What's the best time to visit Mexico?
The best time to visit Mexico is between December and April, with perfect weather for beaches and adventures. This dry season is prime for wildlife encounters, including whales and the Monarch Butterfly Reserve. It’s also bustling with nightlife and events like Carnival, blending Mexico’s rich traditions with its natural beauty.
Mexico is a spectacular place to discover, full of diverse regions to explore and things to do. Visitors can explore the dramatic coastline of Baja California or the pristine resorts of the Riviera Maya.
History buffs should visit one of the many colonial towns or the Mayan ruins dotting the Yucatan. Wherever you go, you’ll see beautiful nature, great hospitality, and delicious food. Mexico is a great place to visit, and it’s much bigger than many people imagine.
While it has several different climate zones, most of the country has a tropical climate. Here is a quick guide to when to visit for the best weather, best prices, and best everything in Mexico.
The Overall Best Time to Visit Mexico
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The best time to visit most of Mexico is during the winter high season (from December to April), when you have the highest chance of experiencing good weather wherever you go.
While the majority of Mexico has a tropical climate, inland areas have more temperate climates, especially those at higher altitudes (including Mexico City), but their weather is still affected by tropical patterns.
Most of the country has consistently warm temperatures throughout the year. The two main seasons are the dry season (November/December to April/May) and the rainy season (June to October).
If you visit between December and April, you have the highest chances of having good weather, no matter where you go. The weather is warm enough for going to the beach, whether you go to Cabo or to the Riviera Maya.
However, it’s not so hot that you can’t go hiking or on more adventurous treks in the interior. The dry season is also the best time to spot animals. This is peak time for snorkeling and scuba diving along Mexico’s beach resorts like Cabo Pulmo.
This season is also the peak whale watching season along the Pacific coast of Mexico. Head on a boat excursion to see species like humpback whales, who have their babies in December and January off the Mexican coast, and gray whales.
Another spectacular natural sight during this time is the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, which fills up with thousands of butterflies from mid-November to March. There truly is no place like this in the world. Besides good weather and beautiful nature, December to April is the peak nightlife season.
Around December, many visitors take advantage of the holiday to come to the country, and party towns like Puerto Vallarta fill up with visitors. From late February to early April, beach resorts draw thousands of young people for spring break.
Popular events during this time include:
- Day Zero Festival (Tulum, January)
- Carnival (throughout the country, February)
- Vernal Equinox (Chichen Itza, March)
This period also contains some of Mexico’s most important religious holidays. In December, you can spot traditional posadas, or Christmas processions, especially in the north.
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is another important tradition right before Easter, and a time when many Mexicans take time off from work to travel.
Cheapest Time to Visit Mexico
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The cheapest times to visit Mexico are the shoulder seasons of spring (May to June) and autumn (September to November), when there is also the least demand.
Late spring is the best time to visit Mexico’s popular beach destinations and save some money. The weather is still dry during this time, albeit hot and humid, so you can still spend lots of time on the beach.
However, the massive crowds of the winter season and spring break have gone home, decreasing demand. That means that even top resorts in popular beach destinations offer discounted rates in late spring. In Puerto Vallarta, hotels in May offer discounts of 20% to 30%.
The spring and fall are also the best time to save money on getting to Mexico in the first place. Most visitors will fly into Mexico City International Airport.
Since it is the largest airport, it’s going to be the cheapest choice since there are more flight options. The cheapest months to fly to Mexico are May, September, and October, when there is a lull in visitors. Flights on weekdays tend to be more affordable.
Least Busy Time to Visit Mexico
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The least busy times to visit Mexico are in May to June or October to November, which are the country’s shoulder seasons. In May and early June, the rainy season hasn’t started yet and it’s a good time to enjoy outdoor adventures without the crowds affecting your enjoyment.
Most beach towns are pleasant to visit during this time. Plus, May marks the beginning of surf season in most popular Mexican surfing locations, making it a great time to visit for those who are into water-based sports.
In the fall, the rainy season is in full swing along the coast, but if you head inland, you can beat the worst of the weather. Plus, most showers are concentrated in the afternoon, so you can enjoy good weather in the morning.
Fall is also the best time to visit to see authentic Mexican culture. There are several major holidays during this time. Mexican Independence Day on September 16th is celebrated around the country with folk dance and fireworks.
Early November brings the Day of the Dead and celebrations are particularly impressive among the indigenous population of Oaxaca, with costumed parades and colorful cemeteries. Fall is also one of the best times to visit Mexico City.
The city is too far inland to be affected by the rainy season, although you may see sporadic showers.
There will be far fewer people on the streets, so you can enjoy the city at a more leisurely pace. Other inland destinations that shine during the fall are Copper Canyon and other places in the Sierra Madre.
Worst Time to Visit Mexico
Guadalajara, Mexico – September 20 2019: Urban city bus drives through flooded street after heavy rain in the afternoon or evening/Lorenza Ochoa/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Mexico is during the peak of the rainy season from July to September, when frequent downpours can ruin your vacation. If you were hoping for the perfect Mexican beach vacation, you probably shouldn’t visit during the worst of the rainy season.
Frequent downpours and humid weather make it difficult to work on your tan, while stormy conditions make the ocean and the Caribbean Sea downright dangerous to swim in. Normal activities like scuba diving and sailing tours are usually canceled.
Visiting Mexico during this time may also be dangerous. The country is often affected by hurricanes, especially along the Caribbean coast. Storms have devastated parts of Mexico in recent years, like Hurricane Otis, which devastated Acapulco in October 2023.
If you travel during hurricane season, you could get caught up in a dangerous situation. It’s not like the bad weather means that you can get good deals or beat the crowds.
These months coincide with summer vacation for schools in common countries of origin for tourists such as the United States, which means that hotels tend to be full. You’ll get better deals during the shoulder seasons.
If you do visit Mexico during this time, the best way to do it is to head inland. Plus, visit a place like Mexico City which has plenty of indoor activities that you can do if your plans get rained on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oaxaca, Mexico – April 17, 2017: Colorful buildings on the cobblestone streets of Oaxaca, Mexico/Angelina Pilarinos/Shutterstock
Here are some of the most common questions to help you pick the best time to visit Mexico:
What months is it hot in Mexico?
The answer differs depending on the region. Most of Mexico experiences its hottest weather in July and August, but the far south is hottest in April and May.
What is the best month to go to Cancun?
January is the best month to go to Cancun because the weather is gorgeous, and the prices are reasonable for high season.
What is the cheapest month to go to Mexico?
You’ll save the most money in September since many hotels offer discounts during the low season and flights are cheapest.
What is the most rainy month in Mexico?
September is Mexico’s rainiest month, which is part of the reason why it’s also the month when accommodation is cheapest.
Where is the best weather in Mexico?
Baja California has the mildest weather, while the Riviera Maya has the most consistently warm temperatures all year round.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Mexico?
Figuring out the best time to visit all of Mexico is difficult since the country has many diverse regions. The best weather is between December and April, which is the dry season for most of the country.
By May, the crowds die down and it’s the best time to visit for deals, followed by the rainier autumn season. So, as you can see, there’s no truly bad time to visit Mexico. So what are you waiting for — book your trip today and enjoy all the country has to offer. Happy travels!