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Destinations · Head-to-head

Riviera Maya vs Rodney Bay

Riviera Maya and Rodney Bay, 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.

Riviera Maya guide · Rodney Bay guide · How we score

By the numbers

Riviera MayaRodney Bay
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Resorts in our catalog85
Average guest rating★ 4.5★ 4.3
Nightly rates$300–$800+/night—
Adults-only resorts3 of 81 of 5
Hurricane exposureIn the hurricane beltIn the hurricane belt
Rainy seasonJune–October, heaviest September–OctoberJune–November, heaviest September–October
Sweet spotDecember–AprilDecember–April
Best forCenotes + ruins + beach in one trip; low-rise seclusionFirst St. Lucia trips, families, walk-to-dinner travelers

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 Riviera Maya resorts
Riviera Maya
Map of Rodney Bay resorts
Rodney Bay

Weather, month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Riviera Maya — high °F828385878990909189878482
Rodney Bay — high °F848485878888888888878684
Riviera Maya — rain (in)3.52.01.51.54.06.54.04.58.58.54.03.5
Rodney Bay — rain (in)3.72.62.43.44.47.58.18.98.49.27.75.2

Approximate climate normals for Playa del Carmen–Tulum and Rodney Bay / Gros Islet — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

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

Best of Rodney Bay

  1. 1.Sandals Grande St. Lucian — · ★ 4.5
  2. 2.Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences — · ★ 4.5
  3. 3.Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa — · ★ 4.3

Chains here: Sandals Resorts · Bay Gardens Resorts · Coco Resorts

Full Rodney Bay guide

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