Winter
Dec → Feb26 to 27°
nights 22 to 23°
- 12 rainy days · 68 mm
- 9.8 h of sun
- sea 27°
When is the best time to visit Mexico?
In short: November to April, during the dry season: 26 to 29 °C in the afternoon in Cancún and clear skies over the central highlands. For the beach, March and April are the driest months on the Yucatán (37 and 39 mm in Cancún), before the hurricanes that arrive in mid-May on the Pacific coast and in early June on the Caribbean side.
- Yucatán beaches: From December to April on the Caribbean coast (Cancún, Tulum), with the least rain in March and April and a sea at 27 or 28 °C.
- The Pacific coast: Beaches best enjoyed in winter: hurricanes threaten earlier and for longer there, from mid-May to late November, against June to November on the Atlantic side.
- Monarch butterflies: From mid-November to late March, the sanctuaries of Michoacán and the State of Mexico open while millions of monarchs overwinter.
- Day of the Dead: In late October and early November, the indigenous festivities dedicated to the dead, listed by UNESCO, fill homes and cemeteries with altars and offerings.
- Mexico City and the highlands: From November to April, the sky stays dry; from June to September, showers are almost daily, but the altitude keeps temperatures mild.
Best avoided: September and October: in the height of the hurricane season on both coasts, these are, along with June, the rainiest months in Cancún (182 and 181 mm, 22 rainy days each).
Sources: diplomatie.gouv.fr, gob.mx, ich.unesco.org
- Jan26°recommended
- Feb27°recommended
- Mar28°recommended
- Apr29°recommended
- May30°fair
- Jun30°fair
- Jul31°fair
- Aug31°fair
- Sep30°not recommended
- Oct29°not recommended
- Nov28°recommended
- Dec27°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Mexico, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 22° | 9.3 h | 75 mm | 13 d | 27° | ✓ |
| February | 27° | 22° | 10.5 h | 46 mm | 10 d | 27° | ✓ |
| March | 28° | 23° | 11.4 h | 37 mm | 9 d | 27° | ✓ |
| April | 29° | 24° | 11.7 h | 39 mm | 7 d | 28° | ✓ |
| May | 30° | 25° | 11.9 h | 83 mm | 14 d | 29° | |
| June | 30° | 26° | 10.7 h | 198 mm | 18 d | 30° | |
| July | 31° | 26° | 11.8 h | 87 mm | 15 d | 30° | |
| August | 31° | 26° | 11.2 h | 131 mm | 20 d | 31° | |
| September | 30° | 26° | 10.7 h | 182 mm | 22 d | 31° | |
| October | 29° | 25° | 9.9 h | 181 mm | 22 d | 30° | |
| November | 28° | 23° | 10.2 h | 111 mm | 15 d | 29° | ✓ |
| December | 27° | 23° | 9.6 h | 83 mm | 14 d | 27° | ✓ |
The four seasons in Mexico, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Cancún (Yucatán)) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May28 to 30°
nights 23 to 25°
- 10 rainy days · 53 mm
- 11.7 h of sun
- sea 28°
Summer
Jun → Aug30 to 31°
nights 26°
- 18 rainy days · 139 mm
- 11.2 h of sun
- sea 30°
Autumn
Sep → Nov28 to 30°
nights 23 to 26°
- 20 rainy days · 158 mm
- 10.3 h of sun
- sea 30°
Book early for November to April
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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What to do in Mexico, month by month
EventsGuelaguetzaJulyGrito de IndependenciaSeptemberDía de MuertosNovemberMonarch butterfliesNovember to MarchDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
Beach & swimming: good conditions all twelve months.
Diving & snorkelling: good conditions all twelve months.
- Hiking: March, April
- Towns & culture: February, March, April
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Mexico, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. These events fill the hotels and push prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- JulyGuelaguetza big crowds
Oaxaca welcomes delegations from the eight regions of the state for two Mondays of dancing on Cerro del Fortín.
- SeptemberGrito de Independencia big crowds
On the evening of 15 September, the zócalos fill up for the cry delivered from the balcony, followed by a parade on the 16th.
