Riviera Caribe Maya: sargassum, weather & water today
Playa del Carmen, MX · Riviera Maya, Mexico · 20.633, -87.069
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Sargassum season at Riviera Caribe Maya
Sargassum risk at Riviera Caribe Maya typically peaks around June (very high in a typical year). Months most likely to see heavy seaweed: April, May, June, July, August, September. Lowest-risk months: January, February, November, December. Actual landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; check the live conditions above.
Typical-year risk from the published seasonality of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt × this beach's exposure (88%). Beach faces 133°; onshore winds from that direction push seaweed ashore.
| Month | Typical risk |
|---|---|
| January | Low |
| February | Low |
| March | Moderate |
| April | High |
| May | Very high |
| June | Very high |
| July | Very high |
| August | Very high |
| September | High |
| October | Moderate |
| November | Low |
| December | Low |
Cleanup & barriers
- Offshore barriers
- Floating barriers along portions of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum; coverage varies by season.
- Public cleanup
- SEMAR vessels, municipal and hotel crews; heaviest-hit region on this list.
- Resort crews
- Resorts employ dedicated sargassum crews, some with private barriers.
- Typical clearing time
- same-day, but can be overwhelmed at peak
Safety notes
US State Dept: Quintana Roo, Level 2 (exercise increased caution)
- Sargassum peaks May–Aug; decomposing mats release hydrogen sulfide (avoid heavy piles).
- Cenote/snorkel operators vary in safety standards.
Check official advisories and local flags before swimming. Decomposing sargassum releases hydrogen sulfide; avoid heavy piles.
Things to do near Playa del Carmen, MX
- Tulum ruins
- Xcaret & Xel-Há parks
- Cenotes (Dos Ojos, Gran Cenote)
- Cozumel reefs
- Sian Ka'an Biosphere
Fly in for the best beach days
Suggested dates fall in December, typically the lowest-seaweed month ahead for Riviera Caribe Maya. Change them to match the live forecast above.
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Nearest airports
- Cancún Intl (CUN), ~49 km
- Tulum Intl (TQO), ~82 km
Nearby resorts
- Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort Playa del Carmen, MX · 0 km
- Playa del Carmen Resorts Playa del Carmen, MX · 0 km
- Mahekal Beach Resort Playa del Carmen, MX · 0 km
- Wyndham Alltra Riviera Maya Playa del Carmen, MX · 1 km
- Magic Blue Playa del Carmen, MX · 1 km
- Paradisus Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen, MX · 1 km
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