Catching the sunrise and sunset in a tropical paradise like Cancun is something you wouldn’t want to miss. As a city boasting its beautiful beaches and frequently clear skies, seeing the golden hour is worth seeing during your entire stay.
If you’re staying in Cancun, you’ll likely want to enjoy the skies as they turn into a beautiful golden color as the sun rises and sets. While you can always enjoy such in any spot in the city, you’ll also need to know the best places to do so and when is the best time to see it.
This article will cover everything you need to know about the sunrise and sunset in Cancun. It includes when they start and end and the best spots to watch the sunrise and sunset.
Let’s get started!
Sunrise in Cancun
The sunrise in Cancun is arguably one of the city’s best times of the day. Since Cancun has Caribbean waters on the east side, you’ll enjoy the sun as it rises from the sea, and it’s something to feast your eyes upon when you’re in the city.
Where Does the Sun Rise in Cancun?
Like all other places, you’ll see the sunrise in the east direction of Cancun. Now, if you’re staying at a hotel facing the Caribbean sea, you’ll likely enjoy the sunrise even in the comfort of your room, provided it has a beach view.
If you don’t have a beach view in your room, you can always head to the beach and face the Caribbean waters to meet the sun as it rises.
When Does the Sun Rise in Cancun?
As a tropical city, the sunrise in Cancun varies depending on the date. In general, the sunrise can be as early as 5:30 in the morning, and it can also be as late as 6:30 in the morning. Therefore, you can expect an early sunrise during summer and a late sunrise during winter.
Average Sunrise Time in Cancun Per Month
| MONTH | AVERAGE TIME OF SUNRISE IN CANCUN |
| JANUARY | 7:24 AM – 7:27 AM |
| FEBRUARY | 7:24 AM – 7:08 AM |
| MARCH | 7:07 AM – 6:41 AM |
| APRIL | 6:40 AM – 6:17 AM |
| MAY | 6:16 AM – 6:05 AM |
| JUNE | 6:05 AM – 6:09 AM |
| JULY | 6:09 AM – 6:20 AM |
| AUGUST | 6:21 AM – 6:30 AM |
| SEPTEMBER | 6:31 AM – 6:38 AM |
| OCTOBER | 6:38 AM – 6:49 AM |
| NOVEMBER | 6:50 AM – 7:07 AM |
| DECEMBER | 7:08 AM – 7:24 AM |
If you want to know the exact time of sunrise in Cancun during your stay, you can check it out here.
It’s also best to check the weather, as an overcast or cloudy day can affect the scene. If you want a better insight into the weather in the city, you can read our article about Cancun Weather.
Still, Cancun is known for having clear skies most days, so you’ll have better chances to spot a sunrise during your entire stay.
What Time Should You Watch the Sunrise?
If you want to see the entire sunrise in Cancun, it’s best to be ready at your preferred spot at least 15 or 20 minutes before the exact time. This way, you can relax and set yourself up, get some coffee or relax in a chair if you want.
Best Places to See the Sunrise in Cancun
As I mentioned, you can always enjoy the sunrise in Cancun anywhere with a Caribbean sea view. However, you may also find these spots the best places to relax while enjoying the best sunrise view in Cancun.
Public Beaches
You can always catch an excellent view of the sunrise in Cancun if you check out any public beaches, especially in the hotel zone. It’s a 25-kilometer-long beach, meaning you have plenty of spots to relax and enjoy the sun as it rises.
Punta Cancun El Faro
One of the best examples of public beaches in Cancun with an excellent sunrise view is Punta Cancun El Faro. It’s located at KM 9 of the hotel zone, and you can reach it through Playa Caracol.
Playa Delfines
Another example is the Playa Delfines, located in the Hotel Zone. You can find it at KM 19.5 and enjoy the sunrise with a fantastic view of the beach and the sea.
Chac Mool beach
Finally, the Chac Mool beach is another excellent place to view the sunrise in Cancun. It’s located at KM 9.5 of the hotel zone, and you can reach it through the side of Plaza Forum.
