Wondering when to visit Mexico City for the perfect trip, weather-wise? I’ve got you!
Ultimately, after several years living in CDMX, there’s no terrible time to visit. You’re not going to risk inches of snow or 100-degree heat waves if you book your trip for the wrong month (although I would say some months are notably worse than others).
Some things to be aware of are the wet season (summer), pollution (worst in late spring), and cooler temperatures (in December and January). Let’s get stuck in…
Weather in CDMX: dry season vs wet season
In the broadest sense…
Dry season – November to April.
Wet season – May to October.
However, the main bulk of the rain comes from August-September, so don’t discount the months of May-July and October because they’re not so bad.
Read next: where to stay in Mexico City
Best seasons to visit CDMX
Here’s a broad overview of the four main seasons.
Spring in Mexico City
The months of March to May are wonderful in Mexico City. If I had to pick one time to visit, it would be spring. The weather is cool, dry, and sunny with the spectacular purple jacaranda flowers in bloom.
Negatives: more expensive accommodation as it’s peak season. Also, the pollution is getting bad by May, before the rains come.
What to pack: a light jacket for the evenings but, generally, you can be in shorts and t-shirts during spring days. Don’t forget your sunscreen, especially for day trips to the Teotihuacan Pyramids as they’re very exposed. The elevation of Mexico City is 7,350 ft (2,240m) and means you get burnt easier.
Summer in Mexico City
June to August is not the best time to visit CDMX because of the rainy season. June and July aren’t so bad for rain but they’re very polluted. Although the rain is good news because it washes it away, it’s not ideal for sightseeing.
The rain can be very heavy: expect crazy showers in August and September and sometimes flooded roads. It’s not the type of rain you can sightsee through… When it starts, you have to run for cover and often get stuck where you’re sheltering.
That said, you can usually count on rain in the afternoon. You can sightsee in the morning as normal and get cosy in a cafe during the afternoon. Maybe use it as an excuse to eat your way around the best CDMX restaurants!
Positives: cheaper accommodation and fewer crowds.
What to pack: umbrella, raincoat, and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.
Fall in Mexico City
Discounting September, which is the rainiest month after August, this is the second-best time to visit CDMX.
The rain starts to tail off in October, and November is dry and temperate.
Don’t expect a classic fall with red and orange leaves like you see in parts of the US and my home country, England. I have to say I’ve missed this while living in Mexico!
Negatives: more expensive accommodation as it’s peak season.
What to pack: a light jacket (and umbrella from Sept-Oct).
Winter in Mexico City
I’ve now spent FOUR winters here so I can vouch for this not being too bad a season.
It’s the coldest time of year with temperatures occasionally dropping to 30°F (1°C) during the night. You can expect some cloudy, grey days, but it’s not so bad.
Positives: cheaper accommodation and fewer crowds.
What to pack: Local uniform is jeans and puffer jacket. The weather truly varies depending on whether it’s cloudy or sunny. There are times I’ve been wearing a t-shirt in December!
Ultimately, it’s all about the layers. Pack a jacket but you may not need it the whole time.
| Month | Average low | Average high |
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 71°F (22°C) |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 75°F (24°C) |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 70°F (26°C) |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 80°F (27°C) |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 80°F (27°C) |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 77°F (25°C) |
| July | 55°F (13°C) | 75°F (24°C) |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 75°F (24°C) |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 73°F (23°C) |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 73°F (23°C) |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 72°F (23°C) |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 71°F (22°C) |
Jacaranda season in CDMX
This is so beautiful!
April is the peak month but flowering jacaranda trees but it begins in late March and can still be seen in early May.
It escaped me for years, like in 2023 when I went to India for two months and it started and ended within days of my trip!
Finally, I got to see it. I was so happy!
Pollution season in CDMX
The grey skies and smoggy air is one of the worst things about living in Mexico City. It varies day by day so I wouldn’t plan your trip around it, but know it can be worse just before the rainy season begins in May and June.
It’s usually worse in the afternoons. You could consider wearing a cloth mask outside if you suffer from asthma or another respiratory condition. Ultimately, though, the pollution isn’t going to have a huge affect if you’re just staying a short period.
Seasonal events in Mexico City
It might be worth planning your trip around cultural events such as…
Dia de Muertos – the Day of the Dead is my favorite cultural celebration in Mexico, if not the world, and I’ve now celebrated it here four times. Although Oaxaca is my favorite place, there’s always plenty happening in CDMX including parades down Reforma and cemetery festivities in Mixquic.
