EARNINGS PER SHARE (Schedule of the Computation of Net Income Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended														12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2020	May 31, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020		Nov. 30, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018		Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$ 20,076	$ 12,705	$ 25,600	[1]	$ 19,728	$ 20,673	$ 14,096	$ 23,810	$ 14,612	$ 18,996	$ 18,694	$ 14,148	[1]	$ 22,490	$ 78,109	$ 73,191	$ 74,328
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders															(842)	(721)	(897)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution															$ 77,267	$ 72,470	$ 73,431
Basic weighted average shares outstanding															30,259	30,195	30,115
Diluted average shares outstanding															30,259	30,195	30,115
Basic net income per share	$ 0.65	$ 0.41	$ 0.85		$ 0.64	$ 0.67	$ 0.46	$ 0.79	$ 0.48	$ 0.62	$ 0.61	$ 0.47		$ 0.74	$ 2.55	$ 2.40	$ 2.44
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.65	$ 0.41	$ 0.85		$ 0.64	$ 0.67	$ 0.46	$ 0.79	$ 0.48	$ 0.62	$ 0.61	$ 0.47		$ 0.74	$ 2.55	$ 2.40	$ 2.44

[1] In the second quarter of fiscal 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 2018, reducing it to approximately $12.5 million.