Tulum in September: Weather Info & Travel Tips for 2024

Wondering, What’s the best time to visit Tulum?

You’ve landed on the right article, as I live in Mexico, and have been to Tulum MANY times! In this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting Tulum in September.

September is outside of the Tulum busy season, as the weather can be too hot for many. It is one of the least-busy months, so September can be a great time to visit, especially late-September.

From the weather in Tulum in September, to the best things to do in Tulum in September and even some Tulum travel tips for September — it’s all here.

Ready to discover everything you need to know for your Tulum September trip? Let’s get to it!

Weather in Tulum in September

Wondering, How is the weather in Tulum in September? Of course you are — as every Tulum traveler wants to know the best time of year to visit!

Tulum weather in September can be sunny and warm, or overcast with rain showers. Though they’re usually short showers, you can still expect rain.

Either way, you shouldn’t let advanced weather predictions about traveling to Tulum Mexico in September deter you!

Tulum’s tropical water is unpredictable, and predictions don’t always pan out as reported.

September is during the rainy season, though it’s not the wettest month; that’s actually June. However, there’s always some chance of rain in the tropics, no matter the month.

Remember that just because September is in the rainy season in the Yucatan Peninsula, that doesn’t mean it will rain in Tulum during your trip.

If it does, there’s a good chance it won’t be more than a quick shower.

Weather in Tulum in September

When the sun goes down, the temperatures in Tulum drop, but not by much.

Nighttime temperatures in Tulum average about 78-82°F (25-27°C), though the humidity also usually isn’t as bad as in the day.

This is the case year round, as there’s not much temperature fluctuation from daytime to nighttime in Tulum.

• Average high temperature in Tulum in September: 88°F (31°C)
• Average low temperature in Tulum in September: 78°F (25°C)
• What are the hottest months in Tulum Mexico? May-September, with an average max of about 90°F (32°C)
• What are the coldest months in Tulum Mexico? December-February, during the winter months

Weather in Tulum in September

Wondering, How cloudy is Tulum in September? As you can see in the chart above, there are usually about 4.8 fully sunny days in September.

Just think — you could be the lucky one who’s traveling to Tulum on those days!

Weather in Tulum in September

It will very likely rain in Tulum in September, and you’ll also likely have heavy cloud cover.

• What’s the average rainfall in Tulum in September? 3.8 inches (9.5 cm)
• How many days does it rain in Tulum in September? 23.2 days — September is the rainiest month in Tulum Mexico, but that doesn’t mean you won’t catch some sunny days ☀️

Note: No one can predict the weather with 100% accuracy. If you don’t mind taking a risk, April to October is the slow season in Tulum Mexico — which means lower price tags and smaller crowds.

Remember that even in the Tulum rainy season, there are always sunny days.

Weather in Tulum in September

In fact, some people end up enjoying watching the storms roll by.

Also, usually after the rain passes, the air temperature and humidity drop a bit, so some rain in Tulum isn’t all bad.

Weather in Tulum in September

🛍 Go shopping in Tulum: There’s no mall in Tulum, but there are clusters of boutique shops on the Tulum Beach and in downtown.

🤿 Cenotes in Tulum: You can also swim in these best Tulum cenotes because you won’t mind the rain while you’re swimming.

🎨 Tulum Museum: Finally, you can visit the SFER IK Museum, one of the best Tulum Instagram spots, located next to the famous Azulik Tulum Hotel.

Weather in Tulum in September

There might be a few cooler days in the high 60°Fs (about 20°C), usually in December to February. However the overall weather in Tulum ranges from hot to very hot!

Want to know, Is it too hot to go to Tulum in September? This answer is a matter of preference, but in short, you can expect to sweat a bit (or even a lot 😥).

If you don’t like warm, tropical weather, Tulum in November through March are your best options.

These months are known for clear skies, pleasant weather and many hours of sunshine — but they aren’t super hot.

