Cancún vs Punta Cana
Cancún usually grades better in every month; Punta Cana never beats it by a clear margin. In winter (December to February) Cancún is the stronger pick (B vs C+). Seaweed: Cancún peaks high in August, Punta Cana peaks very high in December.
Month by month
A typical day in each month (median resort). Bold: better by a clear margin.
| Month | Cancún | Punta Cana | Water | Rain chance | Seaweed | Crowds | Storm risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | B | B- | 80°F / 81°F | 45% / 55% | Moderate / High | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
| February | B | C+ | 80°F / 80°F | 38% / 64% | Moderate / High | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
| March | B | C+ | 80°F / 80°F | 37% / 61% | Moderate / High | Packed / Packed | Very low / Very low |
| April | B | C | 81°F / 81°F | 28% / 64% | Moderate / Very high | Very busy / Busy | Very low / Very low |
| May | B | C | 82°F / 82°F | 43% / 67% | High / Very high | Busy / Busy | Very low / Very low |
| June | B- | C | 83°F / 83°F | 70% / 68% | High / Very high | Busy / Busy | Very low / Very low |
| July | C+ | C- | 84°F / 83°F | 61% / 76% | High / Very high | Very busy / Busy | Low / Very low |
| August | C | C- | 85°F / 84°F | 67% / 79% | High / Very high | Busy / Busy | Moderate / Moderate |
| September | C | C- | 85°F / 85°F | 76% / 69% | High / Very high | Moderate / Moderate | High / High |
| October | B- | C- | 85°F / 86°F | 67% / 68% | High / Very high | Moderate / Moderate | Low / Low |
| November | B- | C- | 84°F / 84°F | 54% / 74% | High / Very high | Busy / Busy | Very low / Very low |
| December | B | C- | 82°F / 83°F | 48% / 61% | Moderate / Very high | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
Pairs of values read Cancún / Punta Cana. 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
Punta Cana
- Majestic Colonial HotelSatC+SunCMonC+TueB-WedB
- Hotel NaraguaSatDSunC-MonC+TueC+WedC+
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta CanaSatC-SunC-MonCTueCWedC
- Riu Palace Bávaro (Arena Gorda)SatC-SunC-MonC-TueCWedC
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Cancún & Isla Mujeres forecast · Punta Cana & East Coast forecast
Questions
- Is Cancún or Punta Cana better?
- Cancún usually grades better in every month; Punta Cana never beats it by a clear margin. In winter (December to February) Cancún is the stronger pick (B vs C+). Seaweed: Cancún peaks high in August, Punta Cana peaks very high in December.
- Which has warmer water, Cancún or Punta Cana?
- Cancún averages 83°F over the year and Punta Cana 83°F. In January it is 80°F vs 81°F; in July 84°F vs 83°F.
- Which is less crowded?
- Cancún is quietest in September and October; Punta Cana in September and October.
- Which has less sargassum?
- Over a typical year, seaweed averages high in Cancún and very high in Punta Cana. Cancún is lightest in January and December; Punta Cana in January and February.