QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 777,866	$ 782,201	$ 839,563		$ 767,072	$ 733,502	$ 730,258	$ 793,296	$ 739,572	$ 711,052	$ 704,262	$ 777,931	$ 711,931	$ 3,166,702	$ 2,996,628	$ 2,905,176
Total cost of goods sold	650,801	652,694	708,040		644,985	615,920	617,598	667,563	618,671	596,644	597,242	657,725	598,015	2,656,520	2,519,752	2,449,626
Net income from continuing operations	$ 18,996	$ 18,694	$ 14,148	[1]	$ 22,490	$ 19,798	$ 18,838	$ 27,219	$ 24,869	$ 22,272	$ 16,837	$ 25,942	$ 23,672	74,328	90,724	88,723
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.														$ 74,403	$ 90,724	$ 88,723
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

[1] In the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, the Company recorded its provisional tax estimate of $13.4 million as a result of the U.S. Tax Reform Transition Tax. The Company finalized its calculation of this Transition Tax in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, reducing it to approximately $12.5 million.