Cancun
Calendar

In North America we tend to think of Cancun as a winter vacation, and spring break, destination; but it is popular year-around, with people from around the globe.
  North Americans typically travel from January to April to escape winter, but also travel during summer vacation.
  European vacationers have a similar schedule, but you'll see more Europeans in the summer months when many offices and factories close for an extended vacation (the beaches of Europe are more expensive and much more crowded).
  Mexican families typically visit during Christmas, Easter, and for a summer vacation when the kids are out of school.
  During summer in North America, it is winter in South America and Cancun has become a popular destination for tourists from Argentina and Chile.
Hotel prices vary widely between low- and high-season. Mouse-over the
calendar pages below for additional information on each month.

Slow travel season, although some U.S. families visit for a Thanksgiving vacation. • Day of the Dead. Mexican families visit the graves of their loved ones, and often have a graveside picnic. • Caribbean Cultural Festival (10th-15th). Fetures performers from across the Caribbean. Salsa is the main theme of this festival.
• Riviera Maya Jazz Festival (25th - 28th).

December, 2010

Slow season until Christmas time, when families from U.S., Canada, and Mexico visit.
• Festival of our lady Guadalupe (Dec. 12). Midnight mass followed by a dance and party. On the island of Cozumel the poeple walk around the island before going to mass.
• Christmas (Dec. 25). The days before Christmas are a fun time. Children carol through the streets and at the open-air restaurants, and the cities are full of excitement

January, 2010

There are lots of tourists between Christmas and New Year's day.
After this, it is not as busy until late in the month when tourists from northern climates are beginning to get away from winter.
• New Year's Day (Año Nuevo). Most cities and villages have a fiesta
in the town square. Tourists are always welcome to join in the fun.

February, 2010

Busy season with tourists from the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Carnaval week is the busiest.
• La Candeleria (Feb. 2). Catholic celebration throught the streets holding candles.
• Constitution Day (Feb. 5). Banks and offices are closed.
• Flag Day (Feb. 24). Tourists will see Mexican flags everywhere.
• Carnaval (Feb. 15). Parades and parties in most cities and villages.
Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Isla Mujeres are known for their celebrations. In Cancun a parade goes through the hotel zone, but the main party is downtown.

March, 2010

Very busy season with tourists from U.S., Canada, and Europe.
The bulk of spring break college students will be from March 6 - 20.
The end of March will be a peak time for families from Mexico City.
• Celebration of Benito Juarez (March, 21). A hero of the Mexican revolution. There are parades and parties. Banks and government offices are closed.
• Spring Equinox (March, 21). This is the day the suns shadow forms a serpent down the steps of the main temple at Chichen Itza. You can also see it the day before and the day after. Hotels around Chichen Itza are full during this event.

April, 2010

Mexican families, mainly from Mexico City, flock to the area during the Easter Holiday called "Semana Santa". Most hotel rooms are full.
• Semana Santa (Easter is April, 4)
• The "Sol a Sol" regatta departs from Florida on the 22nd, and arrives on the island of Isla Mujeres on April 27. There are four days of events and parties ending on April 30th.

May, 2010

May is between peak travel times, and a good time to visit. • The Cancun Jazz Festival is typically in May, but we have not been able to find an exact date for the event in 2010.

June, 2010

Families from the U.S., Canada, visit for a summer vacation. Mexican families will arrive toward the end of June (there school year lasts longer). A lot of high-school age students come with little parental supervision for what is known as "Summer Break". If you stay in an inexpensive Cancun hotel, you probably won't get any sleep. • There are no holidays or celebrations in June.

July, 2010

Tourism slows down, but those who do visit can take a whale shark tour and experience something absolutely amazing. • Whaleshark festival in isla Mujeres

August, 2010

Popular travel season with Mexican families, mostly from Mexico City. Always the risk of a tropical storm. • No major events or celebrations in August

September, 2010

Slow travel time. Hotel rooms are cheap now, but there is always the slight risk of a tropical storm. • Fall Equinox (21st). This is the day the suns shadow forms a serpent down the steps of the main temple at Chichen Itza. You can also see it the day before and the day after.