Best Time to Visit Mexico City (and When NOT to): A Seasonal & Monthly Guide

The best time to visit Mexico City is whenever you have time! Okay, it’s actually spring (specifically March to May) and fall (September to November). But, I spend about five months a year in Mexico City, I’ve been here for every season, and it’s almost always lovely. 

People are usually surprised by how temperate the climate is here, mostly due to the high altitude. You can expect mild days and cool evenings year-round (unless you come during rainy season).

Here’s a guide to the best time to visit Mexico City, by season and by month, when to avoid visiting, and just what you need to pack to have the perfect trip.

Best Time to Visit Mexico City Quick Guide

Every time my friends visit CDMX, they always ask me for a list of my favorite places, so I made a Google map! Feel free to snag a copy and enjoy!

Best Time to Visit Mexico City: My 2 Favorite Seasons

Spring In Mexico City (March-May): My Personal Favorite

Spring is the best time to visit Mexico City, hands down. The weather is consistently nice with daytime temperatures in the low to mid-70s°F and cool evenings perfect for walking and exploring the city’s incredible restaurant scene.

But what really makes spring special are the jacaranda trees. From late March through May (April is, in my opinion, the best month in Mexico City), thousands of jacaranda trees are in bloom. They create these gorgeous purple canopies that line streets throughout Roma, Condesa, and beyond.

It’s probably the most beautiful and easiest time to visit. You can bank on good, generally warm weather whenever you come. 

Since it’s dry season, you won’t have to worry about afternoon storms messing up your plans to visit the pyramids at Teotihuacan or floating on trajineras at Xochimilco.

Fall in Mexico City (September-November): A Close Second

Fall is another fabulous time to visit Mexico City. By September, rainy season is winding down, and October has some of the most beautiful days of the year.

This is when locals start doing all the outdoor stuff again after hiding from the summer rains. 

October is especially cool because of Day of the Dead celebrations. You get to experience one of Mexico’s most important cultural traditions (I can’t recommend visiting Oaxaca enough, if you can swing it). 

No matter what, you’ll want to get a Pan de Muerto (sugar bread to celebrate the holiday).

November keeps the nice fall weather going but with way fewer crowds than spring.

When Not To Visit Mexico City

Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong with a visit here. It’s safe, so fun, and so delicious. That being said, rainy season runs June through August, and the rain is serious business. 

We’re talking lightning, thunder, and rain that floods the streets. It’s kind of magical, but not ideal for touristing.

June and July can be pretty consistently rainy. In August, you can expect afternoon and evening thunderstorms for an hour or two.

If it’s your first time in Mexico City and you’re looking to explore, you might want to pick a different month.

Mexico City Weather Overview

Most tourists only visit the beaches of Mexico, so they tend to not realize that Mexico City is 7,350 feet above sea level. So, it’s way more temperate than you’d expect. Instead of tropical heat, you’ll find:

• Year-round mild temperatures – usually mid-60s to mid-70s°F during the day
• Cool evenings where you’ll want a light jacket or sweater (layers, layers, layers)
• Two main seasons: dry (November-May) and rainy season (June-October)
• Less humidity than the coast
• Way stronger sun because of the altitude (seriously, I am sunscreen police. The two on this list are my favorites.)
• Some serious pollution but it’s navigable. I’d say it’s similar to Los Angeles, to be honest. 

Best Time to Visit Mexico City by Season

Spring in Mexico City (March-May): Peak Season

• Weather: Dry, mild, and consistently pleasant
• Pros: Jacaranda blooms, Perfect weather, Ideal for outdoor activities
• Cons: Higher hotel prices, More tourists
• What to pack: Light layers, Sunscreen (seriously!), Comfortable walking shoes

Spring is peak tourist season – and you can see why. The weather is consistently good, making it perfect for day trips to places like the Teotihuacan pyramids, especially for those sunrise hot air balloon rides. 

All the restaurant patios and rooftop bars are at their best during these months.

Summer in Mexico City (June-August): Rainy Season

• Weather: Warm days, afternoon/evening thunderstorms
• Pros: Fewer tourists, Lower hotel rates, Everything’s lush and green
• Cons: Daily rain messing up plans, More humid
• What to pack: Rain jacket, Umbrella, Clothes that dry fast

Summer is definitely rainy season, with afternoon storms that can get pretty intense. But mornings are usually gorgeous and clear, so you can still do outdoor stuff if you plan around the weather.

The rain actually cools everything down and makes the air way cleaner than during dry months.

Fall in Mexico City (September-November): Second Peak

• Weather: Going from rainy to dry, crisp and clear
• Pros: Beautiful weather, Day of the Dead celebrations, Fewer crowds than spring
• Cons: Still some rain in early September
• What to pack: Light layers, Maybe rain gear for early September, Jackets for evenings

Fall has some of the most gorgeous weather all year, especially October and November. You can expect clear skies, warm (but not too warm) temperatures, and Day of the Dead decorations in October. This is another one of the best times to visit Mexico City.

Winter in Mexico City (December-February): Cool and Dry

• Weather: Cool, dry, can get chilly at night, but still warm during the day
• Pros: Cheapest hotel prices, Super clear air, Amazing views
• Cons: Cold mornings and evenings, Some holiday crowds in December
• What to pack: Warm layers, A real jacket (like a puffy) for evenings

Winter in Mexico City can actually get pretty cool (temperatures sometimes drop close to the 40s°F at night. But days are still in the 60s.

My first trip to Mexico City was in winter and I still loved it.  The last time I visited in February, I went to the pool, so it clearly wasn’t too cold!

