If you want to experience Mexico at its most authentic and beautiful, pack up your bags and head to Mexico City. Mexico’s vibrant capital is one of the best destinations to soak up the country’s rich culture. No matter the time of year, the capital spoils travelers with peeks into ancient history, breathtaking views of natural beauty, photo-ops of jaw-dropping architecture, and the list goes on and on. So, if you’re ready to experience Mexico City, we’re here to help you discover the best time to plan your visit. ¡Vamos!
Table of Contents
- The Weather in Mexico City
- Mexico City’s Most Popular Annual Events
- Know the Best Time to Go
- Mexico City Public Holidays and Occasions
The Weather in Mexico City
Mexico is known for having two main seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. But its rainy and dry seasons differ depending on where in the country you go. And when you head to the subtropical highlands where Mexico City resides, you’re treated to pleasant daytime temperatures year-round and weather perfect for exploration.
Rainy Season (May to October)
The rainy season in Mexico City lives up to its name. Over three-quarters of the city’s annual rainfall occurs during the rainy season, specifically between May and October. Daily downpours in the afternoon often drive travelers indoors, but that leaves a perfect opportunity to explore the plethora of Mexico’s stunning museums or grab a delicious bite while waiting for the afternoon rainstorms to clear.
Despite the abundance of rain, or perhaps because of it, temperatures in the rainy season are fairly pleasant, averaging in the mid to high 70s. While the rain is known for deterring the scores of tourists that descend on the city in the dry season, it’s the perfect time for savvy travelers to nab some great deals and explore Mexico City on a budget.
Best Time to Visit Mexico City for Deals ✈️
Dry Season (November to April)
With the arrival of November, the skies clear, sunshine abounds, and the temperature gains a bite—not to worry, it’s a small one. The dry season promises Mexico’s sunniest skies and driest weather, with little to no rainfall, so travelers can fill their days with activities ranging from exploring old ruins to riding hot air balloons.
But the freedom to move about as you please comes with a few tradeoffs, namely crowded streets and chilly weather. The winter months see much larger crowds than the rainy season. And being that it’s in the Mexican highlands, the temperatures aren’t quite as hot as other popular destination getaways. In the dry season, temperatures drop to the low 70s during the day and mid-40s at night.
Best Time to Visit Mexico City for Activities ⛰️
Mexico City’s Most Popular Annual Events
As the oldest capital in North America, there’s no better place to visit for history and culture. If you’re looking for the best time to visit, look no further than these annual events that make Mexico City truly unique.
Ambulante Film Festival (January/February)
This touring film festival is the largest documentary festival in Mexico. It travels all over the country for two months and generally winds up in Mexico City around January or February. Perfect for film fans, the festival features a wide variety of panels, workshops, and what else but film screenings. Originally founded by actors Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, they put in appearances at several events throughout the festival, which draws in plenty of fans. And if that wasn’t enough, many of the events for this festival are free to attend.
Zona Maco (February)
Calling all art lovers. If you’ve got the winter blues, the vibrant exhibitions and artworks on display during the Zona Maco are sure to brighten your spirits. Early February sees this exciting art fair bring together more than 200 galleries featuring bold and vibrant artworks from small local galleries to international heavy-hitters. The fair boasts different sections dedicated to all manner of art, including design, photography, and antiquities. In addition to the stunning artworks on display are the crowds. Full of carefully curated fits and colorful cocktails, you’ll find a show on display everywhere you look.
Festival del Centro Histórico (March)
For two weeks, Mexico City’s historic district plays host to one of the city’s biggest cultural celebrations. The Festival del Centro Histórico highlights the history of Mexico’s rich and vibrant culture with fun festivities and diverse cultural expositions, ranging from music and dance to opera and theatre. It’s both a celebration and an examination of all aspects of Mexican culture, including food, art, music, and dance and serves as the perfect time to learn about the history of Mexican culture while indulging in all its beauty and wonder.
Vive Latino (March)
1998 saw the first iteration of this well-known and important Mexican music festival. In the beginning, the sounds of the festival were purely Latin, and so were the performers. Now, the three-day event hosts all nationalities and genres, including ska and reggae acts. The lineups feature major headliners as well as up-and-coming artists for a loud and lively event that’s not to be missed by the musically minded.
Independence Day (September)
Independence Day washes the city streets in swathes of green, white, and red, from the lights and decorations to the clothing and flags—more than you can count. On the eve of Mexican Independence Day, the president of Mexico shouts “el Grito” from the balcony of the National Palace, an hommage to ‘Hildago’s cry,’ which initially sparked the fires of rebellion. The bells are rung and a dazzling fireworks display lights up the night sky, but rest assured, the celebrations on September 16th are just as loud and raucous. Festive parades crowd the streets, alongside fun concerts, traditional dances, and delicious feasts. It’s a magical time that you’re sure to get caught up in.
