Your February weather guide
HotWeather in Riviera Maya in February
February is a good time to visit Riviera Maya if you want warm swimming weather without choosing its hottest season. Daytime highs average around 27°C, nights stay near 22°C, and there are about 7 rainy days. For a UK traveller, that means a substantial change from winter at home, with light clothing useful well into the evening. The catch is that humidity can make the warmth feel heavier, and sunshine is not guaranteed throughout your stay.
Long-term climate averages for Playa del Carmen, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Riviera Maya, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Playa del Carmen.
- Average daytime high
- 26.6°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 28°C
- Average night-time low
- 22.4°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 19°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +18.7°C
- London averages 7.9°C in February
- Sea temperature
- 26.4°C
- year to year: 26°C to 27°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 7.2h
- 64% of 11.3 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 7
- 26 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 74%
- Days over 25°C
- 86%
- 0% over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 31.0°C
- 1998-02-23
- Record low 1991-2020
- 16.4°C
- 1998-02-07
- Flight from London
- ≈ 10 h 48 min
- 8025 km, long-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How February compares
February is the 10th warmest month of the year in Riviera Maya. Within Mexico it is 3rd of 5 (Mexico in February). Against London's average high of 7.9°C in February, Riviera Maya is 18.7°C warmer by day and 20.4°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in February
The typical February day in Riviera Maya peaks at 26.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 28.0°C or more. About 86% of days top 25°C and 1 in 500 pass 30°C. Nights average 22.4°C; one night in ten drops to 19.4°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest February day here reached 31.0°C (1998-02-23) and the coldest night 16.4°C (1998-02-07).
Rain in February
Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 26 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest February was 2010 with 82 mm, the driest 1995 with 1 mm. Humidity averages 74%.
Sea temperature in February
The sea averages 26.4°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 25.9°C to 26.8°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (29.2°C).
Sunshine and daylight
Around 7.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:19 and sets about 18:46 local time in mid-February. Average cloud cover is 36%.
Is February a good time to visit Riviera Maya?
Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, manageable rain and long sunny days. 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.
Warm days without the strongest heat
February suits travellers who want properly warm days but are not looking for intense heat. Temperatures reach 25°C on 86% of days, so warmth is a reasonable expectation rather than something to hope for. Humidity averages 74%, though, which can make walking around at midday feel less comfortable than the temperature alone suggests. Choose loose, breathable clothes and leave room for shade breaks. Evenings are generally warm enough for light clothing, but a light layer is sensible: the coldest nights can fall to 19.4°C or lower. Compared with London's average February high of 7.9°C, the change will feel substantial.
Good swimming weather, with room for rain
The sea averages 26.4°C, making February a sensible choice if swimming is central to your holiday. You do not need to choose a hotter month simply to find warm water. There is also useful time outdoors, with about 7.2 hours of sunshine across 11.3 hours of daylight, but that is not a promise of clear skies all day. Monthly rainfall averages 26 mm, so rain is a consideration rather than the main reason to rule February out. Keep outdoor plans flexible and pack a light waterproof. The balance suits travellers who want time in the water and warm afternoons, while accepting that some plans may need adjusting.
A little perspective
Riviera Maya through the year
February is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.8°C | 21.8°C | 26.6°C | 6.0 | 46 | 11 | 73% |
| FebruarySelectedbest | 26.6°C | 22.4°C | 26.4°C | 7.2 | 26 | 7 | 86% |
| Marchbest | 27.3°C | 23.0°C | 26.4°C | 7.5 | 32 | 7 | 93% |
| Aprilbest | 28.5°C | 24.2°C | 27.0°C | 7.5 | 36 | 7 | 100% |
| May | 29.2°C | 25.1°C | 27.9°C | 6.8 | 96 | 14 | 100% |
| June | 29.3°C | 25.7°C | 28.4°C | 4.8 | 183 | 20 | 100% |
| July | 29.9°C | 26.0°C | 28.7°C | 6.0 | 106 | 17 | 100% |
| August | 30.1°C | 26.1°C | 29.1°C | 5.6 | 136 | 20 | 100% |
| September | 29.6°C | 25.6°C | 29.2°C | 4.3 | 192 | 24 | 100% |
| October | 28.5°C | 24.6°C | 28.8°C | 4.6 | 192 | 20 | 100% |
| November | 27.2°C | 23.2°C | 28.0°C | 5.8 | 76 | 12 | 93% |
| December | 26.4°C | 22.4°C | 27.2°C | 6.0 | 49 | 11 | 84% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in February
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
Grenada · 27°C by day · sea 27°C
Grenada
Barbados · 27°C by day · sea 27°C
Barbados
Antigua · 26°C by day · sea 26°C
Antigua
Aruba · 27°C by day · sea 26°C
Aruba
Dominican Republic · 26°C by day · sea 26°C
Punta Cana
A little more detail
Riviera Maya in February FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Riviera Maya hot in February?
Riviera Maya is hot in February: the average daytime high is 26.6°C and nights average 22.4°C. About 86% of February days reach 25°C or more.
Can you swim in the sea in Riviera Maya in February?
The sea around Riviera Maya averages 26.4°C in February, which is warm enough for most people to swim comfortably. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 26°C to 27°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Riviera Maya in February?
Riviera Maya sees about 7 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 26 mm of rain in a typical February. The wettest February between 1991 and 2020 was 2010 (82 mm) and the driest was 1995 (1 mm).
How sunny is Riviera Maya in February?
Riviera Maya gets around 7.2 hours of sunshine a day in February out of 11.3 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Riviera Maya compare with the UK in February?
Riviera Maya is on average 18.7°C warmer than London by day in February (26.6°C against 7.9°C).
What is the hottest February on record in Riviera Maya?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest February day in Riviera Maya reached 31.0°C on 1998-02-23, and the coldest night dropped to 16.4°C on 1998-02-07.
How long is the flight from London?
The flight from London takes about 10 hours 48 minutes, so this is a long-haul choice for winter warmth. The weather is a strong reason to go, but weigh that journey against how much travelling you want to do.
Is February among the best months to go?
Yes. February sits alongside March and April among the best months for Riviera Maya. It suits travellers who value warm seas and manageable daytime heat more than choosing the hottest part of the year.
Will I need warm clothes in the evening?
You are unlikely to need heavy winter clothing for typical evenings, with average night lows of 22.4°C. Bring a light layer rather than relying entirely on summer clothes, as the coldest nights can reach 19.4°C or lower.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Playa del Carmen. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 5 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C