The Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen: A Month By Month Guide

Playa del Carmen is easily one of the most enchanting destinations on the Yucatán Peninsula.

Just a short trip from Cancun, this little coastal gem offers a refreshing alternative to the megaresort scene, with its laid-back feel, lush jungle-lined streets, ancient ruins, and a seemingly endless array of adventures.

From adrenaline-packed activities to unforgettable food and incredible biodiversity, Playa del Carmen is the kind of place that leaves an impression.

For those who prefer a more relaxed, authentic experience than what Cancun’s high-energy resorts provide, Playa del Carmen is a perfect match.

But when is the best time to visit?

If you’re planning a trip, timing is everything. Factors like weather, crowds, seasonal hotel deals, and even local events can make or break your experience. This guide is here to help you narrow down the best time to visit Playa del Carmen based on what matters most to you.

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!


Where Is Playa Del Carmen Located?

Playa Del Carmen Maps - TravelsWithElle

Playa Del Carmen is located in southeastern Mexico, on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. This coastal city is situated right next to the Caribbean Sea and forms a part of Mexico’s easternmost state, Quintana Roo.

Located in the heart of the Riviera Maya coastal area, Playa del Carmen is almost exactly in between the popular cities of Cancun and Tulum (approximately 35 miles from each city).

South of Playa Del Carmen, you’ll find wonderful visit-worthy towns like Akumal and Tulum. To the east of Playa Del Carmen is Isla Cozumel, an island famous for its magnificent coral reefs and snorkeling/diving experiences.

North of Playa Del Carmen sits the popular Mexican destination of Cancun as well as a beautiful, laid-back island named Isla Mujeres.

Playa Del Carmen Map - Best Things To Do In Playa Del Carmen - TravelsWithElle

Given its proximity to the Caribbean Sea and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (the second-longest coral reef system in the world), it’s no wonder travelers flock to this region of Mexico to get a taste of island living, warm waters, marine life, and sunny tropical paradise.


What is Playa Del Carmen Known For?

So much! Travelers visit Playa Del Carmen for all sorts of reasons, but most commonly, they come for the gorgeous white sand beaches, warm azure waters, magical cenotes, trendy boutique hotels (like my personal fave, Hotel La Semilla), the fashionable nightlife scene, and–in essence–a more laidback vacation compared to what you’ll get in Cancun.

If you thought Playa Del Carmen was nothing but lying on the beach at some all-inclusive resort, you’d be totally wrong.

There are tons of things to do in Playa Del Carmen, including shopping ’til you drop, doing an endless amount of water sports, swimming in iconic cenotes nearby, visiting Mayan ruins, and feasting on delicious Mexican food.

MOST POPULAR EXCURSIONS IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN

Xcaret Eco Park – The ultimate must-do day trip in Riviera Maya! This eco-park boasts more than 40 attractions including underground rivers, an immersive aviary, a coral reef aquarium, aquatic activities, live cultural shows, a Mayan village, and more.

Xplor Adventure Park – Another massive eco-park that features ziplining, driving amphibious vehicles in the jungle, and paddling through underground rivers through stalactite caves.

Riviera Maya Jungle Half-Day Tour: ATV, Ziplines, Cenote Swim, Rappel – combines off-roading, ziplining, rappelling, and snorkeling in a cenote. Gear and snacks are included in this 4-hour tour.

Tulum Ruins Cenote and Swimming with Turtles from Playa del Carmen – a great family-friendly activity spent in the water.


What Are Playa Del Carmen’s Travel Seasons?

There are three distinct travel seasons for Playa Del Carmen: high season, low season, and shoulder season. Before we dive into Playa Del Carmen’s travel seasons, here’s a quick breakdown of how the weather fluctuates throughout the year in Playa Del Carmen.

  • WET SEASON: May to October. Wet season tends to be hotter than the dry season.
  • HURRICANE SEASON: June to November, with peak storm chances from August to October. Hurricanes are rare (only two in 30 years), so expect occasional rain but still decent travel weather.
  • DRY SEASON: December to April. Cooler temps with lower humidity.

High Season In Playa Del Carmen

Playa Del Carmen’s high season typically stretches from late December to April. 

This is peak season across the world’s sunbelt—especially in Mexico! From Christmas onward, expect Playa Del Carmen and the rest of Mexico to be very busy. Playa Del Carmen’s pristine white sands will be covered with flocks of tourists ranging from kids on their winter break, party-goers flocking in for Cancun’s infamous Spring Break events, and more.

