Mexico City is one of my favorite cities in the whole world, so if you ask me, any time is the best time to visit Mexico City. The incredible tacos that line the corners of every street, the stunning architecture, the vibrant culture—every day really feels like a fiesta in this city.
But I know those of you who have never been will need a bit more information than that. And rightfully so. The best time to visit Mexico City will differ from person to person and most likely depend on what you want to experience on your big city vacation.
Whether you want to watch the streets fill with orange flowers for Dia De Muertos, or you’re looking to escape the heat of the coastal cities, there’s a perfect time for you to visit Mexico City and trust me, after reading this, you’ll know exactly when that is.
In this post, I’ll talk about the busiest times, the cheapest times, the most beautiful times, and all the times in between to visit Mexico City. And, like always, giving you all of my tips and tricks that I’ve picked up over my four years of living in the city. So, let’s jump in.
Overview of Mexico City
If you’ve never been to Mexico City, get ready for an explosion of flavor, culture, and color. You’ll find a mix of Mexican traditions, colonial architecture, and modern city life all in one place. It’s one of the most beautiful blends of old and new I’ve ever seen. And just about everywhere you look, the city will have something incredible to offer.
As the capital of Mexico, it’s the country’s largest city, with over 22 million residents. And being situated at an altitude of 7,350 ft (2,240 meters) above sea level, the city is a year-round destination. But of course, there are certain times when the city truly shines, and that’s what we’re here to talk about.
It’s always the best time to visit Mexico City if pastor tacos are involved.
High Season in Mexico City
After living in Mexico City for four years, I’ve learned that the weather can be all over the place. But, at any point during the year, the city is welcoming tourists, and there isn’t a huge distinction between the “high” and “low” seasons like you might find when considering the best time to visit Cancun for example.
But any local, or even any year-round visitor, will tell you that the best time to go to Mexico City is between March and May. During these months, Mexico City has some of the best weather in the whole country. The parks will be in full bloom, and people will always be out and about enjoying the warm days and cool nights, making it feel extra dreamy.
But along with the time of year comes not only International tourists but also Mexican tourists. So you can expect an already busy city to become even busier. You’ll need to make reservations well in advance and prepare yourself for larger crowds. And while that may seem like a downside, it’s also a great time to experience some of Mexico City’s best festivals (I’ll get into these later).
One of the best things about deciding when is the best time to visit Mexico City is regardless of what time of year it is, you won’t see a huge fluctuation in prices. Hotels might raise their prices a smidge during big festival periods like Semana Santa, but the activities and food stay relatively the same. So, if you can handle a few crowds, March through May will not disappoint!
If you want to enjoy blue skies and don’t mind chilly evenings, December-February is a really wonderful time of year to visit Mexico City.
Low Season in Mexico City
Surprisingly, one of the low seasons in CDMX follows directly after the high season when most Mexico City residents go on vacation. That’s June through August.
This is also the start of the rainy season, so prepare for warm mornings, a huge downpour in the afternoon, and then cool evenings. However, with fewer tourists, you’ll be able to explore the city at your own pace. Since there are so many great museums in Mexico City to explore, you don’t have to worry too much about the rain.
Nothing really closes during this time of year since Mexico City is a year-round city, so you can still visit all of the city’s best attractions and head out on some of the amazing day trips from Mexico City.
You’ll also find another low season between December and February. This is the coldest time in Mexico City, but it’s still a great time to visit if you’re looking to avoid crowds. The days are perfect for exploring the city without the heat. But the nights can feel pretty cold.
I remember heading to Puerto Escondido one Christmas, and I got stuck in Mexico City with only shorts and tank tops while the night dropped into the 40s (I expected the whole of Mexico to be warm at Christmas). So, if you’re visiting during these months, make sure to bring some warmer clothes for the evenings.
Since it’s not freezing, most homes around Mexico City don’t have heat. This means that sometimes it can feel colder inside than it does outside.
Again, there isn’t a drastic change in prices, so visiting during the low season won’t necessarily save you a ton of money. You might be able to catch a good flight deal or some lower accommodations, but for the most part, your biggest save for coming to Mexico City in the low season is the lack of crowds.
In December and January, you will want to bring layers with you, especially to places like Teotihuacan where the winds can blow quite strongly!
Mexico City Temperatures by Month
This guide to Mexico City weather-by-the-month will make it easier to decide what time of the year works best for you. Each month in Mexico brings different events, holidays, and weather patterns.
