Mexico has widely different climate regions, so there is always someplace wonderful to explore. The best time to visit Mexico is any time of the year because there’s a place in Mexico for every season. Where and when you go depends on the type of activity you want to do. Throughout most of Mexico, the temperatures are mild year-round. Northern Mexico might get snow and chilly temperatures in the wintertime, but other parts of Mexico, even high-altitude locations, rarely see snow.
The tropical parts of Mexico, located from Oaxaca and east across the Yucatán Peninsula to the Caribbean coast, have rainfall every month (minimum = 40 mm (1 in)) and warm-hot temperatures year-round (average temperatures = 18°C (64°F)).
The driest regions, located in the Baja Peninsula and north-central Mexico, and the temperate regions of central Mexico typically see seasonal rains between June and September/October. The dry regions of the north are the only places in Mexico that can get frost and freezing temperatures during the winter months, especially near the Texas border. The winter temperatures of central Mexico may drop down to almost freezing but typically warm up as the sun rises.
Best Time To Visit Mexico
Mexico in Summer
Throughout much of Mexico, summertime is the rainiest season, which means mosquitos can be the most annoying.
As a result, it is generally more pleasant to visit the arid parts of Mexico during this time of year.
During the rainy season, the arid parts of Mexico wildly bloom in a variety of colours, especially in August.
The days are long, and throughout much of Mexico, pleasantly warm but not overly hot.
It is a beautiful time of year to see central and western Mexico.
The rainy season has frequent but short bursts of hard rain and storms that can be quite violent and contain hail and high winds, but they do not last long.
It is best to seek shelter and avoid driving through the storm.
Roads can fill with rushing water, especially in mountainous parts of Mexico, causing dangerous driving conditions.
Beaches in Mexico are fun year-round, but during the summer, frequent rain and the threat of hurricanes on both east and west coasts can negatively impact a beach vacation.
During the summer months, the Caribbean beaches of Mexico are at their hottest and most humid, which can be uncomfortable for some tourists.
Five Things To Do In Mexico In Summer
1- Sierra de Lobos
The Sierra de Lobos is a beautiful range of mountains in Guanajuato.
During the summer months, people escape the city of León to find a cooler place to spend time.
There are many places in the mountains, from hotels to Airbnbs to glamping.
Hiking, fishing, and horseback riding provide visitors with fun activities.
An archaeological site, El Cóporo, can be found in the Sierra de Lobos and presents visitors with a beautiful hike across a rugged landscape.
2- Mazatlán, Sinaloa
Mazatlán is a beach town located in the state of Sinaloa.
Because this beach is in northern Mexico, this area does not get as humid as the southern beaches.
This beach is a hidden gem that is not as well-known as Cancún or Puerto Vallarta.
For that reason, there are fewer tourists there during the summer season. Several historical Pueblos Magicos surround Mazatlán.
Mazatlán has a lot to offer its visitors with beautiful beaches and a vibrant city centre.
3- Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is a large city full of historic sites and excellent shopping.
Summer is a great time to visit because the temperatures are mild and days are long.
There are two pleasant shopping districts to buy local arts and crafts – Tlaquepaque and Tonalá.
Tlaquepaque features artsy streets, upscale artisanal shops, and excellent restaurants.
Tonalá, well known for its blown glass, offers a twice-weekly street market stretching several blocks where many artisanal products are sold.
In addition to shopping, visiting the Guadalajara Zoo, Mexico’s largest zoo, is a pleasant time to wander through the exhibits during the mild summer temperatures.
4- Tequila, Jalisco
The town of Tequila in Jalisco state is the home of tequila, which is made from blue agave grown throughout the region around Tequila and distilled by various producers in the area.
Visitors who wish to travel to Tequila can either drive from Guadalajara, which takes approximately 45 minutes, take a tequila tour bus, or take a tequila train.
Two tequila trains offer excursions from Guadalajara to Tequila – Jose Cuervo and Herradura.
These full-day tours offer all-you-can-drink tequila, a distillery tour, a folkloric dance show with mariachi, and a tour of the fields where agave is grown.
