When to go to Mexico?
→ The detailed month-by-month page, with real weather records
Best time: November to April
At a glance
Why go to Mexico?
Mexico is not a country you visit, it is one you travel through at full intensity. In a single day you climb a Mayan pyramid ringed by jungle, dive into a cenote of glassy water and dine on a taco al pastor under the neon lights of a village square. Few countries pack in such a density of emotions.
Here, history is everywhere and very much alive. The pre-Columbian cities of Teotihuacán and Chichén Itzá stand alongside the baroque churches of the colonial era, and indigenous traditions still run through the food, the crafts and the festivals. Oaxaca, with its weaving workshops and mezcal markets, is its beating heart.
And then there is the welcome, a warmth that disarms you. Someone offers you a piece of fruit, shows you how to eat a chile, tells you the legend of a volcano. Mexico gives itself without calculation, and that is what makes the trip unforgettable, far beyond the postcards.
Map of Mexico: what is where?
The map shows the 6 places covered in this guide, to picture the distances and plan your route.
- Mexico City
- Chichén Itzá
- Oaxaca
- Tulum
- San Cristóbal de las Casas
- Teotihuacán
How much does a trip to Mexico cost?
Mexico remains affordable, especially away from the Riviera Maya, where prices climb near the upmarket beaches. Here are three profiles to help you plan.
| Style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | €40-60/day | Hostels, ADO buses, street tacos and public cenotes. |
| Comfort | €70-130/day | Boutique hotels, a few domestic flights, restaurants and guided excursions. |
| Premium | €180+/day | Designer cabañas, private transfers, diving and fine dining. |
Pay in pesos, withdraw from bank ATMs and keep cash for colectivos and markets.
Is Mexico safe?
Mexico can be travelled with peace of mind if you stay alert. The tourist regions of the Yucatán, Oaxaca and Chiapas are safe, but some northern states and isolated areas are best avoided. Favour daytime buses, keep an eye on your belongings in bus stations and ask for local advice. Common sense and a sober approach to nights out are enough most of the time.
What to see and do in Mexico
- Chichén Itzá
- Mexico City and Teotihuacán
- the Riviera Maya
- Oaxaca
- the cenotes of the Yucatán
Chichén Itzá
The pyramid of Kukulcán towers over a vast site in the middle of the Yucatán. At the equinoxes, the shadows trace a serpent slithering down the staircase, a feat of Mayan astronomy. Arrive early to avoid the crowds and the crushing midday heat. The ball court and the sacred cenote round off the visit.
Mexico City and Teotihuacán
The capital surprises with its energy, its Diego Rivera murals and its UNESCO-listed historic centre. An hour's drive away, Teotihuacán lines up its Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon along the Avenue of the Dead. Climb to the top to take in the whole valley. A hot-air balloon flight at dawn is a memory that stays with you.
Oaxaca
The country's culinary capital, Oaxaca lives to the rhythm of its markets and workshops. You taste mole, grilled chapulines and artisanal mezcal straight from the producers. The surrounding villages weave woollen rugs and carve colourful alebrijes. The Zapotec site of Monte Albán looks down on the city from its hilltop.
The Riviera Maya
White sand beaches and turquoise water stretch along the Caribbean coast. Tulum pairs Mayan ruins perched on the cliff with a bohemian vibe. Playa del Carmen concentrates the nightlife, while the reefs invite you to snorkel. Cozumel, just offshore, ranks among the finest dive spots in the Caribbean.
The cenotes of the Yucatán
These natural freshwater sinkholes, sacred to the Maya, pepper the peninsula. Some are open to the sky and bathed in light, others hidden in caves hung with stalactites. You swim in water of unreal clarity, often with the place to yourself. Dos Ojos and Ik Kil are among the most spectacular.
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Perched in the Chiapas highlands, this colonial town breathes cool air and a singular atmosphere. Its cobbled streets, Tzotzil indigenous markets and cafés make it an endearing stop. Neighbouring villages keep fascinating religious rites alive. The Agua Azul waterfalls and the Palenque ruins are not far away.
How many days, and which itinerary?
Allow two to three weeks to combine the Yucatán, Mexico City and a trip to Oaxaca or Chiapas without rushing.
🗺️ Day-by-day itinerary · 📓 Free printable Mexico guide (PDF)
Essential Yucatán (10 days)
Cancún, Valladolid and Chichén Itzá, then the cenotes around Tulum, before finishing on the beaches of the Riviera Maya. An ideal first trip, compact and varied.
Grand cultural tour (3 weeks)
Mexico City and Teotihuacán, south to Oaxaca and Monte Albán, on to Chiapas and San Cristóbal, then Palenque before reaching the Yucatán to finish with your feet in the water.
Chiapas and living cultures (12 days)
San Cristóbal as your base, Tzotzil villages, the Sumidero Canyon, the Agua Azul waterfalls and the Palenque ruins buried in the jungle.
Getting there and getting around
The ADO long-distance bus network is comfortable, reliable and covers the whole south-east of the country.
Colectivos, shared minibuses, link villages and cenotes for a few pesos.
Domestic flights save precious time between Mexico City, Oaxaca and the Yucatán.
Hiring a car gives you freedom in the Yucatán, where the roads are good.
Where to stay in Mexico?
Youth hostels and family-run posadas at €15 to 30 a night, common everywhere.
Charming boutique hotels in the colonial towns, often around €60 to 90.
Beach cabañas in Tulum or Bacalar for a night with your toes in the sand.
Our places to stay, stop by stop, at three budgets →
What to eat in Mexico?
Tacos al pastor, marinated pork carved from the spit, served with pineapple and coriander.
Oaxacan mole, a slow, complex sauce blending chillies, chocolate and spices.
Yucatán cochinita pibil, pork marinated in annatto and slow-cooked.
Tlayudas, large crisp tortillas topped Oaxacan style.
Entry requirements
No visa for stays of up to 180 days with a passport, for EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. An officer writes the number of days granted on entry, so check it.
Rules change: check your own government's travel advice before you go.
Cities and regions to discover
City🇲🇽 The Yucatán
Region🇲🇽 Baja California
Region🇲🇽 Chiapas
City🇲🇽 Mexico City
City🇲🇽 Tulum
Frequently asked questions about Mexico
What is the best season?
November to April, in the dry season, with a pleasant climate on the coasts and in the highlands.
Can you drink the tap water?
No, it is better to stick to bottled or filtered water, including for brushing your teeth.
Can you explore the Yucatán by car?
Yes, the roads are good and a hire car gives you real freedom to explore cenotes and villages.
How long for a first trip?
Ten days are enough for the Yucatán; two to three weeks to combine several regions.
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