Because of the increase in tourism during the high season, you can expect a similar spike in airfares, hotel rates, and all-inclusive resort costs as well. Especially around Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Spring Break!

Pro Tip: To get around this, visit Mexico in early December, before all the mayhem begins!

Low Season In Playa Del Carmen

Playa Del Carmen’s low season runs from May through October because this time period coincides with Mexico’s main rainy season. You can expect super hot, sticky, and sweltering days with frequent downpours and unpredictable weather. Playa Del Carmen’s hurricane season also falls within the low season.

While it is the rainy season, rest assured you likely won’t be rained in during your entire vacation. The rain typically comes in short bursts–a downpour for a few days followed by sunny skies the next.

Also during the summer months, the shorelines of Mexico tend to draw in a lot of seaweed (sargasso). Hotels and resorts do their best to clean up the seaweed but do expect to see more seaweed than normal during the low season.

Since tourists tend to avoid Cancun and Playa Del Carmen during this time, you can often find the best hotel deals in the low season. You’ll get crowd-free beaches, cheaper airfare and hotel rates, and better hospitality.

The is often considered the best time to visit Playa Del Carmen if you’re traveling on a budget.

Shoulder Season In Playa Del Carmen

A ‘shoulder season’ is a travel term, defined by the time between the high season and the low seasons of traveling to a specific destination.

In our opinion, the best time to go to Playa Del Carmen is during the shoulder season, during the months of April, May, November, and December.

During these months, you’ll experience lesser crowds and more mild weather conditions, and pretty reasonable rates.



When Is The Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen?

Yes, you can visit Playa Del Carmen at nearly any time and expect to have a great time. But some times of the year are better than others.

In our opinion, the best time to go to Playa Del Carmen is during the shoulder months of April, May, November, and December. During these months, you’ll experience lesser crowds and more mild weather conditions.

We personally love visiting during the last week of November (right after Thanksgiving), leading into December. By this time, the November rains have come to an end and sunny days are more common than not. We also love that hotels during this time tend to be a teensy bit cheaper compared to official high season. It’s the perfect little sweet spot for us.

Let’s look at some of the different ‘best time to visit’ categories below.


Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen For Perfect Weather

December To April

Playa Del Carmen has great weather for much of the year, but for the best weather, December to April is ideal. The average temperature stays around the mid-80’s, with little to no rain on most days.

The weather is extremely comfortable: sunny, low humidity, and low chances of rains or hurricanes. It’s ideal weather for spending time on the beach, while not feeling too hot or too cool.

Keep in mind that in March and April, the rowdy spring break crowds will flood into the Cancun and Playa Del Carmen areas, which can lead to larger crowds and busier areas across the entire peninsula.

So while the weather might be amazing, if groups of young travelers are not your cup of tea, you’ll want to travel closer to the December, January or February months.

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Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen For The Best Deals

May to November

The Yucatan Peninsula definitely has a peak/high and a low season. This pattern coincides with the local weather.

Due to the drier weather during the high season, December through April are typically the busiest months in Playa Del Carmen. People are also flocking to warmer destinations to get away from the chill, wind, snowy conditions back home.

With that said, everything is going to be pricier during the high season.

If you’re looking to snag a deal on your Playa Del Carmen vacation, you’ll want to look into visiting between May and November.

This time of year brings fewer tourists due to the higher likelihood of rain and some inclement weather. Hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and airlines will usually lower their prices to attract travelers.

Like we mentioned above, November is the sweet spot. There are lower chances of rain, the humidity that has plagued the region for the last few months is slowing dwindling down, and those great low season deals are still going strong.

20+ Things To Do In Cancun, Mexico - Travels With Elle

Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen For Avoiding Crowds

September to October

For the least amount of crowds on your trip, you’ll want to look into visiting sometime in September or October.

People flock to the Yucatan for their summer vacations throughout June, July and August. People flock to the area for their winter holidays (December and January). People flock for Spring Break.

The months of September and October lie in the sweet spot where you’re just out of the summer, but the holidays haven’t come up yet.

Best Things To Do In Cancun Mexico - Excellence Playa Mujeres

Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen For Nightlife

Did you know Playa Del Carmen has a nightlife scene of its own? Sure, Cancun is infamous for its party life and lively nighttime entertainment, but you can get down in Playa Del Carmen too!

We’ll admit, it definitely does not get as crazy as it does in Cancun, but it’s still a ton of fun.

