Best time to visit The Riviera Maya
The best time to visit the Riviera Maya is usually January, February and March, when a typical day grades B-, C+ and C. August and September are the weakest (D+ and D). Seaweed is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in August and November. The quietest months are September and October, and storm risk peaks in September.
Pick a month
The Riviera Maya month by month
| Month | Typical day | High | Water | Rain chance | Seaweed | Crowds | Storm risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | B- | 80°F | 81°F | 44% | High | Very busy | Very low |
| February | C+ | 81°F | 80°F | 37% | Very high | Very busy | Very low |
| March | C | 84°F | 81°F | 39% | Very high | Packed | Very low |
| April | C | 85°F | 82°F | 34% | Very high | Very busy | Very low |
| May | C | 88°F | 84°F | 44% | Very high | Busy | Very low |
| June | C- | 87°F | 85°F | 71% | Very high | Busy | Very low |
| July | D+ | 89°F | 86°F | 57% | Very high | Very busy | Low |
| August | D+ | 89°F | 86°F | 68% | Very high | Busy | Moderate |
| September | D | 88°F | 87°F | 77% | Very high | Moderate | High |
| October | C- | 85°F | 86°F | 70% | Very high | Moderate | Low |
| November | C- | 83°F | 84°F | 59% | Very high | Busy | Very low |
| December | C- | 81°F | 82°F | 46% | Very high | Very busy | Very low |
Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 89 resorts here (median resort). Grades weigh seaweed, temperature, rain, sun, water, waves, wind, UV, crowds, storm risk and travel safety.
Best beaches in the Riviera Maya
Resorts with the best typical January, and their grades for the next few days.
- Wyndham Alltra Riviera Maya Jan BSatFSunDMonC-TueD+WedC-
- The Reef Coco Beach Jan BSatFSunD-MonC-TueDWedD+
- Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort Jan BSatFSunDMonC-TueD+WedD
- Hip Hotel Tulum Jan BSatFSunD-MonDTueDWedC-
- Hotel El Dorado Royale Jan BSatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD-
- Hotel Shibari Tulum Jan BSatFSunDMonD-TueD-WedD
- Marina El Cid Resort Jan BSatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD
- Now Jade Resort Jan BSatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Questions
- When is the best time to visit the Riviera Maya?
- The best time to visit the Riviera Maya is usually January, February and March, when a typical day grades B-, C+ and C. August and September are the weakest (D+ and D). Seaweed is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in August and November. The quietest months are September and October, and storm risk peaks in September.
- When is sargassum season in the Riviera Maya?
- In a typical year seaweed is heaviest in July, August and November and lightest in January and February. The Atlantic sargassum belt varies a lot from year to year; Veabird's weekly sargassum report tracks the current season.
- When is the cheapest and least crowded time to visit the Riviera Maya?
- Crowds are usually lightest in September and October and heaviest in March and December (College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter). Quieter months usually mean lower hotel rates.
- When is hurricane season in the Riviera Maya?
- Storm risk runs from about July to October and peaks in September.
- When is the water warmest in the Riviera Maya?
- The sea is warmest in August and September (about 87°F) and coolest in January and February (about 80°F).