Cancun in February: Weather Info & Travel Tips You Need to Know Before You Go

beach in cancun in february
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Wondering, What’s the best time to visit Cancun?

You’ve landed on the right article, as I live in Mexico, not far from Cancun actually, and I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting Cancun in February. As one of the best months to visit, you’re sure to have a great vacation in Cancun Mexico in February.

From the weather in Cancun in February, to the best things to do in Cancun in February and even some Cancun travel tips for February — it’s all here. Ready to discover everything you need to know for your Cancun February trip? Let’s get to it!

[lwptoc]

Weather in Cancun in February

You’re likely wondering, How is the weather in Cancun in February? — so you can plan your trip. Cancun weather in February is usually sunny and warm, with low humidity. In short, February is one of the best months to visit Cancun, Mexico for great weather.

🚐💨 Not sure how to get from Cancun Airport to your hotel in Cancun? The easiest, safest, and best way is to book a private shuttle with Cancun Airport Transportation. Round trip service is just $65 USD for 1-3 people, $75 for 4-6 people, and $80 for 7-8 people.

February is outside the rainy season, and outside of Hurricane Season, which ends November 30. However, there’s always some chance of rain in the tropics. Remember that just because February is the outside of the Cancun wet season, doesn’t mean it can’t rain a bit.

Weather in Cancun in February

Average Temperatures in Cancun in February

weather in cancun mexico, average temperatures charts
Cancun weather forecast in February (Photo: Weather Atlas)

You can expect 75-80°F days (24-27°C) while visiting Cancun in February. When the sun goes down, the temperatures in Cancun drop, but not by much. Nighttime temperatures in Cancun average about 70-74°F (21-23°C), though the humidity also usually isn’t as bad as during the day.

  • Average high temperature in Cancun in February: 80°F (26.8°C)
  • Average low temperature in Cancun in February: 73°F (22.8°C)
  • What are the hottest months in Cancun Mexico? May-October
  • What are the coldest months in Cancun Mexico? December-March, the winter months
Weather in Cancun in February

Is there rain in Cancun in February?

rain in cancun mexico, average temperatures charts
Find out the best month to visit Cancun Mexico for good weather. (Photo: Weather Atlas)

When is the rainy season in Cancun? is a question on anyone’s mind when traveling to Cancun, Mexico. The rainy season Cancun months go from about May to October, so there’s very little chance of rain in Cancun in February.

  • What’s the average rainfall in Cancun in February? 39 mm
  • How many days does it rain in Cancun in February? 14.6 days — February is the driest months in Cancun Mexico.

Now, no one can predict the weather with 100% accuracy, so if you don’t mind taking a risk, May to early-November is also the slow season in Cancun which means lower price tags and smaller crowds. Remember that even in the Cancun rain season, there are always sunny days.

Weather in Cancun in February

Does it rain all day in Cancun in February?

rain in cancun mexico | cancun weather chart
How many rainy days are there in Cancun in February? (Photo: Weather Atlas)

If you do get some rain on your trip to Cancun — Don’t panic! Tropical storms tend to come in short bursts and pass quickly. In fact, some people end up enjoying watching them roll by. Usually after the rain, the air temperature and humidity drop a bit, so rain in Cancun isn’t all bad.

Best Things to Do in Cancun When it Rains

When it rains in Cancun, you still have options. One obvious indoor activity is shopping, and the best mall in Cancun is La Isla Shopping Village, which also has a movie theater and restaurants. There’s also Forum By the Sea, where you’ll find the Cancun Hard Rock.

There are a few museums in Cancun you can check out, like the Museo Maya de Cancun (Cancun Mayan Museum) — known as the best museum in Cancun. There’s also the Cancun Wax Museum, Ripleys Believe it Or Not!, and Cancun Vintage Car Museum.

Weather in Cancun in February

Is it hot in Cancun in February?

☀️ The sun is incredibly strong in Cancun, so make sure you pack one of these best sunscreens for Mexico to stay protected in the tropical weather.