For travellers who enjoy tequila, this is an experience that you should not miss.
5- Chiapas
Chiapas state is in southern Mexico, near the border of Guatemala.
Summer is a hot and humid time to visit this state, but the experience is well worth any discomfort.
Chiapas has one of the most impressive Mayan pyramids in Mexico, Palenque.
Travellers to this state can boat through Sumidero Canyon or hike to one of the many impressive waterfalls found throughout the state, such as El Chiffon.
One of the best parts of Chiapas is the towns and the people. The indigenous cultures in this region are strong, and the towns reflect their colourful heritage, culture, and history. There’s no other place in Mexico that is quite like Chiapas.
Top tips: Hot temperatures and the intense sun is a perfect combination for sunburn, so wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat. It is also advisable to wear sunscreen. Also, with long summer days, you can fit a lot of activities into your trip.
For more adventures in Mexico, read:
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- 20 National Parks In Mexico
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- 20 Things To Do In Monterrey Mexico
- 20 Things To Do In Acapulco
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- 32 States In Mexico
- 20 Cities In Mexico
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- Where To Stay In Mexico City
- Everything You Need To Know About Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling)
- 15 Things Mexico Is Famous For
- 20 Overwater Bungalows and Beachfront Villas In Mexico
- 20 Famous Landmarks in Mexico
- 20 Best Beaches in Mexico
- 20 Ways To Spend Christmas in Mexico
- 10 Things To Do In Baja California
- The Wonder of Chichen Itza
- When Is The Best Time To Visit Mexico?
- A Guide To Las Grutas De Tolantongo
- A Guide To Valle De Bravo
- 20 Best Cenotes In Mexico
- 20 Interesting Mexican Traditions
- 20 Mayan Ruins In Mexico
- 20 Things To Do In Veracruz
- 25 Things To Do In Guadalajara
- 20 Mexican Cocktails and Drinks
- 20 Things To Do In Mazatlan
- 20 Things To Do In Cancun
- 20 Things To Do In Los Cabos
- 20 Things To Do In Nayarit
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- 20 Things To Do In Baja California Sur
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- 20 Things To Do In Guanajuato City
- 20 Things To Do In Zacatecas, Mexico
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Mexico in Autumn
Visiting Mexico in autumn can be a great time to visit the central parts of the country because the rainy season slows down and ends during this time.
Temperatures are mild and very comfortable. This is the time of year in Mexico with many fantastic and fun celebrations unique to this country.
Five Things to do in Mexico in Autumn
1- Jalpan de Serra, Queretaro
The end of the rainy season is a great time to visit Jalpan de Serra, located in Queretaro in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve.
Lovely private cabins dot the mountains throughout the area, providing a quiet getaway free from technology.
This mountain region is extremely rich in biological diversity and history.
The Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gordas were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and should not be missed, while Puente de Dios is another must-see stop in the Sierra Gorda mountains.
Words and pictures cannot adequately describe the river’s clarity and lovely turquoise colour, as hikers travel along the riverbank through a forest teeming with birds and frogs.
There is water everywhere, flowing through rock, carving beautiful formations through stone.
Waterfalls flow from the surrounding hills as hikers traverse the winding path alongside, across, and sometimes several feet above the river before reaching the beautiful natural bridge.
The Bridge of God, Puente de Dios, is a large cavern through a natural bridge where water constantly falls from above as visitors remove their tennis shoes and put on water shoes to explore inside the river cavern.
2- Oaxaca
An excellent place to visit during the autumn is Oaxaca state, where temperatures are warm, and there is little chance of rain.
Towards the end of October and beginning of November, the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations in Oaxaca are some of the most famous throughout Mexico.
Fewer tourists visit in the fall, except during Dia de Los Muertos, making it an ideal time to visit Oaxaca City and the small villages around it that are well-known for their artisanal crafts.
3- Guanajuato
Guanajuato is a beautiful city to visit in autumn as it has mild temperatures and little to no rain.
This beautiful city has excellent restaurants and shopping without a large crush of tourists.
