Weather Tulum , Mexico
One of the last cities that the Maya people built and inhabited, Tulum sits on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It enjoys a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity nearly year round, with little variations in the seasons. During the wet season, which runs roughly June through to October, the area sees large amounts of rain and even the dry season still gets a decent amount of rainfall.
Tulum sees similar weather conditions to other resorts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula including Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. Hurricanes are always a possibility in the Tulum area with hurricane season running from June until November, peaking in August and September. During both the wet and dry seasons, rainfall comes in short heavy bursts, clearing up as quickly as it comes in.
The resort area of Tulum is part of the well-known Riviera Maya resort area and mixes history with modern-day fun in the sun. The ruins of the city sit on the high cliffs along the shore of the Caribbean Sea. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, the ruins have weathered the years and are one of the best-preserved Mayan sites and very popular with tourists. Daily tour buses bring visitors to the ruins, as well as the numerous underground cave and river systems in the area.
Another popular draw for the area are the beautiful beaches that line the coast and provide a gorgeous backdrop for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. Because of the rougher waters, snorkeling isn't great in Tulum, but you can explore the inland underground rivers in the area. Several national parks offer plenty of outdoor fun like swimming, hiking, ziplining, and more. The Riviera Maya area is also well-known as being party central, but also has quieter areas to enjoy a more laid-back holiday.
Spring
During the spring in Tulum, temperatures rise, as do the chances for rain. The average daily temperature during this time is 25°C to 28°C (about 77°F to 82°F), closer to summer temperatures in the UK. The highs get up to 28°C to 31°C (around 82°F to 88°F), making for some warm days even early in the season. At night and in the early morning hours, the lows drop down to 22°C to 24°C (about 72°F to 75°F), offering a pleasant reprieve from the warm spring days.
The months of March, April, and May see 37 mm to 108 mm of rainfall, with amounts quickly rising as the days follow into summer and the wet season. Rain falls on only 3 to 7 days each month, so you probably won't need your umbrella most days. This time of the year sees 8 hours of sunshine each day, with the number of daylight hours peaking in May at nearly 8.5 hours. The Caribbean Sea remains warm, between 26°C and 28°C (around 79°F to 82°F), perfect for swimming and water sports.
Summer
When summer comes around, the temperatures peak for the year and the rainfall chances continue to increase. The average daily temperature is consistent and steady at 28°C (around 82°F) for all three months. During the heat of the day, you can expect highs to reach up to 31°C to 32°C (about 88°F to 90°F). The highs peak in August at 32°C (about 90°F). With the high humidity, it can feel pretty stifling; fortunately, most days you'll get breezes blowing across the Caribbean to bring relief. At night, the temperatures drop down to 24°C (about 75°F), very nice for sitting out on the beach with a cold drink.
The rainfall amounts jump up during June, July, and August, averaging between 130 mm and 187 mm. Each month, the rain falls on an average of 12 to 13 days, so it's a good idea to have an umbrella handy. Fortunately, the summer rains are typically short-lived, though heavy. The area sees 7 hours of sunshine each day, plenty of time to get outside and enjoy the weather. August also has the warmest sea temperatures, with an average of 29°C (about 84°F). The other months see an ocean temperature of 28°C (around 82°F).
Autumn
In Autumn in Tulum, the temperatures continue to remain steady and the rainfall chances hit the highest of the year. The average daily temperature sits between 26°C and 28°C (around 79°F to 82°F), excellent temperatures for being outside, exploring the ruins and seeing the sights. The highs still get up to 28°C to 31°C (around 82°F to 88°F), fairly warm especially when compared to the UK's temperatures for this same time. The lows drop down to 23°C to 24°C (about 73°F to 75°F), offering a nice reprieve from the hot days.
During the months of September, October, and November, the resort sees 102 mm to 220 mm of rainfall. The rainfall peaks in September with 220 mm of rain falling that month. The average number of rainfall days during this time is 8 to 15 days per month. Bring along that umbrella; you'll need it during your visit this time of the year. You'll get about 6 hours of sunshine each day to take advantage of the warm weather. The water is still warm enough for swimming and water sports, averaging between 28°C and 29°C (about 82°F to 84°F).
Winter
At the end of the year, the temperatures fall, but are steady for the entire season. Rainfall amounts also drop, ushering in the dry season. The average daily temperature for each month is 24°C (about 75°F). January is the coldest month, falling below 21°C (about 70°F). Compared to the UK during this time, however, those temperatures are downright balmy! The highs continue to get up to 27°C (around 81°F), nice enough for spending time on the beach while others back home are shoveling snow.
In December, January and February, the rainfall amounts decrease to 53 mm to 92 mm on average. That amount falls over 6 to 8 days, so you may not need your umbrella during this time. During the day, expect 6 to 7 hours of daylight each day, ample time for getting outside to enjoy the Riviera Maya area. It's also still warm enough for swimming and water sports, with average sea temperatures between 26°C and 27°C (around 79°F to 81°F).
Weather Hazards
Because of the consistent temperatures year round, the Tulum area doesn't experience many extreme highs and lows or weather hazards. Though rare, hurricanes and flooding are possible in this area. Back in 1995, Hurricane Roxanne brought 115 mph winds to the area, while in 2005, Hurricane Emily caused over $630 million in damage on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Flash flooding from heavy downpours do occasionally occur during the rainy season. While the rain storms are typically short-lived, sometimes they last for days, causing flooding. Fortunately, hurricanes and flooding are rare, but check the local forecast before you go to see if any hurricanes or heavy rain are predicted during the time you plan to visit.
