Cancún vs Jamaica
Cancún usually grades better in April, May and October, Jamaica in January, and the other months are close. In winter (December to February) the two are close (both B). Seaweed: Cancún peaks high in August, Jamaica peaks high in October.
Month by month
A typical day in each month (median resort). Bold: better by a clear margin.
| Month | Cancún | Jamaica | Water | Rain chance | Seaweed | Crowds | Storm risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | B | B | 80°F / 82°F | 45% / 34% | Moderate / Moderate | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
| February | B | B | 80°F / 81°F | 38% / 50% | Moderate / Moderate | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
| March | B | B | 80°F / 82°F | 37% / 61% | Moderate / Moderate | Packed / Packed | Very low / Very low |
| April | B | B- | 81°F / 82°F | 28% / 76% | Moderate / Moderate | Very busy / Busy | Very low / Very low |
| May | B | B- | 82°F / 84°F | 43% / 69% | High / High | Busy / Busy | Very low / Very low |
| June | B- | C+ | 83°F / 85°F | 70% / 64% | High / High | Busy / Busy | Very low / Very low |
| July | C+ | C+ | 84°F / 85°F | 61% / 61% | High / High | Very busy / Very busy | Low / Low |
| August | C | C | 85°F / 86°F | 67% / 64% | High / High | Busy / Busy | Moderate / Moderate |
| September | C | C | 85°F / 87°F | 76% / 69% | High / High | Moderate / Moderate | High / High |
| October | B- | C+ | 85°F / 87°F | 67% / 75% | High / High | Moderate / Moderate | Low / Low |
| November | B- | B | 84°F / 85°F | 54% / 55% | High / Moderate | Busy / Busy | Very low / Very low |
| December | B | B | 82°F / 84°F | 48% / 51% | Moderate / Moderate | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
Pairs of values read Cancún / Jamaica. From Veabird's year-ahead outlook: climate normals, the seasonal seaweed pattern, holiday crowds and storm history.
This week
Grades for the next few days at the resorts that usually do best this month.
Cancún
- Holbox Island HotelsSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
- Villas FlamingosSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
- Villas DelphinesSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
- Xaloc ResortSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
Jamaica
- ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by HiltonSatCSunCMonBTueB-WedC+
- Grand Port Royal Hotel Marina & SpaSatCSunCMonB-TueB-WedC+
- Stones Beach HouseSatCSunC+MonC+TueBWedC+
- Breathless Montego Bay Resort & SpaSatC-SunCMonC+TueB-WedC+
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Questions
- Is Cancún or Jamaica better?
- Cancún usually grades better in April, May and October, Jamaica in January, and the other months are close. In winter (December to February) the two are close (both B). Seaweed: Cancún peaks high in August, Jamaica peaks high in October.
- Which has warmer water, Cancún or Jamaica?
- Cancún averages 83°F over the year and Jamaica 84°F. In January it is 80°F vs 82°F; in July 84°F vs 85°F.
- Which is less crowded?
- Cancún is quietest in September and October; Jamaica in September and October.
- Which has less sargassum?
- Over a typical year, seaweed averages high in Cancún and moderate in Jamaica. Cancún is lightest in January and December; Jamaica in February and March.