Comfortable tanning days (UV 2–5) are rare. Avoid midday sun in March, April, May, June, July, August and September (UV 8+).

UV Index in Cancun, Malaysia — Today, 2 October

Q: What is the UV index in Cancun today?

The live value is shown at the top of the page; the hourly chart gives today's full forecast for Cancun (WHO scale 0–11+).

Q: What is the highest UV index in Cancun?

The calculated clear-sky maximum is ≈ 9.2 in May. Values of 11–12 do not occur here — only near the equator, in deserts and high mountains.

Q: When do I need SPF in Cancun?

The UV index reaches 6+ in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December: use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days.

Q: What UV index is dangerous?

8 and above. In Cancun such levels occur in March, April, May, June, July, August and September.

What is the UV index? The UV index (ultraviolet index) is the WHO scale 0–11+ of sunburn-risk intensity at the Earth's surface: 0–2 low, 3–5 moderate, 6–7 high, 8–10 very high, 11+ extreme. The higher the number — the faster skin burns. Below is the live value for Cancun today, 2 October.

UV index by month (clear sky)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
6.4	7.3	8.3	9	9.2	9.2	9.2	9.1	8.7	7.9	7	6.3

The table shows the calculated noon UV peak for latitude 21.1743° under clear sky. Real values vary with clouds, ozone and altitude — see the hourly chart for today's exact forecast.

UV climate of Cancun: local facts

Cancun sits at 21.1743° latitude (Northern hemisphere, tropical zone). The UV index here climbs from 6.3 in December to a peak of ≈ 9.2 in May; the annual average is ≈ 8.1. On a peak day, unprotected fair skin burns in about 13 minutes.

📈 Peak: ≈ 9.2 in May · calmest month: December (6.3).
🧴 SPF season (UV 6+): January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December — use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days.
⚠️ Very high risk (UV 8+): March, April, May, June, July, August and September — stay in shade 11:00–16:00, SPF 50+.
🌍 UV 11–12 here? Impossible: the local maximum is ≈ 9.2. Values of 11+ occur only near the equator, in deserts and high mountains.
💊 Vitamin D: outdoor synthesis is possible 12 months a year (UV 3+): January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.

What UV index 8, 10, 11 and 12 mean

Value	WHO category	Time to burn (fair skin)
8–10	Very high	15–25 minutes
11+	Extreme	5–10 minutes
12	Maximum at surface	under 10 min; tropics & mountains only

The highest UV index on Earth reaches 12–14 at sea level (equator, deserts, Australia) and above 20 in the Andes. In mid-latitudes summer peaks are 7–8, in the south 9–11. See the monthly table above for Cancun's peaks.

Sun protection tips for Cancun

🧴 SPF: at UV 3+ apply SPF 30+ 20 min before going out, reapply every 2 hours and after swimming.
🕶 Sunglasses: UV400 or 100% UV protection only.
👒 Hat: a brim of at least 7 cm during midday hours.
⛱ Shade: 11:00–16:00 whenever the index is 6+.

How the UV data for Cancun is calculated

Live hourly values come from Open-Meteo (ECMWF & NOAA models); the monthly table is a clear-sky calculation for latitude 21.1743° on the WHO 0–11+ scale. Real values vary with clouds, ozone and altitude.

Nearby cities

Playa del Carmen Cozumel Tulum Tizimin Valladolid Chichen-Itza Felipe Carrillo Puerto Izamal

FAQ: UV index in Cancun

What is the UV index in Cancun today, 2 October?

The live value is at the top of this page; the hourly chart shows today's full forecast, and the status block shows tomorrow's peak. The UV index (WHO scale 0–11+) measures sunburn intensity: the higher, the faster skin burns.

What is the highest UV index in Cancun?

The calculated clear-sky maximum is ≈ 9.2 in May. Values of 11–12 do not occur here — they are only possible near the equator, in deserts and high mountains (world records above 20 were set in the Andes).

When do I need SPF in Cancun?

The UV index reaches 6+ in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December: use SPF 30–50+ on sunny days, reapply every 2 hours.

Can I tan in Cancun?

Comfortable tanning days (UV 2–5) are rare here. Avoid midday sun in March, April, May, June, July, August and September (UV 8+): you will burn before you tan.

What UV index is dangerous?

8 and above: fair skin burns in 10–20 minutes; at 11+ in under 10. In Cancun such levels occur in March, April, May, June, July, August and September.

What is the UV index tomorrow in Cancun?

The forecast peak for tomorrow is shown in the status block («tomorrow»); the hourly forecast for today is in the chart above.

Hourly UV in Cancun