When traveling to Cancun, you’ll need to know is Cancun cold in February, or is it hot? Well — it’s hot. In fact, it’s hot all year-long as you can see from weather.com. There will be some cooler days in December to March, but overall, the weather in Cancun ranges from hot to very hot!

🏖 Cancun Travel Tips: To avoid the heat, head indoors and soak up the air conditioning during the hottest parts of the day, from 11am-2pm. Also, plan water activities like snorkeling at the Cancun Underwater Museum (MUSA) and swimming in the Cancun cenotes at these times.

You might also be wondering, Is it too hot to go to Cancun in February? This answer is a matter of preference, but in short: expect to sweat a bit during the day! There really is no escaping the heat in Cancun, but February is one of the nicest months, weather-wise.

January and February are the coolest months in Cancun, but still, you’ll only get cooler temperatures, never cold ones. However, these months are generally considered the best because you’ll also get clear skies, pleasant weather and many hours of sunshine.

Weather in Cancun in February

Average Humidity in Cancun in February

humidity in cancun mexico | cancun weather chart
Weather in Cancun in the month of February (Photo: Weather Atlas)

Cancun humidity is a fact of life, as it’s located in the Caribbean. This part of the world is basically a jungle that’s also surrounded by water. Being right on the Caribbean Sea, as you are in Cancun, does provide a nice breeze and a respite from the humidity.

🥵 What’s the average relative humidity in Cancun in February? Between 70% and 80% — so don’t forget to bring your Water-To-Go Bottle which helps to keep you hydrated and filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick in Cancun.

What month has the worst weather in Cancun? is really a better question to ask here. The good news? It’s not February. The worst months in Cancun, weather-wise, are May to September. May tends to be the hottest month in the Yucatan Peninsula, and even Cancun locals dread it.

Weather in Cancun in February

Are there hurricanes in Cancun in February?

wind in cancun mexico | cancun weather chart
Cancun’s weather in February (Photo: Weather Atlas, Weather Cancun Mexico)

Want to know if there are Cancun hurricanes in February? While there’s always a chance of rain storms and cloud cover year round, the Atlantic Hurricane Season officially ends on November 30, so February is outside of the season.

Do keep in mind that hurricanes are rare in Cancun. In fact, there have only been two hurricanes in Cancun in the past 30 years — ​​Hurricane Gilbert on September 5, 1988 and ​​Hurricane Wilma on October 21, 2005.

  • What’s the average wind speed in Cancun in February? 10.5 mph (17.5 km/h)
  • What’s the windiest month in Cancun Mexico? March

When is Hurricane Season in Cancun?

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1-November 30. Based on historical data, the highest likelihood of storms is from August to October. Again, hurricanes are rare, but they are always something to be aware of when planning a Cancun trip in February, or anytime.

  • When is Mexico hurricane season? The answer is the same for all countries and cities, June 1-November 30, which also means there’s no specific Cancun Hurricane Season.
Weather in Cancun in February

Is Cancun safe during hurricane season?

For the most part, yes. For a hurricane to completely devastate Cancun, the city would have to take a direct hit — which is rare. Hurricanes are usually quite large in physical size, and usually only the area close to the center (AKA the eye) causes large-scale damage.

Traveling to Cancun in February after Hurricane Season

February falls outside of the season, which ends November 30. However, don’t skip Cancun in other months just because of Hurricane Season. The reality is that no one can predict the weather accurately, and as mentioned, hurricanes are rare.

In fact, many people actually prefer to visit Cancun during Hurricane Season in the Summer and Fall months. The #1 reason you’d want to do this is because prices are low, but will increase by a lot in December and January, especially around New Year. ▶︎Check Cancun hotel prices here.

