Playa del Carmen at a glance
- Best time
- Nov – May
- Warmest month
- Aug · 30°
- Warmest sea
- Sep · 29.5°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,830 h
- Rain a year
- 1,090 mm
- Climate
- Tropical
- Time zone
- UTC−5
- Elevation
- 9 m
Climate in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. August is the warmest month with average highs of 30 °C, while January is the coolest at 26 °C. With around 2,830 hours of sunshine a year, Playa del Carmen is sunny; July is the sunniest month with 9.2 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: November – May
October is the peak of the hurricane season
What is the weather like in Playa del Carmen in October?
In October, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.2 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 20 days, totalling 167 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 42 min06:43 – 18:25
- UV index
- 9 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 30 daysdew point 18 °C or more
- Wind
- 13 km/haverage daily peak
- Cloud cover
- 59 %on average
- Hot days
- 3 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC−5America/Cancun
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %100 %
- Seaweight 25 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %60 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %0 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Insect repellent
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sea temperature in Playa del Carmen
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 28.7 – 29.6 °C
Swimming season: All year
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Playa del Carmen ranges from 26.6 °C in February to 29.5 °C in September. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in September, while the air already peaks in August. From October to February the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in September, eight out of ten years were between 29.0 and 29.9 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 26.8° | 26.1° | 27.4° | warm |
| FebruaryFeb | 26.6° | 26.1° | 27.0° | warm |
| MarchMar | 26.6° | 26.2° | 27.1° | warm |
| AprilApr | 27.2° | 26.7° | 27.5° | warm |
| MayMay | 28.1° | 27.6° | 28.5° | warm |
| JuneJun | 28.7° | 28.3° | 29.3° | warm |
| JulyJul | 29.0° | 28.6° | 29.5° | very warm |
| AugustAug | 29.4° | 29.0° | 29.9° | very warm |
| SeptemberSep | 29.5° | 29.0° | 29.9° | very warm |
| OctoberOct | 29.2° | 28.7° | 29.6° | very warm |
| NovemberNov | 28.3° | 27.7° | 29.0° | warm |
| DecemberDec | 27.4° | 26.7° | 28.1° | warm |
Sunshine hours in Playa del Carmen
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 6.6 of 11.7 hours of daylight in Playa del Carmen, 56 % of the day.
Sunshine hours count the time with bright, direct sunshine (WMO definition, estimated from model data); daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Playa del Carmen
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 9 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in July (UV 12).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 20 min
- Light brown skin
- about 25 min
- Olive skin
- about 35 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Playa del Carmen: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Playa del Carmen has about 20 rainy days with 167 mm of rain in total.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 84 | 26° | 22° | 26.8° | 6.5 h | 10 | 39 |
| FebruaryFeb | 90 | 27° | 23° | 26.6° | 7.5 h | 7 | 29 |
| MarchMar | 94 | 27° | 23° | 26.6° | 8.2 h | 6 | 28 |
| AprilApr | 96 | 29° | 24° | 27.2° | 8.7 h | 6 | 35 |
| MayMay | 87 | 30° | 25° | 28.1° | 8.7 h | 13 | 81 |
| JuneJun | 76 | 30° | 26° | 28.7° | 7.8 h | 20 | 171 |
| JulyJul | 80 | 30° | 26° | 29.0° | 9.2 h | 18 | 109 |
| AugustAug | 78 | 30° | 26° | 29.4° | 8.5 h | 21 | 137 |
| SeptemberSep | 75 | 30° | 26° | 29.5° | 7.4 h | 24 | 180 |
| OctoberOct | 72 | 29° | 25° | 29.2° | 6.6 h | 20 | 167 |
| NovemberNov | 81 | 27° | 23° | 28.3° | 6.9 h | 12 | 71 |
| DecemberDec | 85 | 26° | 23° | 27.4° | 6.9 h | 10 | 44 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)
20.63° N, 87.08° W · 9 m · America/Cancun
Best time to visit Playa del Carmen
The best time to visit Playa del Carmen is from November to May. For a beach holiday with the sea above 21 °C, go from December to April. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from December to March. Rain is most frequent from May to November; the wettest month is September with 180 mm.
