Playa del Carmen or Tulum in March?
On climate data, Playa del Carmen comes out ahead overall in March. See the per-criterion details below.
Playa del CarmenPhoto: Ana Beatriz Vega González · CC BY-SA 4.0
TulumPhoto: ironypoisoning · CC BY-SA 2.0Key figures in March
| Criterion | Playa del Carmen | Tulum |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 27 °C | 29 °C |
| Average daily low | 24 °C | 23 °C |
| Sea | 27 °C | 27 °C |
| Rainy days | 7 rainy days (est.) | 6 rainy days (est.) ★ |
| Sun | 7 h/day | 7 h/day |
| Humidity | 74 % | 71 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Tulum is about 2 °C warmer by day.
Playa del Carmen or Tulum in March: the short answer
In March, Playa del Carmen comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Playa del Carmen 87/100 vs Tulum 84/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on March as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Playa del Carmen averages a climate score of 69/100, Tulum 68/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in March, side by side
The average daily high is about 27 °C in Playa del Carmen and 29 °C in Tulum — warmer in Tulum. Average daily lows are around 24 °C versus 23 °C.
On rain, Playa del Carmen sees about 7 rainy days in March and Tulum about 6 — drier in Tulum. Sunshine is comparable (7 vs 7 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In March the water is about 27 °C at Playa del Carmen and 27 °C at Tulum. Over the year, Playa del Carmen is comfortable for swimming (from ~21 °C) in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, Tulum in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Peak sea warmth is September for Playa del Carmen and September for Tulum.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Playa del Carmen records roughly 182 rainy days and Tulum about 169 — the drier of the two overall is Tulum. At their sunniest, Playa del Carmen reaches about 8 hours of sun a day (April) and Tulum about 8 (April). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Playa del Carmen is at its best in January, February, March and April, while Tulum peaks in January, February, March and April. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the March scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Playa del Carmen scores higher in March (Playa del Carmen 94 vs Tulum 93).
City breaks: Playa del Carmen scores higher in March (Playa del Carmen 85 vs Tulum 79).
Active & hiking: Playa del Carmen scores higher in March (Playa del Carmen 70 vs Tulum 65).
Family: Playa del Carmen scores higher in March (Playa del Carmen 92 vs Tulum 89).
Verdict: which should you pick?
In March, Playa del Carmen leads across every scored category here — the overall score and each travel type — so on the climate data it is the clearer pick this month. Over the year, Playa del Carmen carries the higher overall climate score. Your own priority (sun, sea, low rain or sightseeing comfort) still matters, and the month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.