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Destinations · Head-to-head

Barbados South Coast vs Riviera Maya

Barbados South Coast and Riviera Maya, side by side: live travel advisories, our resort catalog's real guest data, and each destination's honest weather picture — everything you need to break the tie.

Barbados South Coast guide · Riviera Maya guide · How we score

By the numbers

Barbados South CoastRiviera Maya
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 1: Exercise Normal PrecautionsLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog48
Average guest rating★ 4.2★ 4.5
Nightly rates$500–$800+/night$300–$800+/night
Adults-only resorts2 of 43 of 8
Hurricane exposureLow hurricane riskIn the hurricane belt
Rainy seasonJune–November, typically short heavy showersJune–October, heaviest September–October
Sweet spotDecember–AprilDecember–April
AirportBridgetown (BGI) — most resorts 15–20 min awayCancún (CUN) — transfers run 25–90 min depending how far south
Best forNightlife within walking distance, value, livelier waterCenotes + ruins + beach in one trip; low-rise seclusion

Advisory levels sync from travel.state.gov; catalog figures reflect the resorts we've researched, not every hotel in the country.

On the map

Map of Barbados South Coast resorts
Barbados South Coast
Map of Riviera Maya resorts
Riviera Maya

Weather, month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Barbados South Coast — high °F838384868787878888878684
Riviera Maya — high °F828385878990909189878482
Barbados South Coast — rain (in)2.61.61.31.42.34.45.85.86.77.06.13.8
Riviera Maya — rain (in)3.52.01.51.54.06.54.04.58.58.54.03.5

Approximate climate normals for Christ Church (south coast) and Playa del Carmen–Tulum — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Barbados South Coast

  1. 1.Sugar Bay Barbados — · ★ 4.5
  2. 2.Sandals Barbados — · ★ 4.2
  3. 3.Turtle Beach, Barbados, A Tribute Portfolio All-Inclusive Resort — · ★ 4.1

Chains here: Sandals · Sugar Bay · Tribute Portfolio

Full Barbados South Coast guide

Best of Riviera Maya

  1. 1.Barceló Maya Riviera - All Inclusive Adults Only — · ★ 4.9
  2. 2.Grand Velas Riviera Maya — Playa del Carmen, Mexico · ★ 4.8
  3. 3.UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya — Riviera Maya, Mexico · ★ 4.6

Chains here: Barceló · Grand Velas · UNICO Hotel Collection

Full Riviera Maya guide

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