When Is The Best Time To Visit Mexico?

Are you wondering about the best time to visit Mexico? You’re in the right place!

If you ask me, any time is a good time to visit Mexico! I have been to this gorgeous country three times already (and counting), each time in a different season/month, and I honestly have enjoyed my trip each time, regardless of the season.

You see, Mexico is a huge country with many different landscapes and climates. Visit in December and places like Mexico City and San Cristobal de las Casas will definitely be cold at night. But the beaches of the Riviera Maya will be nice and balmy.

Go to Mexico in July and August, and temperatures will be higher, but there also will be higher chances of hurricanes and thunderstorms.

All in all, the best time to go to Mexico really depends on where you want to go in the country and what things you want to do. Continue reading for an overview of the country at different times of the year and to decide when to go!

The Best Time To Visit Mexico

Overview of the Weather in Mexico

Mexico is (in part) a tropical paradise where the weather year-round is optimal for many tourist activities. When you choose to visit this glorious country really depends on what your plans are during your trip. When you plan your visit, you can decide how you want to spend your time in Mexico.

How can you determine the best time for your activity preferences in Mexico? If you prefer to spend your holiday lounging on the beach, then generally, winter is the best time. The spring or fall may be more appropriate for hiking at a destination inland.

Many have the misconception that the weather in Mexico is hot throughout the year. In fact, the weather can vary depending on the time of year visited and the region.

It can be sunny and balmy along the coast most of the year. However, if visiting the center-north inland and mountain regions, it can get quite cold at times in the winter months. This is due to the ‘Norte’, a cold wind that originates in the United States that causes temperatures to drop.

Mexico has two main seasons: the rainy season (May to October) and the dry season (mid-October to April). The rainy season is also the time when the weather is the most hot and humid. The dry season is best for the beach and other outdoor activities, as the weather is warm and dry.

However, an inland area such as Mexico City can be quite pleasant starting in September, when the overall temperature is milder. So, some might say the best time to visit Mexico City is in the fall.

Travel Seasons in Mexico

Mexico in the Peak Season

Generally, the peak tourist season in Mexico is just before Christmas through Easter week. This is due to many travelers who wish to escape the cold weather of the northern hemisphere.

All the main tourist areas tend to become very crowded at this time due to schools on holiday break and many people taking a Christmas and/or New Year’s vacation.

The weather in Mexico during this time is obviously a draw, as this is really the best for taking a dip in the ocean, strolling through a Spanish colonial village, or exploring ancient Mayan ruins.

However, the costs for lodging, many tourist activities, and dining rise accordingly, as with any destination in peak tourist season.

Shoulder Season in Mexico

In Mexico, the shoulder seasons vary between cities and regions. For instance, November seems to be the best time overall for Mexico City and coastal areas such as Veracruz, Cancun, and Cozumel due to smaller crowds, mild weather, and lower prices.

January and February are the shoulder seasons for Oaxaca, as holiday festivals have concluded and most tourists have departed.

For a popular destination like Puerto Vallarta, October is the best shoulder season time since hurricane season has ended and there is a lull before the holiday travelers arrive.

Low Season in Mexico

In general, what is considered the low tourist season in Mexico is immediately after Easter until the middle of December. During this period, prices can drop up to 50 percent.

July and August are the hottest and most humid months throughout the majority of Mexico.

Even in coastal areas like the Yucatan Peninsula, the temperatures can get as high as into the 90s (30°C and above). The hurricane season usually happens during this time as well, which makes it not the most desirable time to visit. Besides lower prices on lodging, another advantage of the low season is reduced crowds at many known tourist destinations.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico for Beach Hopping

Best Places in Mexico for Beach Hopping: Baja California Peninsula, the Yucatan Peninsula, the Pacific Coast including the Oaxaca Coast and Acapulco.

Northern hemisphere winter is, without a doubt, the best time to visit Mexico beaches, specifically the month of January. You can escape the harsh winter weather at home and relax on one of the best beaches in Mexico in a cabana while listening to the waves crashing nearby.

This time period is the desirable dry season in the country, so rainfall is minimal. You just need to keep in mind that the weather here is perfect for a winter getaway, so you will have plenty of company on those beaches.

During the winter months, when the weather is better and things are cooler, prices tend to be much higher, and there are usually many more tourists, as well.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico for Whale Watching

Best Places in Mexico for Whale Watching: Baja California Peninsula and Veracruz for whale watching, and the Yucatan Peninsula for swimming with whale sharks.

If one of your favorite activities is whale watching, the best time to go to Mexico is from December to March.

The best place to see these beautiful creatures is the Baja California region, in places such as Cabo San Lucas. This is where you have the greatest opportunity to spot a great variety of whale breeds, including humpbacks, blue whales, finbacks, and grays.

The whales prefer these subtropical waters in the wintertime and give birth in the shallow lagoons here. They often get very close to the boats for great viewing, and the calves can be very playful and entertaining in the water.

Your best bet to view whales is to take an organized boat tour that has a skipper who knows exactly where the whales like to swim.

However, if you’re interested in swimming with whale sharks in the Yucatan Peninsula, you’ll want to visit the Riviera Maya sometime between June and September. Swimming with whale sharks is one of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen and the surrounding area, so you don’t want to miss this trip.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico for Sightseeing Cities and Exploring Archeological Sites

Best Places in Mexico for Sightseeing and Archeological Sites: Central Mexico for sightseeing (Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puebla region) and the Yucatan Peninsula for archeological sites.

September is a great time to visit Mexico for many reasons. All of the summer holiday tourists have gone home and back to school and work.

