How warm is the Riviera Maya in March?

Typical highs are about 84°F and the sea is about 81°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in March?

In a typical year seaweed is very high in March. 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 March hurricane season in the Riviera Maya?

No. Storm risk is very low in March.

How crowded is the Riviera Maya in March?

Typically packed, around College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter. The quietest months are usually September and October.

The Riviera Maya in March

March is one of the best months to visit the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades C, the 3rd best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 84°F, water around 81°F and about a 39% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very high in March. Beaches are typically packed (College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter).

Typical dayC3rd of 12 months

Highs / water84°FSea 81°F

Rain chance39%on a given day

SeaweedVery hightypical year

CrowdsPackedCollege & school spring break

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

The Riviera Maya month by month

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

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

Best beaches in the Riviera Maya in March

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

Beach	Typical Mar	Seaweed	This week
Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort	B	High	SatFSunDMonC-TueD+WedD
Marina El Cid Resort	B	High	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD
Now Jade Resort	B	High	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD
Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancún	B	High	SatFSunD-MonD+TueDWedD-
Hotel El Dorado Royale	B	High	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD-
Desire Riviera Maya Resort & Spa	B	High	SatFSunD-MonD+TueDWedD-
Desire Riviera Maya Pearl Resort & Spa	B	High	SatFSunD-MonD+TueDWedD-
Palmar Beach Riviera Maya	B	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 March

Elsewhere in Mexico, Huatulco (A), the Yucatán Gulf Coast (A) and Puerto Vallarta (A-) usually grade higher in March. Further afield: Southwest Florida (A-), Maui (A-) and Cuba's Cays (A-). Every destination in March.

Questions

Is March a good time to visit the Riviera Maya?: March is one of the best months to visit the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades C, the 3rd best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 84°F, water around 81°F and about a 39% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very high in March. Beaches are typically packed (College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter).
How warm is the Riviera Maya in March?: Typical highs are about 84°F and the sea is about 81°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in March?: In a typical year seaweed is very high in March. 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 March hurricane season in the Riviera Maya?: No. Storm risk is very low in March.
How crowded is the Riviera Maya in March?: Typically packed, around College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter. 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.