Mexico is a vast country and there is a huge range of seasons and climates across the different regions.
The weather can be roughly split into a wet and a dry season, although this mostly counts in the tropical regions south of Mexico City.
The north has a more arid, desert-like climate, while the central regions are at high altitude and enjoy much cooler weather than the rest of Mexico.
Mexico also has distinct low and high seasons when it comes to tourism, especially in touristy destinations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. These generally coincide with the wet and dry seasons too.
To inspire your next trip, here’s our guide on the best time to visit Mexico!
Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Mexico (Country Guide)
Best Time to Visit Mexico: Month by Month Breakdown
Mexico Dry Season
The dry season is the best time to visit Mexico, and it falls between November and April.
This is peak season, so you can expect things to be busy, especially over Christmas, but Mexico is such a vast country that you can always find a way to escape the crowds.
Here’s our month by month breakdown for Mexico’s dry season.
November in Mexico
November is the start of the dry season, and for travelers, this could be the best time to visit Mexico.
Prices are still low and tourist numbers are still small compared to what’s going to hit the top destinations in December. This is a good time to visit popular destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Vallarta, as you’ll find some great deals on flights and accommodation.
As the rainy season has only just ended, it’s not the best time for diving yet, but head to Baja California and you’ll catch the start of the Whale Shark season.
Tropical Yucatan is getting much cooler and a lot less humid, so now is the time to explore the jungles and to visit those lost Mayan Ruins without working up too much of a sweat.
December in Mexico
Weather-wise, December is easily the best time to visit Mexico. However, everyone else has the same idea too, and December is the worst time to visit Mexico if you’re looking for a quiet vacation away from the crowds!
In December, especially over Christmas and New Year, the resorts of Cancun and the Maya Riviera are packed out and prices are at their peak. It’s no different in other popular tourist spots either, such as Puerto Vallarta or Baja California.
The weather is crisp, sunny and dry though, and you’re not likely to have a single rainy day. If you’re not having a beach holiday though, then take a trip to explore the indigenous culture of Oaxaca or Chiapas where you can find beautiful weather.
January in Mexico
January is just as busy as December, at least for the first two weeks. This is peak season across Mexico, especially in Cancun and along the Pacific Coast.
Travel to Mexico towards the end of January though and you can start to get a few good deals again, as the crowds start to thin out.
Weather-wise this is a great time to explore the south, so enjoy the dry weather along the coast, and visit Mayan archeological sites like Palenque or Chichen Itza.
Mexico City is lovely in January, as are the central highlands, although it can get chilly at night.
February in Mexico
In February the weather starts to get hotter, especially in the tropical south. Up north and in the mountains it’s still very cool, however.
You can expect the odd rain shower across the country but for the most part, this is still a beautiful time to travel around Mexico.
You’ll get lower prices in Cancun while the diving and snorkeling off the coast of Cozumel Island is glorious, with sparkling clear water.
This is the perfect time to visit Baja California, on the Pacific Coast, where you’ll be right in the middle of the whale watching season, and you’ll have the chance to swim with Whale Sharks.
March in Mexico
March brings a mixed bag when it comes to crowds and the weather. This can be the middle of Spring Break, so it’s a good idea to avoid the big tourist hotspots if this isn’t your scene. If you’re looking to party though, then head straight to Cancun or Tijuana.
Equally, if Easter falls in March then it can be busy everywhere, although this is a great time to soak up the local culture during Semana Santa, the holy week.
Weatherwise, it can be a little more unpredictable. The south sees more rain while the north is heating up and seeing a few thunderstorms too.
April in Mexico
Like March, it can be a little unpredictable in April too, so plan your trip in advance to avoid spring break dates or Easter holidays, which can both fall this time of the year.
April is the last month of the dry season, although you will see the weather starting to turn. The colder winter months are over and summer is on the way, which means that along with the rain it’s getting much hotter, everywhere.
This is your last chance to see the whales and Whale Sharks in Baja California before they move on for the summer, and it’s the last chance to get really good visibility and diving conditions around Cozumel Island and along the Maya Riviera.
