Hurricane seasons might be very tempting to travelers who want to save money and enjoy a particular destination without crowds. Very often travelling during the hurricane season is not different from the one during a rainy one. However, it’s better to be prepared for potential threats than to regret it!
All the tips will be based on how to travel to Mexico during the hurricane season, but the tips can be easily modified for any other country that has a similar season!
1. Choose Your Destination Wisely
- The Caribbean coast (Cancun, Tulum, Riviera Maya, Cozumel) and the Pacific coast (Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco) are most affected by hurricanes
- The central regions (Mexico City, Guanajuato, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas) are generally safer
2. Monitor the Weather Closely
- Check forecasts before booking and daily while traveling
- Use reliable sources like:
- National Hurricane Center (NHC) → www.nhc.noaa.gov
- Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) → www.gob.mx/conagua
- Weather apps like Windy, AccuWeather, or The Weather Channel
3. Get Travel Insurance That Covers Weather Disruptions
- Ensure your policy covers cancellations, delays, evacuations, and emergency accommodation due to natural disasters
- Look for providers that specifically include hurricane-related coverage
This one might be more difficult – I checked and my usual insurance provider explicitly says that natural distasters are excluded.
4. Book Flexible Flights & Accommodation
- Choose hotels with hurricane policies (free cancellations or rescheduling). Booking.com has a policy that in general should apply to all their listings (you can read more about it here)
- Airlines often waive change fees for hurricanes—check their policies before booking
5. Pack Smart for Emergencies
This one might seem to be for people that are a bit over-reacting. My recommendation is to have it at the back of your head and, if forecasts say one of the big ones is approaching, consider using/buying these:
- Portable power bank (for phone charging if power goes out)
- Flashlight + extra batteries
- Waterproof bag for important documents (passport, insurance, emergency contacts)
- Non-perishable snacks & bottled water (in case of supply shortages)
6. Know Evacuation Procedures
- Ask your hotel about their hurricane plan:
- Safe zones, emergency exits, and shelters nearby (be prepared in advance, you won’t have time for that when everyone panics!)
- Keep your passport & essentials in one bag in case you need to evacuate quickly
- Follow local authorities’ instructions—they will issue warnings and evacuation orders if necessary
7. Avoid Beach & Water Activities When a Storm is Approaching
- Stay out of the ocean during tropical storms. I know it’s tempting (you’re here on holidays, right?) but even if the storm is far away, rip currents can be deadly
- Boat tours & excursions may be canceled for safety reasons – always check before booking
8. Stay in Contact & Have a Backup Plan
- Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) in case of signal loss (I mean, I recommend to ALWAYS have them downloaded, not only during dangerous weather conditions, so remember about it before every journey – yes, I’m emphasising this cause I forgot about it during my last trip and it wasn’t a great experience, being lost with 0 signal!)
- Have emergency contacts saved offline, including:
- Your embassy’s phone number
- Hotel emergency line
- Local emergency services (Mexico’s emergency number: 911)
- Inform family/friends of your itinerary so they know where you are
- you might also consider sharing your location live, which is possible with many dedicated apps – let me know if you’d like to learn more about these!)
9. Consider Rescheduling If a Hurricane is Forecasted
Many airlines & hotels offer hurricane guarantees—check their policies for rescheduling options.
I know you really wanted to visit this specific place AND you chose this time for a reason but… If a major hurricane is forming, it’s safer to change your trip dates or choose another destination.
If you want to explore Mexico during a safer season, here’s an article about the best times to do so!