Is July a Good Time To Go to Cancun?

With your kids on summer vacation and your eye on Cancun, it’s common for people to wonder—is July a good time to go to Cancun in Mexico?

July isn’t a bad time to go to Cancun per se, but it depends on the type of trip you want. Traveling to Cancun in July involves higher chances of rain (and hurricanes), seaweed, and sweltering hot weather.

The flip side is that you won’t have to squeeze your beach family beach towels between those of strangers, given that fewer people travel that time of year. Accommodation is also often more economical.

So, we’ll explore whether July is a good time to travel to Cancun from every angle to help you better determine whether it’s the best-fit destination for your family’s summer vacation.

July in Cancun: The Low Season

July is the low tourist season in Cancun, which runs from June to October. 

Although the tacos are just as delicious and the locals are just as friendly that time of year, several factors contribute to people avoiding Cancun in July. They include: 

• Excessive heat
• High humidity
• Seaweed on the beach
• Higher chance of rain
• Potential for a hurricane

We don’t want to make you feel like it’s all doom and gloom based on this list, though. Instead, there are some advantages to visiting Cancun in July. They include:

• Avoiding excessive crowds
• Lower hotel prices
• Whale sharks and sea turtles present

Of course, some families also love sweltering hot tropical climates and see this as a positive aspect.

All About Cancun’s Weather in July

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of Cancun’s weather in July, we want to lead with this disclaimer—historical weather patterns are helpful, but there are plenty of weather anomalies that deviate from them. 

So, take what we share below as a guide, and prepare you and your family to be flexible to work your trip around the weather.

Temperature

Since August 1st is historically the hottest day of the year in Cancun, you’ll experience some of the warmest weather this beach city has, especially if you travel towards the end of July.

The average high temperature is about 89 °F. It isn’t uncommon for highs to reach the low 90s, although highs above 93 °F are uncommon.

As for lows, you can reserve your jacket for use only in air-conditioned buildings, for the average low in July is 77 °F. In some cases, the temperature can drop as low as 73 °F, making it feel relatively cool. Other times, it doesn’t even break into the 70s for lows.

Generally speaking, the earlier in July you travel, the lower the highs and lows will be. But it’s all relative—July in Cancun is tank top and flip flop weather all the way.

Water Temperature

The ocean won’t offer you much respite from the heat if you decide to take a dip to cool off. You can expect the water temperature to be between 83 and 84 °F in July.

But we doubt you’d want to swim in the ocean anyway, given the abundance of seaweed in July. We’ll talk more about Cancun’s seaweed issue shortly. But for now, know that your hotel’s pool will likely offer a more comfortable swimming experience for you and your kids.

Humidity

Are you ready to hear Cancun’s humidity levels in June? The average is 100%. That’s right—the dew point is essentially saturated the entire month, meaning that you can expect to fill sticky and muggy from the moment you step outside.

So, we recommend planning your family activities in the morning and late afternoons to work around high temperatures and humidity. That way, you can grab lunch and a nap during the hottest part of the day.

Amount of Sunshine

You can expect a mix of sun and clouds, barring a hurricane, during your time in Cancun, and provided you stay more than a few days, you’ll notice more weather fluctuations. 

The amount of overcast or mostly cloudy skies ranges from 78% to 74%, with the nominally lower percentage being towards the end of July. In fact, July is one of the cloudiest months in Cancun on average, with June 29th having the highest amount of clouds and February 24th being the clearest. 

Despite these “gloomy” numbers, it’s common to have at least partial sun for a portion of most days in July. Yes, washout rainy days happen in Cancun during that time of year. But more often than not, you’ll still have opportunities to work on your tan.

Along similar lines, the length of daylight time in Cancun will decrease throughout July. 

You’ll lose an average of 36 seconds of daylight per day, which adds up to four minutes and 13 seconds per week. The good news is that even on the shortest sunlight day of the month (July 31st), you’ll still get to enjoy 13 hours and 6 minutes of daylight.

Precipitation

Despite July being a month with more cloud cover than most other parts of the year in Cancun, the amount of rain this region experiences decreases as the month progresses.

