Playa del Carmen features a tropical climate with warm temperatures and abundant sunshine year-round. The city has a distinct dry season from November to May, and a wetter, more humid season from June to October. Even during the rainy months, sunshine is plentiful, making Playa del Carmen a favourite destination for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Playa del Carmen, located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, enjoys a warm, tropical climate with average annual temperatures around 27°C. There are two main seasons: the dry season (November–May) and the wet season (June–October). During the dry months, daytime highs range from 27–30°C, nights cool to 18–22°C, and rainfall is minimal – typically just a few brief showers per month. Humidity is lower, and skies are mostly clear, making this the most popular time for visitors.
The wet season, from June to October, brings higher humidity and more frequent rain. Daytime temperatures rise to 31–34°C, with nights around 24–26°C. Rain falls as short, heavy bursts, mostly in the afternoon or evening, and September and October are the wettest months, sometimes exceeding 200 mm of rain monthly. This period also coincides with hurricane season, though major storms are rare. Despite increased rainfall, there are still many sunny intervals. Playa del Carmen receives about 2,700 hours of sunshine annually, and sea temperatures are inviting year-round, ranging from 26°C in winter to 29°C in summer. Winds are generally light to moderate, with stronger breezes during storms or in the wet season.
| Average climate data for Playa del Carmen, Mexico | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 22 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 54 | 29 | 24 | 42 | 86 | 169 | 80 | 116 | 132 | 152 | 83 | 53 | 1,021 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 18 | 228 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 77 | 76 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 79 | 77 | 77 | 79 | 78 | 76 | 77 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 38 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 37 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 36 | 33 | 36 | 33 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
The best time to visit Playa del Carmen is during the dry season from December to April, when temperatures are comfortable (21–29°C), humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal. These months offer the most sunshine, ideal beach conditions, and a lively atmosphere, though they are also the busiest and most expensive period for travel.
The least favourable time to visit is from September to October, when rainfall and humidity peak, and there is a higher risk of tropical storms or hurricanes. While the town is less crowded and prices drop, heavy afternoon downpours and occasional flooding can disrupt beach activities and travel plans.
Playa del Carmen has a tropical climate with warm temperatures (21–34°C) and abundant sunshine all year. There’s a dry season from November to May and a wetter, more humid season from June to October.
The rainy season runs from June to October, with the heaviest rain in September and October. Showers are usually brief and intense, often in the afternoon or evening, with plenty of sunny intervals.
Daytime temperatures range from 27–34°C year-round. The hottest months are June to August, when highs can reach 33–34°C and humidity makes it feel even warmer.
Playa del Carmen is humid year-round, especially in summer and the rainy season. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be stronger during storms, especially in the wet season.
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, and sun protection for all seasons. Bring a rain jacket or umbrella for the wet season, and a light jumper for cooler evenings in winter.
Yes, the sea is warm and swimmable year-round (26–29°C). The dry season offers the best beach weather, but even in the rainy season, showers are brief and there’s plenty of sunshine for water activities.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. Major hurricanes are rare, but it’s wise to monitor weather updates if visiting during these months.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (31.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (26.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 28.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (27 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (21.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 24.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (29.1 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (26 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 27.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (169.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is March (23.8 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,020.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (24.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (12.6 days). Over the whole year there are 227.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is September (79.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is March (74.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 77.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is March (15.9 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (11.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 13.9 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (37.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (25.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 32.8 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 7.1 h). Over the whole year there are 8.2 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, November and December (UV index: 6). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.8.