With a plethora of trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs in Playa Del Carmen, you’re almost guaranteed a fantastic time. If you’re looking for the likes of Cancun’s Coco Bongo, no need to worry, Playa Del Carmen has its own Coco Bongo!

Other spots with dancing, partying, and clubbing include Palazzo Disco, Mandala, and the infamous Senor Frogs.

If partying is one of your vacation priorities, you will want to visit Playa Del Carmen either during March and April (Spring Break season), or during the summer months.

March and April are when young travelers flock to Mexico for spring break. The hotels in Playa Del Carmen know this, so they’ll often go above and beyond to hold special Spring Break events to keep people entertained.

You can find lots of beach parties during the day, and energetic lounges/clubs later on in the evenings.

Best Time To Visit Cancun - TravelsWithElle

The summer is another popular time for parties since lots of younger travelers are on their summer breaks.

If you’re looking for a lively crowd to party with but don’t exactly want to deal with the increased crowds of the spring break season, you can also visit Playa Del Carmen during October, November, or December.


Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen: Month by Month Breakdown

Each month offers different pros and cons when it comes to planning your vacation to Playa Del Carmen. Here’s a breakdown by month:

January in Playa Del Carmen

You can kick off the new year in Playa Del Carmen with some really great weather.

During this month, you can expect warm days reaching in the mid-80’s, with a dip to the low 60’s during the nighttime. It’s comfortably warm, and past the holiday rush.

While the holiday crowds thin, January still sees a decent number of tourists, especially snowbirds escaping colder climates. It’s not entirely “calm,” but it’s manageable.

February in Playa Del Carmen

The heat starts to kick up in February, getting slightly warmer than in January.

February is a popular time for travelers to visit; Valentine’s Day and Carnival can draw some crowds, especially mid-month. But overall, it’s quieter than March.

Playa Del Carmen is also a great time for snorkeling, as the water is particularly clear and you can see everything you’re looking for.

March in Playa Del Carmen

Playa Del Carmen continues to get warmer into March, where the daytime and nighttime temperatures begin to match each other around the mid to high-80s. It’s a great time to visit for comfortable beach weather and little to no rain!

March is also when spring break begins for some colleges, and students start to flood into the Cancun/Playa area for beach parties and club hopping. You can expect to find lots of parties and events around the Yucatan region.

With that said, early March is less crowded than late March when Spring Break is in full swing.

March is also the last month of the year where you’ll get near-perfect weather.

April in Playa Del Carmen

April is the driest month of the year for Playa Del Carmen–you can expect rain maybe one to two days out of the month. It’s humid but still relatively comfortable compared to the coming summer months, so you can still enjoy outdoor activities without feeling too miserable.

April is one of Playa Del Carmen’s shoulder season months, which means it’s your chance to visit before the hot, humid, and rainy months begin.

And while it’s shoulder season, some holiday travelers during Easter week (Semana Santa) can add a temporary uptick in visitors.

There might still be spring breakers and party-goers in this part of Mexico in April, but crowds do start thinning throughout the month. It’s nothing as crazy as what you’d encounter in March.

May in Playa Del Carmen

Once May hits, the days start to heat up and it gets HOT during the afternoon. You can expect the high daytime temperatures to reach the 90’s and above.

This month marks the start of the offseason (fewer crowds and lower rates), but it’s also the beginning of the transition to the rainy season.

Aside from the weather, the main benefit of visiting Playa Del Carmen in May is your increased chances of encountering sea turtles and whale sharks!

The sea turtles begin to nest on the beaches and the whale sharks begin arriving in the ocean areas of Cancun (mostly around Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres). There’s a lot of on-land wildlife activity that you really must experience for yourself.

isla holbox cancun mexico

June in Playa Del Carmen

June is the start of some of the warmest months of the year in Playa Del Carmen, with high temperatures reaching into the 90’s F during the daytime.

It’s a great time to visit if you’re looking to relax during your vacation, get a good tan, and spend some time in the water!

June does mark the start of hurricane season in Playa Del Carmen and the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula, however, it is relatively unlikely you will experience hurricanes during this month. You can expect some rain throughout the month, so at worst, you should anticipate a few days spent partially indoors.

Having said that, rain in June often comes as short, heavy downpours rather than all-day rain.

Because June is considered part of the wet season, this means accommodation rates and flight prices are usually very affordable during this month.