The Dia de Los Muertos celebrations in Guanajuato can be crowded, but they are one of the best places to celebrate in Mexico with beautiful street art, a lovely parade showcasing the beauty and culture of Mexico, and the tunnels running under the city closed to traffic allowing food and craft vendors to fill the space.
The Museum of the Mummies in Guanajuato displays a few of their mummies in the tunnels during the celebrations.
4- El Chepe Train
The Copper Canyon Train, El Chepe, travels from Sinaloa to Chihuahua.
There are several stops travellers can make along the way to explore the small towns and hike in Copper Canyon.
Right after the rainy season ends, October and November are popular months to visit, so book a trip in advance.
The temperatures in the fall are a nice balance between the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter.
Travelling from town to town is a great way to see parts of Sinaloa and Chihuahua.
5- San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
San Miguel de Allende is a famous town full of resident expatriates, making it an ideal place for foreigners who do not speak Spanish to live and explore because many locals speak English.
The fall season is the best time to visit because some important celebrations occur.
The first is Mexican Independence Day on 16 September and San Miguel de Allende is the best place to be because it’s the heart of Mexican Independence.
People in town excitedly celebrate their important contribution to the War for Independence.
29 September is the Festival of St. Michael, the city’s patron saint. The city celebrates for a few days, and the parade through the town is a fantastic display of Mexican culture with indigenous dancers, mariachi, fireworks, and giant, bigger-than-human-sized puppets.
During this festival, Voladores (flyers) perform from their very tall pole, and horses from the region ride into town for the Blessing of the Horses at the large cathedral in the centre of town. You should not miss this spectacle.
Top tips: It’s important to dress in layers as mornings in the fall can be quite chilly, but the temperatures can be warm by midday. It’s advisable to wear long sleeves and long pants or apply sunscreen as the Mexican sun can quickly cause sunburn. Drink plenty of water, as the air can be dry, especially at higher altitudes, and it is easy to become dehydrated.
Mexico in Winter
Winter in Mexico is mild along the coast, central, and southern part of the country. Consequently, visitors to Mexico and Mexican people spend much of their winter travelling to the beaches where temperatures usually remain hot, even during the winter months.
Five Things to do in Mexico in Winter
1- Cancún, Quintana Roo
Cancún, located on the Caribbean coast, is a well-known vacation destination for foreign and domestic visitors.
Wintertime is one of the busiest times, especially between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Visitors to Cancún in the wintertime have many opportunities to get out into nature and hike, snorkel or dive along the reefs, explore Mexican history by visiting some of the pyramids, swim in cenotes that dot the entire region or hang out on the beautiful white-sand beaches.
2- Puerto Vallarta – Jalisco
Like the Caribbean beaches, the Pacific beaches are very popular in the winter too. One of the most popular is Puerto Vallarta.
The Malecon in Puerto Vallarta has excellent restaurants and boutiques.
Off the Pacific coast, you can see humpbacks and other whales as they migrate to the Sea of Cortez.
There are several ways to see migrating whales, including booking a large, family-sized paddleboard and paddling out to Los Arcos with a guide.
On the way, you may get lucky and have an up-close-and-personal encounter with a whale.
3- Cabo San Lucas, Baja California
Cabo San Lucas, located on the Baja Peninsula, is the famous half of the iconic Los Cabos.
Visitors crowd the beaches in Cabo at this time of year, but the escape from winter temperatures further north makes the trip well worth it.
Humpbacks and other whales migrate past Los Cabos, so you can whale watch at this time of the year.
Cabo San Lucas is full of resorts and has a party atmosphere with a vibrant nightlife.
4- Morelia, Michoacan
Mexico is well-known for being on one end of the great Monarch butterfly migration where, every winter, Monarch Butterflies congregate in the Biosphere Reserve to overwinter.
Every winter, visitors flock to Morelia, Michoacan, to tour through the nearby butterfly reserves and quietly observe millions of butterflies in the forest.
The number of butterflies on the tree branches is so large that the weight of the butterflies bend the branches right down until they touch the ground.
