STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019	Aug. 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		$ 831,719
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		3,193	$ (3,151)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		866,167		$ 831,719
Balance		832,732	798,279	798,279
Balance		867,291	817,772	832,732
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(176,820)	(144,339)	(144,339)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		3,162	(3,185)
Balance, Attributable to PriceSmart		(173,658)	(147,524)	(176,820)
Balance		(176,820)	(144,339)	(144,339)
Balance		(173,658)	(147,524)	(176,820)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart		2,761	(3,724)	(29,413)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[1]	93	26	(79)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart	[2]	308	513	(5,803)
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		134	20	20
Balance		165	54	134
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		31	34	114
Reclassification From Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Attributable to PriceSmart				2,814
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		(176,686)	(144,319)	(144,319)
Balance		(173,493)	(147,470)	(176,686)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,792	(3,690)	(29,299)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	93	26	(79)
Accumulated Derivative Instruments Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	[2]	$ 308	$ 513	(5,803)
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)				$ 2,814

[1] 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.

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