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Price, demand and travel trends for Des Moines to Riviera Maya flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

Are flights from Des Moines to Riviera Maya cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares from Des Moines to Riviera Maya are about 2% lower than they were in November last year, averaging $596 round-trip.

What's the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Riviera Maya?

January is typically the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Riviera Maya, with round-trip fares averaging $593. July and December are usually the most expensive, averaging $714 and $706, respectively.

How do fares from Des Moines to Riviera Maya vary by day of the week?

On average, Sunday is the cheapest day to fly from Des Moines to Riviera Maya and Friday is the most expensive. Looking at the past 12 months of KAYAK data, it's 10% more expensive to fly on a Friday compared to Sunday.

What's the best time of day to fly from Des Moines to Riviera Maya?

It's cheapest to fly to Riviera Maya in the afternoon with average prices of $517. The evening is the most expensive time to fly, with average prices of $887.

What's the best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Riviera Maya?

Book your flights 25 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data collected over the past 12 months shows that booking in this window can save you around 28% compared to booking at the last minute (within 2 weeks of departure).

Key details for Des Moines to Riviera Maya flights

Low season

August
Beat the crowds with an average 63% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 93% increase in travelers.

Your Des Moines to Riviera Maya flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • How much should I budget for a flight from Des Moines to Riviera Maya?

    Over the past 12 months, round-trip fares from Des Moines to Riviera Maya have typically cost between $570 and $759.

  • Which airlines fly nonstop from Des Moines to Riviera Maya?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, no airline regularly operates nonstop flights from Des Moines to Riviera Maya. One-stop options include:

    • American Airlines
    • Delta
    • United Airlines

  • Which cabin classes are available from Des Moines to Riviera Maya?

    On flights from Des Moines to Riviera Maya you can book Economy Class, Premium Economy Class or First Class.

  • What are some popular landmarks around Riviera Maya?

    Riviera Maya is home to many popular sights. KAYAK travelers' favorites include:

    • Xcaret Park
    • Playa Maroma
    • Playa Caracol
    • Tulum Mayan Ruins

Your guide to booking Des Moines to Riviera Maya flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If you can plan ahead, the sweet spot for booking your flight is 25 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data shows fares in this window are around 28% lower than last-minute bookings (made within 2 weeks of departure). Not ready to commit? Set a Price Alert and we'll let you know when prices change.
  • Flexible with your dates? Fly in January to save some money. It's typically the cheapest month on this route, while flights in July will cost you the most.
  • Fly out on a Sunday to get the cheapest fares. Avoid Friday flights, which are about 10% more expensive.
  • Start your trip in Cancún, the most popular destination in Riviera Maya. From there, it's easy to continue on to other popular spots such as Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Des Moines to Riviera Maya

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Des Moines to Riviera Maya? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
SouthwestOverall score based on 4221 reviews
7.5Entertainment
8.6Crew
7.0Food
8.0Comfort
8.1Boarding
Airline reviews

Terrible, decided to delay our flight since another flight require a flight captain

2.0 MediocreChih Hsuan, Nov 2026
Read more Southwest reviews

Terrible, decided to delay our flight since another flight require a flight captain

staff and crew were great but the flight delays for the last few flights are insane. After a long day of work and you will get a notification of flights delay is not the message we want to see. And for some reason it keeps happening often this year.

I love southwest. I can not wait until all the planes convert to the upgraded planes. I love the charging option and the newer seats. Thank you from a very loyal Southwest customer.

My return flight was much better than the flight there! I paid for seat to Veagas but not the return. Thankgoodness they assigned me a seat with additional leg room as I have back and leg problems. I really appreciate it. With the flight already being super expensive due to gas prices and having to pay for bags (now) I needed to save some money.

My first flight from LGA to STL was not good. They didn't do service until over halfway through the flight, the internet didn't really work, and the crew all seemed like they didn't want to be there.

We were stressed about landing as our connecting flight was about to start boarding, being unfamiliar with the airport or where the gates were. We exited the plane to discover we were at the gate we needed. We would be getting back on the same plane but nobody told us we could have just stayed onboard. My wife and I were seated on aisle seats across from each other. We asked if there was a way we could sit together. Once we were at cruising altitude they let us move to an unoccupied row so that was nice.

It’s Southwest. The seats are small, the snacks are meh, it’s $50 to check a bag. It’s exactly fine. Could have been better. Could have been worse. It’s not Spirit

They delayed my flight all day but didn't try to reschedule me until all other options were gone. Ended up on a red eye. Not happy. Lesson learned, don't book the last flight from SJC to RDU.

Every single flight I take with southwest is delayed by at least one hour. Unbelievable

When I made my reservation it would have been nice if kayak would have included my luggage. Unaware that I had to pay $45 each way. Should have asked at reservation time if luggage was being checked

Everything was pretty good. I would like to have more drinks (water) during four hours of the flight.

My son’s suitcase was left behind at SFO and did not make the flight.

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the poor service and unprofessional staff we encountered when traveling with an infant. Our flight was delayed, and the gate staff failed to manage the boarding process appropriately. Due to incorrect, unavailable, or missing 'pink tag' stroller and car seat check-in procedures at the gate, we were forced to board last. Furthermore, the gate staff was rude and dismissive, causing significant distress to our infant. To make matters worse, one of our checked items—an infant sleeper/lounger—was returned to us broken. Given the unsafe handling of essential equipment and unprofessional treatment, I expect a prompt resolution regarding compensation for the damaged items.

