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The Best Time to Visit Tulum

The Best Time to Visit Tulum

When is the best time to go to Tulum? Plan your trip to Tulum with this step-by-step guide.

With dazzling coastline, blistering sunshine, and the ultimate spot for relaxation, it’s no wonder so many people flock to Tulum each year. 

But which time of year is best to visit? How do you avoid all the crowds? Are there any months when you should completely avoid Tulum? Don’t fret – all will be revealed.

Read on to discover the best time of year to go to Tulum, Mexico.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Tulum?: At A Glance

Tulum Beach

Wondering when is the best time to go to Tulum? Well, it kind of depends on what you’re traveling for.

As a general rule, we recommend visiting Mexico in November. This is smack bang in between the end of hurricane season and when a huge influx of tourists arrive. The prices are cheap, the weather is great, and the attractions aren’t too crowded.

Though if you’re looking for a party, visiting Tulum between December and February might be your best bet – this is when the town comes alive with tourists, and the entire region is party-central.

The Best Time to Visit Tulum

Tulum Honeymoon

What is the Best Month to Travel to Tulum? 

It all depends on your budget and what you want to do on your vacation. Generally, we think that April and November are the best times to go to Tulum.

If you’re wondering when is the best time of year for Tulum on a budget, we highly recommend planning your trip for November. It’s just after hurricane season, so hotels will still be relatively cheap yet the weather will be dry with low humidity.

The main perk of arriving just after hurricane season is that the jungles near Tulum will be lush and fragrant after all the rain.

As well as November, April is also the best month to visit Tulum, as the huge crowds from high season will have started to disperse, while the weather is warm but not yet unbearably so.

When’s High Season in Tulum? 

High season in Tulum (and Mexico, in general) runs between December and February. 

Partly due to the festivities, and partly because tourists from the USA, Canada, and Europe are looking to escape the colder weather, Tulum gets incredibly busy throughout these months. As a result, hotels, taxis, and flights are far more expensive in winter.

High season is ideally the best time to travel to Tulum as the weather is warm and dry and there’s little seaweed on the beaches. 

However, you’ll need to weigh up if you can justify spending the money on more expensive hotels, and whether the tourist attractions being significantly busier will put a damper on your vacation.

The Cheapest Time to Visit Tulum 

If you’re looking for cheap flights to Tulum, the months of September to November and February to April are often a lot cheaper.

Generally, flights between December and February (peak season) are double what you can pay in November. Which, in our opinion, is not worth the splurge.

If you’re looking at accommodation and vacation spending costs, November is the best time to visit – hotels are reasonably priced and taxi fares are not yet hiked up for peak tourist season.

To See Whale Sharks

Whale Shark

The Riviera Maya is actually among the top places in the world to spot Whale Sharks. 

The best time to spot them from Tulum is between May and September when thousands of these creatures gather in the warmer Caribbean waters.

To See Cenotes and Ruins

Cenote Angelita

While June to August is typically the hottest time of year in Tulum, we think that heading to Tulum between November and April is better for sightseeing.

The weather is still warm, but not uncomfortably so, meaning you can wander around the cenotes and ruins without overheating. It’s also less humid during the winter months.

To Avoid Hurricane Season

Hurricane season Tulum is around October. 

While this means that hotel rates are considerably cheaper, we would avoid traveling to Mexico at this time as the weather can be unpredictable. 

To Avoid Seaweed

It’s no secret that Tulum’s beaches are often covered in sargassum seaweed – and while many people don’t bat an eyelid at this natural occurrence, for some this can be a total vacation ruiner.

A huge amount of seaweed grows on the belt between Africa and Brazil, and sadly arrives on the Mexican coast due to a change in currents. If you’re looking to avoid this, you might want to think about visiting Tulum when the weather is cooler, outside of April to August.

Best Time to Go To Tulum by Season

Tulum Ruins

Spring in Tulum 

March – May

Spring brings warmer temperatures to Tulum, while Easter celebrations are kind of a big deal.

