Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula is a Mexican region where Maya ruins, cenotes and Caribbean beaches fit into one trip, though the drives between bases are long.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
The Yucatán Peninsula is a flat limestone plain in southeast Mexico, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Three states share it: Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Campeche. With almost no surface rivers, rainwater drains through the rock and fills cenotes, sinkholes you can swim in. Maya sites such as Chichén Itzá, Uxmal and Ek' Balam sit alongside colonial towns like Mérida, Valladolid and Campeche, and beaches near Cancún and Tulum.
The peninsula suits a trip that mixes ruins, swimming and town life, provided you plan around distance and heat. Cancún to Mérida is a drive of several hours, so two or three bases work better than a new hotel every night. The drier months, roughly November to April, are the most comfortable time to visit. Hurricane season runs from June through November. Allow at least a week to cover the main areas at an unhurried pace.
Yucatán Peninsula in five
- Choose two or three bases, not fiveA Caribbean base such as Tulum, an inland one such as Valladolid and Mérida for the Gulf side covers the main sights with little backtracking.Valladolid
- Mind the time zonesQuintana Roo stays on UTC−5 all year, while Yucatán and Campeche are on UTC−6. A bus from Cancún to Mérida moves the clock back an hour, which matters for ruin gates and transfers.
- Rent a car for ruins and cenotesBuses link the main towns, but a car reaches cenotes and smaller ruins on your own timetable. Compare rental terms and insurance before you pick up.Mexico transport
- Go early to the big ruinsChichén Itzá and Cobá fill up and heat up by late morning. Be at the gate at opening and plan a swim afterward.Chichén Itzá
- Check storms and seaweedHurricane season runs through autumn, and sargassum can pile up on Caribbean beaches in some years, mainly in spring and summer. Look at recent reports for your beach.Quintana Roo
Things to do in Yucatán Peninsula
See all attractions in Yucatán Peninsula
Need to know
- Airport
- Cancún (CUN) and Mérida (MID) are the main gateways
- Getting there
- Fly to Cancún or Mérida; ADO buses link the main towns
- Getting around
- Buses and colectivos between towns; rental car for ruins and cenotes
- Best base
- Mérida, Valladolid and one Caribbean coast base
- Time needed
- 7–10 days for three bases
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Dry, pleasantJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
- FebruaryPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Dry, pleasantFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°Dry, warmMarchClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh35°Low22°Hot, dryAprilClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh35°Low23°Hot, sargassumMayPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, sargassum
- JuneRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low24°Rains, sargassumJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 213 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rains, sargassum
- JulyRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low23°Hot, showersJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, showers
- AugustRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low23°Hurricane seasonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane season
- SeptemberRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low23°Peak storm riskSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 249 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak storm risk
- OctoberRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Storm riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 164 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Dry, pleasantNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Dry, holidaysDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Cancún, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Yucatán Peninsula
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
31
- Feels like
- 37°
- Humidity
- 57%
- Wind
- 1 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 68%
Yucatán Peninsula
02:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°22°68%Monday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Tue33°21°52%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Wed33°22°32%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 32%.
- Thu33°22°16%Thursday: Cloudy. High 33°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Fri34°21°24%Friday: Clear. High 34°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Sat34°22°29%Saturday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 10:56 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Chichén Itzáabout 45 min from ValladolidThe best-known Maya site on the peninsula; go at opening.Read the guide
- Celestúnabout 1.5 hours from MéridaA Gulf-coast reserve known for flamingos and mangrove boat trips.Read the guide
- Laguna Bacalarabout 2.5 hours from TulumA freshwater lagoon in shades of blue, close to the Belize border.Read the guide
Before you go to Yucatán Peninsula
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Yucatán Peninsula, checked
- Visitors from visa-exempt countries usually get a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival. Confirm entry requirements at gob.mx/sre before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current amount with Mexican customs (SAT) before you travel.
- Climbing the steps of El Castillo at Chichén Itzá is not allowed. Stay on the marked paths at all archaeological sites.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Mexico.
Plan around Yucatán Peninsula
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Mexico trip
Read the guideYucatánMérida, Uxmal and cenotes
Read the guideQuintana RooThe Caribbean state, Cancún to Chetumal
Read the guideCampecheA walled port city on the Gulf side
Read the guideValladolidA colonial base for cenotes and ruins
Read the guideMéridaThe state capital and its food scene
Read the guideYucatán Peninsula FAQ
How many days do you need for the Yucatán Peninsula?
Seven to ten days covers three bases and the main ruins without rushing. Five days works for Cancún or Tulum plus one inland stop. Two weeks lets you add Campeche and Bacalar.
Is it better to base in Cancún or Mérida?
Cancún suits beaches, resorts and easy flights. Mérida suits food, culture and day trips to Uxmal and cenotes, and is hotter and less beachy. Split the trip if you want both.
Which is better, the Caribbean or the Gulf coast?
The Caribbean coast has the white-sand beaches and reef. The Gulf side has quieter towns, flamingos and colonial cities but little swimmable beach. Choose by whether sea or culture matters more.
Do you need a car in the Yucatán Peninsula?
Not for Cancún, Playa del Carmen or Mérida. A car helps for cenotes, smaller ruins and Ek Balam. Buses and colectivos cover the main routes, but not every cenote.
When is the best time to visit the Yucatán Peninsula?
November to March for dry, warmer-than-hot weather. April to June is very hot, and August to October carries the highest hurricane risk, especially on the Caribbean side.