Are you looking for an all-rounder when it comes to tourist destinations? By that, we mean the whole shebang; beaches, natural parks, archaeological wonders and of course, good food. If so, the Riviera Maya is your best bet. A popular region known for its beaches, sites, parks, among many other attractive destinations.
It’s one of those places that make you wish there were more hours in a day. There’s just so much to do and the fun never ends. But it’s all about timing with places like these. It’s important to know when is the best and worst time to visit Riviera Maya.
In this article, we will give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about traveling to the Riviera Maya, including its location, climate changes, temperature, and the best times to go there.
More importantly, we’ve included pointers on the worst time to go to Riviera Maya. Are you ready to make the most out of your vacation? Then continue reading.
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Where is Riviera Maya?
The Riviera Maya is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in eastern Mexico. Here you will find the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean with palm trees and a shimmering turquoise blue sea. The most famous island off the coast is Cozumel, which was declared one of the most beautiful diving spots in the world by the famous diver Jacques Cousteau in the mid-1960s.
The leisure offer is huge. For the active, there are sports such as golf, tennis, fishing, snorkeling or diving. The crystal clear water of the Caribbean and the offshore coral reefs are something special for water sports enthusiasts.
The area around the Riviera Maya is rich in Mayan sites, so you can mix your beach holiday with some culture, either as a day trip or as a round trip. While the state of Yucatan is known for its multitude of Mayan ruins, the beach life takes place in Quintana Roo on the Caribbean coast.
The most frequented cities of the so-called Riviera Maya are Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. They are all less than 100 kilometers apart and are a destination for many first-time visitors to Mexico. They invite you to shop and there are many restaurants offering traditional local cuisine. Bars, beach bars with live music and discos ensure those night owls will have their fun.
With all that said, if you’re planning a trip to the Riviera Maya, you’ll likely agree with us that the most important information you need is about the weather. Continue reading for the lowdown.
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Riviera Maya: Best and Worst Times to Go to Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya has a perfect balance in terms of temperature. The selling point here is the weather that is great for all-year vacations. Generally, the climate comprises of hot, sunny, and even balmy nights. However, to make sure you travel at the perfect time, here’s everything you need to know about the weather in Riviera Maya.
Temperature
Firstly, it’s best you know the hottest and coldest months in the region. First, the hottest months in the Riviera Maya fall in May and June with a temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, or 28 degrees Celsius. The coldest month is January with a temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit which is 23 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, the wettest month is September, with 6.8 inches of rainfall. Then, the windiest month is March, while the month with the warmest water temperature is August, with 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spring
Springtime in the Riviera Maya comes with hot and sunny weather. However, the end of the season features some light showers. Travelling during this time is best, primarily due to the climate, but we’d advise you to avoid holiday seasons like Easter and spring break.
Many tourists visit before and after Easter, you’ll also bump into a plethora of college students enjoying the time old tradition of spring break. If you’d prefer a more peaceful vacation, it’s best to avoid some of these popular dates.
The average temperature during spring in March is 79 degrees Fahrenheit, while in April, it’s 81 degrees Fahrenheit. In May, the weather is still on an average of 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re visiting Riviera Maya in Spring, it’s best to pack warm clothes and beachwear. It’s also advisable to pack sweaters, to make it easy to transition from hot to cold settings.
Fall
Fall in the Riviera Maya usually comes with clearer skies and more advantages than most seasons. For one, the temperature is milder, so that’s good enough for swimming and other water-related activities, especially on the beaches. You might also get the privilege of enjoying some popular Mexican holidays.
Just so you’re well-informed, the average temperature in the Riviera Maya in June is 82 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the same for July, August, and September. October has an average temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, while November records 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter
The peak time to travel to the Riviera Maya remains the winter season because of the lack of sunlight, which most travellers prefer. Average temperatures during this season currently read December at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, January at 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and February at 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Rainfall Levels in the Riviera Maya:
The significant period to be concerned about in the Riviera Maya is the rainfall and hurricane season. The chances of experiencing a hurricane while on your trip are slim, but it’s best to be prepared. The rainy season in the Riviera Maya falls between June and October. Hurricanes pop up around the same time.
According to statistics, hurricanes are more likely to fall in August and October. So, if you planned a trip around this period, hurricane insurance is advised, in case you have to cancel your trip due to weather conditions.