Weather in Tulum in September

Tulum Travel Tips to Beat the Heat

• To avoid the heat in Tulum, head indoors and soak up the air conditioning from 11am-2pm, the hottest parts of the day. One of my favorite places is Mystika Tulum, an interactive art exhibit that’s indoors.
• Also, plan for water activities like snorkeling in Tulum and swimming in the Tulum cenotes during these hours.
• Rent a cabana or beach bed at any of the Tulum beach clubs you visit so you have some shade from the sun — and don’t forget your sun hat and sunscreen.

Weather in Tulum in September

Tulum humidity is a fact of life, as it’s located in the Caribbean. This part of the world is basically a jungle, but it’s also surrounded by water so that helps a bit.

Weather in Tulum in September

However, hurricanes are rare in Tulum. In fact, there have only been two hurricanes in Tulum in the past few decades — ​​Hurricane Grace on August 19, 2021 and ​​Hurricane Emily on July 10, 2005.

• What’s the average wind speed in Tulum in September? 6.2 mph (10 km/h)
• What’s the windiest month in Tulum Mexico? There are actually two windiest months in Tulum, March and April

Weather in Tulum in September

⛈️ When is Mexico hurricane season?

The answer is the same for all countries and cities, June 1-November 30. There’s no specific Tulum Hurricane Season.

Again, hurricanes are rare, but this is still something to be aware of when planning a Tulum trip in September (or really, any month of the year).

Weather in Tulum in September

Hurricanes are usually quite large in physical size. It’s usually only the area close to the center (known as “the eye”) where large-scale damage occurs.

Weather in Tulum in September

Traveling to Tulum During Hurricane Season

The #1 reason you’d want to visit Tulum during Hurricane Season is because prices are low. ▶ Check Tulum hotel prices here if you’re planning on traveling to Tulum in September during Hurricane Season.

Also, the Fall season in Tulum, which is within the Atlantic Hurricane Season, has the fewest number of tourists.

In short: Don’t skip Tulum in Hurricane Season. The odds are definitely in your favor that there won’t be any Tulum hurricanes when you visit.

Weather in Tulum in September

When it comes to the water temperature in Tulum in September — it should feel warm and pleasant.

The Caribbean Sea is warm all year long, so you can comfortably snorkel, swim and go scuba diving in Tulum in September.

The water temperature rises a bit in the warmer months, but it’s still comfortable.

However, one of the worst parts of the Mexico seaweed problem is that it’s unpredictable — and sargassum can also show up in other months.

After seeing the image above, you’re likely wondering, Is there seaweed in Tulum in September? The answer is maybe, as the seaweed comes and goes.

The good news? The sargassum in Tulum often goes away very fast.

(🌿 Note: The actual name for the type of Tulum seaweed that washes ashore in this part of Mexico is called sargassum. You will see it spelled sargasso or sargazo in Spanish.)

What I mean here is that it can be very bad one day, and completely gone the next day, so don’t cancel your Tulum vacation over the sargassum.

⭐️ Best Things to do when there’s seaweed in Tulum

Besides the beaches, there’s so many more things to do in Tulum that you’ll want to check out the off-beach places as well.

For swimming, there’s the Tulum cenotes. These natural jungle pools have no seaweed in them ever!

There’s also the Tulum Mayan Ruins, and other ruins near Tulum to check out, like Coba Ruins, Ek-Balam Ruins, and Chichen Itza Pyramids.

You can also visit the nearby towns, like Valladolid and “The Yellow City” of Izamal — two of the best Mexico pueblos magicos (or, “magic towns.”)

Weather in Tulum in September

Tracking the Tulum Sargassum

If you’re uninterested in doing anything else on your Tulum trip besides hitting the beaches, you can use Facebook to get updates. The seaweed situation can change day to day, so you can get the best info here.

• Sargasso Seaweed Updates Riviera Maya is a great group to join before your trip to get updated info.
• There’s also Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo, which is a page, not a group, so you can just view it. Their page is in Spanish, but they use self-explanatory graphics, like the one seen above.

When you see a red dot 🔴, that means there’s a lot of sargassum on that beach; a yellow dot 🟡 means moderate sargassum levels; and a blue dot 🔵 means that beach is 100% free and clear of sargassum.

Note: Many of the best beach resorts in Tulum have crews that clear away the seaweed each morning.

For this reason, you might see a beach come up in the red, but crews might be working to clean it that very moment.

Unique Things Do to in Tulum in September

Swim with the Whale Sharks in Tulum

Whale sharks are sharks, but they are a docile variety, similar to a nurse shark. They are also the largest fish in the sea, at about 40- to 50-feet-long (12m-15m).

You can swim with the whale sharks in Mexico on these Cancun Whale Shark Tours, as all tours depart from Cancun — but many include transportation from Tulum.

The Cancun Whale Shark Season runs from May 17 to September 17. However, the best time to see whale sharks in Mexico is in July and August.

While the best time to see whale sharks in Mexico is in July and August, you do still have a good chance in May, June and September; it just depends on the year.

Note: I went in early-June, and saw a bunch of whale sharks.

🐳 Want to read about my personal experience on a Cancun whale shark tour? Head to Best Cancun Whale Shark Tour [Honest Review] for all the details.

If a Mexico whale shark swim is on your bucket list, book your Whale Shark tour now, because they sell out.

The Mexican government only allows each tour boat to bring 10 people per day to the whale shark zone off the coast of Isla Mujeres.

Traveling to Tulum in September

Explore Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins

As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and most recognizable landmarks in Mexico, does Chichen Itza even need an introduction?!

This ancient Mayan city is about 2.5 hours from Tulum (one way), so it requires a full day on your Tulum itinerary. However, for most travelers, it’s worth it to visit this Mexico bucket list site.

You can go by rental car, on a Chichen Itza tour, or by ADO bus. The bus is the cheapest way to visit Chichen Itza from Tulum, but you’ll be adding another 2-3 hours total to the travel time.

Personally, I always recommend a tour guide for this important place, so you understand what you’re looking at.

This Chichen Itza Day Trip from Tulum is a great option because it includes lunch and a swim in beautiful Cenote Saamal.

Traveling to Tulum in September

Tulum Mayan Ruins

There are other Mayan Ruins in Tulum much closer than Chichen Itza, though they may not wow you the same as Chichen Itza (it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, after all 😃).

However, if you don’t want to commit a full day to visiting Chichen Itza from Tulum, which is a bit of a trek, head to these ancient ruins instead:

• Tulum Ruins on Tulum Beach
• Muyil Ruins in Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve
• Coba Ruins, which has the tallest pyramid in Yucatan
• Ek-Balam Ruins, located near Valladolid pueblo magico (magic town)

Traveling to Tulum in September

Laze on the Tulum Beaches

Tulum sits right on the bright blue Caribbean Sea, and has some of the best beaches in Mexico. You can’t go wrong with any beaches in Tulum, but don’t miss these visitor favorites:

• Playa Paraiso
• Playa las Palmas
• Playa Pescadores
• Playa Santa Fe
• Punta Allen: This so-called Tulum Secret Beach is located in the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve

🏖 Best Tulum Beach CLubs

Famous for its boho beach clubs, you’ll want to check out at least one of them while on your Tulum vacay.

Most of them charge about $50-100 USD to get in, but often that will go towards your “minimum spend” for food and drinks. In other words, you pay $1,000-2,000 pesos (about $50-100 USD) to enter the beach club.

You’ll then have access to the pool and beach facilities, showers, bathrooms, etc., and then whatever you paid to get in will be credited to your food and drink tab.

For some of the best beach clubs in Tulum, check out:

• Casa Malca
• Nomade Tulum
• Papaya Playa Project
• La Zebra

Traveling to Tulum in September

Swim in the Cenotes in Tulum

No visit to Tulum Mexico is complete without swimming in the best Tulum cenotes (pronounced sen-no-tays, or sen-no-tay for the word cenote in singular).

Cenotes are swimmable sinkholes with freshwater that comes from a river under the Yucatan Peninsula.

This river is part of the longest flooded cave system on Earth, Sistema Sac Actun, which is 164-miles-long (263 km).

There are about 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatan, and some of the best cenotes in Mexico are right in Tulum.

