Best time to visit Playa del Carmen
Below is a month-by-month guide on the best time to visit Playa del Carmen.
Once a small quiet town, Playa del Carmen has since transformed into one of the most popular and bustling beach destinations in Mexico.
With an incredible nightlife scene, beach and close-by sites, it continues to evolve and well, is a must visit when in the Riviera Maya region.
Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen
In this guide we’ll explore Playa del Carmen by each month, which includes what weather to expect as well as any popular cultural events.
We’ll also cover the overall best month to visit, as well as the cheapest month too.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen?
After backpacking Mexico extensively and spending time in this region, we’ve found that the overall best time to visit Playa del Carmen are the months of March and April.
Whilst not the absolute hottest temperatures, it’s still perfect for heading to the beach and getting a tan. It’s also before the wet season starts, so rainfall is unlikely to affect your plans.
As well as hosting some festivals and seeing the legendary equinox effect at Chichén Itzá, it’s also a cheap time to visit as its off-season. You can book your ticket to Chichén Itzá here.
Cheapest Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen
The months of February and October are off-season and off-peak, making them the cheapest times to visit Playa del Carmen.
Due to the amount of festivals and events on throughout the year, it can seem like Playa is one long high season that never ends.
However there are pockets of when tourism falls, which means everything will be cheaper. Some of these best times are the months of February and October.
It’s hard to mention prices as they fluctuate annually, however if you’re aim is to save money then these months are you best bet. Flights will also be cheaper in these months too.
Playa Del Carmen Weather By Month
Now we’ll go in-depth into the weather in Playa del Carmen. Before we do, though, why not try reading this guide in conjunction with our Riviera Maya itinerary which covers some of the things you can do during your time here but in much more detail?
After reading, you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect, and can then decide which month is best for you and what to do on your visit.
January/February In Playa Del Carmen
To start, we have the winter months of January and February, which are the overall “coolest” months to visit (We say cool, but it’s still pretty hot).
Average temperature this time of year range from 72-74°F, with highs of up to 83°F, and lows of down to 65°F.
These months fall within the dry season, and is a good time overall to visit to avoid rainy weather. During January and February you can expect between 1.5-1.7 inches of rainfall for each month. We recommend heading on this Catamaran Cruise, which includes all drinks as well as a knowledgeable guide who will take you to the very best snorkelling spots
This time of year is filled with events. Of course New Years Day will have many clubs offering crazy parties and promotions for you to try.
However from early January you can head to Mamitas DJ Fest, which hosts some of the top DJ’s from around world and nationally.
In early February you can join in with the annual carnival that takes places the week before Ash Wednesday.
With everything from dancing and live shows to parades, you’re sure to have a good time with the amount of tequila and food on offer!
March/April In Playa Del Carmen
Now we enter Playa’s spring season, with March and April next up.
The average daily temperatures here begin to increase, with between 75-78°F usually recorded. Highs can reach up to a nice 88F during these months, whilst lows rarely dip any lower than 66F.
These months are in fact the driest times to visit Playa, with between 1-1.5 inches falling throughout each month.
Semana Santa is one of the most popular holidays for locals to vacation throughout Mexico, and Playa is a big landing spot for most.
As well as more parties and events, you can expect tons more people here at this time. Another popular time to visit is in the Spring Equinox, where crowds flock to Chichén Itzá to see a really surreal event.
Around late March, the sun positions itself in such a way that a shadow of a snake is formed along the main pyramid, making for an incredible sight.
May/June In Playa Del Carmen
As we enter May and June, we start to reach the hottest period to be in Playa del Carmen (for both weather and tourism).
Average daily temperatures range from 80-81°F, with highs of up to 90°F and lows of down to 71°F. At this time of year the weather is transitioning from dry to wet season.
In May, rainfall is slightly higher, with around 3 inches falling. However in June the change of times is more pronounced, with between 5-5.5 inches of rainfall throughout.
Regarding festivals and events, the ever popular Cinco de Mayo is a very fun time to visit where there’ll be big nights out and deals aplenty.
It’s also a great time to see some cultural events such as the sacred Mayan Journey, which takes place at the end of May.
Here there is a launch of a massive boat between the island of Cozumel and the mainland, representing an ancient pilgrimage that once took place here.
July/August In Playa Del Carmen
Heading into July and August, we’re now in the overall hottest time to be in Playa del Carmen.
Average daily temperatures sit at 81°F, with highs of up to 90°F, and lows of down to 72°F.
These months are well within the wet season, however rainfall is lower here than at other times.
You can expect around 3.5 inches falling throughout each month. This time is also when tropical storms can start potentially forming, so be sure to heed local guidance and also stay in safe accommodation. See our guide to safety in Playa del Carmen for more tips.
In terms of festivals during this time, the Festival of Virgin of Carmen takes place in mid-July, and is usually celebrated with a parade through town.
July 28th marks the anniversary of Playa del Carmen, and usually has parties and interesting things going on during this time.
September/October In Playa Del Carmen
Hitting the peak of the wet season are the months of September and October, which are by far the wettest. However it’s not all bad!
It’s still pretty hot and also a cheaper month to visit too.
Average temperatures range from 78-80°F, with highs of up to 88°F, and lows of down to 71°F. Rainfall is at its heaviest, with 5.5 inches falling within each of these months.
The hurricane season continues through to October, and these two months are the likeliest that any tropical storm may occur (probably hence why it’s one of the cheapest times to visit).
However these are rarely very destructive here, and the town already knows how to prepare and manage these. Just don’t forget to carry a Poncho with you!
In terms of celebrations, it doesn’t get any bigger than 16th September for Mexicans, as this date marks the independence of Mexico and in Playa there’ll be many festivities as well as a crazy fireworks show to cap it off.
Of course Halloween also falls in this month, and here you can expect the antics to go on late into the morning with many clubs hosting themed parties with drink deals.
November/December In Playa Del Carmen
Now we reach the end of the year, and also the end of the wet rainy season that seems to put a lot of people off (I still recommend visiting during this time!).
November is the shoulder season, and December marks the beginning of the dry season.
Average temperatures range from 74-76°F, highs reaching up to 84°F and lows of down to 66°F. Rainfall begins to drop slightly in November to around 3 inches, and then even further to 1.5 inches in December.
When it comes to event and parties, there’s no bigger time than that of New Years.
Here the streets will be tightly packed, and there’ll be beach bars to watch the fireworks followed by large clubs like Cocobongo hosting crazy parties into the early morning.
In early November you can take part in the Day of the Dead Celebrations, and also watch the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival towards the end of the month. This is also a good month to visit Tulum and you can easily get from Playa del Carmen to Tulum if you have the day spare.
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Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen
Whilst it may not be the most authentic, the beachside hub of Playa del Carmen is easily one of the most visited destinations in Mexico.
Here you’ll find some of the best clubs in Mexico here as well as its popular beach.
In this guide, we’ve covered what to expect during each month here, including the weather as well as any events happening. We’ve also covered the cheapest time to visit, as well as the overall best, recommended months.
Will you be traveling to Mexico soon? We’ve listed Playa del Carmen in our Mexico itinerary which starts in the capital (D.F) and featues other popular spots in the Yucatan Peninsula.
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