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Destinations · Head-to-head

Guanacaste vs Riviera Maya

Guanacaste 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.

Guanacaste guide · Riviera Maya guide · How we score

By the numbers

GuanacasteRiviera Maya
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog58
Average guest rating★ 4.4★ 4.5
Nightly rates$800+$300–$800+/night
Adults-only resorts1 of 53 of 8
Hurricane exposureLow hurricane riskIn the hurricane belt
Rainy seasonMay–November ('green season'), seriously wet September–OctoberJune–October, heaviest September–October
Sweet spotDecember–April, bone-dryDecember–April
AirportLiberia (LIR) — Papagayo resorts 30–45 minCancún (CUN) — transfers run 25–90 min depending how far south
Best forNature + beach in one trip; reliable winter sunCenotes + ruins + beach in one trip; low-rise seclusion
SignatureWildlife everywhere; volcano and cloud-forest day tripsJungle-meets-sea resorts; the cenote belt inland

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

Weather, month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Guanacaste — high °F919293939188888887868789
Riviera Maya — high °F828385878990909189878482
Guanacaste — rain (in)0.10.10.20.77.79.05.97.913.012.24.30.5
Riviera Maya — rain (in)3.52.01.51.54.06.54.04.58.58.54.03.5

Approximate climate normals for Papagayo / Guanacaste and Playa del Carmen–Tulum — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Guanacaste

  1. 1.The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa — · ★ 4.5
  2. 2.Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort — · ★ 4.4
  3. 3.Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica — · ★ 4.4

Chains here: Westin · Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts · Secrets Resorts & Spas

Full Guanacaste 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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