The Grand Escape
Destinations · Head-to-head

Negril vs Riviera Maya

Negril 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.

Negril guide · Riviera Maya guide · How we score

By the numbers

NegrilRiviera Maya
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog38
Average guest rating★ 4.5★ 4.5
Nightly rates$300–$800/night$300–$800+/night
Adults-only resorts2 of 33 of 8
Hurricane exposureIn the hurricane beltIn the hurricane belt
Rainy seasonMay–June and September–NovemberJune–October, heaviest September–October
Sweet spotDecember–April — with a sunset every night of the yearDecember–April
AirportSangster (MBJ) — ~75–90 min transferCancún (CUN) — transfers run 25–90 min depending how far south
Best forBeach purists, couples, long unhurried staysCenotes + ruins + beach in one trip; low-rise seclusion
SignatureSunsets at Rick's Café; calm swimmable waterJungle-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
Negril — high °F838384858789898988878684
Riviera Maya — high °F828385878990909189878482
Negril — rain (in)0.80.60.71.34.23.82.63.85.57.03.21.4
Riviera Maya — rain (in)3.52.01.51.54.06.54.04.58.58.54.03.5

Approximate climate normals for Seven Mile Beach and Playa del Carmen–Tulum — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Negril

  1. 1.Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa — · ★ 4.6
  2. 2.Couples Swept Away — Negril, Jamaica · ★ 4.5
  3. 3.Sandals Negril — Negril, Jamaica · ★ 4.5

Chains here: Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts · Couples Resorts · Sandals Resorts

Full Negril 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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