As the weather heats up, this is a great time to start exploring those high altitude destinations in Central Mexico, such as Guanajuato or San Miguel de Allende, where you can escape the heat.
Mexico Wet Season
Mexico’s wet season runs from May through to October, however, this varies across the country. The south sees the most rain, and hurricanes can lash the coastlines.
It’s cooler and drier in the north this time of the year, where the climate isn’t tropical. The wet season is not the best time to visit the south of Mexico, but there are still plenty of great deals and places to explore outside of this traditional tourist hotspot.
May in Mexico
May is officially the start of the wet season, and you can guarantee that it’s going to be hot and it’s probably going to be rainy.
This is a good month for shoulder season travel though because you can avoid the high season crowds in places like Cancun or the Pacific Coast.
It’s fine if you don’t mind a little humidity and have a swimming pool to cool off in because you’ll only get a few hours of rain a day at most.
It’s even better in Baja California, where you can enjoy dry weather for most of May, while temperatures soar into the 30s. Mexico City has cooler weather, and it feels like it’s summer, making the capital a great option in May.
June in Mexico
June is not the best time to visit Mexico, although you can get some cheap deals on flights and hotels.
The reason it’s cheap though is because it’s the start of hurricane season. While hurricanes are rare, it’s definitely going to rain, although if you don’t mind risking that for a few hours a day it might be worth it
Instead of going to the coast though, stick to the central highlands, where it’s much cooler and there’s much less rain.
July in Mexico
July is just as hot and rainy, and while you can get cheap deals at the resorts and great value flights across the country, it’s really not the best time to visit Mexico.
Hurricanes can hit the Caribbean and Pacific Coast, while everywhere is hot, stuffy and humid.
You get the best weather in Baja California, but make sure you have a swimming pool where you can cool off.
The other option is to stay at altitude, as you’ll find that while Central Mexico is hot, it’s not quite as hot as the coast – especially at night time.
August in Mexico
In August, it’s still going to be uncomfortably hot across Mexico, although temperatures will start to cool off slightly, especially in the higher altitude areas of the country around Mexico City.
This is still very much hurricane season, so be prepared for this if you’re traveling to Cancun or the Pacific Coast in August.
On the plus side, there are few other vacationers around in August and the prices can be very low, on both flights and hotels!
September in Mexico
In September, things are starting to look up again when it comes to the weather. This is still the rainy season, but the worst is behind you, and September can be a great time to escape the crowds and score some good deals.
It’s a good time to be in Mexico City, where the rain is slack anyway and the high altitude means cooler climes.
It’s also Independence day in September, so you can expect plenty of parades and fiestas.
October in Mexico
In October, it’s the last month of the rainy season and the hurricane season, and actually this can be the best time to visit Mexico.
Rainfall will be minimal, but prices are still low, so head to the beaches and make the most of the deals before the high season crowds arrive in November and December.
As a bonus, the end of October is also when you’ll be able to celebrate Day of the Dead across Mexico.
Our Top Recommended Mexico Tours
- Mayan Adventure with G Adventures – 22 days
- Yucatan Discovery: Cenotes & Seasides with G Adventures – 7 days
- Classic Mexico Adventure with G Adventures – 14 days
- Mayan Highlights with G Adventures – 9 days
- Cultural Wonders of Mexico with National Geographic Journeys – 9 days
More on Mexico:
- Ultimate Packing List for Mexico
- Ultimate Baja Mexico Cruise: Sea of Cortex with UnCruise
- Ultimate 3 Days in Mexico City Itinerary
- Where to Stay in Mexico City: Best Districts & Hotels
- 12 Best Day Trips from Mexico City (That are Worth Taking)
- The Amazing Mexico City Pyramids of Teotihuacan
- Manzanillo Mexico Travel Guide: A Cancun Alternative
- 8 Amazing Things to Do in Cancun
- Best Time to Visit Cancun: Month by Month Breakdown
- 8 Things to Do in the Riviera Maya for an Epic Vacation
- Celebrating 15 Years of Travel with Barcelo Maya Grand Resort
- 10 Awesome Things to Do in Playa del Carmen
- 9 Incredible Things to Do in Cozumel
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Article by David Stock
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