Best Time to Visit Every Destination in Mexico

Mexico is a vast country with very different climates depending on the region. What is peak season in Cancun could be the worst time in Mexico City. This guide explains exactly when to travel to each zone to make the most of your trip and your budget.

Caribbean Region: Cancun, Riviera Maya, Holbox, Bacalar

Best time: November to April. These months offer dry weather, temperatures of 25-30°C (77-86°F), and clear skies. This is high season, so prices are higher: a mid-range hotel costs $2,500-$4,000 MXN ($145-$230 USD) per night.

Avoid September and October: this is the peak of hurricane season. June to August is hot and humid, but prices drop 30-40%. If you are looking for deals, May and November are ideal transition months with good weather and moderate prices.

Notable festivals: Cozumel Carnival (February), Riviera Maya Jazz Festival (November), Day of the Dead at Xcaret (October-November).

Pacific Region: Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Oaxaca Coast, Huatulco

Best time: November to May. Dry and warm weather with temperatures of 24-32°C (75-90°F). December to March is ideal for humpback whale watching in Banderas Bay. High-season hotels: $1,500-$3,000 MXN ($87-$175 USD) per night.

The rainy season runs from June to October with afternoon downpours, but mornings are usually sunny. Prices drop up to 40%. August is the rainiest month. Hurricane season on the Pacific runs from May to November, but landfalling hurricanes are less frequent than in the Caribbean.

Notable festivals: Fiestas de Mayo in Puerto Vallarta (May), Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca (July), Guadalajara International Film Festival (March).

Central Region: Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Puebla, Oaxaca City

Best time: March to May and October to November. Spring offers pleasant temperatures of 18-25°C (64-77°F) with no rain. Autumn combines good weather with Day of the Dead celebrations.

The rainy season in central Mexico runs from June to September. It rains almost every afternoon (1-3 hours), but mornings are pleasant. Temperatures drop to 15-20°C (59-68°F). The upside: lower prices and fewer tourists. Hotels in Mexico City: $1,000-$2,500 MXN ($58-$145 USD) per night in high season; $700-$1,800 MXN ($40-$105 USD) in low season.

December to February is high season due to Christmas holidays, but the weather can be cold, especially in San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato where nighttime temperatures drop to 5-10°C (41-50°F).

Notable festivals: Day of the Dead in Pátzcuaro and Mixquic (November 1-2), Festival Cervantino in Guanajuato (October), Holy Week in San Miguel de Allende (March-April), Independence Day celebrations (September 15-16).

Northern Region: Monterrey, Chihuahua, Baja California, Copper Canyon

Best time: March to May and September to November. Spring offers moderate temperatures (20-30°C / 68-86°F) before summer's extreme heat. Autumn has spectacular foliage colors in Copper Canyon.

Avoid June to August in desert cities like Monterrey and Chihuahua, where temperatures exceed 40°C (104°F). Baja California is the exception: Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe are pleasant in summer (22-28°C / 72-82°F). Gray whale watching season in Baja California Sur runs from January to March.

Winter (December to February) can be very cold in Copper Canyon and the Sierra Tarahumara, with below-zero temperatures. However, it is a great time to visit Los Cabos and La Paz.

Notable festivals: Grape Harvest Festival in Valle de Guadalupe (August), Calaca Festival in Baja California (November), Tarahumara Holy Week in Copper Canyon (March-April).

Season Summary

High season (peak prices): Christmas to New Year (Dec 15 - Jan 6), Holy Week, July-August at beach destinations.
Shoulder season (best value): May, November, first two weeks of December.
Low season (best deals): September-October (except Day of the Dead), June in central Mexico.

Money-Saving Tips

Book domestic flights 4-6 weeks in advance for the best prices. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the cheapest days to fly. Consider traveling mid-week to get hotel rates up to 25% lower. Use low-cost airlines like Volaris and VivaAerobus for domestic flights, where you can find fares starting at $600 MXN ($35 USD).