May or July?

[ASA400]

Hi guys!

My buddy and I are planning a trip to Coz for next summer. We had planned on going in July but have been told by a couple of people to go in May as the weather is supposedly better than in July. Since July is officially the beginning of hurricane season, I'm assuming that the "better" weather means less rainy days, and not quite as hot.

So, is May so much better that we should consider changing our itinerary from July?

I've been to Coz in April, Nov. and Feb, and the only time I've had any weather problems was on the Nov. trip when we got stormed out of one day of diving.

Jerry

 

[ggunn]

I have done both and I prefer May, but it's really not that big a deal.

 

[driftin' by]

I've been in both months as well... May, hands down. Less crowds, less heat, less rain.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

In my opinion, which is based on almost 20 years in Cozumel, the best months are Many and June or September and October. If you want I can tell you why.


Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[RubberDucky]

I've visited in the first to weeks of May and the last 2 weeks of June, and I would choose May for 2 reasons:

1. The weather was great in May, and lousy in June
2. The diving conditions were better in May (in regards to currents)

Obviously anything can happen at any time, but having great May weather in 2009 and 2010 is enough to convince me that May is the easy choice here.

 

[jfcl01]

May conditions are spectacular, above and below the surface. But, if you go in May instead of July, you will miss the annual migration of the relentless man eating mosquito. It is a once in a life time experience!! You get to put on bug spray at least 4 times a day, and if you get really lucky like I did this July, the turn out will be amazing, you will even get up during the night to put on more bug spray!! By the end of your trip, your legs will look like schnauzers have been gnawing on them. Do you really want to miss that?
On the up side of July...the whale sharks are there. I am glad I did it once.

 

[ggunn]

May conditions are spectacular, above and below the surface. But, if you go in May instead of July, you will miss the annual migration of the relentless man eating mosquito. It is a once in a life time experience!! You get to put on bug spray at least 4 times a day, and if you get really lucky like I did this July, the turn out will be amazing, you will even get up during the night to put on more bug spray!! By the end of your trip, your legs will look like schnauzers have been gnawing on them. Do you really want to miss that?

FWIW, going in May is no guarantee of missing the skeeters; it depends on the rain. Five years or so when we got there in May, it was right after a very rainy week, and if you went anywhere near standing fresh water (like that cenote just off the road to the Caleta) they would set upon you like piranhas in a feeding frenzy.

 

[kixy1]

In my opinion, which is based on almost 20 years in Cozumel, the best months are Many and June or September and October. If you want I can tell you why.


Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

Hey Dave, I would really appreciate to hear your opinion here... I found June rainy and the currents strong (this year) was that typical? How's the water temp in May? Thanks for your time!

 

[ASA400]

Thanks guys! I think May sounds like the better deal. Air fares are about the same and it sounds like the weather is better (I used to live in Missouri, so am not interested in seeing all those mosquitos again!!!)

Dave, I would like to hear what your opinion is, too. Also, how is the water temps in May?

Jerry

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Based on many years of experience I think both periods are relatively peaceful with thinned crowds. Water in May-Jun and Sept-Oct is quite nice in the mid 80"s and there is almost no chance of a norte blowing in to close the port. The currents can frequently be wild in High Season that is Dec-Apr and of course the dreaded nortes are common. The dead of summer may be crowded and hot by some standards (not mine) and you will probably find better air and hotel rates in the months I suggest. Of course Sep-Oct are still hurricane "season" but that truthfully is a very rare event. I have a much more thorough explanation on my web page that describes hurricane insurance. AS Gordon says, mosquitos can be a problem almost any time.


Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers