Tulum is hot and humid, and you will be in the water a lot. The packing problem is the cenotes: many require you to rinse off sunscreen or use biodegradable formulas, and mosquitoes are out in force in the jungle.
Tulum weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 29°C84°F | 29°C84°F | 31°C88°F | 31°C88°F | 33°C91°F | 33°C91°F | 33°C91°F | 33°C91°F | 32°C90°F | 31°C88°F | 31°C88°F | 29°C84°F |
| Low | 21°C70°F | 21°C70°F | 22°C72°F | 23°C73°F | 25°C77°F | 25°C77°F | 26°C79°F | 25°C77°F | 25°C77°F | 25°C77°F | 23°C73°F | 22°C72°F |
| Rain days | 15 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 15 |
Season by season
Dry season
December–MayThe easiest months. Highs climb from 29°C (84°F) in December to 33°C (91°F) in May, with lows of 21–25°C (70–77°F). April has 6 rain days and May 7, while December and January have 15. Note: this data is from the Cozumel station nearby. Pack swimwear, biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent.
Rainy season
June–NovemberHot, humid and showery. Highs stay at 31–33°C (88–91°F), with 20 rain days in June and September, 18 in October and 16 in November. This is also hurricane season. Bring quick-dry clothes, a waterproof cube and more repellent.
What to bring to Tulum
0 of 24 packed- Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, 4 ozHealth & Safety
Picaridin keeps mosquitoes off in the jungle around Tulum's cenotes.
A rechargeable repeller helps on humid evenings at the cabana.
- Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Packing CubeBags & Luggage
Keeps your phone dry at cenotes and on the beach in rainy season.
- Bearwind S40 Portable Handheld Turbo FanTech & Power
Highs of 31–33°C (88–91°F) with high humidity make a handheld fan worth packing.
- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
A cold bottle helps on bike rides to the ruins in the heat.
- Scrubba Wash BagTravel Laundry
A wash bag rinses sweaty clothes in humid weather.
- Crocs Classic ClogFootwear & Shoe Care
Clogs handle wet cenote paths and sandy streets.
Clothing
- Swimwear · 3Beach and cenote days
- Linen shirts or sundresses · 4
- Quick-dry shorts · 2Rainy season, Jun–Nov
- Light long-sleeve layer · 1Mosquito hours in the jungle
- Cover-up · 1For the ruins and town
Footwear
- Sandals · 1 pair
- Water shoes · 1 pairCenote ladders and rocky entries
- Light sneakers · 1 pairBiking and the ruins
Gear
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Quick-dry towel · 1
Health and toiletries
- Biodegradable mineral sunscreen · 1Many cenotes require it
- After-bite cream
- After-sun lotion
Documents and money
- Passport
- Cash in small billsCenote entry and local spots
Tech
- Phone dry pouch · 1
Sargassum season (roughly spring–summer)
Seaweed can pile up on the beach. Sargassum arrives roughly in spring and summer, and some days the sea is covered. Plan cenote and ruin days as backups, and pack water shoes.
What shoes should you pack for Tulum?
Sandals and water shoes. Sandals cover the beach town. Water shoes help on cenote ladders and rocky entries. Bring light sneakers for biking and the ruins.
What do people wear in Tulum?
Casual beach clothes. Linen, sundresses and shorts are the norm. Bring a cover-up for the ruins and town, and a light long-sleeve layer for mosquito hours.
Do you need reef-safe sunscreen in Tulum?
Yes, for cenotes. Many cenotes require biodegradable sunscreen or ask you to rinse off before swimming. Pack a mineral formula and shower before you get in.
What plugs does Tulum use?
Mexico uses Type A and B sockets at 127V. US and Canadian plugs fit without an adapter. UK, EU and Australian visitors need an adapter; most phone and laptop chargers handle the voltage fine.
Tours and things to do in Tulum
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Tulum.
What should you leave at home for Tulum?
Heels, heavy fabrics and regular chemical sunscreen. Sandy paths and humid air make both a hassle.
Packing for Tulum: questions people ask
What should I wear in Tulum in April?
Beachwear and a cover-up. April averages a 31°C (88°F) high, a 23°C (73°F) low and 6 rain days.
Can I wear sunscreen in cenotes?
Many cenotes require biodegradable sunscreen or ask you to rinse off first.
When is sargassum season in Tulum?
Roughly spring to summer, varying by year.
Are there mosquitoes in Tulum?
Yes, especially near the jungle and cenotes. Bring repellent.
Do I need an adapter in Mexico?
Not from the US or Canada. Sockets are Type A and B at 127V.
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