So, if you’re looking for something in particular, this month-by-month guide to Mexico City will better help you decide what time of year is best for your trip.
January
January is the coldest month in Mexico City. But it’s also the driest. For the most part, you can expect bright blue skies and brisk mornings.
Since the days are sunny, it’s pretty pleasant to walk around the parks and visit the different sights, but you’ll want to have a coat nearby for the nights. The temperatures can drop below freezing, making it a chilly night out on the town.
January is also the slowest month for tourists, and while all the locals are making their way back to work after the holidays, you can enjoy the cafes and streets all to yourself.
February
February in Mexico City is similar to January in terms of temperatures. It’s still considered the low season, so you can expect fewer tourists, but one of the city’s big art festivals, Zona MACO, comes to town in February. So artists from all over the country flock to Mexico City, making it a great time for art lovers to visit.
March
March in Mexico City is one of my favorite times to be in the city. Most of the winter is dying off, and the spring season is slowly starting. The sun shines brightest, but you won’t be sweating, making it the perfect time of year to enjoy all of the outdoor things to do in Mexico City.
The gorgeous purple jacarandas also start to bloom in the parks, making the whole city look warm and inviting. The crowds start to pick up a little bit more in March, but I think this just makes the city feel more alive.
April
If you’re a fan of warmer weather, then maybe April is the best month to visit Mexico City. It’s the last month where the heat isn’t too brutal, but you can still enjoy a nice afternoon on the patio sipping on some delicious micheladas.
April is also the month of Semana Santa or Holy Week. The festival lasts for two weeks, and this is when loads of locals will make their way to the coastal towns for vacations. So, the crowds in Mexico City are a little less, but you can still experience the vibrant celebration of Easter in the city.
If you have bad allergies, this may not be a great month to visit Mexico City. The pollution begins to build and with the high altitude of the city, many people who have allergies struggle to be in the city in April and May until the rain starts.
When spring comes around it is really nice to explore the different parks around Mexico City.
May
May is the start of the rainy season while also being the hottest month in Mexico City, making the city a little crazy for everyone. One day, it can be hotter and sunnier than ever, while the next day, it’s pouring down with rain—and sometimes you get both in one day.
June
June is perfect if you like staying indoors, and trust me, there are loads of things to do indoors in CDMX. In June, you’ll find the mornings to be relatively dry, with sunny skies, but without fail, the afternoons quickly turn into random downpours. Hence, the indoors.
This relieves the city of the humidity and helps to clear the pollution. In June, temperatures range from around 55°F to 77°F.
July
July tends to be the peak rainy season in Mexico City, and it’s not just rain; it’s torrential. If you get caught in a rainstorm in Mexico City, you will be absolutely soaked through. Sometimes there’s even hail.
An umbrella will do almost nothing when this type of rain rolls through. Do as the locals do and get under cover until it’s over. These big torrents don’t tend to last more than an hour.
If there are things that you want to do outside in July, do them in the mornings and then head to the museums in the afternoons to stay dry.
August
As kids around North America start heading back to school in August, the streets feel quieter and the tourist crowds grow smaller. The rain still comes most days in August, but towards the end of the month, it starts to improve.
Mexico City’s August weather is also warm, but as temperatures start to drop in the evenings, the humidity also clears a bit, making it a pleasant time to visit CDMX
September
September brings the end of the rainy season with a few showers here and there throughout the month. The temperatures are around 73°F (22 C), and the humidity begins to drop off a bit, making it a great time to visit Mexico City for outdoor activities.
It’s also the month of Mexican Independence Day celebrations, which means you will be able to see the city in all of its cultural glory. Head to the Zocalo in the evening of the 15th to hear El Grito.
October
Hello, dry season. October is one of the busiest months in Mexico City, with travelers flocking to the city and locals coming out of their houses to enjoy its gorgeous dry weather.
Temperatures range from 50°F to 72°F (10-20 C), making it an ideal time for exploring the city’s many green spaces like Chapultepec Park, Xochimilco, or Teotihuacan.
November
November in Mexico City has a very special place in my heart, or at least the beginning of the month when Dia de Muertos is celebrated. This colorful holiday marks a special time when families come together to honor their loved ones who have passed away.
The rain has subsided completely in November, and the weather is mild during the day and at night, which is perfect since everyone in the city takes to the streets for different festivals.
Formula 1 comes to town, and there are plenty of international events happening. The vibrant energy of Mexico City in November is perfect for first-timers in the city.
