Since 1996, Mexico has been adjusting its clocks in the spring and autumn to account for Daylight Saving Time (DST).
This article explains the clock changes taking place in Mexico in 2016.
The Mexican states of Sonora and Quintana Roo (which includes the popular resorts of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel) will not observe DST this year.
Spring Clock Changes in Mexico 2016 (Forward)
This year, mainland Mexico (except the states of Sonora and Quintana Roo) and the state of Baja California Sur move clocks forward by one hour on Sunday April 3rd, 2016.
Baja California and Mexican cities immediately bordering the US (including Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa and Matamoros) clocks move forward on Sunday March 13, 2016.
Autumn Clock Changes in Mexico 2016 (Backward)
DST in mainland Mexico (except the states of Sonora and Quintana Roo) and Baja California Sur will end on Sunday October 30th 2016, when the clocks will be moved back again by one hour.
Baja California and Mexican cities immediately bordering the US (including Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa and Matamoros) clocks move back one hour on Sunday November 6, 2016.
Note about US & European Clock Times
Mexico’s mainland clock-time change dates are not usually synchronized with U.S. or European clock-time change dates, so if you’re traveling or scheduling appointments between Mexico, the US and Europe this spring and autumn, do make a note to double-check your times, especially as flights and other public transportation systems always operate their schedules using local time.
See also: Mexico’s Four Time Zones
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I read a few years ago that, since Arizona doesn’t adhere to the clock changes, neither does the state of Sonora, so they can have parity due to their proximity. I am not sure if this is still happening.
Hi Miriam,
That is correct; which is why Sonora does not observe DST (and thus keeps its clock-time in sync with Arizona).