Day of the Dead (November)
A name doesn’t always tell the whole story, and make no mistake, Day of the Dead is a celebration in every sense of the word. In Mexico City, they do it big. Events start in October when the city adorns itself with orange cempasúchil flowers and giant skulls. Though the Day of the Dead and Halloween are two completely different holidays, you’ll often find fun events for both around this time, from costume-themed nights at nightclubs to haunting boat rides through Xochimilco.
The highlight for many is the Day of the Dead parade, usually held around November 1st, when costumed dancers, skeleton marching bands, and festive floats take to the streets for a loud and vibrant procession.
For more traditional Day of the Dead festivities, head to la Alumbrada in Mixquic, where the electricity is turned off, streets are lit by candlelight, and the sounds of live performances fill the air.
Know the Best Time to Go
Exciting cultural festivals aren’t the only thing to consider when planning your getaway to Mexico City. From saving money to seeing jacarandas bloom throughout the capital, some of the best times to visit Mexico City overlap, promising a truly spectacular visit if you plan your travels at the right time.
The Best Time to Visit Mexico City for Low Prices
One of the best things about Mexico City is that it stays a pretty affordable destination year-round. Even during the holidays, Mexico City remains much more budget-friendly than neighboring destinations like sunny Cancun or luxurious Cabo. Still, nothing beats a good deal, and the best deals for Mexico City arrive with the rainy season. Head to the highlands at the beginning of summer, in June or July, to come in with the rain, or plan your trip for September, just as the rains begin to slow. For either, don’t forget to bring your umbrella and a rain jacket and plan to spend your afternoons indoors while the morning and evening remain ripe for adventure.
The Best Time to Visit Mexico City for Good Weather
While the city officially has only two seasons, the idyllic weather of March to May will make you feel as though springtime has arrived in the capital. This sweet spot between the dry and rainy seasons is undoubtedly the best weather for visiting Mexico City. Travelers can enjoy the warmer temperatures characteristic of summer without all the typical rain of the rainy season. If you want to soak up the sun and enjoy cool breezes on your trip to Mexico City, this is the time to go.
The only downside of visiting during this time is the crowds, which come to enjoy Mexico City at what is arguably its best. Prices are reasonable for flights and accommodations, and if you plan your visit close to the Easter Holidays, you’ll experience a rare moment of peace as locals flock to the coasts to enjoy their holiday weekend, leaving the city streets uncrowded.
The Best Time to Visit Mexico City for Fewer Crowds
The rainy season is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only does the rain drive down flight and accommodation prices, but it also has the added benefit of driving away the crowds. Fewer people means you can enjoy some of Mexico City’s best sights, from exploring Colonia Juárez to snapping photos of the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, unencumbered by the crowds. So, if a bit of rain never scared you, grab your preferred rain gear and pack your bags to enjoy the rainy season in Mexico.
However, if you’re deadset against the rain, there are little pockets of quiet spread throughout the dry season. After the holiday crowds disperse and locals return to work, January is one of the best times to visit Mexico City, along with Semana Santa (Spring Break), which sees locals head out of the city on vacation.
The Best Time to Visit Mexico City to See Jacarandas
Nothing heralds the onset of comfortable weather like spring buds blooming. Jacarandas bloom all over the capital from late February to early April, turning Mexico City into a purple paradise. And we mean that quite literally. You won’t notice just how many jacaranda trees cover the city until they bloom, lining the boulevards and dotting picturesque parks.
The peak time for blooms is between mid-March and April, so if you want to see them at their most vibrant, this is the best time to visit Mexico City. Tourist spots can get crowded quickly, so head out early in the morning to enjoy them to yourself. Start with a visit to Chapultepec Castle, where the first jacaranda tree was planted. Then have fun exploring the city.
The Best Time to Visit Mexico City to See Formula 1
Day of the Dead festivities aren’t the only reason to plan a trip around the start of November. Formula 1 fans rejoice when the Grand Prix comes to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The 2024 races kick off on the October 25th weekend, and a spot in the Foro Sol stadium is the best place to see the Formula 1 racers speed past.
Between the Día de Muertos festivities and the fanatic sports fans, October to November gets pretty busy. So, it’s best to make your plans early to enjoy the best of Mexico City.
Mexico City Public Holidays and Occasions
Mexico City is fairly busy year-round but still enjoyable no matter when you go. However, certain holidays and occasions can make visiting at certain times a less-than-stellar experience.
Christmas and New Year are popular for family vacations, and processions usually crowd the streets between December 20 and January 6, making it a costly and crowded time to travel.
But while Spring Break attracts hordes of party-goers to the coast, the capital is largely unaffected. Many locals will even leave the city to enjoy time at the beaches, making March one of the best times to visit Mexico City.
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