Riviera Maya weather has much in common with Cancun and Cozumel simply because it lies between those two popular Mexican destinations.
This resort-filled stretch of the Caribbean coast of Mexico begins just south of Cancun and stretches even further south past Cozumel.
Two of Riviera Maya’s most popular attractions are Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Playa del Carmen is known for its great shopping and dining district on Fifth Avenue and Tulum is known for its Mayan ruins.
Like Cancun and Cozumel, Playa del Carmen weather is hot during the summer and very wet during the rainy season.
The best times to go there take careful planning with weather in mind.
Temperatures
Average high temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher during the months of May through August, according to historical records for the area.
Riviera Maya weather in January and December is coolest when average highs hover around 83 degrees.
Average low temperatures, which take place mainly at night, range from the high 60s in the winter to the low to mid 70s during the summer.
Seawater temperatures usually fall between the average highs and the average lows for air temperatures.
That means the water will be comfortable for swimming most months of the year except for mornings during the winter.
Speaking from experience, trade winds will bring the wind chill factor down and could make winter swimming uncomfortable on some days during the winter.
Rainfall
Rain is a big factor for the Riviera Maya area especially during the peak months of the Caribbean hurricane season.
Total rainfall may reach as high as 10 inches a month in September and October and five inches or more in August and November.
The total number of days it rains reaches 15 in September and October and 13 in August.
The months with the lowest levels of rain are January through April with less than three inches apiece.
Best and Worst Times to Go
The best months to go to Riviera Maya are March and April for a combination of warm temperatures and low rainfall.
May and July are the second best options. Temperatures will be warmer but rainfall will be somewhat higher.
The worst times to go clearly are September and October followed by August and November.
That said, no one can predict the weather with 100 percent accuracy. But a little planning does help.
Anyone who plans to go to Riviera Maya during months with high amounts of rain, especially during the hurricane season, should consider buying travel insurance.