The weather is truly some of my favorite in Mexico City during the month of November. Blue skies, warm days, cool evenings, and not a drop of rain.
December
December is a beautiful time to be in Mexico City. The weather is dry and sunny during the day, and it gets a little chilly at night, but nothing a sweater can’t fix.
The city is full of festive decorations and holiday spirit, making it a magical place to visit during the winter holidays. The poinsettias are blooming, turning the city bright red, and Mexico City’s Christmas celebrations are in full swing.
Taking walks on Condesa’s Calle Amsterdam is nice most of the year, as long as it’s not raining.
Best Time to Visit Mexico City for Festivals
After living in Mexico for a few years, I realized Mexicans will celebrate literally anything, and they do. Any random night has the possibility of a parade or a band playing in the streets.
But if you want to plan your trip around some of Mexico City’s iconic festivals, then here are a few that will help you decide the best time to visit CDMX.
Vive Latino
If you love Latin music, then the best time to go to Mexico City is during March to attend the epic music festival Vive Latino.
For over 20 years, every March, 70,000 people head to Foro Sol in Mexico City to listen to the best Latin music from all over the world. People are rocking out, drinking, and being as loud as possible to make sure the whole city knows just how proud Mexico City is to host this event.
Buy tickets early, and prepare for hotel prices to be higher during this two-day event.
Dia De Muertos
Though Dia De Muertos technically takes place on November 1st and 2nd, the celebrations take place for almost the entire month of October and coincide with Halloween. And now you’ll see parties and parades going all the way until the 5th or 6th of November.
The streets of Mexico City are decorated with colorful ofrendas (altars) in honor of loved ones who have passed. The city also has a festival called MEGA Procesión de Catrinas, where people dress up in traditional Dia De Muertos attire, which typically consists of painting your face like a skeleton, and girls wear big flower crowns.
Independence Day
Green, Red, and White flags fly high through the streets every September 16th to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day.
And it doesn’t just start on the 16th, but you’ll see parties happening all weekend long. The square is filled with people listening to live music, eating traditional food, and watching fireworks light up the sky. It’s one of the biggest parties in the city.
The highlight is the national military parade, starting at the Zócalo and ending at the Paseo de la Reforma, passing by the iconic “El Ángel de la Independencia” memorial column. It is one of the city’s largest and most exciting events.
Day of the Dead in Mexico City has grown so much over the years (thanks mostly because of the James Bond film that showed a parade in Mexico City that had never actually existed before!).
Best Time to Visit Mexico City for Activities
You could spend four years in the city like me and still not see everything. From all the beautiful green spaces to the museums to the cathedrals, to the food… the list goes on. So when is the best time to visit Mexico City and experience it all?
Well, here are a few of my favorite things to do and when I recommend visiting CDMX for each one:
Best time to cheer on the Football Team
Football is a huge part of Mexican culture, and there’s no better place to experience it than in the country’s capital. The best time to catch a game is from July to early December or January to May when the season takes place.
Get ready to paint your face, drink some beer, and cheer on the local teams with everyone else!
Best time to visit Tepoztlan
A day or two in Tepoztlan is a can’t-miss stop on your Mexico City Itinerary, and the best time to visit Tepoztlan is either from March-May or October-November. This is your best chance of having a dry, sunny day with mild temperatures.
And to avoid crowds, well, just go early and do your best to avoid weekends. But it’s one of the most popular sites in the region since it was named a Pueblo Magico, so avoiding tourists might be hard.
Best Time to Visit Xochimilco
One of the most iconic and unique experiences you can have in Mexico City is on an Xochimilco boat. The best time to head to the canals is seriously any time of the year, as long as it’s not raining.
Weekends can get really busy, but that makes it a lot of fun with all of the people drinking and eating on their boats. If you want a quieter experience, head there during the week or try to get there early in the morning. You can even catch a beautiful sunrise over the canals if you arrive early enough.
If you are traveling solo or just with one or two other people, taking a tour is a fun way to enjoy the party atmosphere and meet some other nice travelers. Book onto a tour of Xochimilco here.
Best Time to Visit Mexico City Markets
A trip to Mexico City markets is a must when you’re in the city, regardless of the time of year. But something about going in the Spring, when the fruit smells fresher and tastes sweeter, has always been one of my favorite things about the city in March.
The best time to go is usually in the morning, around 10 or 11 am. While you’re there, you have to pick up some guanabana, tuna (cactus fruit), and perfectly ripe avocados. If you want to learn more about the food and explore a few different markets, consider taking a market tour like this one.