With Aeromexico it ended up good but with Delta it was bad because we did everything through Delta... Showed up at the Delta terminal... It was the wrong place! Nothing ever told us to go to the Aeromexico terminal. It said "in partnership with Aeromexico" but I was never instructed to check in with them or go to their terminal. We had to haul @$$ running through the airport and almost didn't make it thanks to this poor communication. 👎🏽

It was an overnight flight and I desperately needed coffee before we landed, but Delta does only one beverage service, and that is shortly after takeoff, not before landing at 5 am.

Free Wi-Fi is good. That’s all - food mediocre, unfriendly crew, poor communication after trying to file a claim for my lost bag, which Delta didn’t even know was lost until I told them.

Everything went smoothly. I didn’t like that when I booked in the main cabin my wife and I weren’t seated together. One would think when booking on an option that allows picking your seat. They would put you and your travel partner together. Had to call to get it sorted. They did fix.

Keep us informed of delays in a more timely manner

were we seat it was freezing cold we even got sick. We asked the flight attending why it was so cold and she said she will take care of it and it got worse.

Caroline (Supervisor) was great! Salute to the employees like her!

Both ground crew and flight crew were rude, and did not provide any level of service. They made it very difficult as we were traveling with a passenger the required assistance.

From the check-in, to the flight, and arriving, everything went very smoothly. Unfortunately, when I received my baggage it was severely damaged. I have a hard shelled suitcase and it was completely smashed it. I’m not sure how this could happened but I am extremely disappointed that my belongings were damaged beyond repair and continued use.

Lousy No wheelchair. As normal at Atlanta Cheap airline Cheap aero plane. - Neither entertainment nor food on a 5 hour saga

The plane was so outdated, that it made it uncomfortable. The temperature was hot during the whole flight

Some entertainment and food/snack service would have been nice

All the pessengers should be wait in a line útil the creo and piloto are arrived.

Planes seat could be bigger very uncomfortable for tall humans.

1 hour waiting for suitcases to come out traveling in business class and food in business class is a sandwich? Avoid Aeromexico .

Newer plane with large seats. No meal, but snacks were plentiful. Inflight entertainment was good but movies were dated.

No space reserved for anyone who didn’t have underseat in front of them. Made it inconvenient to get the backs secured. No inflight entertainment in the 190. Bring your own! Food was excellent and we were surprised to get a full breakfast.

The air hostess was excellent. I have taken so many flight domestic and international, this is the first time the air hostess was so caring. She was a delight

1 flight cancelled Had to fly out of different city Flight at new departure city was delayed 3 hours causing us to miss connecting flights. By the time we did make it to Prague our luggage did not. Had to wait day and a half for luggage to be delivered. Customer service was not good. Agents did not arrive at gate until 5-10 minutes before boarding

It was better than excellent. The staff in Mason City were great. The young woman that pushed my wheelchair did more than could be expected of her. She came from India 17 years ago. I don't remember her name.

No seat back entertainment. And app had a hard time getting entertainment loaded.

It was great with United overall except for two things. 1) It was a 5-hour flight and we were with kids, so we were asking for extra snacks. They were extremely reticent to dole them out even though there wasn't any meal and the kids were starting to hit their limit towards the end. 2) Baggage didn't arrive until 80 minutes after we landed.

Staff was rude. Didn’t give water for 2 hours. Worst service

Very rough getting into denver. my kid threw up it was so rough.

We took off an hour late due to arrival airport not having enough gates. That was followed by 1:30 wait to get our bags delivered for the entire flight.

Liked that we left on time for each flight. Snacks not the best, but we're okay.

It’s a service to take you from one point to another. No frills. You want it, you take it. It’s upon you to bring food, reading material, games to play, movies to watch, etc. The wifi onboard never works - so you cannot even listen to any podcasts, music, or get updated news feeds. The toilet is a mess, and a four flight does not need any hygienic interventions when people either splatter their pee all over the seats or on the floor. It’s a monopolized service and so smile and bear it.

Broke my luggage and I can't get a resolution yet.

There were no TV screens - even in Business class. 5 delays, and only given $12 meal voucher! Terrible!

Flight was delayed again and again ultimately almost three hours getting us to our location at close to midnight by the time we got in and out of airport to destination. I had taken time off work to enjoy an evening at destination and that was now wasted

In flight connectivity (via T-Mobile) was often not working.

No food/snack served during the flight. Crew wasn’t interested at all. Flew American First but flying low cost with Ryanair is even better

Terrible. Internet/kiosk glitch prevented baggage checkin. Line at ticket co in Ter was under serviced and did not move. Agents did not call for flight but rather allowed time to pass. Then told each person as they reached the front if line that it was too late to check bags so they’d have to rebook flights. At least 15 people missed the flight as a result of this incompetence.

The flight was good. The only reason I did not say “excellent” was the delay

They could have done a better job announcing the boarding groups and asked for more drinks (water) if needed.

It was exactly what I expected, actually arriving sooner than scheduled.

Terrible, they canceled my flight due to an issue they had, couldn't fly me into the same place within 24 hrs so had to fly in 2.5 hrs away from my destination and spend even more money. The customer service was terrible (except at the airport in Charleston). Had to call to get my checked baggage fees reimbursed 2 wks later in which one customer service agent was very rude, wouldn't listen and then hung up on me. The second lady I spoke with was actually able to help me with that part thankfully. Would not recommend flying AA.

More options for your flight to Riviera Maya

Complete your trip to Riviera Maya with a hotel stay or car rental