Weather in Cancun in February

How warm is the water in Cancun in February?

water temperatures in cancun mexico | cancun weather chart
Find out the average sea temperature in Cancun Mexico. (Photo: Weather Atlas, Cancun weather February)

Want to know about the water temperature in Cancun in February? The Caribbean Sea is warm all year long, so you can comfortably swim, snorkel and go scuba diving in Cancun in February. Note: Ocean temperatures between 77°F (25°C) and 84°F (29°C) are regarded as warm.

  • What’s the average water temperature in Cancun in February? 78.5°F (25.8°C)

Best Tours in Cancun in February

If those warm water temperatures sound enticing, you’ll want to book some Cancun tours to take advantage of all this Mexico beach town has to offer. Below, you’ll find some of the best tours in Cancun Mexico which you’ll want to book ASAP so you don’t miss out on anything.

Unique Things Do to in Cancun in February

Explore Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins

chichen itza, a mayan pyramid and wonder of the world - day trips from Merida
Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins is located about 2.5 hours from Cancun. Don’t miss seeing one of the best pyramids in Mexico when traveling to Cancun Mexico.

As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and most recognizable landmarks in Mexico, does Chichen Itza even need an introduction?! This ancient Mayan city is about 2.5 hours from Cancun (one way), so it requires a full day on your Cancun itinerary — but for many, it’s worth it.

You can go by rental car, on a Chichen Itza tour, or by ADO bus. The bus is the cheapest way to visit Chichen Itza from Cancun, but you’ll be adding another 2-3 hours total to the travel time. Personally, I always recommend a tour guide for this important place, so you understand what you’re looking at.

⭐️ Best Cancun to Chichen Itza Tours

You can book this guided tour from Cancun for just $79 USD for adults ($64 for kids). It’s the best deal I’ve ever seen, and includes Chichen Itza transportation, a cenote swim, visit to Valladolid and lunch 😳 They also offer luxury tours and private tours to Chichen Itza.

Best Cancun Mayan Ruins

There are other Mayan Ruins in Cancun, which are located much closer than Chichen Itza, though they may not wow you the same as Chichen Itza will. However, if you have limited time, or don’t want to commit a full day to visiting Chichen Itza, head to these ancient ruins instead:

  • El Rey Ruins
  • Yamil Lu’um Ruins
  • El Meco Ruins
  • San Miguelito Ruins at the Cancun Maya Museum
Traveling to Cancun in February

Laze on the Cancun Beaches

straw umbrellas on the beach in cancun mexico
Popular Playa Delfines Beach, located not far from the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, and many other great resorts.

Cancun sits right on the bright blue Caribbean Sea, and has some of the best beaches in Mexico. You really can’t go wrong with any beaches in Cancun, but don’t miss these visitor favorites: Playa Delfines, Playa Mujeres, Playa Chacmool, Playa Langosta, Playa Marlín and Playa Punta Nizuc.

Cancun to Isla Mujeres Day Trip

Located only about 20 minutes away by fast ferry boat, you’ll be in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. This is one of the best islands in the Mexican Caribbean, and makes for a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. 🏝 Love islands? There’s also Isla Contoy, a Mexico National Park.

Traveling to Cancun in February

Swim in the Cenotes in Cancun

xcaret mexico waterpark near cancun
Xcaret Waterpark is located near Cancun, but still within the main tourist area.

No visit to Cancun is complete without swimming in the best Cancun cenotes (pronounced sen-no-tays). Cenotes are swimmable sinkholes with freshwater that flows from a river located underneath the Yucatan Peninsula — the longest underground river on Earth, Sac Actun.

🤿 Not sure what to bring to the cenotes? Check out this Cancun cenotes packing list so you’re prepared to swim in the cenotes in Mexico.

There are about 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatan, and some of the best cenotes in Mexico are outside of Cancun. Located near Puerto Morelos on Highway 307, there’s the Ruta de Cenotes, where you’ll find Cenote Sol y Luna, Cenote Verde Lucero, Cenote Zapote and Cenote La Noria.

