How warm is the Riviera Maya in August?

Typical highs are about 89°F and the sea is about 86°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in August?

In a typical year seaweed is very high in August. It is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in August and November. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.

Is August hurricane season in the Riviera Maya?

August falls in the tropical storm season; the typical risk on a given day is moderate. It peaks in September. Travel insurance and flexible bookings help.

How crowded is the Riviera Maya in August?

Typically busy, around Mexico summer vacation and US summer school break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

The Riviera Maya in August

August is one of the weakest months for a beach trip to the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades D+, the 11th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 89°F, water around 86°F and about a 68% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very high in August. Beaches are typically busy (Mexico summer vacation and US summer school break). It is hurricane season, with moderate storm risk.

Typical dayD+11th of 12 months

Highs / water89°FSea 86°F

Rain chance68%on a given day

SeaweedVery hightypical year

CrowdsBusyMexico summer vacation

Storm riskModeratehurricane season

The Riviera Maya month by month

Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.

July: D+ · August: D+ · September: D. The best months are usually January, February and March, and the weakest are August and September.

Best beaches in the Riviera Maya in August

Resorts with the best typical August, and their grades for the next few days.

Beach	Typical Aug	Seaweed	This week
Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort	C	High	SatFSunDMonC-TueD+WedD
Marina El Cid Resort	C-	High	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD
Now Jade Resort	C-	High	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD
Wyndham Alltra Riviera Maya	C-	Very high	SatFSunDMonC-TueD+WedC-
Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancún	C-	Very high	SatFSunD-MonD+TueDWedD-
Hotel El Dorado Royale	C-	Very high	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD-
Desire Riviera Maya Resort & Spa	C-	Very high	SatFSunD-MonD+TueDWedD-
Palmar Beach Riviera Maya	C-	Very high	SatFSunD-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.

Better beach options in August

Elsewhere in Mexico, Los Cabos (A-), Huatulco (B+) and Puerto Vallarta (B+) usually grade higher in August. Further afield: Oʻahu (A), Maui (A) and Kauaʻi (A-). Every destination in August.

Questions

Is August a good time to visit the Riviera Maya?: August is one of the weakest months for a beach trip to the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades D+, the 11th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 89°F, water around 86°F and about a 68% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very high in August. Beaches are typically busy (Mexico summer vacation and US summer school break). It is hurricane season, with moderate storm risk.
How warm is the Riviera Maya in August?: Typical highs are about 89°F and the sea is about 86°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in August?: In a typical year seaweed is very high in August. It is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in August and November. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.
Is August hurricane season in the Riviera Maya?: August falls in the tropical storm season; the typical risk on a given day is moderate. It peaks in September. Travel insurance and flexible bookings help.
How crowded is the Riviera Maya in August?: Typically busy, around Mexico summer vacation and US summer school break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Plan it

Riviera Maya: this week's forecast, beach by beach
Mexico Beach Report: this week, updated every Monday
Compare dates and beaches on the map

Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 89 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.