- 31 October – usually the date of the La Catrinas procession down Reforma
- 1 November – the day of remembering children who have passed; cemetery events begin.
- 2 November – the day of remembering adults who have passed, and the day of the main parade down Reforma.
Virgin de Guadalupe day (12 Dec) – celebrating the indigenous equivalent of the Virgin Mary, this is the day Catholics flock to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the north of the city.
Corona Capital Festival (November) – this is the biggest musical festival of the year. Previous artists include Foo Fighters, Alanis Morissette, Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, and My Chemical Romance.
Tecate Festival – another festival held in March. I’m still bitter that Christina Aguilera played the year I was out of town!
Electric Daisy Carnival – I haven’t been to this festival but it’s a popular one in February that focuses on electronic music.
Vive Latino Festival – another popular festival held in March featuring Latino rock and pop artists.
CDMX by month
A quick summary of the weather in each month, plus events and other considerations.
January
Average temperatures between 43°F (6°C) and 71°F (22°C); dry season.
January 6 is King’s Day when Rosca de Reyes (weath-shaped bread) can be found in every bakery.
February
Average temperatures between 46°F (8°C) and 75°F (24°C), dry season.
Tamale festival: tradition says that whoever found a baby Jesus model in their Rosca de Reyes the previous month has to buy tamales for the rest of the family. Venues participating in the tamale festival serve them in different flavors.
Art Week is held in February with many galleries participating. There are pop-up events, often with free drinks and snacks. It can be hard to decipher what’s happening when as there isn’t a central place to find the info. You can always wander between the Roma and Condesa galleries to see what’s happening.
March
Average temperatures between 50°F (10°C) and 70°F (26°C), dry season.
Jacarandas start to blossom with purple flowers. Vive Latino kicks off music festival season.
It’s a great time for day trips before midday temperatures increase in coming months.
April
Average temperatures between 54°F (12°C) and 80°F (27°C), dry season.
It’s the best time of year to visit Mexico City to see the jacaranda trees in full bloom.
Polanco Jazz Festival happens in April.
May
Average temperatures between 55°F (13°C) and 80°F (27°C), dry season.
May is the month of Tecate Festival with many international artists playing. Alanis Morissette and Christina Aguilera have played in recent years.
June
Average temperatures between 57°F (14°C) and 77°F (25°C), technically rainy season but it’s unlikely to be heavy.
Pride events happen in June.
July
Average temperatures between 55°F (13°C) and 75°F (24°C), rainy season.
August
Average temperatures between 55°F (13°C) and 75°F (24°C), peak rainy season.
September
Average temperatures between 55°F (13°C) and 73°F (23°C), peak rainy season. It’s a good time to make the most of the museums!
October
Average temperatures between 52°F (11°C) and 73°F (23°C); rainy season starts to end.
The last week of October is a fantastic time to visit for the Dia de Muertos celebrations. Expect huge alejibre statues along Reforma, ofrendas everywhere (there’s a gorgeous one in San Angel neighborhood), and numerous parades.
November
Average temperatures between 46°F (8°C) and 72°F (23°C), dry season.
Dia de Muertos celebrations last until the finale on 2 November. This was first staged for the James Bond movie, Spectre (2015) and the tradition stuck.
1 November is Día de los Inocentes when child souls are thought to return, while 2 December is the day remembering adults who have passed on. Local cemeteries are where to see the celebrations.
November is the month of the Corona Capital Festival.
December
Average temperatures between 54°F (7°C) and 71°F (22°C), dry season.
Christmas markets run along Reforma although they’re more about shopping than European-style mulled wine and bratwurst! However, I have found mulled wine in previous years at a pop-up market in the carpark of Palacio de Hierro shopping mall in Roma Norte, across the road from Rayo cocktail bar.
Día de Guadalupe is held on 12 December and I recommend not travelling then because the roads are chaotic as thousands head to the Temple de Virgin de Guadalupe. If you want to go, I suggest taking public transport.
Final thoughts on when to visit CDMX
Ultimately, spring is the best season to visit. October and November are also good options. The winter isn’t bad, as long as you’re not expecting hot weather, and the summer can be okay if you have enough time around sheltering during afternoon rains.
With a little planning and smart packing, I think you’ll have an amazing trip whenever you visit.
Thanks for reading!
