Best time to visit · Mexico
The best time to visit Mexico
Mexico's seasons differ by place. Here is the best time for each destination, month by month.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
November–April suit most of Mexico. Cancún is at its best in December–April; Mexico City is at its best in March–April and October–November; Tulum is at its best in November–April.
Key facts
- Best months overall
- November–April
- Destinations compared
- 5
Best months by destination
| Destination | Best months | Warmest month | Wettest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancún | December–April | July (33°C) | September (14 days) |
| Mexico City | March–April and October–November | April (27°C) | July (23 days) |
| Tulum | November–April | August (33°C) | September (14 days) |
| Playa del Carmen | November–April | July (33°C) | September (14 days) |
| Puerto Vallarta | November–April | July (33°C) | August (16 days) |
Mexico month by month
| Month | At its best | Usually avoided |
|---|---|---|
| January | Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta | — |
| February | Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta | — |
| March | Cancún, Mexico City, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta | — |
| April | Cancún, Mexico City, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta | — |
| May | — | — |
| June | — | — |
| July | — | — |
| August | — | — |
| September | — | Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta |
| October | Mexico City | Cancún, Tulum and Playa del Carmen |
| November | Mexico City, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta | — |
| December | Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta | — |
What the seasons are like
- Cancún: Cancún is hot and tropical all year, with a dry season from about December to April and a wetter, more humid season from May to November, when afternoon storms are common.
- Mexico City: Mexico City's altitude of about 2,240 metres gives it a mild subtropical highland climate: warm, sunny days and cool nights for most of the year, a dry season from about November to April, and a rainy season from June to September with short, heavy afternoon storms.
- Tulum: Tulum is hot and humid all year, with a dry season from December to April and a wetter season from June to October that brings short, heavy showers and the risk of hurricanes, which peak in September and October.
- Playa del Carmen: Playa del Carmen is warm all year.
- Puerto Vallarta: Puerto Vallarta has a tropical wet-and-dry climate.
Crowds and hotel prices
Relative levels from our destination research: when each place is busiest, and when rooms usually cost least.
| Destination | Busiest | Quietest | Lowest hotel prices | Warm & dry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancún | February | September | September | March |
| Mexico City | November | June | June | February |
| Tulum | January | September | September | March |
| Playa del Carmen | January | September | September | April |
| Puerto Vallarta | January | September | September | March |
Events worth timing a trip around
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- Cancún, January: Día de Reyes with rosca de reyes cake (6 January)
- Cancún, February: Cancún Carnival (usually February or early March, before Lent)
- Mexico City, January: Día de Reyes with rosca de reyes cake (6 January)
- Mexico City, February: Día de la Candelaria, when tamales are shared (2 February)
- Tulum, January: Zamna — electronic music festival in the jungle (usually January)
- Tulum, March: Semana Santa — Mexican Easter holidays fill the coast (March or April)
- Playa del Carmen, February: Carnival — parades and street parties (February or early March)
- Playa del Carmen, March: Semana Santa — Easter holidays bring Mexican visitors to the coast (March or April)
- Puerto Vallarta, January: Humpback whale season in the bay (about December to March)
- Puerto Vallarta, March: Semana Santa — Easter week fills beaches with Mexican visitors (March or April)
Questions travellers ask
+When is Mexico cheapest and quietest?
Cancún: September; Mexico City: June; Tulum: September; Playa del Carmen: September.
+What is the best month to visit Mexico?
March, when 5 of the 5 destinations in this guide are at their best.