The essentials
When to go to Mexico, in brief
November to April: the dry season
Low humidity, manageable heat, clear skies from the Yucatán to Mexico City. The prime window, and the busiest (holiday season).
December to March for the Caribbean
Tulum, the Riviera Maya and Cancún are at their best: 24-28°C, flat clear water, perfect for snorkeling and cenotes.
Mexico City, mild all year
Temperate highland climate, 22°C by day. January is coolest (5°C at night). July is rainiest, with afternoon showers.
Whales in Baja California
Gray and humpback whales from January to March in the Pacific lagoons. One of the country's great wildlife highlights.
May to October: the rainy season
Showers mostly late in the day, green landscapes, soft prices. September is wettest in the Yucatán and Baja California.
Day of the Dead to plan around
From 31 October to 2 November: altars, parades and cemetery vigils. The big Mexico City parade is held on 1 November.
The verdict
The best periods
Nov - April
Dry everywhere, manageable heat. The best window to combine Mexico City, the Yucatán and the coast. Book early around the Day of the Dead and Christmas.
May - August
First rains, short afternoon showers. Lower prices and less crowded sites, a fair compromise outside hurricane season.
Sept - October
Peak of the rainy and hurricane season on the Caribbean and Gulf coasts. Choppy sea, high humidity, some closures.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
24-28°C (Yucatán)
Dry, Baja whales
25-29°C
Dry, whales
26-30°C
Dry, gentle heat
28-32°C
Dry, heat rising
30-34°C
Hot, first rains
29-33°C
Afternoon showers
29-33°C
Rainy, green
29-33°C
Rain, possible sargassum
28-32°C
Rain peak, hurricanes
28-31°C
Hurricanes, rains ending
26-30°C
Dry returns, Day of the Dead
25-28°C
Dry, high season
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yucatán & Riviera Maya | Dec-Mar: 24-28°C, dry | Jun-Oct: hot, humid, hurricanes | Ideal Dec-Mar |
| Mexico City & highlands | Nov-Apr: 22°C day, cool nights | Jun-Sept: afternoon showers | Ideal Nov-April |
| Baja California | Nov-Apr: mild, dry, whales | Summer: very hot, Sept wet | Ideal Jan-Mar |
| Pacific coast (Oaxaca) | Nov-May: 28-32°C, dry | Jun-Oct: rain, strong surf | Ideal Nov-April |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos)
Altars (ofrendas), parades and cemetery vigils. The big Mexico City parade is on 1 November; Pátzcuaro and Oaxaca for tradition.
🇲🇽 Mexico City, Oaxaca, Pátzcuaro
Gray whale watching
Gray and humpback whales in the Baja California lagoons (Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio). Panga boat approaches close to mothers and calves.
🇲🇽 Baja California
Monarch butterflies
Millions of monarchs winter in the forests of Michoacán. The sight peaks in February, in mild sunny weather.
🇲🇽 Michoacán
Guelaguetza
Oaxaca's great folk festival, dances and costumes from the state's seven regions. In the green season, but the cultural heart of the country.
🇲🇽 Oaxaca
Our analysis
Mexico follows one simple rule: aim for the dry season, November to April. The country plays its best tune then, from the Yucatán beaches to the highlands of Mexico City. The rest of the year calls for a trade-off between soft prices and the risk of rain.
The dry season, November to April
This is the prime window. Humidity drops, skies clear and the heat stays manageable: 24 to 28°C in the Yucatán, milder in Mexico City thanks to altitude. December to March are the most pleasant months on the Caribbean coast, with flat clear water ideal for cenotes and snorkeling. Prices climb around Christmas and the Day of the Dead, when you should book several months ahead.
Festivals and wildlife: timing your trip
Mexico rewards travelers who sync their dates. The Day of the Dead, 31 October to 2 November, turns Oaxaca and Pátzcuaro into a stage of altars and vigils. Meanwhile, gray whales come up the Baja California lagoons from January to March, and monarch butterflies winter in Michoacán from November to March, peaking in February.
The late-season trap
From May, the rains return. Until August, showers stay short and fall in the afternoon: a fair compromise if you can handle a changing sky. September and October bring the heaviest rain and the hurricane risk on the Caribbean and Gulf coasts. One useful nuance: the Mexico City highlands stay temperate year-round, and often save a late-season trip.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Mexico? +
From November to April: dry season, low humidity, 24-28°C in the Yucatán and clear water on the Caribbean side. It is the prime window, and busiest around the holidays.
What is the worst time to visit Mexico? +
September and October are the peak of the rainy and hurricane season on the Caribbean and Gulf coasts: choppy sea, high humidity, some closures. The time to avoid for the beach.
When to visit the Yucatán and the Riviera Maya? +
From December to March: 24-28°C, low humidity, flat clear water, perfect for Tulum, cenotes and snorkeling. Avoid sargassum, which is heaviest from May to August.
Can you travel to Mexico during the rainy season? +
Yes. From May to August, showers fall mostly in the afternoon and stay short. Prices drop, landscapes turn green and sites are less crowded.
When is the Day of the Dead in 2026? +
From 31 October to 2 November. The big Mexico City parade is on 1 November. For tradition, aim for Pátzcuaro (Michoacán) or Oaxaca. Book several months ahead.
When to see gray whales in Baja California? +
From January to March, in the Pacific lagoons (Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio). It is also the heart of the dry season, ideal for combining whale watching with the desert.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026