Playa del Carmen through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Playa del Carmen in the dry season
Dec – Apr
Excellent
- 26–29 °C by day
- Sea 27 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 40 rainy days in all
Playa del Carmen in the rainy season
May – Nov
Good
- 27–30 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 127 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Playa del Carmen for you.
Your best months: February – April
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Dec – Apr
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Dec – Mar
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
May – Nov
12 or more rainy days
Playa del Carmen month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
84January26° · Sea 27° · 7 h
In January, Playa del Carmen is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 26.8 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 39 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in January90February27° · Sea 27° · 8 h
In February, Playa del Carmen is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 26.6 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 29 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is an excellent month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in February94March27° · Sea 27° · 8 h
In March, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 26.6 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 28 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is an excellent month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in March96April29° · Sea 27° · 9 h
In April, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 35 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in April87May30° · Sea 28° · 9 h
In May, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 28.1 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 81 mm in total. On about 9 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in May76June30° · Sea 29° · 8 h
In June, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sea averages 28.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 20 days, totalling 171 mm. On about 9 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in June80July30° · Sea 29° · 9 h
In July, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sea averages 29.0 °C – almost as warm as a bath. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 18 days, totalling 109 mm. On about 20 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in July78August30° · Sea 29° · 9 h
In August, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sea averages 29.4 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 21 days, totalling 137 mm. On about 21 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in August75September30° · Sea 30° · 7 h
In September, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sea averages 29.5 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 24 days, totalling 180 mm. On about 14 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in September72October29° · Sea 29° · 7 h
In October, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.2 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 20 days, totalling 167 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in October81November27° · Sea 28° · 7 h
In November, Playa del Carmen is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 28.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 71 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is an excellent month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in November85December26° · Sea 27° · 7 h
In December, Playa del Carmen is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 27.4 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 44 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is an excellent month for a holiday in Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen in DecemberPlaya del Carmen compared
Put Playa del Carmen side by side with another destination.
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Playa del Carmen vs. Tulum
In October the holiday weather in Playa del Carmen and Tulum is about equally good (score 72 vs. 73). During the day it is about as warm in Tulum as in Playa del Carmen. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Playa del Carmen | Tulum |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 72 | 73 |
| Daytime high | 29° | 29° |
| Sea | 29° | 29° |
| Sunshine | 7 h | 7 h |
| Rainy days | 20 | 20 |
| Best time | Nov – May | Jul, Nov – May |
Through the year
Mexico in October: the best places
In October, Playa del Carmen ranks 5 of 6 destinations in this country.
- Cabo San Lucas32°29°96
- 2Mexico City20°81
- 3Tulum29°29°73
- 4Puerto Vallarta29°30°73
- 5Playa del CarmenThis page29°29°72
- 6Cancún28°29°72
Planning a trip to Playa del Carmen
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 10 h 10 min
- Distance
- 8,000 km
- Time zone
- UTC−5
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Storm season
Playa del Carmen lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June: Season
- July: Season
- August: Peak
- September: Peak
- October: Peak
- November: Season
- December
Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM); not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions about Playa del Carmen
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
The best time to visit Playa del Carmen is from November to May. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Playa del Carmen?
The sea temperature in Playa del Carmen ranges from 26.6 °C in February to 29.5 °C in September. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
Can you swim in Playa del Carmen in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 29.2 °C – almost as warm as a bath.
What is the warmest month in Playa del Carmen?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C and nights around 26 °C. January is the coolest month at 26 °C.
When does it rain most in Playa del Carmen?
Rain is most frequent from May to November; the wettest month is September with 180 mm. The driest month is March with 28 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Playa del Carmen get?
Playa del Carmen gets around 2,830 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 9.2 hours a day; in January there are 6.5 hours a day.
What time zone is Playa del Carmen in?
Playa del Carmen uses the time zone America/Cancun, at UTC−5 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Playa del Carmen?
A nonstop flight from London to Playa del Carmen takes about 10 h 10 min, for a straight-line distance of about 8,000 km.
When is hurricane season in Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
Near Playa del Carmen
Other destinations close by.