Key Events and Things to Do in Tulum in Spring 

  • Whale sharks will begin to flock to the coastline towards the end of spring
  • Holy Week usually runs mid-April to celebrate Easter (or Semana Santa), the entirety of Mexico holds processions, ceremonies, and rituals 
  • Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza is a symbolic event that thousands of people travel to see

Pros to Traveling to Tulum in Spring

  • The Easter celebrations are particularly magical to witness
  • The weather is warm, but not unbearably hot

Cons to Traveling to Tulum in Spring 

  • It’s one of the busiest times of year to travel to Tulum, with many college students traveling for spring break

Summer in Tulum 

June – August

Summer marks the start of the rainy season – the temperature increases to scorching levels, as does humidity. It’s also peak whale shark season.

Key Events and Things to Do in Tulum in Summer 

  • The nation celebrates St John’s Day (Dia de San Juan) on 24th June. Expect bonfires, rodeos, and water throwing 
  • It’s peak whale shark season throughout the summer months

Pros to Traveling to Tulum in Summer

  • You’ll be able to spot whale sharks, and it’s also the prime time for sea turtle mating and nesting
  • The weather is very hot – though early risers will be able to enjoy landmarks without hordes of tourists

Cons to Traveling to Tulum in Summer 

  • While the weather is very hot, it can be too much. It’s also the peak rainy season and the humidity will start to increase
  • Summer is peak seaweed season
Dos Ceibas Tulum

Autumn / Fall in Tulum

September – November

September and October is hurricane season. Day of the Dead is an annual highlight in Mexico, while the beaches and attractions are less crowded.

Key Events and Things to Do in Tulum in Autumn 

  • Mexico celebrates Independence Day on 16th September
  • Day of the Dead festival on 1st November is one of the annual highlights – offerings are made to ancestors, people dress up, and colorful shrines are built
  • Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is a free, three day event held in November

Pros to Traveling to Tulum in Autumn

  • November is widely considered one of the best times to visit Tulum – there’s less rain, it’s warm enough to be enjoyable, and the huge number of tourists that visit over winter are yet to arrive
  • Experiencing the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico should be right at the top of your bucket list
  • Beaches and tourist attractions are less crowded 

Cons to Traveling to Tulum in Autumn  

  • September and October are hurricane season, so it’s advised to travel outside of these months

Winter in Tulum 

December – February

High season in Tulum equals huge crowds and higher prices, though it’s also the time of year where the weather is optimum. As a result, it’s widely considered the best season to visit Tulum.

Key Events and Things to Do in Tulum in Winter

  • Christmas and New Year are celebrated all throughout Mexico, with huge celebrations to mark the end of the year
  • It’s the start of high season in Tulum 
  • Carnaval and Mardi Gras typically falls between February and March – aside from Day of the Dead, it’s one of the biggest events in Mexico 

Pros to Traveling to Tulum in Winter

  • It’s lively, which is great if you’re after a party atmosphere
  • This season has the best weather, it’s warm and dry with tropical jungles

Cons to Traveling to Tulum in Winter 

  • Huge numbers of tourists descend on the town, which can make beaches, restaurants, and bars incredibly crowded
  • It’s the most expensive time of the year to visit Tulum

When to Travel to Tulum: Practical Tips + Tricks 

Tulum Honeymoon
  • Before you book your trip to Tulum, decide on the activities you want to do. For example, if you want to spot whale sharks, there’s no point in heading to Tulum in December – the best time of the year to go to Tulum would be spring/summer.
  • Consider your priorities – is this going to be a beach holiday? Or are you looking to get out and make the most of the tourist attractions nearby? Also, consider any national events that you would like to celebrate during your time in Mexico.
  • If you decide to travel between December and February, make sure that you book as far in advance as possible to snag the best deals on flights and accommodation.