For example, the 31-day accumulation average on July 1st is 4.2 inches. By the time July 28th rolls around, that number drops by nearly one inch to 3.3 inches.

So, what does that mean for your family? The later in July you travel, the higher the chance of encountering less total rainfall. Of course, a hurricane would throw off these numbers completely, so that’s worth keeping in mind.

Wind

High winds aren’t typically a big issue in Cancun in July (minus the presence of a hurricane). On the contrary, most tourists would appreciate more than the 7.3 – 6.7 mile per hour average range they encounter.

You can feel the most amount of wind at the beach; walking around inland can feel suffocatingly still wind-wise, given that the tall buildings in Cancun’s Hotel Zone block the breeze.

Does Cancun Get Hurricanes in July?

Yes, Cancun gets hurricanes in July, so this is something you and your family should mentally prepare for before booking your trip.

Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June 1st – November 30th. The good news is that Cancun tends to not receive as many direct hurricane hits as some Caribbean islands, and the greatest chance of hurricanes increases starting in August. 

Nevertheless, hurricanes are a real possibility in July, both as direct or indirect hits. So, it’s important to explain to your kids that there’s a chance a hurricane could cause you not to take your trip, or you might have to depart early once you arrive.

The good news is that since Cancun is a relatively young city, it has many new buildings with architecture designed to withstand strong winds. Nevertheless, spending your vacation in a hotel room isn’t fun or feasible, depending on the storm’s strength.

One way to help lessen the burden of changing your travel plans at the last minute is to book an airline that doesn’t charge fees to change your flight. Southwest is an excellent example, and they offer multiple daily flights out of the Cancun International Airport. 

Are There Mosquitos in Cancun in July?

Yes, mosquitoes abound in Cancun in July. The good news is that you likely won’t feel them if you’re close to the water on the beach because of the breeze. But even sitting in an open-air restaurant set back from the beach can cause your body to turn into a feeding ground.

So, make sure to pack some bug spray. If you forget to do so, no worries—you can buy it at one of the many pharmacies in Cancun. Just be prepared for a bit of sticker shock on high-demand tourist items like these.

A Major Downside: Sargassum Season

Yes, we said it—there’s a significant downside to visiting Cancun in July aside from the potential for a run-in with a hurricane. Sargassum is a seaweed that arrives in Cancun, and at the beaches of many places from Florida to Caribbean islands, from May to October.

Sargassum covers nearly every square inch of the shore’s surface. Although it smells like rotting eggs and makes swimming nearly impossible at the height of its season, the good news is that it isn’t harmful to human health.

In fact, this floating habitat serves its purpose in the marine world because it provides a home and food for sea life. 

Unfortunately, sargassum blooms are more rampant than they used to be due to agricultural runoff and rising ocean temperatures. The result is nearly unmanageable amounts of seaweed that pile up as much as multiple feet high on the shore.

So, if you choose to visit Cancun in July, we recommend checking with your hotel to see if they have a sargassum management strategy. Many hotels, especially those within Cancun’s Hotel Zone, regularly comb the beaches with rakes, wheelbarrows, and sometimes even bulldozers to keep the area in front of their beach looking as pristine as possible.

Things To Do in Cancun in July

If you’re wondering, “Is July a good time to go to Cancun for unique activities?” the answer is yes. Below are some family-friendly activities you can partake in at that time of year.

Sea Turtle Hatchings

Cancun isn’t only a popular spot for humans; sea turtles also love it. In fact, its beaches are the nesting site for four of the eight sea turtle species in the world. 

Sea turtles begin nesting on Cancun’s beaches in May. Since the incubation period is six to eight weeks, the month of July is when you have the chance to start watching sea turtles hatch.

Most sea turtles hatch at night, given that it protects them from land-based predators like seagulls. However, we recommend checking with your hotel to see if they can offer you any leads on where you can potentially watch sea turtles hatch. 

The chances of getting so lucky are low, though. So, you’re likely better off having your kids look for sea turtle tracks early in the morning, as momma sea turtles still arrive on Cancun’s shores in July to lay their eggs.

