Season guide · Playa del Carmen · Mexico
Playa del Carmen in the dry season
December–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Sunny, breezy and the most comfortable weather, with occasional windy cold fronts; peak prices and crowds. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F), with about 27 rainy days across December–April. December–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–April
- Temperatures
- 19°C (66°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 27
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in the dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 | 11 h | 5/5 |
| February | 29°C (84°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 | 11.4 h | 5/5 |
| March | 30°C (86°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 4 | 12 h | 5/5 |
| April | 31°C (88°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 | 12.6 h | 4/5 |
| December | 29°C (84°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 8 | 10.9 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 31°C (88°F), and 27 of the year's roughly 99 rainy days fall in these 5 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in the dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- February: Carnival — parades and street parties (February or early March)
- March: Semana Santa — Easter holidays bring Mexican visitors to the coast (March or April)
- December: New Year's Eve fireworks and beach parties (31 December)
Make the most of the weather
Beach · Mamitas and Calle 28–38
Mamitas Beach
Playa's most famous beach, at the end of Calle 28, has fine white sand, turquoise water and a well-known beach club, plus public sections where you can lay your own towel.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Beach · Coco Beach and Punta Esmeralda
Punta Esmeralda
Visit on a weekday morning; the shallow pool is best for small children before it gets busy.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
Theme park · South of Playa del Carmen
Xcaret
About 6 km south of town, Xcaret is a large eco-archaeological park with underground river swims, a coral-reef aquarium, butterfly and bird sanctuaries, a Maya village and a nightly show, 'Xcaret México Espectacular', on Mexican history and culture.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Iconic
- Nature
- After dark
Theme park · South of Playa del Carmen
Xplor
Wear secure footwear and leave loose items in the lockers; minimum height rules apply for some activities.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Kids
- Nature
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Nature · South of Playa del Carmen
Río Secreto
A partly flooded underground cave system just south of town, explored on guided tours with wetsuits, helmets and lights.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Nature
- Active
- Rainy day
- Kids
Day trips in the dry season
- Cozumel (About 45 minutes by ferry) — Mexico's largest Caribbean island is famous for its reef walls and drift dives in the Cozumel Reefs National Park.
- Tulum (About 50 minutes by colectivo or car) — The clifftop Maya ruins of Tulum overlook a turquoise cove, and the town's beaches and cenotes such as the Gran Cenote are close by.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the dry season a good time to visit Playa del Carmen?
Yes: December–April are among the best months. Sunny, breezy and the most comfortable weather, with occasional windy cold fronts; peak prices and crowds.
+What is the weather like in Playa del Carmen in the dry season?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F), with about 27 rainy days over the season.