When to Visit Mexico: Seasons & Events

Mexico offers visitors and foreign residents year-round opportunities to enjoy the climate, culture, and events taking place here

Choosing The Right Season to Visit Mexico

Spring and summer in Mexico

Spring and summer are the hottest months in Mexico, so if you prefer more temperate climates, choose Mexico in the autumn and winter months or visit places in Mexico’s highlands (principally, Colonial Cities and inland nature areas), keeping away from the low-lying coasts which are particularly hot and humid during the summer months.

See Also: Spring Climates in Mexico and Summer Climates in Mexico

Related: Hot Coasts, Cool Colonial Cities

Autumn and winter in Mexico

High summer temperatures begin to ease from September onward. The cooler temperatures bring an end to the monsoon rains, and although the highland areas of the country can turn cool (and even cold overnight and early mornings), the coastal areas south of the Tropic of Cancer tend to remain warm, only cooling overnight or if a cold front blows down from the north—which does happen on occasions.

See Also: Autumn Climates in Mexico and Winter Climates in Mexico

The rainy season in Mexico

Mexico’s rainy season runs from May to October each year. Rains can start a little earlier or later. Rain storms tend to arrive in the afternoon, leaving the evenings dry and cooled-off, with mornings bright and sunny. If you want guaranteed sunshine, either avoid the rainy season or visit an area in Mexico not affected by it. For further information see:

See Also: Mexico’s Rainy Season and the Mexico Climates page.

The dry season in Mexico

When the season rains finish in the late fall the cycle begins to unveil a significant change as the moisture evaporates from the ground and the air becomes noticeably drier.  Learn more about the dry season in Mexico.

Mexico, a land of three lands

Mexico’s geographical territory is composed of a diverse topography including coastal plains, temperate highlands and extensive mountain ranges which climb to heights of over 10,000 feet above sea level. This diversity gives rise to a range of different climate zones. Learn more about these to help you choose locations to visit in Mexico:

See Also: Land of Three Lands

A note about high elevations in Mexico

Many really good places to see in Mexico are situated at high altitudes.  Heights of 5,000-7,000 feet above sea level are not unusual for cities in Mexico’s colonial heartland as well as those in the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas.  Mexico City and Guadalajara are also cities situated at altitude. To learn more about how to acclimatize:

See Also: Breathing Easy at High Elevation

Major events in Mexico

If you plan to visit Mexico during a major national event you will need to plan ahead as transport, and hotels in particular, become booked-up quickly in certain areas at certain times of the year.

Guelaguetza

If you are visiting Oaxaca in mid July for the Guelaguetza Festival, you will definitely need to book your accommodations in advance for this event.

Spring and Autumn Equinox

If you plan to visit Chichen Itza on/around March 21st and/or September 21st each year, you will need to book local accommodations well in advance.

Feria de San Marcos

If you plan to be in or nearby Aguascalientes between mid March and mid April, you will need to book in advance, as the city’s annual fair attracts some 3 million visitors and all decent hotels get booked solid during the 3-week long festival.
See Also: Feria de San Marcos, Aguascalientes

Mother’s Day in Mexico

May 10 is Mother’s Day in Mexico, a huge cultural event. If you are in Mexico on this day and plan to eat out, it’s advisable to book your restaurant table in advance.

Pamplonadas in San Miguel Allende

If you plan to visit San Miguel Allende during late September, book your hotel in advance and keep in mind that the town’s Pamplonadas, (“bull runs”) take place in the city the second from last or last weekend of the month (varies by year). The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the area and it’s not unusual for at least one person to get hurt—we recommend exercising precautions if you do attend.

Independence Day

The week leading up to and including September 15th & 16th each year requires advance booking at hotels in all of Mexico’s principal towns and cities and especially in historic places with strong links to the independence movement including: Mexico City, Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato.

Festival Cervantino in Guanajuato

Guanajuato is host to one of the country’s most important art culture festivals—Festival Cervantino. It runs for three weeks in October (exact dates vary) and you absolutely need to book your accommodations and travel in advance if you plan to visit the festival or be in Guanajuato during October.
See Also: Festival Cervantino

Day of the Dead

The week leading up to and including November 1st & 2nd each year. You definitely need to book ahead if you are visiting the colonial cities of Patzcuaro or Oaxaca.
See Also: Celebrating Life on Day of the Dead

Carnaval de Veracruz

The Carnaval de Veracruz, which is said to rival Rio and New Orleans, is scheduled to begin nine days before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, so the exact dates change each year. The carnival attracts people regionally, nationally and internationally, so if you plan to attend, be sure to book your travel and accommodation in advance.

Mérida Festival

The City of Mérida Festival, celebrating the city’s birth over 460 years ago, and the city’s principal arts festival overlap each other in January. If you are planning to attend the events or travel in Merida during this time, book in advance.

Peak holiday seasons in Mexico

In addition to the major calendar events, Mexico is popular at certain times of the year, as described in this summary:

Christmas & New Year

Mexicans and foreign visitors alike get away with their families at Christmas, making beach resorts and popular colonial cities very busy indeed. Airports and bus stations are particularly busy on the days at the beginning and end of the Christmas holiday season.
See Also: Christmas in Mexico and New Year Celebrations in Mexico

Easter Week (Semana Santa)

Easter is a huge holiday in Mexico. With Mexican schools out and foreign visitors arriving in large numbers, this is the tourism’s industry’s busiest time of the year – even bigger than Christmas and New Year. You must book in advance if you plan to travel to Mexico’s popular resorts, beach towns and colonial cities; although some places, like Mexico City, are quieter and provide an opportunity to visit the capital with less crowds.
See Also: Mexico City During Easter Week

July and August

July and August are the peak holiday months in Mexico. If you plan to visit Mexico at the height of summer, expect airports, bus stations and hotels to be more crowded and room prices and air fares will be more expensive too; in line with peak prices for Easter and Christmas.

Public Holidays in Mexico

Mexico has a number of public holidays, including some ‘Holiday Weekends’ where major holiday dates are moved to the nearest Monday to make a long weekend. You can learn about these on the Mexico Public Holidays page.