Weather in Mexico – Riviera Maya

Updated March 2026

Mexico’s weather varies more dramatically by region than most Americans expect before relocating. The country spans high-altitude plateaus, Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, tropical jungle, and northern desert — and each zone follows its own seasonal pattern. This guide covers the month-by-month picture for the whole country with specific attention to the Riviera Maya corridor, which includes Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, because it’s one of the most common destinations for Americans moving to Mexico permanently. Understanding the seasonal calendar before you move matters practically — it affects your shipping timeline, your arrival window, and what the first months in your new home actually look like on the ground. For a full overview of the door-to-door shipping process, SDC International Shipping handles household moves to Mexico from all 50 US states.

Quick seasonal framing: the dry season generally runs November through April, and the rainy season runs from May through October. The Atlantic and Caribbean hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity from August through October. The Eastern Pacific season runs May 15 through November 30. Sargassum seaweed is more common on the Caribbean coast from approximately April through October, though intensity varies significantly by year.

Weather in Mexico in January

January is comfortably warm and mostly dry. The Caribbean side runs slightly cooler than the Pacific. Mexico City, at high altitude, sees typical highs of 70–72°F with crisp nights near 44–48°F. Pacific resorts like Acapulco often reach the mid-80s. On the Caribbean, Cancún and the wider Riviera Maya see pleasant highs around 79–83°F with sea temperatures of 78–80°F.

Mexico and Riviera Maya Weather in February

February continues peak beach season. Dry, sunny days with low humidity along both coasts. Daytime temps commonly reach 81–86°F with sea temps around 77–79°F. In the highlands, days are mild at 70–74°F with cool nights near 44–48°F. Riviera Maya stays comfortable across the low-60s to mid-80s range through the day and night cycle.

March Weather in Mexico

March trends warmer with abundant sunshine. Winds ease and seas are typically calm. Riviera Maya water temperatures tick up toward 79–80°F with afternoons around 80–84°F. Central Mexico sees warm days in the mid-70s and cool nights near 50°F.

Weather in Mexico in April

April straddles late dry season and the first spring showers. The first half is classic beach weather; by late in the month, brief thunderstorms begin appearing in the tropics. Acapulco afternoons can reach the upper-80s to near 90°F; Cancún runs mid-80s. Riviera Maya commonly spans 66–89°F across the day with sea temps around 79–81°F. Occasional sargassum may begin appearing along the Caribbean coast.

Weather in Mexico in May

May is the transition into the rainy season. Hotter and more humid — afternoons in most coastal spots reach 88–92°F with warm seas at 81–84°F. Mexico City days often reach 80–82°F with nights around 55–61°F. Sargassum sensitivity on the Caribbean side is worth factoring into accommodation choices from this point through October.

Weather in Mexico in June

June brings frequent tropical showers and higher humidity. Short, intense downpours followed by sun are the norm. Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum often see 88–93°F days with seas at 82–86°F. In Mexico City, typical highs range 73–79°F with comfortable evenings in the mid-50s.

Weather in Mexico in July

July is peak rainy-season weather across much of the tropics. Downpours can last longer than in June and seas are choppy at times. Coastal air temps remain around 90–93°F with warm water at 84–86°F. Beachgoers should monitor rip-current flags and local advisories throughout the summer months.

Mexico and Riviera Maya Weather in August

August marks the heart of the Atlantic hurricane season. The Caribbean and Gulf can see more frequent storms and swells. Riviera Maya typically runs 86–93°F by day with seas at 82–86°F. Flexible itineraries and travel insurance are worth considering during this window. Note that the Pacific hurricane season is also active simultaneously.

Weather in Mexico in September

September stays hot, humid, and storm-prone — especially in the tropics. Rainfall begins to taper late in the month. Coastal highs hover near 88–90°F with sea temps in the upper-70s to low-80s. Mexico City typically sits in the mid-70s by day and mid-50s at night. Northern deserts remain very warm.

October Weather in Mexico

October is the rainy season’s exit ramp. Showers and storms diminish through the month. Coastal highs usually land around 84–90°F with the Caribbean Sea at 80–84°F. In Riviera Maya, expect an 81–91°F day range. Central highlands cool down with Mexico City seeing 61–70°F days and nights around 50°F.

November Weather in Mexico

November ushers in the dry season and the start of high season. Days are warm and sunny with humidity dropping. Coastal areas commonly see 82–86°F with seas at 77–82°F. Riviera Maya typically runs upper-70s to upper-80s with far fewer showers than the summer months.

Mexico and Riviera Maya Weather in December

December is prime beach time, particularly on the Caribbean side. Expect 80–83°F afternoons, 75–81°F sea temps, light winds, and minimal rain. Acapulco can reach the upper-80s. Riviera Maya daytime commonly spans the low-80s with comfortable evenings. Mexico City runs cooler at 68–72°F by day, and mountain areas can get quite cold at night.

Riviera Maya Weather Summary

The most settled weather runs December through April — warm days, lower humidity, and calm seas. May is often the hottest month. June through October brings higher humidity, more frequent showers, a greater chance of sargassum on Caribbean beaches, and hurricane risk from August through October. Swimming is possible year-round, but conditions can change quickly during the rainy season — check local forecasts and beach flags regularly.

How Weather Should Affect Your Mexico Move Timeline

For Americans planning a permanent or long-term relocation to the Riviera Maya, weather has real implications for when to ship and when to arrive. The practical window most SDC clients target for Mexico moves is November through March — the dry season means your household goods arrive and get unpacked without the complications of heavy rainfall, and you have time to get settled before the summer humidity sets in.

Arriving in the rainy season isn’t a dealbreaker, but it adds friction. Delivery access to some Riviera Maya neighborhoods can be affected by flooding on secondary roads during heavy rain periods. For moves involving larger households or vehicle shipments, the dry season window is worth planning around if your timeline allows it.

Sea freight from US East Coast ports to Mexico typically takes 10–18 days depending on routing and destination port. From the West Coast, transit to Pacific Mexico ports runs a similar range. Your SDC coordinator can align your container departure date with your target arrival window so your goods are cleared and ready when you arrive. For a full look at what the household goods shipping process to Mexico involves, including customs documentation and what qualifies for duty-free importation as personal effects, that page covers the detail.

Questions about timing your move around the seasonal calendar? SDC coordinators who handle Mexico moves regularly can walk through the logistics based on your origin city, household size, and target move date. Request a quote to start that conversation.