How warm is the Riviera Maya in May?

Typical highs are about 88°F and the sea is about 84°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in May?

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

No. Storm risk is very low in May.

How crowded is the Riviera Maya in May?

Typically busy, around Memorial Day weekend. The quietest months are usually September and October.

The Riviera Maya in May

May is a good month for the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades C, the 5th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 88°F, water around 84°F and about a 44% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very high in May. Beaches are typically busy (Memorial Day weekend).

Typical dayC5th of 12 months

Highs / water88°FSea 84°F

Rain chance44%on a given day

SeaweedVery hightypical year

CrowdsBusyMemorial Day weekend

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

The Riviera Maya month by month

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

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

Best beaches in the Riviera Maya in May

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

Beach	Typical May	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-
Palmar Beach Riviera Maya	B-	High	SatFSunD-MonD+TueDWedD-
Puerto Morelos Beach Resorts	B-	High	SatFSunD-MonC-TueD+WedD-

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 May

Elsewhere in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta (A), Los Cabos (A) and Huatulco (A) usually grade higher in May. Further afield: Maui (A), Oʻahu (A) and Southwest Florida (A). Every destination in May.

Questions

Is May a good time to visit the Riviera Maya?: May is a good month for the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades C, the 5th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 88°F, water around 84°F and about a 44% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very high in May. Beaches are typically busy (Memorial Day weekend).
How warm is the Riviera Maya in May?: Typical highs are about 88°F and the sea is about 84°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in May?: In a typical year seaweed is very high in May. 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 May hurricane season in the Riviera Maya?: No. Storm risk is very low in May.
How crowded is the Riviera Maya in May?: Typically busy, around Memorial Day weekend. 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.