The Best Times to Visit Tulum for the Perfect Beach Vacation

Tulum is part of Mexico’s Riviera Maya region, making it one of the most popular spots for sun-seeking vacationers. What’s more, according to Karina Sierra, director of marketing at the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort, the destination offers something for every traveler, such as “white-sand beaches, enriching culture, and exciting experiences from the Mayan ruins to excellent culinary offerings.” However, before planning a trip here, it’s important to note that weather, crowds, and prices all vary depending on the time of year. Here’s a quick snapshot of Tulum’s tourism seasons: 

• High Season: Mid-December to April 
• Shoulder Seasons: July to August and November to mid-December
• Low Seasons: May to June and September to October  

Below, we’ve determined the best times to visit Tulum for good weather, smaller crowds, and even avoiding the seaweed. 

Best Times to Visit Tulum for Smaller Crowds

Like nearby Cancún, Tulum’s high season lasts from December to April. During this time, throngs of travelers flock to the Riviera Maya in search of sun and fun, so those looking to beat the crowds should plan their trip sometime in the summer or fall. Keep in mind, however, that hurricane season is between June and November (and October is the wettest month), so you should expect at least some rain at this time of year. 

If you can brave the showers, though, visiting Tulum in the summer or fall can help you experience the destination to the fullest — that is, without having to make restaurant reservations months in advance or jet down to the beach or pool at dawn every day just to snag a lounger. Similarly, since this is the off-season, room rates tend to be lower, and many properties offer enticing deals and promotions to lure travelers (but more on that later). 

Bear in mind that not all off-peak months will be equally uncrowded. While late spring and fall are reliably slow seasons, tourist numbers do pick up a bit — albeit not to their winter highs — in July and August, thanks to summer-break travelers.

Best Times to Visit Tulum for Good Weather

If it’s warm, sunny skies you’re after, the popular winter and spring seasons may be your best bet. February, March, and April are the region's least rainy months, and temperatures tend to top out in the low to mid-80s — noticeably lower than the over-90 temperatures that are common in the summer months. This excellent weather comes with high prices and large crowds, but those costs may be worth it to enjoy what many would call the best conditions of the year.

Alternatively, you could consider planning your trip for right after the hurricane season. November and early December are great times to visit Tulum since the weather is pleasant (temperatures range from the low 70s to low 80s) and the crowds are thinner than they are in late winter and early spring.

A third suggestion comes from Benjamin Fernandez, CEO of The Beach Tulum and Cabañas Tulum Beach Hotel & Spa. He tells Travel + Leisure that May “usually has the best weather” (think: lots of sun, less humidity, and temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the low 90s). You’ll also avoid the rowdy spring break crowds, an added bonus in our book.

Best Times to Visit Tulum for Lower Prices

Great news: It is possible to visit Tulum on a budget — but you’ll need to plan accordingly. According to Fernandez, travelers looking to save money should consider jetting off to Tulum between July and October, which aligns with hurricane season (and therefore scares many tourists off). If you're willing to risk a storm jettisoning your plans or more run-of-the-mill rain showers popping up while you're in town, planning a trip for this time of year can help you save on both flights and hotels.

Another option is to visit in May (right after spring break) or November and early December (right before the holidays). These months on the fringes of high season offer both low prices and good weather — a boon for travelers who want to soak up the sun on some of Mexico’s best beaches.

To save money no matter when you visit, consider staying in an inland neighborhood like Tulum Centro or Aldea Zama. Though these areas don't offer direct beach access, they will give you a taste of how the locals live, at a price that's far lower than what you'll find in the tony waterfront Hotel Zone.

Best Times to Visit Tulum to Avoid the Seaweed

While a summer visit to Tulum may be affordable, it does come with drawbacks — like the region's infamous sargassum seaweed. Sierra explains that seaweed season typically aligns with the humid, rainy months between May and October, so if you want to avoid seeing the pungent brown plant on the beaches and in the water, you'll want to plan a visit between November and April. Be warned, though, that in recent years, changing climate patterns have sometimes led to longer sargassum seasons — to the point where even spring-break trips may not avoid the stuff.

If your trip does coincide with seaweed season, worry not: Fernandez says any seaweed that washes ashore can be cleared away quickly. At his properties, for example, a team emerges each day at dawn to clean the beach, and in other spots, plows take passes across the shore every few hours to remove any tendrils that have washed up. Fernandez also notes that the amount of sargassum on the beach can vary with the day and the current. “Some days at dawn there is sargassum," he says, "[but] the next morning, the current changes and the beach is perfect.”

Worst Times to Visit Tulum

The worst time to visit Tulum ultimately depends on what you hope to get from your vacation. Travelers in search of rest and relaxation — sans large crowds — should avoid visiting during peak season, which includes the holidays and spring break. Budget-conscious travelers should also steer clear of these months, since their high demand causes airfare and hotel prices to skyrocket.

On the other hand, those seeking warm, sunny weather may not want to travel here during hurricane season, when rain is common and major storms are a genuine risk. The same thing goes for folks hoping to get out on the water. While sargassum can be cleaned up fairly quickly once it washes ashore, you’ll still see it floating in the water on summer visits, and this can impact swimming and boating conditions.