Document And Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2020	Oct. 19, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	000-22793
Entity Registrant Name	PriceSmart, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	33-0628530
Entity Address, Address Line One	9740 Scranton Road
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92121
City Area Code	858
Local Phone Number	404-8800
Entity Central Index Key	0001041803
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
Trading Symbol	PSMT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Public Float			$ 1,308,770,913
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,670,643