QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011	May 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total warehouse club and export sales	$ 505,847	$ 497,666	$ 541,275	$ 470,578	$ 439,676	$ 423,527	$ 442,135	$ 378,740	$ 2,015,366	$ 1,684,078
Total cost of goods sold	429,399	424,134	462,605	402,642	375,840	360,868	376,785	319,535	1,718,780	1,433,028
Net income attributable to Pricesmart from continuing operations	17,725	15,708	20,217	13,996	12,615	16,365	18,010	14,846	67,646	61,836	49,299
Discountinued operations, net of tax	(19)	(2)	3	(7)	75	(75)	(93)	7	(25)	(86)	16
Net income attributable to PriceSmart	$ 17,706	$ 15,706	$ 20,220	$ 13,989	$ 12,690	$ 16,290	$ 17,917	$ 14,853	$ 67,621	$ 61,750	$ 49,315
Basic net income per share	$ 0.58	$ 0.52	$ 0.67	$ 0.47	$ 0.42	$ 0.55	$ 0.60	$ 0.50	$ 2.24	$ 2.07	$ 1.66
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.58	$ 0.52	$ 0.67	$ 0.47	$ 0.42	$ 0.55	$ 0.60	$ 0.50	$ 2.24	$ 2.07	$ 1.65