We monitor the weather for you
The weather in Río Lagartos, Yucatán
Can we go out to the estuary today?
We check the forecast for Río Lagartos every six hours and translate it into a useful response: whether the tour operates normally, if it's advisable to change the time, or if we need to reschedule. And if the weather dictates, we reschedule at no cost.
Adverse weather today. If the weather forces us to cancel, we will reschedule your tour at no cost or refund your deposit in full.
Upcoming days in Río Lagartos
- Tomorrow 32° 27° 20% 24 km/h Waxing
- Mon 14 31° 27° 10% 23 km/h Waxing
- Tue 15 31° 28° 10% 19 km/h Waxing
- Wed 16 31° 27° 10% 21 km/h Waxing
Today, hour by hour
- 22:00 28° 35%
- 00:00 28° 45%
- 02:00 27° 0%
- 04:00 27° 0%
- 06:00 27° 0%
- 08:00 29° 5%
- 10:00 31° 0%
- 12:00 31° 15%
- 14:00 31° 15%
- 16:00 31° 5%
- 18:00 30° 5%
- 20:00 29° 5%
What it means for your tour
- Strong winds in the estuary: fly fishing becomes complicated and open sea may need to be rescheduled.
- Risk of thunderstorms: for safety, we do not navigate with electrical equipment nearby.
- Dark nights this week: it's the best window to see bioluminescence.
- Very high UV index at noon: hat, long sleeves, and biodegradable sunscreen.
You don't risk the trip
No booking is lost due to weather. If the day does not allow for safe navigation, we will move the tour to another day of your stay or refund your deposit in full. We decide in the morning and notify you via WhatsApp: you don't have to keep an eye on the weather report.
The weather in Río Lagartos, month by month
There is no bad time to come: there are different seasons. This is what you can expect in each one and how it affects the outings.
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November – April
Dry season
The best window of the year: stable days, clear skies, and calmer seas. This is when we have the most full tours and when the light for photography is clearest. Book in advance: it's also the most requested season.
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November – February
The Nortes
During the dry season, cold fronts from the north bring wind for two or three days. The estuary gets choppy and open sea may be canceled, but the tours sheltered by the mangroves continue. This is the most common reason to change a departure time in winter.
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May – October
Rainy season
Heat and humidity, with afternoon rains that are usually strong and short. Tours are almost never canceled: we leave early and are back by mid-morning. The estuary is at its greenest and there are fewer people.
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June – November
Hurricane season
The official Atlantic season, peaking between August and October. Most days go by normally; when a named system approaches, we suspend tours days in advance and notify you to reschedule. We never operate with an active warning.
The moon determines bioluminescence
The bioluminescent plankton in the estuary is visible by contrast: it needs darkness. With a full moon, or on the big days around it, the moonlight obscures it, no matter how active the water is. The best nights are during the new moon and the nearby days. In the forecast above, we mark the phase for each day, and if tonight isn’t suitable, we’ll let you know when the next dark night of the week is.
If you're coming specifically for the bioluminescence, message us before finalizing your dates and we’ll tell you which nights during your stay are good.
Where we measure the weather
The forecast on this page corresponds to the exact point of the Río Lagartos dock, where all our tours depart — not to the municipal head or Mérida, which are inland and have a different climate.
What to bring, depending on the day
- Biodegradable sunscreen, a hat, and lightweight long sleeves. The UV index here is high almost all year round, and there’s no shade on the boat.
- A light windbreaker if there’s a north wind: with the boat in motion and wind, it feels cool in the early hours even if the thermometer reads 24°.
- During the rainy season, a waterproof bag or a ziplock for your phone and camera. The downpour comes quickly and goes away just as fast.
- Water. The humidity of the estuary dehydrates more than it seems, even on cloudy days.
Questions about the weather
What happens if it rains on the day of my tour?
In Río Lagartos, rain usually comes in the afternoon, strong and short, so we almost never cancel: we move the departure time earlier and are back by mid-morning. We only suspend when there’s an electrical storm or wind that prevents safe navigation — and in that case, we reschedule your tour at no cost or refund your deposit in full.
What is the best time of year to visit Río Lagartos?
From November to April, the weather is more stable and the sea calmer: it’s the best window and also the most sought after. From May to October, it’s hotter and rains in the afternoons, but the estuary is greener, there are fewer people, and morning departures work perfectly.
Why can’t bioluminescence always be seen?
Because it depends on the moon, not the forecast. The plankton is visible by contrast with darkness: with a full moon or on nearby days, its light is completely obscured. The best nights are during the new moon. On this same page, we mark the phase for each day of the week.
What are nortes and how do they affect the tour?
They are cold fronts that come in between November and February and bring wind for two or three days. The estuary gets choppy, and open sea departures may be suspended, but the tours through the mangrove channels continue as planned. If there’s a north wind, we’ll let you know when you book and adjust the time.
Can I come during hurricane season?
Yes. The season runs from June to November, peaking between August and October, and the vast majority of days go by normally. When a named system approaches, we see it days in advance, suspend tours, and notify you to move the dates. We never navigate with an active warning.
How far in advance will I know if my tour is still on?
We make the decision on the morning of the tour, when the forecast is reliable, and we message you via WhatsApp. If a system is approaching — a hurricane, a strong north wind — we’ll notify you as soon as we know, without waiting until the last day.
Where does the forecast on this page come from?
From the Weather API of Google Maps Platform, checked from our server every six hours for the exact point of the Río Lagartos dock. The interpretation — whether the tour goes, whether it’s advisable to change the time, whether bioluminescence is visible — is ours, based on the years we’ve been operating in the estuary.
Shall we book your tour?
Choose the day and we’ll keep an eye on the forecast. If the weather requires any changes, we’ll message you before you have to ask.