Weather in Yucatan and best time to go
It is warm all year round in Yucatán, but not all months are equally pleasant for sightseeing. The best weather is from December to March.
April and May are drier, but it can already be sweltering in the interior.
During our trip in May, we arrived at Chichén Itzá around 9.30 am and carried on to the Ik-Kil cenote after midday. I’d choose the same order again: sightseeing in the morning, swimming in the cenote during the hottest part of the day.
From December to March, expect greater crowds and higher accommodation prices, particularly around Christmas, New Year and Easter.
Compare hotel prices in Yucatán
When is the best time to visit the Yucatán?
| Season | Weather | Who it’s suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| December to March | dry, less humid, more pleasant mornings | exploring towns and sights |
| April and May | mostly dry, but extremely hot | swimming and cenotes |
| June to October | High humidity, showers and thunderstorms | a cheaper trip but with no certainty about the weather |
| November | less rain and fewer tourists | Best balance of weather and prices |
I’d say the best months are January, February and early March. If you want to save money on hotels and don’t mind the odd shower, November is worth considering.
It’s hotter inland than on the Riviera Maya
The Yucatán isn’t entirely uniform in terms of climate.
The state’s coastline lies on the Gulf of Mexico, whilst the Riviera Maya belongs to the neighbouring state of Quintana Roo and lies on the Caribbean Sea.
| Region | Main difference |
|---|---|
| Mérida, Valladolid and Chichén Itzá | Highest daytime temperatures and less cooling from the sea |
| Río Lagartos, Las Coloradas and Progreso | More wind, milder daytime highs and a drier climate |
| Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum | higher humidity and rainfall, but smaller temperature fluctuations |
| Cenote | the water temperature is around 24 to 26 °C all year round |
Inland, the air heats up considerably during the day. On the Riviera Maya, daytime highs tend to be lower, but nights are warmer and the air often feels more humid.
From March to October, I’d consider air conditioning a must in both Mérida and Valladolid. A swimming pool isn’t essential, but you’ll probably appreciate it when you return from an excursion.
Take a look at hotels in Mérida and accommodation in Valladolid.
The rainy season doesn’t mean it rains all day
The rainy season usually begins in May or June and ends in October. Short but intense afternoon thunderstorms are most common. Once they’ve passed, the skies may clear up again.
Rain lasting several days mainly occurs with a tropical wave, storm or hurricane. In such cases, standard monthly statistics are of little help and your plans may need to be altered for a few days.
During July or August, a so-called ‘canícula’ sometimes occurs – a short period with less rainfall in the middle of the rainy season. However, neither its start nor its intensity can be reliably predicted far in advance.
How to adapt your itinerary to the heat and rain
- Visit Chichén Itzá and other archaeological sites as early in the morning as possible.
- Save the cenotes for midday or the early afternoon.
- You’ll enjoy Mérida and Valladolid most in the morning and after sunset.
- Las Coloradas look their pinkest around midday, so you won’t be able to avoid the heat entirely here.
- During the rainy season, plan longer journeys and schedule outdoor activities for the morning.
If you’re travelling without a car, an organised tour with a morning hotel pick-up will save you from travelling in the hottest part of the day. During the rainy season, choose deals with free cancellation.
Compare tours and tickets in Yucatán
Hurricanes in Yucatán
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. The highest risk is usually in August, September and October.
This does not mean that you will necessarily experience a hurricane during these months. The probability of a hurricane striking in any given week is low, but the consequences of a potential storm can be severe.
If you’re travelling during this period, I recommend:
- book hotels and excursions with a cancellation option
- keep an eye on the forecast from the Mexican Meteorological Service (SMN)
- check the National Hurricane Centre a few days before your trip
- not to plan any important boat trips for the very last day of your stay
Winter cold fronts and wind
From November to February, cold fronts known as ‘nortes’ may pass over the Yucatán.
They bring a few windier and cooler days, particularly along the Gulf of Mexico coast.
In Mérida or Valladolid, morning temperatures may exceptionally drop to around 15 °C. On the beaches around Río Lagartos and Progreso, expect wind and larger waves whilst the front is passing through.
Sargassum in Yucatán and the Riviera Maya
Sargassum is a much bigger problem on the Caribbean coast of the Riviera Maya than on the northern coast of the state of Yucatán. It most commonly appears from spring to autumn, but the amount varies depending on currents, wind and the specific beach.
If you’re combining a trip to Yucatán with a visit to Tulum or Playa del Carmen, the weather may be fine, but beach conditions could be poor. You should therefore check the current sargassum situation yourself shortly before your trip.
Car hire and the weather
A car will allow you to adapt your itinerary to any sudden showers and reschedule visits to sights or cenotes to a more suitable time of day.
Most travellers collect their car at Cancún or Mérida airport:
During a severe tropical storm, it’s best to wait it out. Heavy rain quickly reduces visibility and water can pool on the roads.
We describe further climatic differences between different parts of the country in the section on the weather in Mexico.
Table of temperatures during the year
Yucatán - Average temperatures for Valladolid
When to go to Yucatan
If you’re mainly planning a sightseeing trip around Yucatán, the ideal time is practically any time from November to June.
If you’d like to combine exploring Yucatán with a spot of swimming at the famous resorts on the Riviera Maya, I’d recommend the period from December to March.
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