While the warmer weather may be good for swimming, the increased humidity does make more inland activities (exploring ruins, jungle excursions) a bit harder to bear. We recommend prioritizing beach/water activities closer to the coast during the month of June.

July in Playa Del Carmen

Let’s not sugarcoat it–July is one of the hottest months in Playa Del Carmen. July brings even hotter and more humid weather than June, however, there are less rainy days on average.

Even when there are heavy downpour storms in July, they tend to pass relatively quickly so you can continue to enjoy your day outdoors. Just be prepared by packing a wind-proof umbrella and/or a light rain jacket.

Again, we recommend sticking with water activities near the coast, but if you do venture out into the jungle or to the ruins, be sure to bring plenty of water with you to combat the stifling heat!

July sees slightly more visitors (compared to June) as this usually marks the start of summer vacation. However, crowds are still quite thin, which is totally awesome for those looking for a quieter trip.

Accommodation rates and flight prices are usually still very affordable during this month.

August in Playa Del Carmen

The last official month of summer brings lots of humidity and high heat, and even though it does tend to cool down throughout the month, you won’t feel much of a difference due to the constant mugginess.

August is a transition month: it’s still summer, but rainfall gradually increases, especially toward the end (the closer it gets to September).

While the weather may not be the most pleasant, August is a good month to visit to enjoy the last bits of the summertime and to see marine life. The turtle hatchlings that started in late July continue on in early August, and usually, the pods of whale sharks (up north) are still in the area to enjoy.

For outdoor activities, get them scheduled for early-morning in order to beat the heat.

September in Playa Del Carmen

September marks the peak of hurricane season for Playa Del Carmen. Instead of vicious hurricane events, you’re more likely to experience a decent amount of rain. September is Playa Del Carmen’s wettest month.

When it’s not raining, though, you can expect warmer water temperatures compared to August, and plenty of opportunities to spend time on the beach.

Two huge perks of visiting in September? The summer crowds have usually gone as the kids are back in school by then. It is also the rainiest month, meaning fewer people are visiting overall.

There will be very light crowds wherever you go, so if you’re looking to travel on a budget and want to score the best travel deals Playa Del Carmen has to offer, September is a great time to visit.

Baby sea turtles - Best Time To Visit Cancun - TravelsWithElle

October in Playa Del Carmen

October tends to bring more rain, but less overall rain compared to September. At this time, the hot/humid weather will start to drop down a little, bringing more comfortable temperatures along with less overall humidity.

October is the lull between the busy seasons of the summer and the holiday months. This is one of the lower tourist months and is a great time to visit for a more relaxed vacation.

You’ll likely find some of the best travel deals during this time!

November in Playa Del Carmen

November brings even cooler weather than October.

Come November, Playa Del Carmen experiences the tail end of hurricane season. The weather in November is usually warm and sunny, yet still somewhat unpredictable.

During the day you can expect the temperature to remain around the mid-80’s range. This is excellent weather for lounging on the beach, enjoying the beach clubs, as well as other activities including hiking, sightseeing and more.

There could very well be rain, especially towards the beginning of the month. Having said that, it’s rare that you will be rained in for a full day as Playa Del Carmen usually experiences passing showers that last for a few hours.

As you reach the end of November, you can expect more people starting to flock in to spend their holidays in Mexico (and to escape the cold where they live).

December in Playa Del Carmen

Arguably the best month to visit Playa Del Carmen, December offers a bit of everything for vacationers.

The weather continues to stay in that comfortable mid-80’s range during the day, with slightly cooler temperatures at night. You can still enjoy wonderful beach conditions during the day, but you won’t break too much of a sweat when you’re out exploring! Very rarely will you need a long sleeve at night.

At night, you can expect more tourists at the various bars and restaurants, with many people visiting for the holiday season.

If you’re visiting in December, you’ll want to book accommodations as early as you can, as it’s one of the busiest months.

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When Is Playa Del Carmen’s Wet Season?

The wet season runs from May to October. This is when tropical storms usually hit the Yucatan Peninsula. While you may think a wet season will be cold, it actually tends to be hotter than the dry season.

Hurricane season in Playa Del Carmen spans June to November, with a higher likelihood of storms from August to October. Actual hurricanes are rare though, so it’s still a decent time to visit if you don’t mind periodic rain showers here and there throughout the day.

(The area has seen only two hurricanes in the past 30 years.)


When Is Playa Del Carmen’s Dry Season?