Located only 10-20 minutes from Downtown Tulum, there’s Cenote Calavera, El Gran Cenote, Cenote Zacil-Ha, Cenote Car Wash and Cenote Atik.

🤿 Not sure what to bring to the cenotes? Check out this Tulum cenotes packing list so you’re prepared to swim in the cenotes in Mexico.

🐠 Snorkeling in Yal Ku Lagoon

Want to do some snorkeling in Tulum? While there’s some great snorkeling accessible by boat not far from shore, the best snorkeling in the area is actually at nearby Laguna Yal-Ku.

Yal-Ku Lagoon has a mix of freshwater and saltwater, so you can see colorful tropical fish, rays and even sea turtles with great visibility.

It’s has long been known as one the best places for snorkeling in Yucatan.

The Yal-Ku Lagoon Cenote is located about 30 minutes from Tulum by rental car, or you can book this top-rated tour and let them handle the logistics.

Traveling to Tulum in September

Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve

Sian Ka’an Tulum is one of the Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It is the best place in Tulum to see wildlife like dolphins, manatees, turtles and birds — and all in the wild, right where they should be 🐬

Sian Ka’an is one of the largest protected areas in Mexico, at about one million acres (4,046 km²)!

The best way to visit Sian Ka’an is on a boat tour like this best Sian Ka’an Tour, one of the highest-rated tours in Tulum.

💧 Laguna Kaan Luum (Tulum Lagoon)

Kaan Luum Lagoon used to be one of the best kept secrets in Tulum.

However, it has gained in popularity thanks to social media and YouTube (and well, because it’s a great place in general).

Still, for most travelers it remains on the best off the beaten path Tulum hidden gems.

Kaan Luum Tulum is a shallow water lagoon, perfect for a swim and SUP in Laguna Kaan Luum, and it even has a cenote inside it.

It makes for a nice place to spend a few hours or the whole day, and it’s only 15 minutes from downtown.

Holidays & Festivals in Tulum in September

Fall Equinox at Chichen Itza

Every year, during the Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox, thousands visit Chichen Itza to see a special phenomenon.

On these two days of the year, when the sun hits the exact right point, the shadow cast on El Castillo Chichen Itza Pyramid makes it look like a serpent is slithering down the steps. 

Traveling to Tulum in September

Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16)

Though most Americans would probably tell you Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day — the holiday actually takes place on September 16.

Independence Day is the most important Mexican holiday in September. It’s usually pretty low-key in Tulum, as the town is more popular with international tourists than Mexican tourists.

However, you will see some decorations around town, especially in bars and restaurants. Be on the lookout for restaurants serving chile en nogada, the national dish of Mexico.

🪅 Note: The best place to visit for a true Mexico Independence Day experience is Mexico City. Here, you’ll see the largest display of El Grito de Dolores, the rallying cry that led to Mexican independence from Spain.

Tulum in September: Ultimate Travel Guide & FAQ

For a deep dive into the topic of Tulum safety, check out Is Tulum Safe to Travel to Right Now? If you’re traveling Tulum alone, this Tulum solo travel guide will help you plan the best, safest trip to Tulum.

Tulum is safe for the majority of visitors, who go and simply enjoy their trip without incident.

However, make no mistake — this is a tourist town, and things like petty theft aren’t uncommon in these types of destinations in any country.

While Mexico is portrayed as a totally unsafe country in the mainstream U.S. media, know that millions visit Tulum each year — with most coming from the United States, Canada and Europe.

If Mexico were as unsafe as it’s portrayed, people would just stop coming, wouldn’t they!? Well, they aren’t, so that should tell you something.

According to Mexico Secretary of Tourism statistics, an astounding 66 million international travelers visited Mexico in 2022 alone.

Even with all the sinister news reports, millions and millions of people still flock to Mexico each month.

Traveling to Tulum in September

🗺️ Tulum Map

Of these three Mexico state in the Yucatan, Quintana Roo is the most visited, and Campeche is the least visited. The most-visited places in Yucatan State are Chichen Itza Ruins and the colorful colonial city of Merida.

