Best Time to Visit Mexico – Trip Guide 2022

I’ll give you advice on when to travel to Mexico to achieve your travel objectives in this article. Whether you want to spend your summer vacation lounging in the sun all day or wish to avoid the crowds in Mexico City.

The best time to travel to Mexico is between December and April, when there is essentially no rain. The coolest months are between December and February, although during the dry season, average temperatures can still reach 28°C.

Beginning in May and lasting through October, the wet season is experienced in the south. The increased humidity during this time is typically cleared by a strong shower before it returns. The hurricane season, which lasts from June to November, has the potential to have an impact on the Caribbean coast.

Mexico Seasons at a Glance

• High season (December through April, when most of the country experiences its driest weather)
• Shoulder seasons (July and August)
• Low season (May, June, and September through early November)

When is the Best Time to Visit Mexico

The dry season, which typically lasts from December to April, is the best time to visit Mexico. If you want a perfect weather forecast and almost no rain during your trip to Mexico, this time of year is ideal.

Even though that is the straightforward response, the best time to travel to Mexico will ultimately depend on your unique situation.

You should probably travel in March if you’re taking a spring break trip with friends. Ahead of the start of the wet season, are you hoping to avoid the crowds? The shoulder season in May is when you should plan your trip.

Let’s examine Mexico’s four seasons to determine when to travel there.

The Most Affordable Times to Visit Mexico

Prices for hotels and airfare frequently reflect the high and low seasons. Beginning in the middle of December, when visitors from the U.S. escape the frigid winter weather and take advantage of the holiday break. Booking during the off-peak, when demand is lower, will, however, guarantee that you save money on your trip.

The rainy season, which lasts from June to October, rules low season. The region of Mexico that experiences the most rain is Central, but it may not be as bad as you might think. Beaches are less crowded than they are during the winter high, and rain typically takes the form of brief afternoon storms that pass before the sun returns. These brief periods may just provide some welcome relief from the heat and humidity and provide a pleasant opportunity for a siesta. The cost of hotels and airfare should be higher in August, September, and October due to the fact that these are the wettest months (September is the hurricane season’s eye, with torrential rains on both coasts).

Best Times to Visit Mexico for Great Weather and Reasonable Costs

Although airfare and lodging costs are higher and crowds are heavier during this time, the dry-season months of November to March promise the nicest, balmiest weather. November offers a sweet spot between the heavy fall rains and the start of high season, making it perhaps the best month to travel overall. (Other benefits of November include the possibility of witnessing the magnificent monarch butterfly migration or the Dia de los Muertos celebrations, depending on your timing and location.)

As there are frequently great deals to be found after the New Year’s holiday and before the winter and spring break frenzy, which starts in February, January is another fantastic time to travel.

Best Times to Visit Mexico for Whale Watching

Whales on their annual migration spend time in the warm waters off both Mexican coasts at various times of the year. Travelers to Baja or elsewhere on the Pacific may see humpback, gray, or even mysterious blue whales during their long ocean voyages from December to March. The best months to see humpbacks are January and February. They enjoy the protected Bahía de Banderas off Puerto Vallarta. You can dive in the protected waters off Cabo Pulmo, the only coral reef on the west coast of North America, between November and April, or go whale shark snorkeling off Espiritu Santo.

Whale-shark season runs from mid-May to mid-September on the opposing coast. Travelers can go on boat tours from Cancun to the islands of Isla Holbox and Isla Contoy, where they can go swimming with whale sharks and other marine life like manta rays, turtles, and dolphins. In this case, June and July are ideal.

When to Visit Mexico for Cheap Prices

The shoulder seasons in April, May, mid-October, and early November are the most cost-effective times to travel to Mexico. Before Mexico’s rainy season begins, there is a brief window known as the shoulder season. This implies that you’ll still enjoy pleasant weather without having to pay the exorbitant prices associated with the busiest travel period.

While it might be tempting to book a trip to Mexico during the summer months, in many destinations in Mexico, summer is the worst time to visit The Yucatan beaches are frequently covered in sargassum, and it is hot and rainy on the west coast of Mexico. In addition, hurricanes start to pose a risk to travelers to coastal areas later in the summer.

Visit Mexico’s cities and beaches in the spring and fall if you’re on a tight budget.

Best Times to Visit Mexico for Surfing

The Pacific coast of Mexico experiences fantastic swells all year long thanks to the Southern Ocean. In particular, June and August are the months where more seasoned surfers will find the biggest, most reliable waves (peak surf season, which also happens to coincide with hurricane season).

