Season guide · Oaxaca · Mexico
Oaxaca in the hot season
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nsaum75, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The warmest and driest months, with dusty valleys and Semana Santa processions; afternoons can reach the low 30s °C. Expect highs up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F), with about 14 rainy days across March–May. March is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 12°C (54°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 14
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in the hot season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 31°C (88°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 2 | 12 h | 3/5 |
| April | 32°C (90°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 4 | 12.5 h | 3/5 |
| May | 32°C (90°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 8 | 12.9 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 32°C (90°F) against a yearly 29°C (84°F), and 14 of the year's roughly 85 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in the hot season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: Semana Santa processions (March or April)
- April: Semana Santa processions (March or April)
Make the most of the weather
Viewpoint · Barrio de la Soledad
Cerro del Fortín
Climb in the late afternoon for sunset views, and come down before dark; take a taxi up if you want to save your legs.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Active
Nature · Santa María del Tule
Árbol del Tule
In the churchyard of Santa María del Tule, about 10 km east of the city, stands a Montezuma cypress with one of the stoutest trunks of any tree in the world, around 14 metres across.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
Garden · Santo Domingo and the Andador
Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca
Book the English-language tour if you need it; Spanish tours run more often, and the content is excellent either way.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Monte Albán
Monte Albán
The Zapotec capital was built on a levelled mountaintop about 400 metres above the valley, around 9 km west of the city, from roughly 500 BC.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Day trips in the hot season
- Hierve el Agua (About 1.5–2 hours by road) — Mineral springs flowing over a cliff edge have left white calcified formations that look like frozen waterfalls.
- Teotitlán del Valle (About 40 minutes by road) — A Zapotec weaving village where families make wool rugs on foot looms, using natural dyes from cochineal, indigo and pomegranate.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the hot season a good time to visit Oaxaca?
Yes: March is among the best months. The warmest and driest months, with dusty valleys and Semana Santa processions; afternoons can reach the low 30s °C.
+What is the weather like in Oaxaca in the hot season?
Highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F), with about 14 rainy days over the season.