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Weather in Riviera Maya and best time to go
The Riviera Maya has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity all year round.
Daytime temperatures usually range between 27 °C and 33 °C, whilst night-time temperatures generally do not fall below 20 °C.
More significant than the differences in temperature are the variations in humidity, rainfall, wind strength and sea conditions. Whilst the winter months tend to be more pleasant for sightseeing and excursions, in summer it is very hot and humid, with frequent sudden downpours.
The sea remains warm all year round. The water temperature ranges from approximately 26 °C in winter to 30 °C during the summer.
Dry and rainy seasons
The drier season lasts from around November to April. Rain does fall during these months, but usually in the form of short showers.
Temperatures are lower, the air is less humid, and the weather is more suitable for trips to Mayan ruins.
The rainy season runs from May to October. Temperatures exceed 30 °C, humidity rises significantly and showers are more frequent. The heaviest rainfall usually occurs in September and October.
Even the rainy season does not automatically mean a holiday ruined by rain. A typical day might be sunny in the morning, bring a sudden shower in the afternoon, and clear up again in the evening.
However, when a tropical storm or low-pressure system passes through, overcast and rainy weather can last for several days.
The rain icon in the long-term forecast is therefore not particularly reliable. In a tropical climate, it appears almost every day, even if it only ends up raining briefly and locally.
Hurricanes on the Riviera Maya
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. According to statistics, most activity occurs in August, September and October, with the peak usually falling during the first half of September.
A direct hit by a hurricane in this part of Mexico is relatively rare. Travellers face a greater risk from several days of rain, rough seas, cancelled boat trips or restrictions on air and land transport.
If travelling between August and October, we recommend choosing accommodation and transport that can be changed or cancelled.
Book a hotel with free cancellation
When does sargassum appear?
Sargassum seaweed poses a greater and more regular complication for beach holidays than the rain itself.
According to the Mexican Navy, the main cycle of sargassum drift lasts from around April to October.
The largest amounts of seaweed appear from May to August, but the pattern varies significantly from year to year.
It is not possible to predict the situation reliably several months in advance, and conditions can vary even on beaches just a few kilometres apart.
The accumulation of sargassum is influenced by wind direction, ocean currents, the orientation of the beach and the intensity of daily cleaning. Large hotel resorts usually clear the beaches, but when there is a heavy influx, they are unable to remove all the seaweed.
Before booking a hotel, check:
- the orientation and location of the beach
- the quality of the hotel’s swimming pools
- recent photos and guest reviews
- webcams from nearby beaches
- CONABIO’s satellite monitoring of sargassum
Beaches on the north and west sides of Isla Mujeres or the west coast of Cozumel are often better protected from sargassum, though this is never a guarantee.
Sargassum does not affect the cenotes or the freshwater lagoon in Bacalar.
<a href=""https://www.booking.com/region/mx/mayanriviere.html?aid=355333;label=p-rivieramaya-pocasi-btn"" data-btn="true">Find a hotel in the Riviera Maya by date
Does the weather vary along the coast?
There aren’t such significant temperature differences between Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Mahahual that it would make sense to choose a holiday destination based on them.
Much more important are the current wind direction, the beach’s location and the path of local storms.
It can be windier in the north, around Cancún and Costa Mujeres, during the winter.
The coast between Playa del Carmen and Tulum is very similar, but local showers often affect only part of the area.
Mahahual and Xcalak experience the same rainy and hurricane seasons as the rest of the Caribbean coast.
Bacalar lies inland and is not affected by sargassum; however, during the summer it tends to be very hot and humid, with more frequent thunderstorms.
You can find a detailed monthly overview for the northern part of the coast in the ‘Weather in Cancún’ section.
What to do in bad weather
When the sea is rough, head to the cenotes, Río Secreto or the Mayan ruins.
Heavy rain may limit outdoor activities, but normal short showers will not disrupt most excursions.