The dry season is from December to April. Travelers will find cooler, more pleasant temperatures.

If you don’t do well with rain or wind, we would recommend visiting during the dry season.


When Is Playa Del Carmen Most Humid?

There is always a moderate level of humidity in the Yucatan Peninsula. However, if you’re looking to avoid high humidity weather, try to avoid the months of June through September.

June, July and August are the hottest and most sweltering months with high humidity, high rainfall and high temperatures. September is the wettest month, and increased rains usually means increased humidity.

In terms of humidity, this season is the most unwelcoming.


Is Playa Del Carmen Cold in December?

While it might be cold in December for many other cities/destinations in the world, Playa Del Carmen is not one of those places. In fact, December is arguably the best time to visit Playa!

Days are warm, nights are cool and comfortable, and skies are almost always sunny and clear. Average highs are around 82°F (27°C). Average temperatures rarely fall below 76°F.

Get ready for some near-perfect weather in December!


Does It Rain All Day in Playa Del Carmen During the Rainy Season?

Yes and no. While there is a possibility it could rain all day, there’s also the possibility that it could rain for 30 minutes during the day with nothing but sunlight the rest of the time. It could also rain overnight with no rain in sight in the daytime.

The rain can be heavy at times in Playa Del Carmen, but it is unlikely to rain for the whole of your trip. Usually, if it does rain, it will only last for 1-3 days.

Rest assured, if you do vacation during the rainy season, you will not be rained in during your entire vacation!


Essential Travel Tips For Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

  • There’s been sort of a seaweed problem in the Cancun/Playa Del Carmen area. Want to make sure you’re going to be getting crystal clear waters? Check the latest seaweed conditions report before heading to the beaches in/nearby Playa Del Carmen. If you’re keen to avoid sargassum seaweed on your Mexico visit, make sure to stay in a hotel that has staff constantly monitoring the issue.
  • The most popular times to visit Playa Del Carmen range from November to April (high season). If you’re looking for a quieter experience, plan your trip for May to October.
  • Hurricane season runs from June through November. While hurricanes are unlikely, most weather experts recommend purchasing travel insurance if you plan on visiting during hurricane season.
  • Bring pesos with you just in case you need to pay with cash. Pick up pesos from an ATM wherever you depart from before heading to Playa Del Carmen. Not all places accept credit cards on the island (small shopfronts, food vendors, etc.), and ATMs are few and far between.
  • When using a credit card, choose to pay in the local currency instead of your home currency. You’ll get a better exchange rate and will be paying less than the home currency option. (In my case, I would pay in $MXN instead of in $USD.)
  • The tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink. Your hotel will likely provide you with free filtered water.
  • Playa Del Carmen is extremely tourist-friendly. If you can’t speak a lick of Spanish, you’ll be okay. This region (Yucatan Peninsula) largely caters to English-speaking visitors, and you’ll find that English is spoken by most locals, hotel/restaurant staff, and tour guides.
  • Playa Del Carmen is safe, but always practice self-awareness and caution. Certain areas of Mexico have long held a reputation for being unsafe due to cartel violence, but resort areas and tourists are not targeted. Just exercise increased caution as you would anywhere–avoid being flashy, don’t walk around alone at night, be wary of your surroundings, and you should be just fine.
  • No matter what you’re budget is, you’ll find tons of accommodation options in Playa Del Carmen. Most budget accommodations and mid-tier hotels are located in downtown Playa Del Carmen, while luxury resort options are largely found in more remote areas nearby (like Puerto Morelos).
  • Taxis in Playa Del Carmen are costly, and buses are cheap. Taxis in Cancun/PDC follow a set price (Ex: ~$45 from Playa del Carmen to Cancun’s Hotel Zone; ~$26 from Cancun International Airport to the Hotel Zone). Many travelers opt for local bus transportation, which is reliable, frequent, and inexpensive (under $1/ride).
  • For long distances, we always prefer pre-booking private transfers to get from the airport to hotels (or even hotel to hotel). Prices for these services are usually cheaper than if you were to call a taxi!

We hope you found this post useful and now have a better idea of when to visit Playa Del Carmen. Happy vacationing!

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AUTHOR

Elle Leung

My name is Elle and I'm a travel blogger and adventurer based in California. I love helping people plan trips and create unique itineraries based on their interests and their budgets. I'm a huge fan of outdoor adventures and doing off-the-beaten-path things in my state (and all around the world too)!

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