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Located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is one of today's most popular south of the border vacation spots. The overall temperature there can best be described as warm and tropical, with temperatures ranging on average from 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months to around 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter time, although there have been temperatures recorded that were as low as 49 degrees and as high as 103 degrees. Due to Cancun's proximity to the Caribbean, humidity is on the high side pretty much all year, averaging around 70% on clear, rain-free days.

The peak travel season for Cancun runs from December through April, as generally this is the time of year when weather conditions are the most stabile. The waters are also at their calmest and clearest during this period, making this the ideal time to visit Cancun if you're looking to do your fair share of swimming, beach combing, or diving. However, don't think that airlines and hotels aren't aware of this. The downside of planning a Cancun vacation during the peak season, especially during spring break, is that the prices of airline tickets and hotel accommodations skyrocket - sometimes quite dramatically to the tune of a 20-50% difference. Travelers on a budget may want to weigh their options a bit and consider visiting Cancun during the off season instead.

Cancun's rainy season generally lasts from May to December, sometimes extending ever so slightly into January and with the rainiest month of all being September. However, although periodic rains are frequent, all-day rain is not. It is hardly unheard of for the weather to be rainy and damp one minute and perfectly sunny the next, or for dark and ominous-looking clouds to be gathering on the horizon in the morning only to disappear completely by afternoon. Often when rains do pass through, they take the humidity with them when they move on, so sometimes an hour or two of precipitation can turn out to be a blessing in disguise. February to May tend to be Cancun's driest months, during which you're likely to encounter only mild, scattered showers. The summer months, especially June, can be especially hot and humid, so if you're going to be there during the summer, definitely come prepared, packing plenty of sunscreen and cool clothing to keep yourself as comfortable as possible.

One of the biggest concerns tourists have when it comes to Cancun is the possibility of a hurricane, which understandably would put a damper on pretty much any vacation. Hurricane season in the area generally runs from June to October, peaking in September. If this worries you, then it might be best to plan your vacation to avoid those months for the sake of your peace of mind. However, although major hurricanes aren't unheard of in Cancun, it's been hit by only two major hurricanes since the city was first founded in 1970 - Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and Hurricane Wilma in 2005 - and since Wilma, emergency plans for such situations have been greatly improved to better protect tourists and locals alike.

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