The Grand Escape
Destinations · Head-to-head

Los Cabos vs Riviera Maya

Los Cabos 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.

Los Cabos guide · Riviera Maya guide · How we score

By the numbers

Los CabosRiviera Maya
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog08
Average guest rating—★ 4.5
Nightly rates—$300–$800+/night
Adults-only resorts0 of 03 of 8
Hurricane exposureLow hurricane riskIn the hurricane belt
Rainy seasonEssentially just September, and brieflyJune–October, heaviest September–October
Sweet spotOctober–June; whales December–AprilDecember–April
AirportLos Cabos (SJD) — Corridor resorts 20–45 minCancún (CUN) — transfers run 25–90 min depending how far south
Best forAdults-leaning luxury, golf, whale season, West Coast escapesCenotes + 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.

Weather, month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Los Cabos — high °F787981858993939290888480
Riviera Maya — high °F828385878990909189878482
Los Cabos — rain (in)0.30.10.10.00.00.10.91.64.01.00.40.6
Riviera Maya — rain (in)3.52.01.51.54.06.54.04.58.58.54.03.5

Approximate climate normals for Cabo San Lucas / San José del Cabo and Playa del Carmen–Tulum — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Los Cabos

No Los Cabos resorts in our catalog yet.

Full Los Cabos 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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