Whale Shark Tour

If hearing the words “whale shark” gives you visions of a massive marine creature with gigantic teeth ready to turn your kids into a snack, only the massive part is correct. Whale sharks are a type of fish, not a shark.

These beautiful and peaceful creatures can grow over 40 feet long, filling their stomachs with krill through their filter-feeding ways.

It just so happens that July falls in the heart of the whale shark season for Cancun, where you can snorkel or dive with them as they migrate. You’ll need to sign up for a tour, as whale sharks don’t come too close to shore.

From there, the boat will take you to prime whale shark swimming spots. You’ll need to be ready to make a quick entry into the water from the boat, for your guide will tell you when a whale shark is passing, and you should get in the water to see it.

Visit a Theme Park

What better way to cool off in the hot weather than by taking your kids to a theme park? You’ll get to choose from several water parks, many of which sit on a breathtakingly beautiful part of the Caribbean coast.

Some of the best theme parks that are a day trip from Cancun include:

• Xcaret
• Xplor
• Xel-Ha

July Events in Cancun

Vacations abroad are a fantastic learning opportunity for children, as they can observe and learn about a different culture. But knowing about not-so-kid-friendly events you should steer clear of is equally important.

So, below are two popular events that take place in the Cancun region in July.

Whale Shark Festival

Every year the nearby Island of Isla Mujeres celebrates whale shark season with a festival. It only takes 30 minutes by ferry to reach Isla Mujeres from Cancun. From there, you’ll get to learn about whale sharks, sample local street food, and your kids can partake in many kid-friendly activities. 

Destination X

Cancun is a party city, so it’s hard to find a month when there isn’t a festivity of some sort going on. It just so happens that Destination X offers that party vibe in July, with this five-day festival taking place in the nightlife area of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Loud music and beach parties day and night abound during the festival.

The Best Time of Year for Traveling to Cancun

If you decide that traveling to Cancun in July isn’t the right fit for your family and you’d rather travel during the best time of year, plan your trip anywhere from December to April.

These months fall during the high season. So, although there will be many more tourists present, the chances of rain are lower, you don’t have to worry about hurricanes, sargassum will be non-existent, and you can expect lots of sunshine.

Alternatively, you can plan your trip during the shoulder months of May or November. The mass crowds of tourists subside during this time as the weather undergoes a transition period. 

You can expect some rain, although you might get away with none. Sargassum is also less of a problem since it’s just starting its growth cycle in May. By the time November rolls around, you likely will only see scraps of old sargassum remaining.

That said, everyone has their own definition of the “best” time of year to visit Cancun. So, we encourage you and your family to consider everything we discussed here and decide for yourselves what the best month is for you.

Packing List for Your Cancun Trip

If you decide to travel to Cancun in July, below is a tailored packing list to help you prepare your family for as stress-free of a time as possible.

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses/hats
• Reusable water bottles*
• Bug spray 
• Clothes for hot weather
• Swimsuit 
• Beach towels
• Dry bag
• Umbrella

*We recommend bringing reusable water bottles if your hotel provides refillable drinking water. Otherwise, save the space in your suitcase and buy bottled water once you arrive in Cancun.

Finally, don’t forget to purchase travel insurance. While having trip protection is important regardless of the time of year you travel to Cancun, it’s extra vital during hurricane season.

As a word of warning, if you visit any cenotes (sinkholes) during your stay in Cancun, you can’t wear sunscreen or bug spray if you’d like to swim in the water. There are ecological reasons for this, as even the eco-friendly version of sunscreen can damage these fragile ecosystems. 

Pack Your Bags

So, is July a good time to go to Cancun?

It is if you want the best deals on accommodation, fewer tourists on the beach, and enjoy hot tropical weather. 

Although traveling to Cancun during July comes with its downsides—large amounts of sargassum and the possibility of hurricanes being the primary concerns—it offers family-friendly activities to do year-round.

So, start packing your bags using our recommendations and get ready to enjoy your vacation.