is 9.4 inches (240mm), increasing to 9.6 inches (245mm) in October. Rainfall usually comes in short, sharp bursts rather than prolonged periods.
When Is High Season?
High season in Cozumel is the cooler winter months of January, February, March, and April, with March the driest month of the year. This is the best time to visit for spending time on some of Cozumel’s best beaches. March is spring break, which brings more vacationers to the island, so expect the bars and restaurants to be busy.
When Is Shoulder Season?
May, November, and December are regarded as the shoulder season months in Cozumel. During these periods, there are fewer crowds, reasonably dry weather, and the water has excellent visibility for diving and snorkeling in Cozumel.
May is also a great time for wildlife spotting, as this is when sea turtles nest and enormous whale sharks can be seen basking in the warm ocean.
Marine life in Cozumel
When Is Low Season?
Low season occurs during the more humid summer and fall months, from June to October. This is regarded as hurricane season throughout the Caribbean, when tropical depressions pass through.
June can see heavy rain, and while this makes no difference if you’re diving, it’s not the best time for a beach trip. The rainy season can wash up sargassum seaweed onto the shore, too.
If you do visit during the low season, September 16 is Mexico’s Independence Day, with parades and celebrations.
Snorkeling in Cozumel
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