Tulum · Month comparison

January vs November

November ranks #1 overall vs January at #2. The sweet spot transition: dry season returning, low crowds, good value — the locals' favourite.

Tulum January — a green palm tree at the edge of the Caribbean near the Tulum ruins under dry-season sun

January

#2 of 12 months

Best match

Prime dry season: low humidity, clear Caribbean water, manageable crowds post-New Year.

  • ↑Driest and most comfortable conditions: 28°C with 74% humidity and 9.2h of sun daily
  • ↑Cenotes at their clearest and least crowded — Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote genuinely peaceful in January mornings
Tulum November — green palm trees on white sand beside the turquoise Caribbean as the dry season returns

November

#1 of 12 months

Best match

The sweet spot transition: dry season returning, low crowds, good value — the locals' favourite.

  • ↑Día de Muertos (Nov 1–2) in Tulum Pueblo: stunning altars, marigold decorations, and genuine community celebration
  • ↑Dry season increasingly establishing itself: sun-to-rain ratio swinging back in the traveller's favour
FactorJanuaryNovember
Weather score
9
7
Value score
5
7
Crowd score
5
7
Events score
5
7
Atmosphere
8
7
Avg high temp28°C29°C
Monthly rain38mm71mm
Daily sunshine9.2hrs8hrs

January trade-offs

  • ↓Post-New Year prices remain elevated; beachfront boutique hotels at seasonal premium
  • ↓North wind (Nortes) can bring cooler breezy days and choppy Caribbean surf in early January
  • ↓The digital nomad and wellness crowd is firmly in residence — Tulum is not undiscovered

November trade-offs

  • ↓Early November still sees meaningful rain (71mm) — not yet fully dry season reliability
  • ↓Some beach clubs still on reduced wet-season schedules in early November
  • ↓Water temperature at its lowest (still 27°C, but noticeable to those accustomed to August warmth)
See all 12 months for Tulum →January in detail →November in detail →
Scores compare months within Tulum. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →