Weather in Riviera Maya in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Riviera Maya. Within Mexico it is 3rd of 5 (Mexico in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Riviera Maya is 12.6°C warmer by day and 16.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Riviera Maya peaks at 29.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 30.4°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 4 pass 30°C. Nights average 25.1°C; one night in ten drops to 23.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 31.9°C (2005-05-25) and the coldest night 19.2°C (2017-05-06).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 14 days with 1 mm or more, 96 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2010 with 320 mm, the driest 2011 with 17 mm. Humidity averages 78%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 27.9°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.4°C to 28.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (29.2°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:11 and sets about 19:18 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 48%.

Is May 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

The heat is a substantial step up from London in May: Riviera Maya’s average daytime high is 12.6°C higher. Humidity of 78% makes loose, breathable clothing a sensible choice, and this is not a month to plan every daylight hour around being active outdoors. Put more demanding activities earlier in the day and leave room for shade and breaks around midday. Days reach 30°C about 26% of the time, so the average does not mean every afternoon feels the same. Nights average around 25°C, making effective bedroom cooling more useful than a suitcase full of layers. Evenings are warm rather than a reliable chance to cool down.

Warm sea, but not uninterrupted sunshine

Swimming is a strong reason to choose May. The sea averages around 28°C, with a year-to-year range of 27°C to 28°C, so it suits travellers who dislike a cold dip. That warmth makes time in the water appealing, although it will not feel like a sharply cooling contrast to the air. There are about 6.8 hours of sunshine within 13.0 hours of daylight, leaving plenty of daylight for relaxed outdoor plans without promising clear skies throughout. Pack swimwear, sun protection and clothing that is comfortable in humid conditions. Make shade part of the day rather than treating sunshine as a reason to stay exposed.

Rain is the main compromise

May is a wet choice, with about 14 rainy days, so a holiday built entirely around uninterrupted outdoor time is a gamble. Keep plans flexible and take a light waterproof that will not be too uncomfortable in the heat. Avoid assuming either constant rain or reliably clear afternoons: it is better to leave room to change plans than depend on a particular dry window. March, April and February are the stronger overall choices here, so May makes more sense when hot weather and warm water matter more than choosing the best-rated month. It suits travellers happy to slow down in humidity and work around wet weather.