Weather in Riviera Maya in August

How August compares

August is the 1st warmest month of the year in Riviera Maya. Within Mexico it is 3rd of 5 (Mexico in August). Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Riviera Maya is 8.7°C warmer by day and 12.6°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Riviera Maya peaks at 30.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 31.3°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 2 pass 30°C. Nights average 26.1°C; one night in ten drops to 24.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 33.7°C (2019-08-30) and the coldest night 23.6°C (1994-08-27).

Rain in August

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 20 days with 1 mm or more, 136 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2017 with 322 mm, the driest 2008 with 38 mm. Humidity averages 82%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 29.1°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 28.5°C to 29.5°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (29.2°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:28 and sets about 19:18 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 56%.

Is August a good time to visit Riviera Maya?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Riviera Maya on our scoring are March, April, February; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Hot days with little relief at night

August is Riviera Maya's warmest month, and humidity of 82% makes the heat a central part of the decision. Temperatures reach 30°C on 62% of days, so plan outdoor activity around your own tolerance rather than assuming you can keep going through midday. Loose, lightweight clothing and regular breaks in the shade make sense; air conditioning is a sensible accommodation priority. Evenings are warm rather than cool, with average lows of 26.1°C, so do not expect much overnight relief. This suits travellers who enjoy sustained warmth, but is a less comfortable choice if humid nights tend to spoil your sleep.

Good swimming conditions, but keep plans flexible

The sea averages 29.1°C, making swimming a strong reason to consider August, although water this warm may offer less cooling than you would like. Rain is the main compromise: about 20 days have at least 1 mm, so a rigid schedule of outdoor plans is a poor fit. That does not mean every wet day is a washout, but the figures cannot tell you when rain will arrive or how long it will last. Sunshine averages about 5.6 hours within 12.7 hours of daylight. Keep sun protection handy alongside a lightweight waterproof, and leave room to change plans rather than relying on uninterrupted sunshine.