When to visit Tulum without the crowds
Tulum (Mexico) is calmest in June, September and October: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in January, February, March, April, November and December. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with June, September and October: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
May–Jun & Oct–Nov
When everyone heads home
Mid-April, once Holy Week and spring break end.
Tip
May–August can bring sargassum, so check the monitor before going.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4/5 · busy | 27 °C (80 °F) | New Year's Day |
| February | 4/5 · busy | 27 °C (81 °F) | Constitution Day |
| March | 5/5 · busy | 28 °C (82 °F) | US spring break (Mar), Holy Week (Mar/Apr, varies), Benito Juárez's birthday |
| April | 4/5 · busy | 29 °C (83 °F) | Labour Day |
| May | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ ✦ | 30 °C (85 °F) | |
| June | 2/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 30 °C (85 °F) | |
| July | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ ✦ | 30 °C (87 °F) | Mexican summer holidays (Jul–Aug) |
| August | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ ✦ | 30 °C (87 °F) | |
| September | 1/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 30 °C (86 °F) | Independence Day |
| October | 2/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 29 °C (85 °F) | |
| November | 4/5 · busy | 28 °C (83 °F) | Revolution Day |
| December | 5/5 · busy | 27 °C (81 °F) | Christmas & New Year |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Sargassum: some beaches fill with seaweed (May–Sep); it varies a lot from year to year.
- Peak hurricane season (Aug–Oct): watch the forecast and consider travel insurance.
What to see, and when
- Swimming with whale sharks from Isla Mujeres and Holbox (Jun–Sep).
- Sea turtles nesting on the beaches (May–Oct).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (DataTur, Riviera Maya tourist center (includes Tulum and Playa del Carmen), 2022-2024). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Tulum without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually September (crowds 1/5). In September the average high is 30 °C (86 °F). All the calm months: June, September and October.
When is Tulum most crowded?
The busiest season is January, February, March, April, November and December. Mid-April, once Holy Week and spring break end.
What is the weather like in Tulum?
Average highs range from 27 °C (80 °F) in January to 30 °C (87 °F) in August, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Tulum?
Sargassum: some beaches fill with seaweed (May–Sep); it varies a lot from year to year. Peak hurricane season (Aug–Oct): watch the forecast and consider travel insurance.
What is there to see in Tulum by season?
Swimming with whale sharks from Isla Mujeres and Holbox (Jun–Sep). Sea turtles nesting on the beaches (May–Oct).
What festivals are there in Tulum?
The main ones: US spring break (Mar) (March); Holy Week (Mar/Apr, varies) (March); Mexican summer holidays (Jul–Aug) (July); Christmas & New Year (December).
More places in Mexico
- Oaxaca calm in February, May, June, August and September; busiest in July, November and December
- Mexico City calm in May and June; busiest in September, October and November
- San Miguel de Allende calm in June and August; busiest in March, April, September, October, November and December
- Guadalajara calm in January, June and August; busiest in March, April, November and December
- Puerto Vallarta calm in September and October; busiest in January, February, March, April, July, November and December
- Cancún calm in May, June, September and October; busiest in January, March, July and December
- Mérida calm in May, June, September and October; busiest in January, March, November and December
- San Cristóbal de las Casas calm in May, June, September and October; busiest in January, March, April, November and December
- Guanajuato calm in January, February, May, June and August; busiest in April, October, November and December
- Puebla calm in January, February and June; busiest in April, May, November and December
- Los Cabos calm in May, September and October; busiest in January, February, March, April, July and December
- Puerto Escondido calm in June, September and October; busiest in January, March, April, July and December
- Mazatlán calm in September, October and November; busiest in March, April and July