Season guide · Cozumel · Mexico
Cozumel in the dry season
December–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wasquewhat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Sunny days around 28–31 °C, calm seas and the best visibility, with high prices and busy cruise schedules. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F), with about 29 rainy days across December–April. December–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–April
- Temperatures
- 20°C (68°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 29
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in the dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 8 | 11 h | 4/5 |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 | 11.4 h | 5/5 |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 4 | 12 h | 5/5 |
| April | 31°C (88°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 | 12.6 h | 4/5 |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 9 | 10.9 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 30°C (86°F), and 29 of the year's roughly 109 rainy days fall in these 5 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in the dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- February: Carnaval de Cozumel — parades and street parties (February or early March)
- March: Spring break and Semana Santa (March or April)
- April: Feria de El Cedral (late April to early May)
- December: Christmas and New Year celebrations (late December)
Make the most of the weather
Nature · Southwest coast
Palancar Reef
A long system of coral buttresses, swim-throughs and caverns along the island's southwest coast, Palancar is Cozumel's signature dive.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Southwest coast
Santa Rosa and Columbia walls
Monitor your depth closely on the wall; the visibility makes it easy to go deeper than planned.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Southwest coast
El Cielo
A shallow sandbar in the marine park where the water is waist-deep and turquoise, and red cushion starfish lie on the white sand.
- Time needed
- Half a day by boat
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Park · South Hotel Zone
Chankanaab park
Head straight to the snorkelling area in the morning before cruise groups arrive, and bring your own gear if you have it.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Punta Sur
Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
The reserve at the island's southern tip has the Celarain lighthouse, which you can climb for views, a small navigation museum, observation towers over the Colombia lagoon where crocodiles and wading birds live, and quiet beaches.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
- History
Day trips in the dry season
- Playa del Carmen (About 45 minutes by ferry) — Playa del Carmen across the channel has a long pedestrian street (Quinta Avenida) of shops, restaurants and bars, beaches and beach clubs.
- Xcaret park (About 1–1.5 hours by ferry and road) — A large eco-theme park just south of Playa del Carmen with underground rivers to float through, a Maya village, aquariums, wildlife and an evening show of Mexican history and folk dance.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the dry season a good time to visit Cozumel?
Yes: December–April are among the best months. Sunny days around 28–31 °C, calm seas and the best visibility, with high prices and busy cruise schedules.
+What is the weather like in Cozumel in the dry season?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F), with about 29 rainy days over the season.