Sunset in Cancun
Sunsets are always one of the most romantic parts of the day, and you can enjoy some breathtaking views of the sunset in Cancun. As long as you find a good spot, you can enjoy a nice view at the end of the day. Of course, it’s best paired with some excellent food for dinner.
Where does the sun set in Cancun?
Like all other places, Cancun sees the sunset in the west direction. The sunset might even be enjoyed in the comfort of your room if you’re staying at a hotel opposite the Caribbean sea. However, it’s not something you’ll enjoy if you have towering buildings obstructing the view.
When does the sun set in Cancun?
Cancun has a different sunset time every day because it is tropical. The dawn can typically occur as early as 5:30 in the afternoon or as late as 6:30 in the evening. In the summer and winter, you may anticipate a late and early sunset, respectively.
Average Sunrise Time in Cancun Per Month
| MONTH | AVERAGE TIME OF SUNSET IN CANCUN |
| JANUARY | 6:17 PM – 6:37 PM |
| FEBRUARY | 6:37 PM – 6:51 PM |
| MARCH | 6:51 PM – 7:01 PM |
| APRIL | 7:02 PM – 7:12 PM |
| MAY | 7:12 PM – 7:25 PM |
| JUNE | 7:25 PM – 7:33 PM |
| JULY | 7:33 PM – 7:26 PM |
| AUGUST | 7:26 PM – 7:04 PM |
| SEPTEMBER | 7:03 PM – 6:36 PM |
| OCTOBER | 6:35 PM – 6:11 PM |
| NOVEMBER | 6:11 PM – 6:04 PM |
| DECEMBER | 6:04 PM – 6:16 PM |
During your visit, check out this site to learn the precise time of sunset in Cancun. The weather should also be checked because an overcast or gloomy day might change the area’s appearance.
Still, Cancun is renowned for its clear skies, so you’ll have a greater chance of seeing a sunset when you’re there. To avoid the overcast and rainy season, read When Is Cancun Rainy Season?
What Time Should You Watch the Sunset?
If you want to see the entire sunset in Cancun, it’s best to be ready at your preferred spot at least 15 or 20 minutes before the exact time. This way, you can relax and set yourself up, get some coffee or relax in a chair if you want.
Best Places to See the Sunset in Cancun
Cancun has that unique beauty about sunsets, giving an excellent golden color to the usually clear skies. However, unlike sunrise, you’ll find it more challenging to find a spot to see the sunset. As such, here are some of the best places to visit to enjoy the sun as it sets in Cancun.
Nichupte Lagoon
Nichupte Lagoon is an excellent spot in Cancun to enjoy the sunset. However, if you’re staging at the hotel zone, you’ll need to cross the street to reach it.
Fashion Harbour
The Fashion Harbour is an excellent spot to view the sunset, and you can find it at La Isla Shopping Village, which is situated at KM 12.5 of the Hotel Zone. Here, you can enjoy some shopping and dining, and it’s quite a scene during the early evenings as the sun sets.
Jardin del Arte
The Jardin del Arte, or Art Garden, is another excellent place to enjoy some sunset in Cancun. You can find it at KM 5 by crossing the street near Playa Langosta. Enjoy viewing the sun as it sets by relaxing on the kiosks, benches, and the entire garden.
La Gran Rueda
Situated in Plaza la Isla, La Gran Rueda offers a stunning sunset view as you relax in a comfy cabin. Here, you can enjoy the sunset in Cancun and the Caribbean waters. In short, whether it’s the golden hour or not, you’ll enjoy the place and spend some time relaxing.
Conclusion
Sunrise and sunset provide a relaxing, beautiful atmosphere, and you can only enjoy them when there are clear skies and pleasant weather. With Cancun’s tropical weather and typically clear skies, the sunrise and sunsets in the city are stunning to enjoy.
With this guide, you now have a clear view of where and when to enjoy the sunrise or the sunset. The rest of the concern is to go out there and enjoy either of the two during your entire stay in Cancun.
