When to Go to Mexico

Mexico's beach resorts enjoy sun-drenched and moderate winters, and they logically attract the most visitors when the weather at home is cold and dreary. However, almost any time of the year has its pros and cons for travel. Here is what you can expect from the weather during different months of the year.

Forecasting the weather

Mexico has two main climatic seasons: a rainy season (May to mid-Oct) and a dry season (mid-Oct to Apr). The rainy season can be of little consequence in the country's dry, northern region, but the southern regions typically receive tropical showers, which begin around 4 or 5 p.m. and last a few hours. Though these rains can come on suddenly and be quite strong, they usually end just as quickly as they begin, and they cool the air for the evening. Rainy season is when the landscape is most lush, and tropical flowers are everywhere. The lightning flashes offshore also make for a spectacular show.

Hurricane season — June through October — particularly affects the Yucatán Peninsula and the southern Pacific coast.

June, July, and August are very hot and humid on the Yucatán Peninsula, with temperatures rising into the mid-80s and 90s Fahrenheit. Most of coastal Mexico experiences temperatures in the 80s in the hottest months. Very high summer temperatures are reserved for Mexico's northern states that border the United States. During winter months, temperatures average 70–75 degrees during the day and about 60 degrees in the evening.

Considering Mexico's travel seasons

Mexico has two principal travel seasons: high and low. The high season begins around December 20 and continues to Easter, although in some places the high season can begin as early as mid-November. The low season begins the day after Easter and continues to mid-December; during the low season, prices may drop between 20 percent and 50 percent. At beach destinations popular with Mexican travelers, such as Acapulco, the prices revert back to high-season levels during July and August, the traditional, national summer vacation period. Prices at inland cities seldom fluctuate from high to low season, but they may rise dramatically during the weeks of Easter and Christmas. In Isla Mujeres and Playa del Carmen, both on the Yucatán coast, the high season starts in mid-November as well, but they also have a "second" high season in August, when many European visitors arrive.

November might be the best month to travel to Mexico. The scenery is still green from the recently ended rainy season, and temperatures are just beginning to turn a bit cooler, which can produce crystal-clear skies. This is especially true in Los Cabos, when even the desert is in bloom. Crowds are also at a minimum, and you're likely to find some good deals.

One time you may want to avoid is spring break. You find the highest concentration of high-octane party crowds in Cancún, but Puerto Vallarta also gets its fair share of craziness. Frankly, why travel to see American youth behaving badly? Other times you may want to avoid are the weeks of Christmas and Easter. During these traditional Mexican holiday periods, both crowds and prices are at their highest, but the crowds consist more of families and couples than young and rowdy revelers.