How warm is the Riviera Maya in September?

Typical highs are about 88°F and the sea is about 87°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in September?

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

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

How crowded is the Riviera Maya in September?

Typically moderate, around Labor Day weekend and Mexican Independence Day. The quietest months are usually September and October.

The Riviera Maya in September

September is one of the weakest months for a beach trip to the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades D, the 12th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 88°F, water around 87°F and about a 77% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very high in September. Beaches are typically moderate (Labor Day weekend and Mexican Independence Day). It is hurricane season, with high storm risk.

Typical dayD12th of 12 months

Highs / water88°FSea 87°F

Rain chance77%on a given day

SeaweedVery hightypical year

CrowdsModerateLabor Day weekend

Storm riskHighhurricane season

The Riviera Maya month by month

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

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

Best beaches in the Riviera Maya in September

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

Beach	Typical Sep	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
Hotel El Dorado Royale	C-	High	SatFSunD+MonCTueC-WedD-
Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancún	C-	High	SatFSunD-MonD+TueDWedD-
Wyndham Alltra Riviera Maya	C-	Very high	SatFSunDMonC-TueD+WedC-
Desire Riviera Maya Resort & Spa	C-	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 September

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

Questions

Is September a good time to visit the Riviera Maya?: September is one of the weakest months for a beach trip to the Riviera Maya: a typical day grades D, the 12th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 88°F, water around 87°F and about a 77% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very high in September. Beaches are typically moderate (Labor Day weekend and Mexican Independence Day). It is hurricane season, with high storm risk.
How warm is the Riviera Maya in September?: Typical highs are about 88°F and the sea is about 87°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in the Riviera Maya in September?: In a typical year seaweed is very high in September. 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 September hurricane season in the Riviera Maya?: September falls in the tropical storm season; the typical risk on a given day is high. It peaks in September. Travel insurance and flexible bookings help.
How crowded is the Riviera Maya in September?: Typically moderate, around Labor Day weekend and Mexican Independence Day. 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.