Weather Overview for Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya is a tourist area lying on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is situated in the district of Quintana Roo, on the east coast of the peninsula. Running from Cancun in the north to Tulum in the south, the Riviera is famed for its fantastic beaches and ideal weather. Sizzling heat and white sand are not the only reasons to visit this resort area; Quintana Roo’s many ancient Mayan ruins are easily accessible, only a drive away from the resort towns. The excellent snorkelling and scuba-diving to be had just 150 metres out to sea is a draw to enthusiasts and amateurs alike.

The area enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round and two distinct seasons: one wet and one dry. The yearly average temperature for the region is around 26ºC and around 1400mm of rain falls each year. The area sits within the Atlantic hurricane belt and is at risk between June and October. Humidity is fairly high: it varies between 76% and 81% with April seeing the lowest level and November the greatest. The consistently warm sea temperature makes swimming a pleasure year round. The water temperature averages about 27ºC for the year, fluctuating from 23ºC at its coolest around February, almost getting up to 30ºC in September.

You can visit the Riviera at any time of year although December to April is the most pleasant and popular time. September and October are the wettest and quietest months. In the wet season there is still plenty of sunshine and many people choose to take advantage of its fewer crowds and cheaper prices.

The dry season, from November to April, has lower, more pleasant, temperatures than the wet season and is certainly the best time to visit the area. The dry season’s cooler temperatures are due to the northeast trade winds that are strongest at this time of year, blowing cooling breezes along the coast. From December to February is the coolest period; the average temperature in these months is 23C or 24C with highs of 28C and lows down to 19C. Coupled with the low rain and humidity, these are the best months to visit in terms of weather and as such are the most popular. This can mean heavy crowds and high prices. March and April are the driest months in the year, with about 40mm of rain per month on average, but temperatures and humidity are on the rise in the lead-up to the wet season.

The wet season, from May to October, sees slightly hotter temperatures than the dry season, although there is little fluctuation and monthly averages vary between 23C in January and 28C between June and September. June and July are the hottest months; temperatures in the mid 30s are not uncommon and it can get up to 40C. Luckily, there is nearly always a cooling sea breeze so it doesn’t become as stifling as in inland areas.

There is one big disadvantage to Riviera Maya’s coastal location: the threat of hurricanes. The region was ravaged by Hurricane Wilma in October 2005 which was a category 5 (the maximum) when it hit land. The storm battered the Riviera for nearly 3 days with winds of up to 130mph, causing widespread damage. Hurricane season is officially from June to October, though the end of the season sees the most hurricane activity. Tropical storms are frequent during hurricane season; most don’t develop into hurricanes but even when they do, direct hurricane hits are rare, about one every 10 or 12 years on average. However, the region can also be troubled by hurricanes that pass offshore. Strong winds and heavy rains are common in the wet season, normally causing only short-lived disturbances; but if a hurricane is active nearby conditions worsen and can be dangerous.

Rain is plentiful throughout the period, intensifying with the progression of hurricane season; September and October are the wettest months and can see over 200mm of rain each. The rains shouldn’t necessarily put you off travelling as they often occur in short but heavy tropical downpours, leaving plenty of sunny weather in between. It should be noted that the east coast of Mexico receives much less rain during the wet season than locations on the west coast such as Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. Riviera Maya is comparatively dry, though this might not be considered to outweigh the absence of hurricanes on the wetter coast.