STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		$ 797,351
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(3,151)	$ (13,245)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		816,829		$ 797,351
Balance		798,279	758,638	758,638
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(3,185)	(13,246)
Balance		817,772	766,084	798,279
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(144,339)	(121,216)	(121,216)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(3,185)	(13,246)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(147,524)	(134,462)	(144,339)
Balance		(144,339)	(121,216)	(121,216)
Balance		(147,524)	(134,462)	(144,339)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		(3,724)	(13,397)	(19,717)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		26	28	(112)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]	513	123	(3,369)
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	[2]			75
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		20	(1)	(1)
Balance		54	(2)	20
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		34	(1)	21
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		(144,319)	(121,217)	(121,217)
Balance		(147,470)	(134,464)	(144,319)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(3,690)	(13,398)	(19,696)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		26	28	(112)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	$ 513	$ 123	(3,369)
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)	[2]			$ 75

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

[2] Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club and other operations in the Company's consolidated statements of income.