Best time to go to Mexico for a perfect weather and where to go?
Lucie Lhortolat and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to Mexico?
Lounging on a paradisiacal beach, marveling at cultural discoveries, and exploring lush nature: these various activities delight those who choose to travel to Mexico. Wondering when to go to Mexico? Well, there is no really bad choice for planning your trip.
However, the best time to visit Mexico is from November to April, during the dry season. You can enjoy beautiful sunny and pleasantly warm days. It is also the ideal season to enjoy the country's stunning beaches. The Christmas and Easter periods are the liveliest. They are marked by numerous festivities throughout the country that you can enjoy during your stay. However, the number of tourists increases, and so do the prices.
On the other hand, from May to October, the climate is characterized by abundant rainfall and rising temperatures. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible to travel there. Although rains are frequent, they are relatively short. Furthermore, the weather remains mild with warm temperatures and regularly sunny weather. It is a quieter season in terms of tourist influx, but also the ideal period to spot the famous whale sharks. However, if you only plan to lounge on the beaches, it is advisable to go during the dry season.
You probably also dream of traveling to Mexico during the Day of the Dead which takes place on November 2nd. Marking the transition between the wet and dry seasons, this period generally has a pleasant climate. It is also very touristy.
Finally, as the months of May and June are often the hottest in Mexico, with temperatures sometimes close to 40°C (104°F) , it is preferable to avoid them in order to make the most of your trip.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Baja California
Los Cabos, Tijuana, Bahia Tortugas...
Bajío
Querétaro, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas City...
Central Mexico
Mexico City, Puebla, Teotihuacan...
Chiapas
Palenque, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Puerto Chiapas (Chiapas)...
North of Mexico
Chihuahua, Monterrey, Mazatlán...
Pacific coast of Mexico
Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Escondido...
Yucatán Peninsula
Cancun, Mérida, Chetumal...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in Mexico for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Mexico in january Mexico in february Mexico in march Mexico in april Mexico in may Mexico in june Mexico in july Mexico in august Mexico in september Mexico in october Mexico in november Mexico in december
Best time to travel to Mexico by cities
Climate and Weather in Mexico
When one thinks of Mexico, one immediately envisions the sun and the beaches. And one is not wrong, as this country, located between the United States, Guatemala, and Belize, benefits from pleasant and very sunny weather almost all year round.
Mexico's climate is influenced by the great variety of landscapes within its territory. Indeed, there are deserts, mountains, plains, but also several hundred kilometers of coastline. Furthermore, the country is crossed by the Tropic of Cancer, which also affects Mexico's weather. Although there are microclimates, the following trends can be observed:
- a temperate climate with cold winters in the north
- a tropical climate with pleasant temperatures and frequent rains in the south
Mexico's climate is also characterized by two distinct seasons:
- a dry season between November and April
- a rainy season between May and October
Nevertheless, it is important to note that even during the wet season, the rainfall is generally of short duration and usually occurs late in the afternoon.
Let's take a closer look at the differences in climate in Mexico based on regions.
Climate in Northeast Mexico
The region of the northeastern plains has pleasant weather all year round. It experiences pleasantly warm winters and humid summers with high temperatures. Moreover, rainfall is more frequent from June to October and remains scarce the rest of the year.
For example, in Monterrey, it rains about 800 mm per year almost exclusively during the wet season. The rains come in the form of fairly short showers. The temperature there averages around 15°C in winter and 27°C (81°F) in summer.
Thus, the climate is favorable year-round for traveling in this region.
However, the area of central-north Mexico is slightly different. It is characterized by a sharp drop in temperatures in winter. Indeed, "el Norte," a wind coming from the United States, often brings cold spells to this region.
Climate in Northwest Mexico
The Baja California Peninsula is mainly occupied by the Sonora Desert. Therefore, the climate there is relatively mild and sunny. Additionally, temperatures are quite warm year-round in this region, especially in South Baja California (such as La Paz) and around the Gulf of California. Rainfall is relatively low on-site, even during the wet season. Lastly, the sea temperature is higher on the Gulf side than on the Pacific Ocean side.
On the mainland, the region around Chihuahua has a fairly similar climate. However, due to the altitude, temperature fluctuations between night and day are very significant. Nights can be very cold in winter.
Climate on the Caribbean Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico
The southeastern coastal zone stretching from the city of Veracruz to the border with Belize has a hot and pleasant climate. This region includes:
- The Yucatan region
- The cities of Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and Tulum
- The coastline of the states of Campeche and Tabasco
- The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza
This highly touristic region is nicknamed "Tierras Calientes." Indeed, it benefits from high but bearable temperatures throughout the year, generally ranging between 20 and 36°C (97°F) depending on the seasons. However, this region is also particularly rainy. There is no marked difference between the wet and dry seasons. However, showers and thunderstorms usually occur in the afternoon, allowing time to enjoy the trip.
