Playa del Carmen weather by month

When to go to Playa del Carmen

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. September is the wettest month (198 mm, about 25 rainy days) and February the driest (27 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 29.3°C and coolest in February at 26.4°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Cozumel International Airport (CZM, 20 km from Playa del Carmen) takes roughly 10 h 48 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: America/Cancun.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Playa del Carmen between 1991 and 2020 reached 34.8°C on 11 September 2016; the coldest fell to 14.8°C on 11 March 1996. In August one day in ten tops 31.2°C and about 61% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 18.9°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was October 2005 with 544 mm, against a October average of 186 mm.

February to April: the easiest weather for outdoor plans

February offers gentler daytime warmth at 26°C and is the driest month, making it a good fit if you dislike intense heat. March edges warmer and has the fewest rain days, so it is a sensible choice for a holiday spent mostly outdoors. April brings the most sunshine, averaging 8 hours a day, alongside warmer evenings and a sea temperature of 27°C. The catch is that midday warmth becomes more noticeable as spring progresses. Pack light clothing and sun protection, but keep a light layer handy if you tend to feel cool after swimming or sitting outside in the evening.

May to September: warmer seas, more rain to plan around

May marks a clear shift: daytime temperatures reach 29°C, but rain days rise to 14. June is wetter again and less sunny, so it is a weaker choice if reliable outdoor time matters most. July offers a relative improvement, with fewer rain days and more sunshine than June, before August turns wetter. September is the hardest month for weather-dependent plans, averaging 25 rain days and 4 hours of sunshine. The appeal is the warm sea, reaching 29°C from July, though nights at 26°C offer little cooling down. Choose this period if warm-water swimming matters more than dry weather, keep plans adjustable and favour mornings for anything active rather than the midday heat.

October to January: easing heat and a gradual return to drier weather

October cools to 28°C by day, but its 21 rain days make it a less dependable choice for time outdoors. November is a clearer improvement: rain days fall to 12, evenings become milder and the sea remains warm at 28°C. December and January bring daytime averages of 26°C and nights of 22°C, suiting travellers who want warmth without the summer temperatures. Both still average 10 rain days, so a completely dry holiday is not something to assume. Light daytime clothing remains practical, with a light layer for personal comfort in the evenings and a waterproof option for wet spells. This period suits those who prioritise gentler heat over the warmest sea.