Season guide · Tulum · Mexico
Tulum 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: Popo le Chien, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Sunny, warm and less humid, with calm seas and clear cenotes; peak prices, especially at Christmas, New Year and Easter. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F), with about 23 rainy days across December–April. December–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–April
- Temperatures
- 19°C (66°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 23
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in the dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 | 11 h | 5/5 |
| February | 29°C (84°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 4 | 11.5 h | 5/5 |
| March | 30°C (86°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 3 | 12 h | 5/5 |
| April | 31°C (88°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 | 12.6 h | 4/5 |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 7 | 10.9 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 31°C (88°F), and 23 of the year's roughly 95 rainy days fall in these 5 months. Crowds rate 5/5 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.
- January: Zamna — electronic music festival in the jungle (usually January)
- March: Semana Santa — Mexican Easter holidays fill the coast (March or April)
- December: New Year's Eve parties on the beach road (31 December)
Make the most of the weather
Historic site · Zona Hotelera Norte
Tulum archaeological site
The walled Maya port city of Tulum flourished from around the 13th to the 15th century, and its main temple, El Castillo, stands on a 12-metre cliff above a small beach.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Beach · Zona Hotelera Norte
Playa Paraíso
Go early in the morning for calm water and a quiet beach before the clubs fill up.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Nature · Cobá road
Gran Cenote
About 4 km from town on the road to Cobá, the Gran Cenote is a semi-open cavern system of clear blue water, stalactites and small turtles, with wooden walkways and platforms.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Nature
- Kids
- Active
- Photo spot
Nature · Cobá road
Cenote Calavera
Use the ladder if you are unsure of the jump; the water is several metres deep.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Tankah Bay
Dos Ojos cenote
About 20 km north of Tulum, the 'two eyes' are two linked cenotes opening into one of the world's longest underwater cave systems.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- Photo spot
- Rainy day
Day trips in the dry season
- Cobá (About 45 minutes by car) — A large Maya city in the jungle, linked by ancient raised roads (sacbeob) that visitors explore on foot, by rented bike or by pedicab.
- Sian Ka'an and Muyil (About 30 minutes to Muyil) — The UNESCO-listed Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve protects lagoons, mangroves and reef south of Tulum.
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 Tulum?
Yes: December–April are among the best months. Sunny, warm and less humid, with calm seas and clear cenotes; peak prices, especially at Christmas, New Year and Easter.
+What is the weather like in Tulum in the dry season?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F), with about 23 rainy days over the season.