During the summer, it is the heat and humidity that can make the stay more challenging, especially in May, June, and July. Moreover, this part of Mexico can be affected by hurricanes between June and November.
Climate of Mexico on the Pacific Coast
The Pacific Ocean coast between the city of Guaymas and the border with Guatemala has an ideal climate. This is where you find cities like Acapulco and Culiacan.
On-site, during the dry season, rainfall is extremely rare with many sunny days. However, between May and October, and especially in August and September, rainfall is frequent and intense. However, heat is present year-round.
Finally, the hurricane season extends here from May to November.
Climate in Central Mexico and Mexico City Region
When one thinks of Mexico's climate, one imagines constant heat and sunshine. But although this is often true, some areas experience quite cool temperatures. This is the case for high-altitude cities like Mexico City, located at 2,250 meters above sea level, and Guadalajara, situated at over 1,500 meters above sea level.
The winter is a pleasant period, with very rare rains. However, the mercury can sometimes drop below 15°C (59°F) between November and March. Furthermore, the rainy season is very pronounced from June to October. For example, it rains almost every day in July and August in Guadalajara.
Temperatures and rainfall in Mexico
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Mexico and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Mexico City, Acapulco, Cancun, Chihuahua and Los Cabos, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Mexico
Find out when Mexico has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Mexico
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. The number of visitors to Mexico is high in: December.
- Very low season in Mexico: March, May, June and September.
- Low season in Mexico: January, February, April, July, August, October and November.
- Peak season in Mexico: December.
Figure: Visitor index for Mexico month by month
Average price for flights to Mexico
A return flight between New York City and Cancun is generally cheaper if you go in may ($ 382 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 182 more for your airline ticket to Cancun if you go in december.
Where to go in Mexico?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Mexico City | 74°F | 79°F | 81°F | 85°F | 85°F | 79°F | 76°F | 76°F | 74°F | 76°F | 76°F | 76°F |
| Acapulco | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F |
| Cancun | 79°F | 81°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 90°F | 88°F | 86°F | 83°F | 81°F |
| Chihuahua | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 88°F | 92°F | 88°F | 86°F | 83°F | 79°F | 72°F | 65°F |
| Los Cabos | 76°F | 76°F | 77°F | 77°F | 81°F | 83°F | 86°F | 88°F | 86°F | 86°F | 83°F | 77°F |
| Aguascalientes | 72°F | 76°F | 81°F | 85°F | 86°F | 85°F | 81°F | 81°F | 77°F | 79°F | 76°F | 72°F |
| Bahia Tortugas | 67°F | 67°F | 65°F | 67°F | 67°F | 68°F | 74°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 72°F | 67°F |
| Chetumal | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 90°F | 92°F | 90°F | 88°F | 85°F | 85°F |
| Mazatlán | 79°F | 79°F | 81°F | 83°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 90°F | 88°F | 88°F | 85°F | 79°F |
| Mérida | 85°F | 88°F | 92°F | 97°F | 97°F | 95°F | 97°F | 97°F | 95°F | 92°F | 86°F | 86°F |
| Monterrey | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 86°F | 92°F | 94°F | 94°F | 94°F | 86°F | 79°F | 70°F | 65°F |
| Palenque | 81°F | 86°F | 92°F | 99°F | 97°F | 92°F | 92°F | 92°F | 90°F | 88°F | 85°F | 83°F |
| Puebla | 68°F | 72°F | 76°F | 79°F | 79°F | 74°F | 72°F | 74°F | 72°F | 72°F | 70°F | 70°F |
| Puerto Chiapas (Chiapas) | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F |
| Puerto Escondido | 83°F | 85°F | 88°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 90°F | 88°F | 86°F | 85°F | 85°F | 85°F |
| Puerto Vallarta | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 90°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 90°F | 88°F | 85°F |
| Querétaro | 72°F | 77°F | 81°F | 85°F | 85°F | 81°F | 77°F | 77°F | 77°F | 76°F | 74°F | 74°F |
| San Cristóbal de las Casas | 74°F | 79°F | 81°F | 85°F | 83°F | 77°F | 79°F | 79°F | 77°F | 76°F | 74°F | 76°F |
| Teotihuacan | 70°F | 74°F | 77°F | 81°F | 81°F | 77°F | 74°F | 74°F | 72°F | 72°F | 72°F | 72°F |
| Tijuana | 67°F | 67°F | 67°F | 70°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 72°F | 67°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Mexico
What can I do in Mexico?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Mexico reliable?
Climate data for Mexico has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Mexico allows us to determine the average for each month in Mexico City, Acapulco, Cancun, Chihuahua, Los Cabos, Aguascalientes, Bahia Tortugas, Chetumal, and 146 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.