🇲🇽 Quintana Roo, Mexico

Quintana Roo is a long, thin state, stretching the entire length of coastline along the Caribbean Sea.

Because of this, you may also hear this part of the Yucatan Peninsula called the Mexican Caribbean, where so many popular Mexico beach towns are located.

Quintana Roo has some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, including Playa Paamul Beach, Playa Maroma Beach, which has the best overwater bungalows in Mexico, and Playa Xpu-Ha Beach.

Also in the state, you’ll find Playa del Carmen, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Isla Holbox Island, Puerto Morelos and Laguna Bacalar, AKA the “Maldives of Mexico.”

Traveling to Tulum in September

How to Get to Tulum Mexico

Is there an airport in Tulum Mexico?

Yes — Tulum Airport opened to international flights in 2024. It is officially called Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto, or Tulum International Airport (code: TQO).

Planning on renting a car in Cancun? The best place to get your Cancun car rentals is at Cancun Airport since you’re flying there anyway. Also, they have a much larger selection than Tulum.

🚐💨 Best Private shuttle from Cancun Airport to Tulum

The easiest, safest, and best way to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport is to book this private shuttle with Cancun Airport Transportation.

Round trip service is just $310 USD for 1-8 people, and they will pick you up curbside at the Cancun Airport and drop you off at your hotel in Tulum.

If you want the convenience of door-to-door service, and none of the Tulum transportation hassles, this is for you.

Best Places to Stay in Tulum in September

🏝️ Zona Hotelera: Tulum Hotel Zone (Tulum Beach)

Tulum Beach is the part of Tulum you’ve seen on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

This is where you’ll find all the best Tulum resorts, boutique hotels, Tulum beach houses, unique Tulum treehouses and rustic accommodations for Tulum glamping.

There’s also chic restaurants and bars, spas and yoga centers, shopping, and of course, the Tulum beaches.

Traveling to Tulum in September

You will find plenty of taxis, day and night, though costs add up quickly. For more info, check out this guide to learn how to get around in Tulum.

🚗 Tulum Rental Cars

Considering renting a car in Tulum? In full disclosure, I only recommend this if you’re going to be taking a lot of Tulum day trips, as driving in Tulum can be annoying because of the traffic.

If you are planning for some day trips from Tulum, I always recommend and use Discover Cars for my rentals (and opt for their Full Coverage policy, which is the cheapest I’ve found).

For a deeper dive into this topic, head to Renting a Car in Tulum: Everything You Need to Know.

It explains the whole process so you don’t get scammed, which sadly isn’t uncommon with Tulum rentals cars (or car rentals anywhere, really).

Traveling to Tulum in September: FAQ

🤑 Best time to Visit For Great tulum travel Deals

Want to know what is the cheapest month to go to Tulum? For the best Tulum travel deals, you’ll have to visit in the slow season (AKA low season).

The Tulum slow season runs from about April to October, though you can often find deals and cheaper hotel rates from about mid-April to early-November.

☀️ Best time to Visit For Great Weather in tulum

November to March are the months you’ll get the best weather in Tulum Mexico.

This is the Tulum dry season, so you’ll have very little rain (if any), low humidity levels, and fewer mosquitoes and bugs.

🦟 Tulum Pro Tip: Do not forget your mosquito spray, no matter when you visit, even if it’s in the driest months.

This is also the busy season, so things will cost more, and the crowds will be bigger.

However, many travelers find higher price tags and larger crowds an acceptable trade off for perfect weather.

If you’re planning to get married in Tulum, or honeymoon in Tulum, this would be the ideal time of year to do it.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Best time to Visit For Families with Kids

Travelers visiting Tulum with kids tend to go the Summer months of June to August, when the kids are on summer break.

The best place to stay in Tulum with kids is the Dreams Tulum All Inclusive Resort & Spa, which is family-friendly.

🐢 Best time to Visit To Swim With turtles

The best place to swim with turtles in Tulum is the small town of Akumal, located about 30 minutes north of Tulum.

They are in Akumal Bay year-round, as they come here to feed on the abundant sea grass at the bottom.