The windswept Baja Peninsula is home to some of Mexico’s best waves, but during the winter, the water can get quite chilly. Further south, Nayarit, Barra de Nexpa, Troncones, and Puerto Escondido (home of the famous Mexican Pipeline) benefit from the Pacific’s strong, barreling surf, but their waters are consistently warm all year long.

Best Times to Visit Mexico for Birding

The best time to see migratory birds wintering in the Pacific Coast’s mountains, wetlands, mangroves, lagoons, and jungles is in January. In late January and early February, San Blas hosts the International Migratory Bird Festival.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico for Sunny Beach Days

The months of December through March are the most ideal for beach vacations in Mexico.

This is the winter season in other parts of the world. There is nothing but warm, beautiful weather and clear skies on the beaches in Mexico.

Best Times to See Mexico’s Butterfly Migration

Millions of monarch butterflies travel to Michoacán, central Mexico, every fall to spend the winter in pine and fir trees. A trip should be planned around seeing the brilliant golden-orange butterflies that cover the mountain forest and flutter against the clear winter sky.

Visit one of the many sanctuaries in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve between November and March to see the yearly phenomenon. Ideally, go during mid-November when more butterflies have settled in. You can bike, ride a horse, or go on a hike to see the butterflies in their natural environment in almost all of the sanctuaries. Some even have zip lines that allow you to descend the mountain. The best time of day to visit the sanctuaries is in the late afternoon when the weather is warmer and the butterflies are dancing among the trees.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico for Families and Kids

Avoid the hurricane season, which lasts from August to October, if you are taking kids to Mexico. You should always err on the side of caution.

Additionally, staying away from popular spring break destinations like Cancun in March and April is probably a good idea. That is, unless you want to spend your family vacation bumping into a lot of inebriated college students.

Best Times to Visit Mexico’s Canyon Country

One of the deepest canyons in the world and larger than the Grand Canyon, Copper Canyon in northwest Mexico is one of the country’s most breathtaking sights, but the weather can be harsh. The best times to visit the canyons are in the spring (March and April), and the fall (October and November, following the wet season). During these months, rivers and waterfalls are flowing, and the weather is mild. Advance reservations are recommended for the Chihuahua al Pacifico.

Best Times to Visit Mexico for Festivals

Numerous festivals and events can be planned around in Mexico. Here are just a few:

• In San Juan de los Lagos and Tlacotalpan, a colonial town on the Gulf, February 2 marks Candelaria (Candlemas), which is a big deal.
• The biggest celebrations during Carnaval, which takes place in February (or early March) in Mexico, are in Mazatlan on the Pacific Coast, as well as Veracruz, Mérida, Cozumel, and Campeche on the Caribbean and Gulf coasts.
• Semana Santa, or “Holy Week,” is one of the most significant holidays in Mexico and takes place in March or April.
• June’s Festival del Mole Poblano in Puebla will be a hit with foodies.
  The Guelaguetza festival, a vibrant celebration of native dance and music, takes place in Oaxaca City and nearby villages in late July.
• September brings Mexico’s Independence Day, which is celebrated with dancing, parades, and fireworks.
• Numerous significant annual events take place in October, including the Cervantino arts festival in vivacious Guanajuato, the Morelia International Film Festival in Michoacán’s UNESCO-listed capital, and the month-long extravaganza of Fiestas de Octubre in Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city.
• The Day of the Dead, which takes place on November 1. 1-2) is the crowning jewel of the Mexican calendar. Celebrations honor the dead with picnics, graveyard vigils, papier-mâché skeletons, and elaborate dress and makeup throughout the central and southern regions (and particularly in Pâtzcuaro).

Best Times to Go to Mexico City

Plan your trip to Mexico City for March, April, or May, which are midway between the chilly winter and the rainy summer. On average, temperatures stay in the 70s; however, cooler evenings can drop as low as the mid-50s. At this time of year, there will be a lot of tourists in the city, but hotel rates are still reasonable.

When to Visit Mexico for Avoiding Crowds

The ideal vacation, according to many tourists, is one spent alone.

For travelers who want to avoid crowds while visiting Mexico, the low season, which runs from May to mid-December, is generally ideal.

Due to US spring break and Mexico’s Semana Santa, late February through early April tends to be the busiest time of year to visit Mexico’s beaches.

Despite the fact that this time of year is primarily rainy, daily rain is not guaranteed. It’s more like a light afternoon sprinkle most days.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that some regions of the nation, like Mexico City, will always be congested due to its high population density.