<a href=""https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-6486361-15065626?sid=p-rivieramaya-pocasi&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.getyourguide.com%2Fplaya-del-carmen-l308%2Fcenote-tours-tc177%2F"" data-btn="true">Choose a trip to the cenotes and underground rivers
Table of temperatures during the year
Riviera Maya - Average temperatures throughout the year
Month
Weather
Air
Water
january
sun
27 °C
26 °C
february
sun
28 °C
26 °C
march
sun
29 °C
26 °C
april
sun
31 °C
27 °C
may
sunny
31 °C
28 °C
june
sunny
32 °C
28 °C
july
rainy
32 °C
29 °C
august
rainy
33 °C
29 °C
september
rainy
33 °C
30 °C
october
rainy
30 °C
29 °C
november
sunny
29 °C
28 °C
december
sun
28 °C
27 °C
When to go to Riviera Maya
For your first beach holiday, we’d recommend January, February or March.
The weather is usually dry, temperatures are more pleasant than in summer, and there is less chance of large amounts of sargassum.
Late November and the first half of December can also offer a good balance between weather and prices. Conversely, September and October present the greatest risk of heavy rain, tropical storms and restrictions on boat trips.
December to February: the most pleasant temperatures
From December to February, the weather is generally drier and less humid. Daytime temperatures usually range from around 27 °C to 29 °C, and conditions are ideal for the beaches, cenotes and day trips.
Cold fronts known as ‘nortes’ occasionally pass through the region. They bring stronger winds, overcast skies and cooler weather for a few days. The sea can become rough and boat trips are sometimes cancelled.
The most expensive time of year is Christmas and New Year. If you want to enjoy the winter weather at a lower price, choose the second half of January or February.
March and April: dry weather and rising temperatures
We consider March to be one of the best months to travel.
Dry weather still prevails, but the days are warmer than in the middle of winter. A stay by the sea combines well with travelling around Yucatán.
During April, temperatures often exceed 30 °C and humidity gradually increases. In some years, sargassum begins to appear in greater quantities.
Prices tend to be higher during the American spring half-term and at Easter. Resorts, Playa del Carmen, Cancún and the main tourist attractions are particularly busy.
May to August: heat, humidity and sargassum
The rainy season begins in May. Daytime temperatures range from around 31 °C to 33 °C, but due to the high humidity, the perceived temperature is usually significantly higher.
Rain usually comes in the form of heavy afternoon or evening showers. There may be several hours of sunny weather between showers.
The main drawback of this period is the higher likelihood of sargassum. We would therefore not base a purely beach-focused holiday on a specific hotel without a good-quality swimming pool and the option to move to another beach.
The advantages include very warm seas, longer days and the great white shark swimming season, which lasts from around the second half of May to mid-September.
September and October: the highest risk of rain
September and October are among the rainiest months and also fall at the height of the hurricane season. It may not rain every day, but the risk of several days of bad weather is higher than at any other time of year.
The advantages tend to be lower hotel prices and fewer tourists. This period can make sense for a longer, flexible trip, where you can adjust your plans according to the weather. We wouldn’t choose it for a short holiday focused mainly on the beaches.
November: the transition to the peak season
During November, rainfall gradually decreases, humidity drops and temperatures become more pleasant. At the start of the month, tropical storms and lingering sargassum may still occur, but the second half usually offers more stable conditions.
Late November and early December are among the most attractive times of year in terms of weather, prices and visitor numbers. The exception is the American Thanksgiving holiday period, when resort prices may rise briefly.
Best time to visit by type of trip
- Beach holidays: January to March.
- Exploring the Riviera Maya and Yucatán: November to April.
- The best combination of warmth and dry weather: March.
- Lower prices with an acceptable level of risk: the second half of November, early December or May.
- Swimming with whale sharks: late May to the first half of September.
- Lowest likelihood of sargassum: December to February.
- Highest risk of weather-related complications: September and October.
For a first visit, we’d choose February or the first half of March. If we wanted to save money and the beaches weren’t the sole purpose of the trip, we’d choose the end of November.
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