While there are a few open areas you can try to see them, the main areas are roped off because this activity is regulated for the turtles’ safety.

The only way to get in the main areas is to book an Akumal turtle tour to swim with them.

May to November is the nesting season for the sea turtles in Akumal Mexico. This is when you’re most likely to see them near the beach, outside of the water. The baby sea turtles begin hatching in July.

🐳 Best time to Visit To Swim With Whale Sharks

The whale shark season in Mexico’s Caribbean runs from May 17 to September 17, but the peak months are July and August.

You must book a whale shark boat tour to swim with them, as you’ll venture deep into the Caribbean Sea.

😎 Best time to Visit For Avoiding the Crowds

The slow season in Tulum goes from about April to October.

December is the busiest month for Tulum travel, and all Mexico travel, as it has ideal weather for a tropical Christmas and New Year.

The summer months tend to be slow in Tulum, and most of Mexico. The Spring Break crowd is usually gone by late-March.

However, there will still be some Spring Breakers lingering around through early-April because there’s actually no official dates for Spring Break in Tulum (or anywhere).

🚨 A word of Warning: Semana Santa in Mexico

If you don’t like crowds, avoid Semana Santa (Holy Week or Easter Week). This is the week leading up to Easter, usually in late-March or early-April, though the dates fluctuate each year.

Semana Santa is the busiest week on all Mexico beaches — not just Tulum beaches or Yucatan beaches.

Traveling to Tulum in September

What are the travel seasons in Tulum?

🏝️ Tulum High Season: November to March

Weather-wise, the best time to travel to Tulum is from November to March. This is during the dry season, when you’ll see very little (if any) rain, low humidity, and few mosquitoes.

This is also the high or busy season in Tulum Mexico, when the most people will be visiting.

⭐️ Tulum Shoulder Season: Best Time to visit Tulum

The shoulder season is a magical time between seasons, when the weather is still nice, but the crowds have died down — and the prices have as well.

⭐️ In my opinion, the shoulder season is the best time to visit Tulum, Mexico.

It takes place just before the busy season is about to begin in early December, and then picks up again right after it ends in early April.

The shoulder season in Tulum includes the months of April, May, October, November and February. Now, May is the hottest month in Tulum so that’s generally a bad time to visit.

February is a shoulder season option, but it does have higher prices.

You can still find great travel deals in other months, but you likely won’t find low prices and small crowds anytime during the peak season (busy season).

Traveling to Tulum in September

Since Tulum is a party town, I always recommend Liquid IV because with the sun and booze, you can easily dehydrate. Liquid IV has 165,000+ reviews on Amazon, and it’s one of the best anti-hangover cures out there.

Need more info? Check out this Ultimate Tulum Packing List: What to Wear in Tulum, Mexico.

Traveling to Tulum in September

As single-use plastics are horrible for the planet, these Water-To-Go bottles have a three-stage filter that makes Tulum tap water safe to drink.

🤑 Use code SOLO15 to SAVE 15% on your purchase with Water-To-Go.

These bottles filter 99.9999% of bacteria, viruses, micro-plastics, waterborne pathogens, heavy metals and more. I have one, and swear by it for clean drinking whatever in Mexico, no matter where you go.

Final Thoughts: Visiting Tulum in September

I hope this article answered all of your Is September a good month to visit Mexico? and Is September a good time to go to Tulum? questions.

As you now know, September in Tulum usually means perfect weather, however there’s always at least some chance of rain — though that shouldn’t even make you think twice.

Located in the tropics, rain in Tulum will pass quickly.

Also, no one can predict weather in the tropics with 100% certainty. I grew up in Miami, and learned not to give much credence to weather reports, because they rarely pan out as reported.

While there’s nice, sunny weather, September can also be quite hot. With these high temperatures, you likely won’t have large crowds on your Tulum September vacation.

☀️ In short: If you don’t mind the heat, you’ll enjoy Tulum Mexico in September.

If Tulum in September isn’t for you…

After reading this, you might not want to visit Tulum in September after all. If so, check out the articles linked below about visiting Tulum during other months of the year.