Best Times to Go to Oaxaca

The best seasons to visit the charming southern city of Oaxaca are spring and fall. The months of April to May and September to October are blessed with beautiful weather (average temperatures in the low 70s and high 60s into September) and fewer visitors than other times of the year. The busiest travel seasons for tourists are from June through August and over the Christmas and New Year holidays. The Guelaguetza festival, which takes place toward the end of July, honors folk music and dance. You’ll coincide with Noche de los Rabanos (Night of the Radishes), Oaxaca City’s annual competition for best radish carving, if you visit around Christmas.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico for Seeing the Monarch Butterflies

From December to March, thousands of monarch butterflies fly from the American and Canadian citizens to Central Mexico. They spend the winter in Mexico where they hibernate.

There are lots of tours that can take you to see the amazing monarch butterflies if you’re staying in Mexico City at the time.

When to Visit Mexico for Holidays

There are a variety of unique holidays in Mexico, but some of the most popular include:

There are a variety of unique holidays in Mexico, but some of the most popular include:

• Holy Week / Semana Santa (April 10 – April 16)
• Cinco de Mayo (May 5th, 2022)
• Mexican Independence Day (September 16)
• Day of the Dead (October 30 – November 2)
• Navidad (December 25)

While some of these holidays are well-known to visitors from other countries, others, like Holy Week, are less well-known. In Mexico, the extended Easter celebrations begin with Holy Week, also known as Semana Santa. For the majority of Mexican families, it is a very significant holiday, and many head to the beach for a family getaway. For this reason, expect prices to soar at hotels in Playa del Carmen, hotels in Tulum, and any other popular beach destination.

If you’re prepared, visiting a region of Mexico that is celebrating during a national holiday like Semana Santa or Cinco de Mayo can be a lot of fun. It might, however, be a little too much action for you if you’re looking forward to a more sedate getaway.

The Best Time to Visit Mexico for Whale Watching

Another well-liked activity when traveling to Mexico is whale watching, but the season is short and the activity varies depending on where you are.

From December to March, you might be able to see humpback, gray, or blue whales along the Pacific Coast of Mexico or in Baja California. When whales are most active in the area of Puerto Vallarta, it is between January and early February. From the middle of May to the middle of September, tours to see whale sharks can be booked if you’re staying on the east coast.

The middle of the season is typically the best time to see whales if you’re basing your vacation around a particular activity, like whale watching.

Tips for Visiting Mexico

Be Careful When Renting a Car

Rental companies can make it seem like renting a car in Mexico is super cheap and easy, but that’s not actually true. Many rental car scams exist, ranging from overcharging for insurance to faking damage to the vehicle upon return. When you go to rent a car in Mexico, keep these things in mind.

Milk Isn’t Always in the Fridge

The fact that milk is frequently not refrigerated is one aspect of Mexico that confuses a lot of visitors. Most Americans are shocked when they discover the warm milk aisle at the grocery store, even though it may seem like a minor detail.

Since the milk in Mexico is pasteurized in a different way, the beverage can be kept outside of the refrigerator and has a much longer shelf life.

The Rainy Season Can Be a Good Time to Visit Mexico

Many people hear the words “rainy season” and immediately assume that this is the worst time to visit These months, however, can provide a really nice alternative to Mexico’s busy season.

Although there will undoubtedly be rain, most likely every day, these are typically only brief afternoon showers. In fact, a little bit of rain to break up a scorching hot day can be very refreshing. I highly suggest traveling to Mexico in the wetter months if you want to avoid the crowds and mayhem of the high season.

Take a Bus Or Two for Short Trips

Mexico has an excellent and affordable bus system. I’ve been on a lot of buses around the world during my travels, and I must admit that buses in Mexico are generally quite comfortable. It’s a really effective method of transportation if you’re going between towns that are relatively close together, like Tulum and Cancun.

However, you should choose a flight if you intend to travel from Playa Del Carmen to Mexico City. A 12-plus hour bus ride shouldn’t be endured unless you’re feeling particularly daring because flights within Mexico are quick and affordable.

Some Areas of Mexico Have Cool Nights

Although many tourists think of Mexico as having year-round blissfully warm weather, some parts can actually get quite chilly at night. The nights are cooler in Mexico City, Oaxaca, and the north of the country. Bring some extra layers of clothing if you intend to visit these places.

FAQs

Final Words

Mexico is a big country, and depending on where you are, the weather changes all year long. There are some travelers who would be happy to visit almost any of those locations and seasons.

If you want to find more interesting and beautiful places to vise, welcome to check our best-time-visit guide below!

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