Document And Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	PRICESMART INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001041803
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 375,639,815
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,886,025
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Nov. 30, 2011