Xcaret park

Zip line through the jungle at Xcaret Park, enjoy the famed nighttime dance show, and much more. Among the best things to do in Yucatan Mexico, Xcaret is a water park that uses the beautiful native environment instead of swimming pools. ▶︎ Buy your Xcaret tickets here.

Traveling to Cancun in February

Laguna Nichupte, Cancun Lagoon

blue lagoon in Cancun, Mexico called Laguna Nichupte

While most know Cancun as a Mexican beach town, that’s only half the story. Just across from the beaches, there’s Nichupte Lagoon, a natural area with more than 7,400-acres (30 km²) and seven lakes. Laguna Nichupte is perfect for water-sports, swimming, snorkeling and more.

🐳 Looking to swim with the whale sharks in Cancun? The Cancun whale shark season, and best time to see whale sharks in Cancun, is from May 17 to September 17.

best day trips from cancun

You have so many options for Cancun day trips if you’re renting a car. Just head one hour south and you’ll be Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya; go one hour further south to check out Tulum. There are also pueblos magicos (magic towns) nearby, like Valladolid and Izamal.

Traveling to Cancun in February

Holidays & Festivals in Cancun in February

people wearing colorful masks at a parade in xico, veracruz mexico pueblos magicos

Carnaval in Cancun

Carnaval is a multi-day event, culminating on Martes de Carnaval, known as Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” in the U.S. Similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Carnaval in Brazil, there are parades, festive floats, dancing, elaborate costumes and street parties in Mexico as well.

The dates fluctuate each year, but it’s always the week before Ash Wednesday. The biggest and most festive parties happen the Tuesday night before Ash Wednesday. There are Carnaval celebrations throughout Riviera Maya, with the biggest celebration on Cozumel Island.

Island Time Music & Fishing Festival in Isla Mujeres

The week-long Island Time Music Festival in Isla Mujeres, located just off the coast of Cancun, brings some of the biggest names in country music to the island for intimate concerts in quaint venues. 💛 Proceeds benefit the Little Yellow Schoolhouse for Isla Mujeres’ special needs children.

Dia de la Candeleria

Dia de la Candelaria is a Mexican holiday that goes by a lot of names in English; including, Candlemas (sometimes spelled as Candlemass), Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Feast of the Holy Encounter.

It is the last Mexico Christmas season holiday, and important for Catholics in Mexico. Many people usually eat a meal with families and friends, and if they found a muñeco in their rosca de reyes on Dia de los Reyes Magos, they have to bring the tamales to Día de la Candelaria.

Cancun in February: Ultimate Travel Guide

Is Cancun safe to travel to?

For the most part, yes. I say for the most part because no place on Earth is 100% safe. Cancun is safe for those who visit and simply enjoy their trip. However, make no mistake — this is a tourist town, and things like petty theft aren’t uncommon in these types of destinations in any country.

For a deep dive into the topic of Cancun safety, check out Is Cancun Safe to Travel to Right Now? If you’re traveling alone, this Cancun solo travel guide should help you plan the best, safest trip to Cancun.

While Mexico is portrayed as a totally unsafe country in the mainstream U.S. media, know that millions visit Cancun each year — with most coming from the U.S. and Canada. If Mexico were as unsafe as it’s portrayed, people would just stop coming, wouldn’t they!?

Well, they aren’t, so that tells you something. According to Mexico Secretary of Tourism statistics, an astounding 35 million international travelers visited Mexico from January to August 2021. Even with all the sinister news reports, millions still flock to Mexico and its #1 destination — Cancun.

Traveling to Cancun in February

Where is Cancun Mexico?

Wondering, What state is Cancun in? Cancun is located in Quintana Roo State. This is one of the three states in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, along with Yucatan State and Campeche State. Of the three, Quintana Roo is the most visited, and Campeche is the least.

Quintana Roo is a long, thin state, stretching the entire length of coastline along the Caribbean Sea. Because of this, you may also hear this part of the Yucatan Peninsula called the Mexican Caribbean, where so many popular Mexico beach towns are located.

