The best time to visit Mexico

January in Mexico is generally cool and dry. The central highlands and Mexico City enjoy crisp days and clear skies, whilst the Caribbean and Pacific coasts bask in warm sunshine without the intense humidity that arrives later in the year.

It’s one of the best times of year to visit Mexico for wildlife, with grey and humpback whales in Baja’s lagoons and monarch butterflies clustering in central Mexico’s fir forests. In Chiapas, you’ll find the Fiesta Grande de Chiapa de Corzo brings masked dancers, fireworks and vibrant processions to the streets.

Days lengthen and temperatures climb slightly in February, though dry, sunny weather continues across most regions. Coastal waters remain clear and calm, making it an excellent month for snorkelling and diving.

It’s a festive time for you to be in Mexico, with Carnival celebrations lighting up towns from Mazatlan to Holbox. Candlemas in Valladolid features candlelit processions and tamales, whilst whale and butterfly watching remain at their peak.

Temperatures rise noticeably and humidity begins to build, particularly along the coastline, but March still falls within the dry season in many regions. Mexico City and the central highlands are pleasantly warm, whilst the south experiences hot afternoons and cool evenings.

Spring equinox rituals draw crowds to Chichen Itza, where you can marvel as shadows create a serpent on the pyramid steps. In Baja, the colourful colonial town of San Jose del Cabo hosts its annual festival in the week leading up to March 19th, a popular event celebrating local arts, culture and history.

April starts warm and dry but humidity builds toward the end of the month as the rainy season approaches. Coastal resorts from the Riviera Maya to Puerto Vallarta bask in sunshine. Inland, temperatures are hot but still comfortable.

It’s the best time to go to Mexico for the nationwide Semana Santa (Holy Week) festivities, when cities and towns are swept up in religious processions, passion plays and flower-strewn altars. The San Marcos Fair kicks off in Aguascalientes, a 190-year-old celebration spanning open-air concerts, bullfights, art exhibitions and nightly fireworks. 

April is also the final month for reliable whale sightings in Baja.

Heat and humidity increase significantly across Mexico during May. The rainy season begins in many areas, bringing short, refreshing showers that cool the air and turn landscapes emerald green. The Caribbean coast sees occasional early storms.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Puebla with military parades, fireworks and lively reenactments of the 1862 Battle of Puebla, where Mexican forces triumphed over the French. Sea turtle nesting season begins, with whale sharks starting to appear off Isla Mujeres. 

In June, rainfall intensifies and humidity peaks, particularly in southern and coastal regions. Showers are usually heavy but brief, often clearing to reveal blue skies. Temperatures remain high, but cooling rains and fewer visitors make it a great time to explore.

June is the best time to go to Mexico for the start of the whale shark season, with snorkelling tours leaving from Holbox and Isla Mujeres. The rain revives waterfalls and cenotes, and turtle nesting continues on both coasts.

July is one of the wettest months in Mexico, with high humidity and frequent afternoon storms across much of the country. Temperatures remain hot, but cooler evenings offer respite.

Hurricane risk begins to increase along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, meaning we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this as the best time to travel.

Rainfall remains frequent in August, though there are still sunny intervals. The highlands continue to be warm and humid.

Tropical storms and occasional hurricanes are common, particularly along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, meaning we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this as the best time to travel.

Rains begin to subside by mid‑September, though hurricane risk persists on the Caribbean coast. Temperatures moderate slightly and humidity lessens, with mountains and forests remaining green and vibrant.

Mexico celebrates its independence on 16 September with patriotic parades, fireworks, folk dances and festive street parties held in towns and cities across the country. It’s the last month for whale shark excursions, whilst clear post‑rain skies make archaeological sites such as Palenque and Monte Alban particularly photogenic.

October is the bridge between the rainy and the dry seasons in Mexico. Showers diminish dramatically and clear, sunny days return across most regions. 

It’s a wonderful time for hiking in the Sierra Madre, where you’ll enjoy panoramic mountain views from forested trails. In the northwest, the Copper Canyon is at its most vibrant after the rains, making the scenic rail journey along the Chihuahua al Pacifico route especially dramatic as it winds past waterfalls, gorges and remote villages.

November ushers in cooler nights and clear, dry days in Mexico. The rainy season has ended, but the peak Christmas crowds have yet to arrive. Temperatures are comfortable across the country, making it an ideal month for outdoor exploration.

Day of the Dead is celebrated on 1 and 2 November, with families building colourful ofrendas, or altars, adorned with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls and the favourite foods of the departed. November also sees the first grey whales returning to Baja’s lagoons and offers perfect conditions for city tours, hiking and archaeological site visits.

December brings bright blue skies, mild days and chilly nights to Mexico, especially in the highlands. It is one of the country’s busiest months, with locals and visitors celebrating both religious festivals and holiday traditions.

Festive spirit fills the month: millions of pilgrims converge on the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City to honour the country’s patron saint. Across Mexico, the Posadas re‑enact Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging through candlelit processions. In Oaxaca, the Night of the Radishes showcases elaborate carvings and nativity scenes sculpted from oversized radishes, a unique tradition dating back more than a century.