The Best Time to Travel to Mexico City: A Traveller’s Guide
As one of my favourite cities in Latin America, Mexico City is a vibrant hub of art, culture, history, design and a centre for an amazing cafe and culinary scene. With so many neighbourhoods, parks and museums to explore you could spend a whole week devoted to a different part of the city each day. Mexico City has so many amazing gems that I’d highly recommend you book a trip if you haven’t already. But when is the best time to travel to Mexico City? Keep reading to find out so you can plan the perfect trip.
Unlike other destinations in Mexico, such as Tulum, San Miguel de Allende and La Huasteca Potosina, Mexico City doesn’t really have a distinct high and low season. As a big and sprawling city, it will always be crowded and full of traffic throughout the year. Having said that however there are better and worse times to visit in regards to weather for example.
Prices, in general, tend to stay the same in Mexico City all year round and you can get some great deals throughout the year. During the summer months, however many Mexicans leave the city for other destinations during their summer vacation so you can expect hotel prices to fall a little during this time.
High and low seasons in Mexico city coincide with other high and low seasons in other areas of Mexico such as the Yucatan Peninsula. In general, the more popular season to visit is from November- April. This is the driest time in Mexico City and the rest of the country.
The low season, or when you’ll find the least amount of people in the city is in the summer from May-October. These months are the wettest and you can expect quite a bit of rain when visiting during these months. Usually, the best time to travel to Mexico City is during the dry season.
You usually won’t see extremely high temperatures in Mexico City as due to the cities high altitude, it enjoys a spring-like climate for most of the year.
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When is high season in Mexico City?
The high season in Mexico also coincides with the ideal time to visit. From the months of March until May, the city sees the best weather of the year- meaning it really is the best month to visit Mexico City. The average daytime temperatures are about 24C/75C and the nights are nowhere near as cold as in the middle of winter. This is also the driest time in Mexico City. We visited at the end of May and the weather was great, just a bit of rain and fair temperatures the whole time.
During this time hotel prices aren’t their cheapest but they are still pretty reasonable. During Semana Santa or Holy Week and Easter, many locals leave the city for the coast meaning that the city is nice and quiet, with less traffic and potentially some great hotel deals.
Another popular time to visit is during November and December. You can get many deals on hotels in December however the weather can be quite chilly, especially at night. If you don’t mind the cold this can be a great time to visit Mexico City.
Pros of high season in Mexico City
- Great weather; little rain and comfortable temperatures even at night. (March-May)
- Less people around in the city during semana santa
Cons of high season in Mexico City
- During semana santa some restaurants and businesses might be closed
- Air pollution that’s an issue in Mexico City all the time, but with less rain it can be more of a problem that usual.
- Prices aren’t at their cheapest
- Cold weather when visiting in Novemeber and December
When is the low season in Mexico City?
The low season in Mexico City runs during the summer months from June-September. This is Mexico City’s rainy season and during this time you can expect quite a few downpours making sightseeing to outdoor attractions like Chapultepec Park and Teotihuacan ruins difficult. Average temperatures are about 25°C/75°F which make for comfortable exploring if you do get a break from the rain.
During this time, you can get some great deals on hotels as locals head out to the beaches for their summer vacations. The city can also feel a lot less crowded during this time.
Need a place to stay in Mexico City? Check out Where to Stay in Mexico City: The Best Areas & Hotels
Pros of low season in Mexico City
- Hotel prices are at their lowest as this is the least popular times to be traveling in Mexico City.
- The city is at its quietest and there are fewer crowds as most residents head to the coastal areas for their vacations.
- Temperatures are at their warmest of about 25°C/75°F during the day with pleasant night temperatures too.
Cons of low season in Mexico City
- It can be very wet. You can expect daily downpours rather than constant rain. Flooding around the city can also occur.
- Some small businesses may close for the summer.
- Some neighbourhoods aren’t as ‘atmospheric’ as other times of the year as many people are out on vacation and there is less going on.
When is shoulder season in Mexico City?
Another good time to visit Mexico City is during October, November, February and March which can be referred to as the shoulder season, however, Mexico City doesn’t really have a distinct ‘shoulder season’ as such. These months are the time ‘in-between’ the high summer season and the low, winter season and also make a great time to visit.
During this time you’ll also have warm, comfortable temperatures for the most part and potentially just a little rain. At this time you can also expect to find some hotel deals online such as on booking.com or hotels.com that decrease their prices at this time. Just make sure that if your trip dates fall on a major Mexican holiday you book your stay in advance.
When is the best weather in Mexico City?
The best weather in Mexico City falls between March and May. These months benefit from the end of the dry season (winter) but temperatures are starting to warm up after the winter. During these months you’ll get a lot of sunny days and temperatures are a comfortable 24°C/75°C on average which is perfect for exploring.
If you’re planning to be outdoor a lot, which we were because there’s a lot of stuff to do in Mexico City that’s outside, then consider visiting during this time when the rain won’t dampen your days.
Another good time to visit is during November. The rains have stopped after the rainy season in the summer but it’s not yet too cold to visit comfortably.
If you don’t mind the cold, yet you’re looking for dry days then any one of the winter months (December-February) is a good time to visit. You should note that temperatures at night can dip down to about 5°C/40°F making for some pretty chilly mornings.