Quintana Roo has some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, including Playa Maroma which has the best overwater bungalows in Mexico. Also in the state, you’ll find Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Holbox Island, Puerto Morelos and Laguna Bacalar, AKA the “Maldives of Mexico.”

Cancun Map

Traveling to Cancun in February

How to Get to Cancun Mexico

There’s an airport to Cancun called Cancun International Airport (code: CUN), located not far from the beaches. As one of the busiest airports in Mexico, there are many direct flight options from most major cities in the U.S., Canada and Europe. ▶︎ Search for Cancun flights now ✈️

📍 How far is Cancun Airport from Cancun Beach? The distance from Cancun Airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone is about 14 miles (23 km), and about 30 minutes of drive time.

Need to get from Cancun Airport to your Cancun hotel? The easiest, safest, and best way is to book a private shuttle with Cancun Airport Transportation. Round trip service is just $65 USD for 1-3 people, $75 for 4-6 people, and $80 for 7-8 people.

Traveling to Cancun in February

Best Places to Stay in Cancun in February

RIU Cancun Palace is located on Playa Caracol Beach, in the Cancun Zona Hotelera. (Photo: Expedia)

Zona Hotelera: Cancun Hotel Zone (Cancun Beach)

Cancun Beach is the part of Cancun you’ve seen on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. This is where you’ll find all the best Cancun resorts and boutique hotels, lively bars and clubs, chic restaurants, spas and holistic healing centers, and of course, the Cancun beaches, are located.

📍 How far is Cancun Airport from Cancun Beach? The distance from Cancun Airport to the Cancun Hotel Zone is about 14 miles (23 km), and about 30 minutes of drive time.

Cancun Centro (Downtown Cancun)

For those who have a smaller budget, you’ll want to stay in Downtown Cancun, where you’ll find the best cheap hotels in Cancun, and best hostels in Cancun. Besides the hotels, everything costs a bit less in downtown compared to the beach, including restaurants, bars and shops.

Traveling to Cancun in February

Is there Uber in Cancun?

woman leaning on a red convertible sports car and holding her license and the key | renting a car in mexico
When renting a car in Mexico, I highly recommend Discover Cars, the company I always use.

Sort Of — The answer to this question is tricky, because though Uber is legal in Cancun, it’s rarely used (even by Cancun locals). Note: Uber can not pick you up from Cancun Airport, which is why I recommend this private shuttle.

In 2019, a court ruled Uber can operate in Cancun, but to say Cancun taxi drivers weren’t thrilled would be an understatement. In fact, there are sometimes clashes between groups, and most locals and visitors simply stay away from Cancun Uber for this reason.

🚗💨 Cancun Rental Cars: If you’re considering a Cancun rental car instead, head to Renting a Car in Cancun: Everything You Need to Know. It will explain the whole process for you so that you don’t get scammed, which sadly isn’t uncommon when renting in Cancun or anywhere else.

Cancun in February: Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best time to travel to Cancun?

stone temple at El Meco, Cancun, Best Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan
The Stone Temple at El Meco, Cancun Ruins, some of the best Mayan Ruins in Yucatan Mexico.

🤑 For Great Deals

Want to know what is the cheapest month to go to Cancun? For the best Cancun travel deals, you’ll have to visit in the slow season (or, low season). The Cancun slow season runs from about May to October, though you can often find deals and hotel rates in April and early-November.

☀️ For Great Weather

November to March are the months you’ll get the best weather in Cancun Mexico. This is the Cancun dry season (also the busy season), when you’ll get very little rain, low humidity levels, and very few mosquitoes. If you don’t mind the higher price tags, this is the ideal time to visit.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 For Families with Kids

Travelers visiting Cancun with kids tend to visit during the Summer months of June to August, when the kids are on summer break. If you’re staying at one of these Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun for Families, they will have plenty of other kids to play with.

😎 For Avoiding the Crowds

The slow season in Cancun includes the months of April to May, and September to October; though some include late-March and early-November on that list. The Spring Break crowd is mostly gone by late-March, but some longer through the entire month.

