Riviera Maya weather by month

When to go to Riviera Maya

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 (192 mm, about 24 rainy days) and February the driest (26 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 29.2°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 Riviera Maya between 1991 and 2020 reached 34.8°C on 11 September 2016; the coldest fell to 14.6°C on 28 January 2019. In August one day in ten tops 31.3°C and about 62% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 18.8°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was October 2005 with 686 mm, against a October average of 192 mm.

February to April: the best balance

February, March and April offer the clearest balance of warmth and fewer wet days. Each averages 7 rain days, so leave some flexibility rather than expecting an entirely dry holiday. February is the driest month and suits travellers who prefer slightly gentler warmth. March and April bring 8 hours of sunshine a day on average, making them stronger choices if sunshine is your priority. April feels warmer into the evening, with nights averaging 24°C. Pack light clothing and sun protection, and plan shade breaks around midday. Sea temperatures remain comfortable for swimming, though the water is cooler than in summer.

May to October: hotter, with more rain to work around

May marks a shift towards wetter weather: daytime temperatures reach 29°C while rain days rise to 14. June is less suited to fixed outdoor plans, averaging 20 rain days and 5 hours of sunshine. July offers a relative improvement, before August combines the hottest conditions with more frequent rain. Both months have daytime averages around 30°C, so favour lighter clothing and avoid putting your most active plans at midday. September is the hardest month to recommend for sunshine, with 24 rain days and 4 sunshine hours. October cools to 28°C but remains wet. The benefit is warm swimming water: the sea averages 29°C from July through October. Choose this stretch if heat and warm water matter more than dependable dry weather.

November to January: gentler warmth, but still some rain

November brings a useful easing of both heat and rain compared with October, making it a reasonable compromise if you want warm days without the summer temperatures. December and January are cooler again, with daytime averages of 26°C and nights around 22°C. That suits travellers who find the hotter months tiring, while still allowing for swimming in a sea averaging 27°C. Sunshine averages 6 hours daily across this stretch, but rain remains part of the picture. Bring light clothes and a rain layer, and keep outdoor plans flexible. For fewer wet days, February through April is the better choice.