Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PRICESMART INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001041803
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Nov. 30, 2016
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,406,399