Dry season on both coasts: calm seas, clear skies, and peak prices.Dry season on both coasts.Where to go
Sargassum often builds on the Caribbean side from spring into late summer.Sargassum season on the Caribbean.Today's reading
Hurricane season runs to 30 November. Quieter beaches, lower prices; watch the forecast.Hurricane season, to 30 November.When to go
Mexico's Caribbean side: Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cozumel, with reef-calmed turquoise water and cenotes inland.
Photo: René Bongard · CC BY-SA 3.0What to know
Quintana Roo is Mexico's Caribbean coast: Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Holbox, with the Bacalar lagoon down south near Chetumal. A reef runs offshore along much of it, which is why the water is so often calm and good for snorkeling. Inland there are cenotes (flooded sinkholes) and Maya sites like Tulum and Cobá. Sargassum seaweed can pile up on the beaches from spring into late summer; how much varies a lot from year to year.
Our take
Turquoise water, fine white sand and Maya ruins within an hour of the airport. It is busy for a reason.
The most developed stretch of beach in Mexico, and the easiest first trip: direct flights, good roads, every budget covered.
Good for
Worth knowing
The way in. Cancún International is Mexico's busiest airport for international passengers.
In pictures
Photo: ERVIN ESCOBAR · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Alfonzo Buscemi · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The numbers
Before you go
The best time to visit Quintana Roo is generally December to April (the dry season). This aligns with the dry season and comfortable temperatures for beach and outdoor activities.
Fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN) or Cozumel International Airport (CZM). Drive the scenic Riviera Maya coastal highway.
Quintana Roo has 223 beaches along its coast. Top destinations include Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum.
Popular cities in Quintana Roo include Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel. Each offers distinct beaches, culture, and activities.
Quintana Roo has a Tropical Caribbean climate. Rainy season typically runs May to October; dry season November to April.
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN) or Cozumel International Airport (CZM). Drive the scenic Riviera Maya coastal highway.
Most reviewed
Photo: Daniel Lepoittevin · CC BY-SA 3.0Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Photo: diego_cue · CC BY-SA 3.0Quintana Roo
Photo: Eden, Janine and Jim · CC BY 2.0Tulum, Quintana Roo
Photo: Николай Максимович · CC BY 3.0Quintana Roo
Photo: Jacquidiaz · CC BY-SA 4.0Quintana Roo
Photo: Serge Melki · CC BY 2.0Akumal, Quintana Roo
Towns and areas
City guide
City guide
City guide
City guide
City guide
Zone
Zone
The full list
173 listed, by town, most-reviewed first.
Hotel occupancy · Riviera Maya
DataTur hotel occupancy for Riviera Maya (Quintana Roo). DataTur reports by tourism destination, not by state: these are the figures for Riviera Maya. It also reports on Cancún in Quintana Roo.
Occupancy averages about 82% in December. Book ahead.
Occupancy averages about 62% in September, so rooms are easier to find.
In 2024: busiest February (86.4%) · quietest September (59.4%)
January 2024 to December 2024, 0–100% occupancy scale.
Source: Official hotel occupancy statistics from DataTur (SECTUR Mexico). Aggregated across registered lodging categories.
Collections
101 places
59 places
18 places
55 places
32 places