The best time to visit Mexico
- The best time to visit Mexico is from December to April since it is the dry season.
- The coolest months are between December and February.
- The rainy and hurricane season begins in the south in May and lasts until October.
Mexico is a huge country and the weather varies by season and region. There really is no bad time to visit Mexico, but certain times of the year may appeal to different people more than others, and some destinations and activities may be better at certain times of the year.
Depending on the altitude, you can also have great differences in climate: winter in the mountains is very cold, while in the south of the country it is hot throughout the year.
Guide to the Weather & Seasons in Mexico
From June to October
If solitude sounds like your thing, it’s best to visit Mexico between May and June or September to December. During these months prices are generally lower. This also equals quieter beaches and hotels, too.
Summer, from June to October, is, in theory, the rainy season in Mexico, but just how wet it varies wildly from place to place.
In the heart of the country, you can expect a heavy but short-lived downpour virtually every afternoon; in the north hardly any rain falls, ever.
Chiapas is the wettest state, with many minor roads washed out in the autumn, and in the south and low-lying coastal areas, summer is stickily humid too.
From September to mid-October
Along the beaches, September to mid-October is hurricane season – you’ll usually get wet weather, choppy seas and mosquitoes, if not a full-on tropical storm.
Late winter is the traditional tourist season, worth considering when thinking about the best time to visit, and in the big resorts like Acapulco and Cancún, the months from December through to April are the busiest.
Mountain areas, though, can get very cold then; in fact, nights in the mountains can be extremely cold at any time of year.
Visitors come all year round – sticking on the whole to the highlands in summer and the coasts in winter.
November is probably the ideal time to visit, with the rains over, the land still fresh and the peak season not yet begun.
When’s Mexico’s dry season?
Between the months of December and April, the country experiences the least amount of rain.
The temperature averages at a comfortable 24 degrees during these months, so you can expect clear blue skies and virtually no clouds.
Mexico has two different coasts – the Pacific and the Caribbean.
If you opt for the Pacific Coast you can expect surf-worthy waves and an impressive watersports portfolio.
For more chilled-out days, meanwhile, make tracks for the Caribbean side. Cancun, Playacar, and Riviera Maya all boast calm, turquoise waters that are ideal for days spent snorkeling or relaxing with a cocktail.
When’s Mexico’s rainy season?
The coolest months in Mexico tend to vary by region, but as a general rule of thumb, the rainy season runs from May to September.
And although the entire Caribbean experiences showers during these months, that shouldn’t put you off going on holiday.
In fact, the rain in Mexico tends to take place in the late afternoon, and are extremely short, meaning you’ll still have hours of glorious sunshine for most of the day. Also, a spot of rain can bring down those high humidity levels.
When’s Mexico’s hurricane season?
The official hurricane season in Mexico arises at the start of June and at the end of November. According to the Met Office, the highest risk of hurricanes is between September and October, due to higher sea temperatures.
However, there’s no need to panic, as this usually just means high winds and the occasional storm.
The best time to visit Mexico if you plan a diving trip
Travel preferably between February and June.
- The country’s Caribbean coast has the second largest coral reef in the world.
- Dive in the warm waters of Banco Chinchorro or Isla Mujeres and admire the coral reefs of Bahías de Huatulco.
- Of course, you should not miss Isla Cozumel, one of the best destinations in the world for diving.
The best time to visit Mexico if you are going hike and plan a trekking trip
Travel between November and April, in order to avoid the rainiest and hottest months.
- Both on foot and on horseback, you can tour the Mexican territory and take a route through the famous Copper Canyon. In the same way, you can explore these magnificent landscapes from a mountain bike.
- Take an equestrian excursion through the mountains of Oaxaca and climb the dormant volcanoes of the country.
- The bravest will dare with an excursion to the Sierra de la Laguna, in Baja California.
The best time to visit the central region of Mexico
The best time to visit Mexico and its central region is, both the months of March and April and those of October and November. This way, you will avoid the rainy season and will not suffer the suffocating heat of the driest months.
The average altitude of this region is about 1,500 meters, so you can visit it during the dry season, in the month of May, without being too hot and you should avoid the rainy season, which runs from June to October.
Mexico City & Around
- January: 22°C-9mm
- February: 24°C-7mm
- March: 26°C-11mm
- Abril: 27°C-23mm
- May: 27°C-54mm
- June: 26°C-114mm
- July: 24°C-129mm
- August: 25°C-123mm
- September: 24°C-107mm
- October: 23°C-52mm
- November: 23°C-8mm
- December: 22°C-7mm
The best time to visit Yucatan and Riviera Maya
The best period to visit Yucatan is between December and March, during the dry season, since the weather is still pleasant.
The Caribbean coast can be affected by the hurricane season, which runs from June to November.
Merida & Around
- January: 28°C-33mm
- February: 29°C-27mm
- March: 32°C-18mm
- Abril: 33°C-22mm
- May: 33°C-70mm
- June: 33°C-142mm
- July: 32°C-141mm
- August: 33°C-149mm
- September: 32°C-172mm
- October: 30°C-97mm
- November: 29°C-43mm
- December: 28°C-36mm
The best time to visit Baja California states
In this region temperatures increase considerably during the summer, up to 50°C. Therefore, the best months to visit this region are between November and April.
Baja California
- January: 26°C-14mm
- February: 26°C-4mm
- March: 27°C-1mm
- Abril: 29°C-1mm
- May: 31°C-0mm
- June: 32°C-1mm
- July: 33°C-22mm
- August: 33°C-41mm
- September: 33°C-71mm
- October: 32°C-34mm
- November: 30°C-12mm
- December: 27°C-13mm
Pacific Coast
- January: 33°C-11mm
- February: 33°C-1mm
- March: 33°C-2mm
- Abril: 34°C-3mm
- May: 34°C-27mm
- June: 34°C-231mm
- July: 34°C-212mm
- August: 34°C-262mm
- September: 33°C-293mm
- October: 33°C-118mm
- November: 33°C-30mm
- December: 33°C-7mm
The best time to visit Northern Mexico
Northern Mexico is the region that benefits from a more benign climate. The north states remain practically stable throughout the year except for the period between July and September, during which it usually rains frequently.
Those who are colder should avoid the months of February and March, which is when the temperatures are lowest (the thermometer reaches 5 degrees below zero).
The best time to visit Chiapas and Oaxaca
The best time to travel is during the months of November to May since the temperatures are pleasant and there is a lower risk of precipitation.
Oaxaca
- January: 26°C-2mm
- February: 28°C-5mm
- March: 30°C-10mm
- Abril: 31°C-32mm
- May: 31°C-71mm
- June: 29°C-158mm
- July: 28°C-108mm
- August: 28°C-108mm
- September: 27°C-127mm
- October: 27°C-41mm
- November: 27°C-9mm
- December: 26°C-3mm
San Cristobal de las Casas
- January: 21°C-24mm
- February: 21°C-22mm
- March: 23°C-27mm
- Abril: 23°C-46mm
- May: 23°C-114mm
- June: 22°C-208mm
- July: 22°C-165mm
- August: 22°C-184mm
- September: 21°C-215mm
- October: 21°C-126mm
- November: 21°C-53mm
- December: 20°C-29mm
