What's the best time to visit Mexico City?
Spring in Mexico City (March to May) combines mild temperatures (26-28°C/80-83°F) with a packed schedule of festivals, from the Spring equinox celebrations at Teotihuacan to the Vive Latino Music Festival. It’s an ideal time for outdoor explorations, including visits to the city’s green spaces and Xochimilco’s floating gardens, offering a perfect blend of pleasant weather and vibrant culture.
Mexico City, one of the largest cities in the world, is a must-visit destination if you are a lover of food, culture, art, or want to explore Central America.
Since it was built on top of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, you can still see the hulking buildings of the Spanish colonists around the main square, and Aztec traces are in the Anthropological Museum and magical Xochimilco.
Check out the city’s vibrant culture in museums such as the Museo Frida Kahlo, or in the hipster galleries and businesses of hip neighborhoods such as Colonia Juárez. Of course, you can’t visit Mexico City without eating your fill of street food and fine dining.
Visiting Mexico City is sure to be a trip to remember, especially if you visit when the city is at its finest. We’ll show you the best, worst, least busy, and cheapest times to visit the city below; let us be your guide!
Overall Best Time to Visit Mexico City
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The best time to visit Mexico City is in the spring, from March to May, which has the best weather and the liveliest cultural calendar. Mexico City has a subtropical mountainous climate.
While it has consistently warm temperatures throughout the year, and a distinct rainy and dry season, it isn’t affected by tropical weather patterns (including storms) as much as coastal regions. It is located at a high altitude and inland, which makes some aspects of the climate milder.
The spring season of March-May brings mild, pleasant weather to Mexico City. Average daily high temperatures are 26-28 degrees Celsius (80-83 degrees Fahrenheit).
While May is rainier, March and April are still at the tail end of the dry season and only receive an average of an inch of rain all month.
This means you’ll have great weather for walking around the city. Even though Mexico City is the world’s 5th most populous city, it has a lot of green spaces where you can enjoy the flowers of spring.
Take advantage of the beautiful weather and blooms in the Chapultepec Botanical Garden, or just look at the many jacaranda, magnolia, and broad trees planted throughout the city.
The weather is great for other outdoor activities, such as taking a canal boat through Xochimilco. This landscape of floating gardens suspended in canals has remained intact since Aztec times and is beautiful in the spring when the land comes alive.
Spring is one of the best times to visit Mexico City and enjoy local festivals. You can catch traditional indigenous festivities, Catholic feast days, and modern cultural festivals, showing the many facets of this metropolis.
Some of the best events include:
- Spring equinox, celebrated at the nearby Aztec city of Teotihuacan (March)
- Vive Latino Music Festival (March)
- Easter/Semana Santa (March/April)
- Feria de las Culturas Amigas (April)
Cheapest Time to Visit Mexico City
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The cheapest time to visit Mexico City is during the winter, especially January to February, when the city receives fewer visitors. Winter in general is Mexico City’s slow season, which means that you can find good deals thanks to lower demand from tourists.
December is a bit more expensive since more people travel around Christmas, but by January and February many hotels offer steep discounts.
After New Year’s, you can find discounts of up to 50% compared to peak-season rates, even at top hotels. The best way to get to Mexico City for most international visitors is to fly into Mexico City International Airport.
Since it’s a big airport, you have plenty of choices when it comes to airlines and flight times, allowing you to compare prices.
March and April are actually the most affordable times to fly into the airport because during the winter, many people are visiting the Mexican coast but flying in through Mexico City.
Least Busy Time to Visit Mexico City
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The least busy time to visit Mexico City is during the winter, but you can also beat the crowds during the summer. Winter in Mexico City can get quite chilly. Nighttime temperatures in January are about 8 degrees Celsius (47 degrees Fahrenheit).
It’s not exactly freezing, but you’ll still have to bundle up and it’s not the getaway from winter weather most visitors at this time come to Mexico to find. At altitudes this high, winters are colder than on the coast.
The benefit is that you’ll get most of the city to yourself. It’s a lot easier to get into popular restaurants or avoid waiting in line to visit popular attractions. This is one of the best seasons to check out the city’s thriving arts scene, since the galleries are not as full of people.
Local artists organize exhibitions and festivals around this time, such as the Material Art Fair (February). Winter sees some more visitors around Christmas, but the crowds still aren’t as bad as they are during peak season.
You can visit festive markets, buy pinatas, and see traditional processions called posadas. The Christmas season continues until January 6th, which is El Día de Los Reyes (Three Kings Day), when bakeries around the city sell special cakes.
Earlier in the month, on December 12th, is the feast day of Mexico’s patron saint, La Virgen de Guadalupe, which attracts thousands of pilgrims in a stunning display of faith.
You can also beat the crowds by visiting in the middle of summer, July-August. The rainy weather keeps many visitors away, but this is a good time to visit the museums and restaurants of the city without fighting for space.
