Which has warmer water, Cancún or the Riviera Maya?

Cancún averages 83°F over the year and the Riviera Maya 84°F. In January it is 80°F vs 81°F; in July 84°F vs 86°F.

Which is less crowded?

Cancún is quietest in September and October; the Riviera Maya in September and October.

Which has less sargassum?

Over a typical year, seaweed averages high in Cancún and very high in the Riviera Maya. Cancún is lightest in January and December; the Riviera Maya in January and February.

Cancún vs the Riviera Maya

Cancún usually grades better in every month; the Riviera Maya never beats it by a clear margin. In winter (December to February) Cancún is the stronger pick (B vs C+). Seaweed: Cancún peaks high in August, the Riviera Maya peaks very high in August.

Month by month

A typical day in each month (median resort). Bold: better by a clear margin.

Month	Cancún	The Riviera Maya	Water	Rain chance	Seaweed	Crowds	Storm risk
January	B	B-	80°F / 81°F	45% / 44%	Moderate / High	Very busy / Very busy	Very low / Very low
February	B	C+	80°F / 80°F	38% / 37%	Moderate / Very high	Very busy / Very busy	Very low / Very low
March	B	C	80°F / 81°F	37% / 39%	Moderate / Very high	Packed / Packed	Very low / Very low
April	B	C	81°F / 82°F	28% / 34%	Moderate / Very high	Very busy / Very busy	Very low / Very low
May	B	C	82°F / 84°F	43% / 44%	High / Very high	Busy / Busy	Very low / Very low
June	B-	C-	83°F / 85°F	70% / 71%	High / Very high	Busy / Busy	Very low / Very low
July	C+	D+	84°F / 86°F	61% / 57%	High / Very high	Very busy / Very busy	Low / Low
August	C	D+	85°F / 86°F	67% / 68%	High / Very high	Busy / Busy	Moderate / Moderate
September	C	D	85°F / 87°F	76% / 77%	High / Very high	Moderate / Moderate	High / High
October	B-	C-	85°F / 86°F	67% / 70%	High / Very high	Moderate / Moderate	Low / Low
November	B-	C-	84°F / 84°F	54% / 59%	High / Very high	Busy / Busy	Very low / Very low
December	B	C-	82°F / 82°F	48% / 46%	Moderate / Very high	Very busy / Very busy	Very low / Very low

Pairs of values read Cancún / the Riviera Maya. From Veabird's year-ahead outlook: climate normals, the seasonal seaweed pattern, holiday crowds and storm history.

This week

Grades for the next few days at the resorts that usually do best this month.

Cancún

Holbox Island HotelsSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
Villas FlamingosSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
Villas DelphinesSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
Xaloc ResortSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC

The Riviera Maya

Secrets Riviera Cancun ResortSatFSunDMonC-TueD+WedD
Marina El Cid ResortSatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD
Now Jade ResortSatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD
Iberostar Selection Riviera CancúnSatFSunD-MonD+TueDWedD-

Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.

Cancún & Isla Mujeres forecast · Riviera Maya forecast

Questions

Is Cancún or the Riviera Maya better?: Cancún usually grades better in every month; the Riviera Maya never beats it by a clear margin. In winter (December to February) Cancún is the stronger pick (B vs C+). Seaweed: Cancún peaks high in August, the Riviera Maya peaks very high in August.
Which has warmer water, Cancún or the Riviera Maya?: Cancún averages 83°F over the year and the Riviera Maya 84°F. In January it is 80°F vs 81°F; in July 84°F vs 86°F.
Which is less crowded?: Cancún is quietest in September and October; the Riviera Maya in September and October.
Which has less sargassum?: Over a typical year, seaweed averages high in Cancún and very high in the Riviera Maya. Cancún is lightest in January and December; the Riviera Maya in January and February.