There are many tourist sites in Mexico where the weather is cooler in September than in the sweltering summer months. This makes it a better time for exploring and learning the history of many of the spectacular archeological sites. This time is also great for wandering around a city to view the stunning architecture or just enjoying some downtime and people-watching at the city’s zocalo (main square).

However, if you are interested in seeing the phenomenon of the serpent on the pyramid at Chichen Itza, it is suggested to visit this archeological site during the spring equinox in March. Just be aware that the spring equinox draws many tourists from all over the world to witness it. If you don’t mind the crowds, this annual occurrence is an amazing experience.

Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, so it’s worth visiting no matter the season.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico on the Cheap

Best Places in Mexico for Budget Travel: Chiapas and Puebla.

The cheapest months to visit Mexico are April, May, October, and November. An advantage of these months is that they are just before and after the rainy seasons. Although there are many deals and lower rates in April and May, it is also prime time for the spring breakers.

This time period will have many destinations crowded with partying students. The best bet for a cheaper, less crowded, and peaceful trip would be in May when the students have left and things settle down.

The months of October and November are great for a visit as well. The hurricane season is over, and temperatures are considerably cooler than in the summer months.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico for Festivals

Best Places in Mexico for Festivals: Everywhere, depending on the month and events.

One thing Mexicans know how to do is throw a party. There are festivals year-round celebrating holidays and cultural events. While the weather varies from region to region and season, you will not have to look too hard to find a celebration anywhere in the country: Mexico has festivals and cultural events in every season.

Month-by-month breakdown of events in Mexico

Visiting Mexico in January

Best things to do and events in Mexico in January around the country:

• January to February: Butterfly Migration in Mexico and Michoacán states.
• Beginning January: Start the whale season on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
• January 6th: Three King’s Day throughout Mexico. There are usually large family gatherings, gift-giving, and sometimes parades in larger cities.

Visiting Mexico in February

Best things to do and events in Mexico in February around the country:

• February 2nd: Candelaria (Candlemas) marks the end of the Christmas season.
• Between February and March: Carnaval festivities begin with the largest festivities in Veracruz and Mazatlán.

Visiting Mexico in March

Best things to do and events in Mexico in March around the country:

• March 20th and 21st: Vernal Equinox at Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula, where the shadow serpent climbs up the pyramid.
• Mid-March: Spring Break in the U.S. typically brings in a lot of U.S. tourists to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Los Cabos.
• All March: Monarch butterfly season comes to an end.
• All March: Humpback whale season comes to an end.

Visiting Mexico in April

Best things to do and events in Mexico in April around the country:

• End of March, sometimes into April: Easter Season and Holy Week are celebrated throughout the entire country, often with parades and large gatherings.

Visiting Mexico in May

Best things to do and events in Mexico in May around the country:

• May 5th: Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Puebla State, where the original Cinco de Mayo battle occurred.
• May 10th: Mother’s Day is celebrated. Most restaurants are packed while families treat mothers to a meal on their special date.

Visiting Mexico in June

Best things to do and events in Mexico in June around the country:

• Mid-June: Let your hair down and go wild in San Miguel de Allende at Dia de Locos, or ‘Day of the Crazies’.
• June 15th: Whale shark season begins in the Yucatan Peninsula.
• All June is mole poblano month: Puebla’s Festival del Mole Poblano.

Visiting Mexico in July

Best things to do and events in Mexico in July around the country:

• End of July: The main festival in July is the Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca in the second half of the month. There are many traditional Mexican folk dances and lots of culture all around, including great good.

Visiting Mexico in August

Best things to do and events in Mexico in August around the country:

• End of August: International Mariachi Festival in Guadalajara.

Visiting Mexico in September

Best things to do and events in Mexico in September around the country:

• September 15th and 16th: Mexican Independence Day.
• September 15th: Whale shark season comes to an end in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Visiting Mexico in October

Best things to do and events in Mexico in October around the country:

• Mid-October to End of October: Festival Cervantino is held every year in Guanajuato.
• October 21st: Halloween is celebrated in some tourist areas, like Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
• Late October: The Day of the Dead festival is known throughout the world. Beginning in late October, Mexicans take time to honor their deceased relatives and friends.

Visiting Mexico in November

Best things to do and events in Mexico in November around the country:

• November 2nd: Day of the Dead.
• Mid-November: International Baloon Festival in Guanajuato.

Visiting Mexico in December

Best things to do and events in Mexico in December around the country:

• Monarch butterflies and humpback whales start to return to central Mexico and the Pacific Coast.
• December 12th: Guadalupe Day is often celebrated with a morning mass and a large feast to give thanks.
• December 16th to Christmas Eve: Las Posadas is celebrated around the country with carolers and small parades.
• December 24th and December 25th: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are celebrated with lots of decorations, special performances in the central squares of various cities, and other community events
• December 31st: New Year’s Eve is celebrated with large parties and gatherings across Mexico.

The Worst Time to Visit Mexico

The worst time to visit Mexico is during spring break time in March and April, cities like Cancun host high school and college students. When this influx of party-going youth invades the region, it is not the best time for a romantic couple’s trip or family vacation.

The beaches and other tourist destinations can get quite crowded during the day. At night it can be very loud and rowdy as many of these students indulge in the nightlife. This is probably the worst time to visit the country if you want a relaxing, peaceful beach vacation.

Further Readings

Make sure to read my other posts about Mexico:

• The Best Mexico Itinerary
• The Best National Parks In Mexico
• The Best Tips For Mexico
• The Best Itinerary For Mexico City
• How To Visit Teotihuacan From Mexico City
• The Best Beaches In Mexico
• The Best Things To Do In Yucatan
• What To Eat In Mexico
• The Best Things To Do In Chiapas

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