Dreaming of visiting Mexico but unsure when to go? It absolutely is a year-round destination, but the best time depends on weather, festivals, and crowds – so when should you go and visit?
Best time to visit Mexico based on weather
Long story short, Mexico has three seasons: dry, rainy and hurricane
Dry Season (November–April)
Probably the most popular one (this is when we visited too! Its warm and sunny weather is present across most of Mexico. It’s ideal for beach destinations like Cancun, Tulum, and Puerto Vallarta. It also has lower humidity and fewer mosquitoes (which is always a plus)
Rainy Season (May–October)
As the name suggests, it’s definitely more humid with tropical storms, especially in coastal areas. However, if you’re not a huge fan of beach life, love lush landscapes (in places like Chiapas and Yucatán), and want to enjoy Mexico with fewer tourists and cheaper prices, this might be a great choice for you!
Hurricane Season (June–November)
Probably the least recommended. The peak risk is around August–October and mostly affecting the Caribbean coast. If you still want to visit Mexico then, here are some essential safety tips to stay prepared and minimize risks.
You can check the climate of a particular city (based on historical data) on holiday-weather website (relevant not only for Mexico!).
Best Time to Visit Mexico Based on Festivals & Events
- Día de los Muertos (Nov 1-2)
If you’re thinking about visiting Mexico for a specific event, I’m 99% sure you’re thinking about the day of the dead (‘Dia de los Muertos’). I’m not surprised, the celebrations are iconic and not to be missed!
If you want to visit Mexico for other events, then they’re probably one of these:
- Semana Santa (March/April, varies) – Religious parades, but crowded
- Independence Day (Sept 15-16) – Festivities across the country
- Guelaguetza Festival (July, Oaxaca) – Indigenous cultural event
- Whale Watching Season (Dec–April) – Best in Baja California
Best Time to Visit Based on Crowds & Prices
We all know it, the “less interesting” or “less attractive” time, the less people you’ll see and less money you’ll spend. It depends what is the most important for you. If possible, I suggest going in shoulder season!
Peak Season (Dec–April)
- Christmas, New Year, and Easter = high prices & crowds
- Popular for snowbirds escaping cold weather
Shoulder Season (May & September–November)
- Fewer crowds, lower prices, still good weather
- Great for budget travelers
Low Season (June–August)
- Hot and humid, especially in southern Mexico
- Best for budget-friendly travel
Best Time to Visit Based on Region
If you want to focus on a region or two, this is when best to travel there:
- Caribbean Coast (Cancun, Tulum, Riviera Maya) → Best in November – April
- Pacific Coast (Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca, Acapulco) → Best in November – May
- Mexico City & Central Mexico → Best in March–May & October – November
- Baja California (Cabo, La Paz) → Best in December – April (whale season)
- Chiapas & Yucatán Jungle → Best in November – March (cooler weather, fewer mosquitoes)
Conclusion & My advice
Summarising, the best time to visit Mexico depends on what you want – perfect weather, festivals, or budget-friendly deals.
If you’re flexible and don’t want to see/experience anything specific + you want to avoid crowds, November or May might be perfect for you.
So, which one are you choosing? Let me know in the comments!
