STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		$ 758,002
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(13,245)	$ (1,409)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		765,414		$ 758,002
Balance		758,638	708,767	708,767
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(13,246)	(1,409)
Balance		766,084	732,309	758,638
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(121,216)	(110,059)	(110,059)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(13,246)	(1,409)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(134,462)	(111,468)	(121,216)
Balance		(121,216)	(110,059)	(110,059)
Balance		(134,462)	(111,468)	(121,216)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(13,397)	(2,026)	(12,890)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]	28	30	(87)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[2]	123	587	1,779
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				41
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		(1)
Balance		(2)		(1)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(1)		(1)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		(121,217)	(110,059)	(110,059)
Balance		(134,464)	(111,468)	(121,217)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(13,398)	(2,026)	(12,891)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	28	30	(87)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[2]	$ 123	$ 587	1,779
Reclassification From Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)				$ 41

[1] See Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

[2] Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.