Tulum has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) with a pronounced wet season from May through October and a dry season from November through April. Located on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula at 12 meters above sea level, Tulum’s weather closely tracks nearby Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The Caribbean Sea moderates temperatures year-round, with average highs ranging from 28°C (82°F) in winter to 33°C (91°F) in summer. Humidity is consistently high at 75% to 85%.
Tulum Weather by Month: Temperature and Rainfall
Tulum receives 1,150mm of annual rainfall, most of it between June and October during the Caribbean hurricane season. The driest months are February through April. The Caribbean Sea temperature ranges from 26°C (79°F) in January to 29°C (84°F) in August and September, warm enough for swimming year-round.
| Month | Avg High °C (°F) | Avg Low °C (°F) | Rainfall (mm) | Rain Days | Sun Hours | Sea Temp °C (°F) | Humidity % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28 (82) | 19 (66) | 60 | 6 | 210 | 26 (79) | 77 |
| February | 29 (84) | 19 (66) | 40 | 4 | 220 | 26 (79) | 75 |
| March | 30 (86) | 21 (70) | 35 | 3 | 250 | 26 (79) | 73 |
| April | 31 (88) | 23 (73) | 40 | 3 | 260 | 27 (81) | 73 |
| May | 32 (90) | 24 (75) | 100 | 7 | 260 | 28 (82) | 76 |
| June | 33 (91) | 25 (77) | 180 | 11 | 220 | 28 (82) | 80 |
| July | 33 (91) | 24 (75) | 125 | 10 | 230 | 29 (84) | 79 |
| August | 33 (91) | 24 (75) | 140 | 11 | 225 | 29 (84) | 80 |
| September | 32 (90) | 24 (75) | 195 | 14 | 195 | 29 (84) | 83 |
| October | 31 (88) | 23 (73) | 195 | 13 | 210 | 29 (84) | 82 |
| November | 29 (84) | 21 (70) | 95 | 8 | 200 | 28 (82) | 79 |
| December | 28 (82) | 20 (68) | 70 | 7 | 200 | 27 (81) | 78 |
Tulum Dry Season (November to April)
The dry season delivers the most reliable weather. February through April are the driest months with only 35-40mm of rain over 3 to 4 days. Daytime highs range from 28°C to 31°C (82°F-88°F) with humidity at its lowest (73%-77%). Evenings cool to 19°C to 23°C (66°F-73°F), comfortable for dinner outdoors.
December and January see slightly more rain (60-70mm) from occasional cold fronts (nortes) that can bring gusty winds and overcast skies for 1 to 2 days. These fronts drop temperatures to 19°C (66°F) at night, so pack a light sweater. The sargassum (seaweed) that plagues Tulum’s beaches is minimal from November through February.
Tulum Wet Season (May to October)
Rainfall increases sharply from May, peaking in September and October at 195mm each over 13 to 14 rainy days. Rain typically comes as short, intense afternoon downpours lasting 1 to 2 hours rather than all-day events. Morning activities are usually unaffected. Humidity climbs to 80% to 83%, making 32°C (90°F) feel like 38°C (100°F).
June marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through November 30. Tulum’s location on the eastern Yucatán coast puts it directly in the path of storms entering the Caribbean. The last major hurricane to hit Tulum directly was Hurricane Dean in 2007 (Category 5 at landfall further south). Hurricane Grace made landfall near Tulum as a Category 1 in 2021. Travel insurance that covers hurricanes is essential for trips between August and October.
Tulum Sargassum (Seaweed) Season
Sargassum is a brown macroalgae that has increasingly washed up on Caribbean beaches since 2011. In Tulum, the worst months are typically May through August, though arrival timing varies. When heavy, it can pile up 1 to 2 meters deep on the shoreline, making swimming unpleasant and releasing a sulfur smell as it decomposes.
Some beachfront hotels employ crews to rake daily. The northern end of Tulum Beach near the ruins tends to accumulate less sargassum than the southern stretches. Real-time sargassum tracking is available through the Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo Cancún Facebook group and the Sargassum Monitoring Network website. If sargassum is a dealbreaker, book for November through February when it’s at a minimum.
