EARNINGS PER SHARE (Schedule of the Computation of Net Income Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution													$ 74,328	$ 90,724	$ 88,723
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders													(897)	(1,321)	(1,431)
Net earnings available to common stockholders													$ 73,431	$ 89,403	$ 87,292
Basic weighted average shares outstanding													30,115	30,020	29,928
Add dilutive effect of stock options (two-class method)														3	5
Diluted average shares outstanding													30,115	30,023	29,933
Basic	$ 0.62	$ 0.61	$ 0.47	$ 0.74	$ 0.64	$ 0.62	$ 0.90	$ 0.82	$ 0.74	$ 0.55	$ 0.85	$ 0.78	$ 2.44	$ 2.98	$ 2.92
Diluted	$ 0.62	$ 0.61	$ 0.47	$ 0.74	$ 0.64	$ 0.62	$ 0.90	$ 0.82	$ 0.74	$ 0.55	$ 0.85	$ 0.78	$ 2.44	$ 2.98	$ 2.92