- NovemberDía de Muertos big crowds
On the night of 1 to 2 November, the cemeteries of Michoacán and Oaxaca glow with candles and cempasúchil (marigolds).
- November to MarchMonarch butterflies
Millions of monarchs cover the fir trees in the reserves of Michoacán and the State of Mexico, from November to March.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Mexico, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇲🇽 The Yucatán | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🇲🇽 Baja California | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🇲🇽 Chiapas | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico City | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 🇲🇽 Tulum | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
Month by month, in detail
January
Recommended26°22° at night
- 75 mm · 13 d
- 9.3 h
- sea 27°
High season, book early
February
Recommended27°22° at night
- 46 mm · 10 d
- 10.5 h
- sea 27°
High season, book early
March
Recommended28°23° at night
- 37 mm · 9 d
- 11.4 h
- sea 27°
Busy, without the crush
April
Recommended29°24° at night
- 39 mm · 7 d
- 11.7 h
- sea 28°
Busy, without the crush
May
Fair30°25° at night
- 83 mm · 14 d
- 11.9 h
- sea 29°
Low season, lower prices
June
Fair30°26° at night
- 198 mm · 18 d
- 10.7 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
July
Fair31°26° at night
- 87 mm · 15 d
- 11.8 h
- sea 30°
High season, book early
August
Fair31°26° at night
- 131 mm · 20 d
- 11.2 h
- sea 31°
Busy, without the crush
September
Not recommended30°26° at night
- 182 mm · 22 d
- 10.7 h
- sea 31°
Busy, without the crush
October
Not recommended29°25° at night
- 181 mm · 22 d
- 9.9 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
November
Recommended28°23° at night
- 111 mm · 15 d
- 10.2 h
- sea 29°
High season, book early
December
Recommended27°23° at night
- 83 mm · 14 d
- 9.6 h
- sea 27°
High season, book early
Read the twelve months in detail
January. 26 °C in the afternoon and 22 °C at night. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (75 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 9.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
February. 27 °C in the afternoon and 22 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (46 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.5 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
March. 28 °C in the afternoon and 23 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (37 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 11.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
April. 29 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Rain stays light: 39 mm over 7 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.7 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
May. 30 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. Frequent rain: 83 mm over 14 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.9 h a day on average. The sea is at 29 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
June. 30 °C in the afternoon and 26 °C at night. Frequent rain: 198 mm over 18 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.7 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
July. 31 °C in the afternoon and 26 °C at night. Frequent rain: 87 mm over 15 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.8 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
August. 31 °C in the afternoon and 26 °C at night. Frequent rain: 131 mm over 20 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.2 h a day on average. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
September. 30 °C in the afternoon and 26 °C at night. A very wet month, 182 mm of rain over 22 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.7 h a day on average. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
October. 29 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. A very wet month, 181 mm of rain over 22 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.9 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. 28 °C in the afternoon and 23 °C at night. Frequent rain: 111 mm over 15 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.2 h a day on average. The sea is at 29 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
December. 27 °C in the afternoon and 23 °C at night. Frequent rain: 83 mm over 14 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.6 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Mexico?
November to April, during the dry season: 26 to 29 °C in the afternoon in Cancún and clear skies over the central highlands. For the beach, March and April are the driest months on the Yucatán (37 and 39 mm in Cancún), before the hurricanes that arrive in mid-May on the Pacific coast and in early June on the Caribbean side.
Which month should you avoid in Mexico?
September and October: in the height of the hurricane season on both coasts, these are, along with June, the rainiest months in Cancún (182 and 181 mm, 22 rainy days each).
What is the hottest month in Mexico?
July, with 31 °C on average in the afternoon and 26 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Cancún (Yucatán)).
What is the coldest month in Mexico?
January, with 26 °C at best during the day and 22 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Cancún (Yucatán)).
What is the driest month in Mexico?
March: 37 mm over 9 days of rain, against 198 mm in June, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Mexico?
May, with 11.9 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in Mexico?
The water never drops below 22 °C: from 27 to 31 °C depending on the month (warmest in August), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Tulum).
When is the best time to hike in Mexico?
March, April: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Cancún (Yucatán)), the safest windows for walking.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Mexico guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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