How's the weather in Cancun and Riviera Maya?

If you’re planning to visit Mexico soon, but you also want to make sure you get your share of fun in the sunny-white sand beaches of the Mexican Caribbean, you may be wondering: what is the best month or time of the year to visit Cancun and Riviera Maya?

Keep reading this article so you’ll get to know more about the weather and how you can enjoy these destinations 365 days a year.

Regional geography

Riviera Maya is a region located in the southeast of Mexico, along the Caribbean coastline of Quintana Roo, in the eastern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Up north, it starts at Isla Blanca, and it stretches 140 km down south to Punta Allen. Some of the most notable destinations in the area are coastal towns like Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen; paradisiac islands like Isla Mujeres or Cozumel, and archeological sites such as Tulum. And, of course, Cancun.

Due to its geographic location, Riviera Maya enjoys a warm tropical climate all-year-round with two distinct seasons: the dry season (December to April) and the wet season (May to November).

The average temperature for the year is 30 °C (or 86 ºF) so, generally speaking, the weather here is absolutely amazing, since you can get up to 320 days of sunshine every year!

Also, with an annual average sea temperature of 26°C-29°C (78ºF-84ºF), the sea is always warm enough for swimming, regardless of the season.

Dry vs. wet season

For most of the foreign nationals that have lived in Cancun for several years, the steady temperature is probably the main reason that made them stay in this part of the world.

However, those who don’t like humidity might find it a little bit harder from around July to August, because it does get humid here.

The good news is that you can always just jump in the blue waters of the Caribbean sea and cool off a bit if it gets to be too much!

In contrast, March could be the best month of the year because the humidity is low, which makes the 34°C (93º F) temperature slightly more comfortable.

Hurricane season

Atlantic hurricane season in Cancun spans from June to November, with the highest risk of tropical storms between September and October. Although, it’s fair to say that the region hasn't had a big impact since Hurricane Wilma in 2005.  

It’s also true that strong winds and heavy rains are a common occurrence during those months, but it tends to rain for an hour or two in the late afternoon and then it stops, so… no worries!

<< What to do on a rainy day in Cancun? >>

Though the risk of hurricanes directly striking a particular location is small, it’s worth being aware and keeping an eye on weather forecasts throughout your stay.

Riviera Maya by the seasons

• Spring

Visitors to Riviera Maya in the spring (March to June) can enjoy an average of 9 hours of sunshine each day. March and April see a mere 30mm to 31mm of monthly rain falling.

• Summer

From July to September, Riviera Maya has its wettest months, with a humidity level increase to around 80% and heavy but short tropical downpours. Nevertheless, there are plenty of sunny days to enjoy with an average of ten daily hours of sunshine in July and August.

• Autumn

Even though average rainfall decreases, from October to December you’ll see a drop both in temperature (27ºC-25ºC) and sunny weather (an average of seven hours a day). So, let’s say that if you want to engage in outdoor activities like swimming with dolphins, the sun and the sea temperature will cooperate so you can have a comfortable experience.

• Winter

Between December and February, the temperatures are the coolest of the year, and the difference between daytime and nighttime is fairly minimal, so travelers can have a little break from the Caribbean heat. And there’s still around seven daily hours of sunshine to go out.

It is noteworthy that dolphins usually have one baby per year, and the births are concentrated during the Winter and Spring months. So, if you are planning your visit during those dates, you could meet the little ones from the Delphinus family!

As you can see, Cancun and Riviera Maya are the most perfect vacation spots in the world, weatherwise. And it's even better when you realize that the dolphins are normally active during sunny days, so they will be really happy to share them with you.

So now you know. Make the most out of your trip and visit one of the seven Delphinus’ sanctuaries to swim with dolphins in Riviera Maya. The experience takes around an hour and you can choose between different swim programs where you can learn more about the dolphins’ nature and personalities. Don't miss out and get a discount if you book a place online!