Worst Time to Visit Mexico City
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We believe the worst time to visit Mexico City is from June to August, which marks the height of the city’s rainy season. Due to its subtropical climate, Mexico City has a distinct rainy season, when it receives more rain than during the rest of the year.
The rainy season lasts from May to November, peaking from June to September. The rainiest month of the year is July, which receives a whopping 16 inches of rain on average!
The heavy rain makes it unpleasant to spend any time outdoors. You don’t want to get rained on while strolling through the streets or trying to go on a canal tour. Heavy rains from June to September have caused flooding in the past, which makes the season downright dangerous.
However, there are some bright spots to visit during the rainy season. By August, the worst of the rains quiet down, and you can enjoy the outdoors in the afternoon, once the daily rains are usually over.
The rains bring lush landscapes, produce markets teeming with fresh fruit, and best of all, fresh air in a city usually beset with pollution. Locals do their best to enjoy the season despite the rain.
Summer has excellent events such as:
- Mexico City Gay Pride (June)
- Mexico City International Film Festival (July)
- Feria de las Flores (July)
Mexico City by Month: Climate & Activities
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Still unsure about the best time to visit Mexico City? Take a look at our summary of the weather and climate by month below:
January
Winter temperatures in Mexico City range from 6-20°C (43-68°F). It’s an ideal time for cultural exploration, visiting museums like the Frida Kahlo Museum, and enjoying the city’s historical architecture.
February
Similar to January, February maintains cool temperatures between 7-21°C (45-70°F). Visitors can explore the iconic Zócalo square, indulge in Mexican cuisine, and attend events like the International Film Festival.
March
As spring begins, temperatures range from 9-23°C (48-73°F). March is perfect for exploring outdoor markets, such as Mercado Jamaica, and attending cultural festivals celebrating art and music.
April
Spring temperatures in Mexico City range from 11-24°C (52-75°F). It’s an ideal time for outdoor activities, including hiking in Chapultepec Park and exploring the historic neighborhoods of Coyoacán and San Ángel.
May
May sees temperatures ranging from 13-25°C (55-77°F). It’s a great month for experiencing the colorful Lucha Libre wrestling matches, visiting the National Museum of Anthropology, and enjoying street food.
June
Summer arrives with temperatures between 14-25°C (57-77°F). June offers opportunities for exploring the trendy neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa, as well as enjoying the city’s vibrant nightlife.
July
In July, Mexico City maintains mild temperatures from 14-24°C (57-75°F). It’s a popular month for art enthusiasts with events like the Mexico City Art Week and the opportunity to explore street art in neighborhoods like Juárez.
August
Temperatures in August range from 14-24°C (57-75°F). Despite occasional rain, it’s an excellent time for visiting iconic landmarks like the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palace of Fine Arts.
September
In September, Mexico City’s rainy season continues, with temperatures between 14-23°C (57-73°F). September is the month of Mexican Independence Day celebrations, featuring parades, concerts, and fireworks.
October
October sees temperatures ranging from 13-23°C (55-73°F). It’s an ideal month for exploring the historic center, shopping at markets like La Ciudadela, and enjoying Dia de los Muertos preparations.
November
Fall temperatures range from 10-22°C (50-72°F). November is perfect for visiting the Chapultepec Castle, exploring Xochimilco’s canals, and experiencing the vibrant Day of the Dead celebrations.
December
In December, winter returns to Mexico City, with temperatures ranging from 7-20°C (45-68°F). December brings festive holiday markets, the lighting of the Zócalo Christmas tree, and opportunities to savor traditional Mexican holiday dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some frequently asked questions about picking the best times to visit Mexico City:
What is the perfect month to go to Mexico?
The perfect month to go to Mexico is April, when the weather is consistently nice across the many regions, and when crowds are manageable in all destinations.
When is the best weather for Mexico City?
The best weather in Mexico City is during the spring, which has warm temperatures but not much rain.
Does Mexico City have a rainy season?
Mexico City has a rainy season, just like the rest of Mexico. Its rainy season lasts from May to October and peaks in June, July, and August.
How many days in Mexico City is enough?
You should spend at least four days in Mexico City. You want to give yourself enough time to explore the many museums and landmarks and spend time in the hip neighborhoods.
What’s the least expensive month to go to Mexico?
The least expensive month to go to most of Mexico is September, when hurricane season keeps visitors away. The exception is Mexico City, where the least expensive months are July-August or September-October.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Mexico City?
The best time to go to Mexico City is during the spring (March-May), when the weather is great, and the crowds are more manageable. However, all the seasons have their charm. Fall has the most crowds but also the most festivals, winter is the best for budget travelers, and summer’s rains also make the air pollution go away.
So, with so much to see and do and plenty of amazing times to visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Mexico City has to offer. Happy travels!