The butterfly experience is utterly mind-blowing and magical.
5- Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo
Isla Holbox is on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
This island houses a widely diverse array of species, especially bird species found in the reserve on the island.
Holbox is a much quieter town than Cancún and this island is perfect for those seeking a peaceful vacation.
Cars are not allowed on the island, adding to the relaxed and laidback atmosphere.
The weather is perfect year-round, especially in the winter months when everything in the north is frozen.
Top tips: Visiting beaches during the winter is popular for a very good reason and that is because the weather is perfect. For those who dislike large crowds, visiting smaller resort areas like Holbox might be more pleasant than the larger places like Cancún. As is the case in autumn and winter, the Mexican sun is very strong, even during the winter months, so wearing sunscreen is necessary.
Mexico in Spring
Springtime in Mexico is the end of the dry season and temperatures are at their hottest, particularly in the central parts of Mexico.
Visitors can expect to see a dry landscape throughout much of the country until the rains start, typically near the end of May.
Once the rains return, the temperatures usually become more mild and comfortable.
Five Things to do in Mexico in Spring
1- Huasteca Potosina, San Luis Potosí
Huasteca Potosina is a region in San Luis Potosí state where visitors can go on excursions in several natural areas.
Adventurous travellers to this region can whitewater raft, canoe, or rappel on the river while less adventurous visitors can tour the surrealist garden, visit the town of Xilitla or hike to waterfalls.
La Huasteca region is best visited when no rain has fallen in a while.
The water is a beautiful, unreal blue colour during the dry season, particularly near the end of the season.
The temperatures are also hot enough that staying in or on the water all day is comfortable.
2- Mexico City
Mexico City is a wonderful place to visit year-round.
There are many things to do there that can keep visitors occupied for weeks, such as the Teotihuacan, Coyoacan, the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera museums.
With that in mind, for travellers who want to see a lot of the city and avoid the constant crush of crowds and traffic, the best time to visit is during Semana Santa or the week before Easter.
Many people leave the city during that vacation week to visit Mexico’s beaches, so travellers who are interested in exploring the city and its surrounding area should go at this time.
Because the temperatures are so warm at this time of year, this is also the best time to see Xochimilco and ride on a trajinera through the canals, listening to the floating mariachi.
3- Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo
At the tail end of springtime is the beginning of whale shark season.
Visitors who arrive in Isla Mujeres in May have an opportunity to swim with whale sharks as hundreds of them enter the Caribbean waters of Mexico.
The large, all-inclusive resort hotels make this part of Mexico extremely popular during the spring.
May is likely the best time of the year to visit this island to avoid the bulk of spring break travellers.
4- Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
The beautiful beaches of Puerto Escondido are popular all year long.
This part of Mexico is popular for spring break travel because it offers a fantastic variety of activities in which visitors can participate.
There’s a turtle conservation camp near Puerto Escondido, perfect for those who would like to volunteer to contribute to the research and help guide baby sea turtles to the ocean.
You can also take a boat tour to mangroves and view bioluminescent plankton or horseback ride along the beach.
5- Zona Piel, León, Guanajuato
Zona Piel is a popular destination located in downtown León, a large city in the centre of Mexico.
Spring is the best time to visit this part of Mexico because the rains have not started and temperatures are pleasant.
Zona Piel, also known as the Leather Market, is the best leather market in Mexico.
People travel from all over to buy genuine leather crafted in various ways.
Throughout Zone Piel, the streets are packed with shops selling various things but primarily focused on leather goods.
This market is so popular because of the high-quality goods that are for sale and the low prices for many of the items.
Travellers in central Mexico should add this to their list of destinations.
Top tips: Springtime is the hottest time of the year throughout most of Mexico. The rains have not yet started to fall, and everything looks bone dry. The sun is strong, just as it is every other time of the year. Wearing long sleeves and long pants or a long skirt is recommended to keep the sun’s rays from causing sunburn. Drink a lot of water when visiting Mexico at this time of year because it is very easy to become dehydrated quickly.
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