When is the best time to travel to Mexico City?
The best time to travel to Mexico City is between March and May when the weather is at its best. During this time you have the perfect balance of warm temperatures with little rainfall. This is the peak season to visit Mexico City and the best time of year for it.
During this time the city is awakening too after the winter and days are getting longer. Locals begin to go out more at this time and restaurants, cafes, parks and neighbourhoods are full of people enjoying the spring weather. It really is a great time to visit.
If you can’t visit during these months, a great alternative is mid-October to mid-December, just know that it will probably be quite chilly at night.
If you really don’t mind the rain or if you’re flexible with time, then summer isn’t a bad time to visit either. Just know there will be potential rainstorms especially in July which is the rainiest month of the year.
Important festivals and celebrations to note in Mexico City
Festivities and celebrations might affect your travel plans to Mexico City. During some popular festivities, hotel prices increase and book up fast. If you plan on visiting during any of the following dates you might want to look into booking accommodation further in advance than normal.
Lent & Holy Week: March/April- Many Mexicans actually leave the city during the time making it quieter than usual.
Independence Day: 16th September – the most important national holiday commemorating Mexico’s Constitution. There are many celebrations during this time but due to this many stores, restaurants and attractions will be closed.
Day of the Dead: 31st October-2nd November – celebrates the ancestors and memories of the deceased. There are many Day of the Dead Celebrations around the city and this public holiday is a busy time to visit Mexico City. Reserve accommodation well in advance.
Day of the Revolution: 3rd Monday of November – a very important historical festival. Expect grand Independence Day-like celebrations around the city.
Our Lady of Guadalupe: 12th December – This isn’t a public holiday but it is Mexico’s biggest religious festival. Expect parades and lots of movement in the streets.
Christmas and New Year: 24-25th December/31st-2nd January- Christmas in Mexico City can be a fun time to visit but this is a holiday where people spend time with their families. The city might feel a bit empty as people visit family members outside of the city or stay inside with their families. Many restaurants, cafes and stores are closed during Christmas time.
Best Places to Visit in Mexico City
Mexico City has tons of great museums, parks and neighbourhoods to explore during your stay. In fact, I think it is one of the most intriguing cities in Latin America. With vibrant customs and traditions and rich history, there’s no shortage of culture in Mexico City.
For the wellness traveller, there are some incredible healthy restaurants to try and cafes to visit selling some of the most deliciously rich Mexican coffee. There are also some amazing spa hotels and yoga studios dotted around the city.
Palacio de Bellas Artes – This wonderful building is a must-visit even just for an oogle from the outside. It’s dedicated to the fine arts and inside you’ll find a number of lovely artworks to explore.
Bosque de Chapultepec- An enormous park right in the middle of the best parts of the city. Here you’ll find boating lakes, Chapultepec Castle- a history museum and a number of lovely, green areas perfect for pausing and having a picnic. It’s also a great place for a cycle.
Museo Nacional de Antropologia – One of the best museums in the city for learning more about Mexican traditions and Mayan culture.
Zocalo– Mexico City’s main plaza and one of the largest central squares in the world. Here you can walk around the perimeter and admire the lovely, historical buildings around it. Make sure not to miss the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral while you’re here too.
Frida Kahlo Museum – A great, fun museum to learn about Mexico’s most famous artist, her turbulent past and to take a good look at some of her artwork
Soumaya Museum – One of the best museums in the city- this is a great one for modern Mexican and Latin work as well as some European art too. This building is also an architectural gem located in one of my favourite neighbourhoods, Polanco.
Teotihuacan– Not exactly in Mexico City itself but not far, take a day trip to this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site and Aztec ruins. Make sure not to miss the Pyramid of the Sun, the largest building in Mesoamerica. You’ll need a good few hours to explore this well.
The Best Neighbourhoods to Explore in Mexico City
There’s no way you’ll have time to explore all parts of the city, nor will you probably want to but there are many different neighbourhoods that you just can’t miss during a first-time trip to Mexico City.
Roma Norte – Both Roma Sur and Roma Norte are simply gorgeous neighbourhoods for walking around and exploring. Here you’ll find many independent boutiques and coffee shops, lovely restaurants perfect for weekend brunch and some gorgeous squares to take a seat on a bench and people watch. Roma is incredibly green with tree-lined streets and there is so much to explore here.
Condesa – Located right next to Roma Norte, these two neighbourhoods kind of just flow into one another. It’s difficult to really know where one starts and the other finishes. Make sure to check out Parque España, a lovely park frequented by the cities dog walkers as well as Avenida Amsterdam- the prettiest street in Mexico City.
Polanco – This is the upmarket area of Mexico City where you can find many of the city’s exclusive restaurants and hangouts but it does have something for everyone. Make sure not to miss the Soumaya Museum here and wander around Palacio del Hierro, Mexico’s best high-end department store.
Ready for your trip to Mexico City? Check out some of these amazing things to do during your stay.
Have you visited Mexico City? When did you find to be the best time to travel to Mexico City?
Planning a trip right now? These are just some of my favourite websites I use to book everything from hotels to rental cars!
Rentalcars.com for quick and easy car rentals worldwide
Booking.com for great deals on hotels
Agoda also for great deals on hotels
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Where To Stay in Mexico City: The Best Areas and Hotels
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