Though the summer months are slow in much of Mexico, Cancun sees a lot of visitors, especially families with kids on summer break. December and January are the busiest months for Cancun travel, and all Mexico travel, but February and March are much calmer.

Semana Santa in Mexico: If you don’t like crowds, avoid Semana Santa (Holy Week or Easter Week). This is the week leading up to Easter, usually in late-March or early-April, though the dates fluctuate. Semana Santa is the busiest week on all Mexico beaches, not just Cancun.

Traveling to Cancun in February

What are the travel seasons in Cancun?

cancun at night
Regardless of the time of year you go, Cancun is always one of the best places to visit in Mexico.

Cancun High Season

Weather-wise, the best time to travel to Cancun is from November to March. This is during the dry season, when you’ll see very little (if any) rain, low humidity, and few mosquitoes. This is also the high or busy season in Cancun, when the most people will be visiting.

Cancun Low Season

From April to October, flight prices will still be on the lower side, and you should be able to snag a great deal at many Cancun hotels. If you want to treat yourself to a fancy place, like these best Cancun all inclusive resorts, the prices will be below average from April to October.

When travelers want to escape the crowds in Mexico, I usually recommend the summer months. However, Cancun is different because it’s so popular with families and kids on summer break. For Cancun without the crowds in the low season, opt for May and late-August to late-November.

Cancun Shoulder Season

The shoulder season is a magical time between seasons, when the weather is still nice, but the crowds have died down, and the prices have as well. It takes place just as the busy season is about to begin, and right after it ends. In my opinion, this is the best time to visit Cancun.

What’s the worst time to visit Cancun Mexico? In my opinion, April-September, as its the hottest time of the year.

The shoulder season in Cancun includes the months of April, May, October and November; though May is the hottest month in Cancun. You can still find great travel deals in other months, but you likely won’t find low prices and small crowds anytime during the peak season (busy season).

Traveling to Cancun in February

Packing for Cancun in February: What to Bring?

Right off the bat, you can pack light because it will be hot when you visit! We’ll get to what to wear in Cancun below, but just know you can get away with only a few outfits if you’re strategic about it. To help you, these Space Saver Packing Cubes are everything.

Besides clothing and the basics, you’ll want water shoes if you’re visiting the cenotes and a ASAKO underwater camera (it’s basically a GoPro, but much cheaper). If you’re visiting the Mayan Ruins and pyramids in Mexico, a sporty outfit, good sneakers and a hat.

To shield yourself from the sun, definitely bring a cute sun hat, but also consider a long sleeve bathing suit (AKA rash guard). You’ll likely use sunscreen each day, and I love this sunscreen/bug repellent combo from Bullfrog, one of the best natural sunscreen brands.

You can not drink unfiltered tap water in Cancun, or anywhere in Mexico, but you will need to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. As single-use plastics are horrible for the planet, these Water-To-Go bottles have a three-stage filter that makes Cancun tap water safe to drink.

water bottles

Final Thoughts: Visiting Cancun in February

I hope this article answered all of your Is February a good month to visit Mexico? questions. As you now know, Cancun in February is usually on the sunny side, though there’s always a chance of rain. Located in the tropics, rain in Cancun usually passes quickly.

🚨 Cancun Travel Tips: Don’t forget to purchase Travel Insurance for Cancun so you’re protected for whatever happens when you’re on vacation in Cancun in February.

Also, no one can predict weather in the tropics with 100% certainty. I grew up in Miami, and learned not to give much credence to weather reports, because they rarely pan out as reported. However, there’s usually perfect weather in Cancun Mexico in February, so you’ll likely have a great trip.

If Cancun in February isn’t for you…

After reading this, you might not want to visit Cancun in February after all. If so, check out the articles linked below about visiting Cancun during another month of the year — and know the weather in Cancun Mexico in March is often a bit warmer, if you can hold off for a month.

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