QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	May. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total warehouse club and export sales	$ 686,436	$ 684,780	$ 738,349	$ 644,846	$ 611,785	$ 604,462	$ 663,931	$ 595,415	$ 562,039	$ 598,178	$ 526,672	$ 575,436	$ 2,754,411	$ 2,475,593	$ 2,262,325
Total cost of goods sold	586,114	587,860	631,810	547,055	519,931	515,930	568,075	509,728	481,634	510,711	447,779	489,304	2,352,839	2,113,664	1,929,428
Net income attributable to Pricesmart from continuing operations	22,447	21,195	24,835	20,647	21,856	21,320	28,278	21,432	18,539	24,882	20,005	20,839	89,124	92,886	84,265
Net income attributable to PriceSmart	$ 22,447	$ 21,195	$ 24,835	$ 20,647	$ 21,856	$ 21,320	$ 28,278	$ 21,432	$ 18,539	$ 24,882	$ 20,005	$ 20,839	$ 89,124	$ 92,886	$ 84,265
Basic net income per share	$ 0.75	$ 0.70	$ 0.82	$ 0.68	$ 0.73	$ 0.70	$ 0.93	$ 0.71	$ 0.61	$ 0.82	$ 0.66	$ 0.69	$ 2.95	$ 3.07	$ 2.78
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.75	$ 0.70	$ 0.82	$ 0.68	$ 0.73	$ 0.70	$ 0.93	$ 0.71	$ 0.61	$ 0.82	$ 0.66	$ 0.69	$ 2.95	$ 3.07	$ 2.78