Best Time to Visit Mexico City: Month by Month Breakdown

Mexico City in January (40s°F – 60s°F)

January has some of the cleanest air all year because the wind blows all the pollution away. Days are usually in the mid-60s°F, but mornings and evenings get legitimately cold – sometimes in the 40s. You’ll want a jacket.

That being said, I’ve lived in New York so CDMX in January feels very temperate to me. 

Hotels are also super cheap, and there aren’t many tourists around. 

Mexico City in February (40s°F – high 60s°F)

February keeps that crisp, clear weather from January but gets a bit warmer. You’re still in the dry season, so there’s zero rain to worry about.

It’s great for being outside and exploring all the parks and outdoor markets. Just bring a jacket at night.

It’s also usually when art week in Mexico City takes place, so you can catch some amazing art shows all around the city. Towards the end of the month, it might even be warm enough for a pool day.

Mexico City in March (50s°F – 70s°F)

March is when spring starts and jacaranda season begins. Temperatures get warmer – mid-50s to low 70s°F.

The first purple blooms start showing up on trees all over the city. This is when Mexico City gets magical, with perfect weather for walking around Roma and Condesa, my two favorite neighborhoods in Mexico City.

You might see some showers here and there, but it’s mostly lovely.

Mexico City in April (50s°F – 70s°F)

April is the best month in Mexico City, and peak jacaranda time with purple blooms everywhere you look. The weather is basically perfect with warm days (70s°F) and cool evenings (50s°F) that are ideal for rooftop cocktails (Supra Roma has some amazing views!).

This is one of the busiest months for visitors, so hotels cost more and restaurants get packed. Definitely book things like the Frida Kahlo Museum and hotels way ahead of time.

Mexico City in May (50s°F -80s°F)

May is slightly warmer than April (think 80s during the day, 50s at night). A hotel with a pool is always nice to have. 

You might see your first afternoon thunderstorms toward the end of the month, but it’s not a big deal. 

Mexico City in June (50s°F – 80s°F)

June brings the full onset of rainy season with regular afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Mornings are typically clear and pleasant, making it a good time for early tours and activities.

The rain cools down the city and creates lush, green landscapes in parks and surrounding areas. Tourist crowds thin out significantly, offering a more local experience (but it’s definitely rainy).

Mexico City in July (50s°F – 70s°F and Rainy)

July is right in the middle of rainy season – the most consistent rain all year. Expect showers around 3 PM and heavier rain at night that can go pretty late.

Even with all the rain, temperatures stay comfortable in the 60s and 70s°F. It’s actually kind of beautiful if you don’t mind working around the weather, but it’s not ideal.

Mexico City in August (50s°F – 70s°F)

August is when I’m writing this article! The days are lovely, and you can expect an hour or two of rain in the afternoons and evenings. Personally, I think it’s a very doable time of year if you’re okay with the rain, especially toward the end of the month.

Mexico City in September (50s°F – 70s°F)

Early September still gets regular rain, but it starts tapering off as the month goes on. When storms clear out, you get some of the most beautiful days of the entire year.

All the cultural events and outdoor festivals (art fairs, block parties) start coming back to the calendar.

Mexico City in October (50s°F – 70s°F)

October is seriously amazing and has some of the clearest, most gorgeous weather all year.

Plus the city gets ready for Day of the Dead celebrations. This is one of the best times to visit because the culture feels extra present. You must get a Pan de Muerto sweet bread from Lardo!

Mexico City in November (40s°F – 70s°F)

November keeps that amazing fall weather going – crisp, clear days and cool evenings. Air quality is usually really good, so you get great views and it’s comfortable for walking around and eating outside.

Tourist numbers are also pretty reasonable (I love a shoulder season vacation), so you get good weather without crazy crowds or prices.

Mexico City in December (40s°F – 70s°F)

December brings cooler temperatures and the start of “winter” nights. Days are nice but evenings are cold (remember the altitude!) and you’ll want a jacket. 

Holiday celebrations bring some crowds, but the weather is excellent for exploring indoor attractions like museums and markets. 

Planning Your Visit to Mexico CIty

Best Places to Stay in Mexico City

For the best Mexico City experience for first time visitors, I usually recommend Roma or Condesa. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s very safe and you’ll be walking distance from amazing restaurants, bars, and cultural stuff. It’s easy to explore on foot and unbelievably peaceful.

What to Pack for Mexico City

Mexico City’s altitude and changing weather throughout the day means you need to pack smart depending on the season:

Layers are your best friend. You might need a sweater in the morning, a t-shirt by afternoon, then a jacket again for dinner. Pack light stuff you can easily throw on or take off.

Cute tops for going out. Mexico City has incredible nightlife and restaurants, so bring things that work for day exploring and evening dining and drinks.

Don’t skip sunscreen. The altitude means the sun is way stronger than you’d expect, even when it’s cloudy. I intend to look young forever, so sunscreen is a must.

Pack some Imodium just in case. Mexico City’s food scene is amazing and generally safe, but your stomach might need time to adjust to new ingredients. Better safe than sorry and I have a guide to street food here!

For specific recommendations and my complete packing list, check out my Amazon favorites for Mexico City.

Best Time to Visit Mexico City: Frequently Asked Questions

Best Time to Visit Mexico City: Wrap Up

Alright, the bottom line here is that the best time to visit Mexico City is March through May for perfect weather and purple jacaranda trees, with October-November as a really good backup option for beautiful fall weather and Day of the Dead celebrations. 

Each season has good things about it, but these times give you the best combination of nice weather, clear skies, and unforgettable experiences that make Mexico City one of the world’s best cities.

It’s hard to go wrong here, so plan your visit, enjoy all the tacos you possibly can, and thank me later. 

Cheers to your next adventure 🇲🇽☀️