What’s The Time in Cancun, Mexico Right Now?
When you ask what the time is in Cancun, Mexico, you will probably get some of these answers: tequila time! Vacation time! Relaxation time!
And while most of those answers are true, it is essential to know what time it is in Cancun.
Knowing Cancun’s time zone will help you plan your travel day, estimate the time difference to expect, and plan your vacation activities. Keep reading to learn what time it is in Cancun.
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What time zone is Cancun?
Cancun is on Eastern Standard Time. It does not observe daylight saving time. This means that when you book your vacation to Cancun, your home might be at the same time as Cancun, but you are an hour different when you arrive!
Cancun, Mexico Time Zone map
Is Cancun in the Central Time Zone?
No, Cancun is not in the Central Time Zone. Cancun used to be on Central Standard Time but switched to Eastern Standard Time on February 1, 2015. Cancun made the switch to Eastern time after years of work by the government and leaders in the tourism industry.
They wanted to switch time zones so that tourists would have one more hour of daylight in the evenings to enjoy the beach, snorkeling, and, in general, time to spend out and about.
How many time zones are there in Mexico?
Mexico uses four different time zones. The state of Quintana Roo, home to Cancun, is the only state that is on Eastern Standard Time.
Most of the country, including the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico City, is on Central Standard Time. Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Baja California Sur are on Mountain Standard Time, and Baja California Norte is on Pacific Time.
Does Cancun have Daylight Saving Time?
No, Cancun does not have daylight saving time. It operates all year on Eastern Standard Time, without changing its clocks.
If you live in the Eastern Time Zone, you will have the same time as Cancun in the winter months, but be one hour ahead in the summer.
If you live in the Central Time Zone, you will be one hour behind Cancun in the winter, but the same time in the summer.
Sunrise and Sunset Time in Cancun
The exact times of sunrise and sunset in Cancun change every day. You can check this information online to make sure you do not miss it!
I usually use the timeanddate.com site for accurate information.
Sunrise Time in Cancun
Sunrise in Cancun usually happens between 6:00 am and 7:00 am, depending on the month. Winter mornings are earlier and a bit cooler, while summer sunrises slide closer to 7:00 am. If you want those classic pink skies, head to the beach about 20–30 minutes before the actual sunrise time to catch the full show.
Where can I see the sunrise in Cancun?
In Cancun, you can watch an amazing sunrise from the beach, which is one of the reasons why I recommend staying in the Hotel Zone in Cancun for the best Cancun experience.
If not, you can just wake up early and get to the public beaches in Cancun to watch the sunrise. When I first arrived in Cancun, I took surf classes at Playa Delfines.
I didn’t have a car. So I woke up at 5 am. and rushed myself on the R1 or R2 Bus and got to the beach.
While I realized surfing is really not for me, I still had an amazing time swimming while watching the sunrise from the beach. The best way to start the day.
You can also get to beaches that are closer to downtown, such as Playa Langosta o Playa Pez Volador, right after.
Sunset time in Cancun
The closer you are to the equator, the less variation in daylight you will have. So, although Cancun does have a few-hour difference between its longest and shortest days, the sun never sets very late.
So, pay attention to when the sunsets happen, it will never be much past 7:30- you don’t want to miss it!
Where can I see the sunset in Cancun?
Since the sun rises over the water, it sets in the back, but you can still admire amazing sunsets from the Nichupte lagoon.
I love taking a stroll through Plaza La Isla and watching the sunset from there. I wrote a detailed post on where to watch the sunset in Cancun that may be helpful.
What is the golden hour in Cancun?
Golden hour actually happens twice a day. It is the first hour after sunrise and the hour before it sets.
The lighting during this time is perfect for great pictures due to the angle of the sun at the Earth.
For the exact time, you can check it out on apps like PhotoPills or on timeanddate.com site.
The best time to visit Cancun
There are no bad times to visit Cancun. Many people prefer the dry, winter months of November to April over the hotter, humid, and sometimes rainy months of May to October.
The days are slightly shorter in the winter, but you will still have warm, sunny days to enjoy at the beach.
Fewer people travel to Cancun in the rainy season, so it is a great time to avoid crowds- plus, you can still have sunny, beautiful days!
You can check out my detailed posts on the weather in Cancun by month. Pick the month you want to travel in here below.
Time in Cancun: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cancun on Eastern or Central time?
Cancun is on Eastern time. Cancun does not do daylight saving time, so in the summer, when people in Central time “spring forward,” Cancun will have the same hour as Central time.
How far ahead is Cancun from the UK?
The UK is 5 hours ahead of Cancun. On the last Sunday in March, the UK will switch to daylight saving time, putting it 6 hours ahead of Cancun.
The UK will switch its clocks back one hour at the end of October.
What is the time difference between LA and Cancun?
LA is three hours behind Cancun. When LA springs forward for daylight saving time, it will be two hours behind Cancun until it falls back in the late fall.
How many hours of sun does Cancun get?
The number of hours of daylight Cancun gets depends on the season. The shortest day in the winter has around 10 hours and 50 minutes of daylight. The longest day in the summer gets almost 13 and a half hours of daylight.
When did Cancun change the time zone?
Cancun changed from Central time to Eastern Standard time in February 2015.
Final thoughts: Time in Cancun
It is always a great time to visit Cancun, especially now that you know what time it is there! Knowing what time it is in Cancun will help you plan for any time changes you will experience and make the most of your time here- catching as many sunrises and sunsets as possible!