Since a hurricane doesn’t just drop out of the sky by surprise, it’s also an excellent idea to monitor weather forecasts. This can help you identify the magnitude of the storm if there’ll be one, and the trajectory path it will take.
When your hear the words ‘Summertime in the Riviera Maya‘, don’t be deceived, it is also called the rainy season. If your trip falls within this period, don’t be too frightened if the weather forecast predicts rain throughout your journey. Rain might only fall for a short period of the day, while sunshine takes over the rest.
This is quite a pleasant time to travel, because, unlike other seasons, it will be less crowded. There are also loads of activities to engage in during this period, like swimming with whale sharks. We advise you to pack warm clothes, rain jackets, and preferably umbrellas as well. Getting insects repellent for the rainy season is also a brilliant move.
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Best and Worst Times to Go to Riviera Maya
Best Times to Go to Riviera Maya
During March and April, the Riviera Maya records a combination of warm temperatures and reduced rainfall. This makes it an excellent time to visit. If you can’t make it within this time frame, then you should consider May and July. May and July have significantly warm temperatures as well, but the rainfall is slightly higher.
According to research, April is the best month to visit the Riviera Maya simply because of its warm temperature and low chances of rain. Activities on the beach, (mainly swimming) are not limited during this season. The average high temperature in April is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. More so, the driest month in the year is also April. It has an average of 2 inches rainfall in the month.
February and March have colder weather than April but come in second place. Rainfall in this month is also an average of 2 inches.
January comes in third place, but it has higher chances of rainfall than February and March. It is also relatively cooler than these months. Statistics show that the peak travel season to the Rivera Maya is from December to April.
However, travel guides will advise not to visit during December since it has the highest amount of rainfall in comparison to the selected months.
Worst Times to Go to Riviera Maya
Apart from the four best peak months to visit the Riviera Maya, there are five other worst months to travel. These months are June, August, September, October, and November.
The Caribbean hurricane season comes with its disadvantage, mostly because it brings a lot of rain to the Riviera Maya. This rainy season starts on the 1st of June and tarries until the 30th of November. The rainfall in June is slightly higher than July, but picks off again in August and continues until November. September and October have the highest amount of rain, ranging in an average of 9 to 10 inches. This could limit the number of activities you’ll enjoy.
All the information above points to the fact that September and October are the worst months to visit the Riviera Maya. From May to September, the average highest temperature climbs to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even though September and October aren’t pleasant for tourists, the eye-catching twist is that the prices of resorts drop, which would be beneficial for those planning a budget-friendly trip.
We’ve been able to cover the four best months to travel to the Riviera Maya; and the five worst months to travel. But what about the other three months?
Everything in Between
May, June, and December are left out for a good reason, and this is solely because they are neither good nor bad. These months find themselves in the middle, which could be advantageous for tourists too.
The beaches are less crowded, and prices are significantly lower than the peak travel months of December through to April. More importantly, you won’t experience much rainfall like you would in June through to November.
The temperature during these three midway months hits an average high temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is slightly higher than December’s 83 degrees Fahrenheit average.
It’s to no surprise that many people want to visit the Riviera Maya for diving and snorkelling. So when exactly is the best season for this? In Riviera Maya, there’s never a wrong time for diving. Because of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, it’ll be an exhilarating experience regardless of when you visit.
Various marine-life such as squids, sea turtles, octopus, and a variety of colourful fish make snorkelling an even more enjoyable experience.
The only wrong time for snorkelling and diving in the Riviera Maya is probably when a tropical storm occurs. Otherwise, every other season is perfect. The average ocean visibility stays around 100 feet throughout the year.
If you’re interested in underwater activities, then December through to May is the best time. Rainfall is reduced during these periods, making the water clearer for diving.
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Best and Worst Time to Go To Riviera Maya: To Summarise
Choosing to visit the Riviera Maya is already a good option, so don’t be too worried about the weather conditions. Keep in mind that the best time to go is in April because of the warm temperature and reduced rainfall.
Other alternatives include January through to April. Avoid going from June through to November because the rainy season might limit the amount of activities you can enjoy. Lastly, make sure you come prepared with the right clothing for each season and activity.
Hopefully you’re now well informed on the best and worst times to visit the Riviera Maya. Kindly leave a comment with any questions you may have, and don’t forget to share this article with friends and loved ones.
