Best time to see wildlife in Mexico
The best time of year to visit Mexico depends on what wildlife you want to see and where you want to go.![]()
If you’ve set your sights on whale watching, book a tour to the cetacean-saturated waters surrounding Baja California. The best time to go is between January and March, when grey whales arrive to give birth, blue whales breach and humpbacks can be heard singing their whale song. Whale sharks can also be seen here, but if the Caribbean waters of Cancun are calling, the best time to go is from June to September, when daytime temperatures of 30°C make swimming with the sharks even more inviting. To witness the monarch butterfly migrations, you’ll need to book a tour between January and March, when they arrive in their millions in central Mexico.
Baja California Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
13
23
7
FEB
13
24
5
MAR
13
26
5
APR
16
28
13
MAY
18
29
91
JUN
20
33
223
JUL
23
35
114
AUG
24
33
177
SEP
24
33
228
OCT
21
29
88
NOV
19
27
22
DEC
16
24
11
Our Mexico wildlife Vacations
Monarch butterfly tour in Mexico
Amazing natural event in Mexico: Monarch butterfly migration
From
US $2295
7 days
ex flights
Baja whale watching safari in Mexico
The closest wild whale encounter on Earth
From
US $1290 to US $1760
4 days
ex flights
Baja & the Sea of Cortes adventure cruises, Mexico
Small ship cruise to see the whales and wilderness of Baja
From
£4545 to £6375
8 days
ex flights
Cancun whale shark vacation, Mexico
Whale shark adventure of a lifetime in Cancun
From
US $1695
7 days
ex flights
Bird watching tour in Mexico
Amazing early bird watching experience in Mexico!
From
US $3490
11 days
ex flights
Mexico whale watching adventure vacation, tailor made
Multi activity and wildlife adventure in Baja
From
£3650
12 days
ex flights
Mexico wildlife vacations advice
Powell Ettinger, from our cruise specialists The Small Cruise Ship Collection, has these tips for wildlife cruises in Mexico:
Greatest hits
“You’ll see grey whales, sea lions, a huge variety of birdlife, humpback whales, dolphins and even blue whales. And with snorkelling at Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, there is a whole world of undersea life.”
What to wear
“Pack informal clothing. Dinner is casual, and the days are hot, so shorts and t-shirts for the days (with collar and long sleeves if you’re sensitive to the sun), and light clothing for the evenings. Maybe a light jumper or jacket, just in case.”
Life onboard
“Life onboard is very comfortable. There’s a very large lounge, a dining room with free seating and full service, hot tubs on top deck, massage therapy, plenty of space on the sun deck, an open bridge policy, kayak and zodiac dock for easy embarkation at the rear of the vessel, and a crew who look after you incredibly well. Expect very generous meals – I put on 5kg in a week!”
Our top Mexico wildlife Vacation
Monarch butterfly tour in Mexico
Amazing natural event in Mexico: Monarch butterfly migration
From
US $2295
7 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2024: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 20 Jan, 27 Jan, 3 Feb, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb
2024: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 20 Jan, 27 Jan, 3 Feb, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Mexico wildlife or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often...other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Mexico wildlife vacation tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Mexico wildlife vacation tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.
Be prepared for hiking on uninhabited islands, snorkelling and kayaking. ![]()
– Les Owen
"Try limiting luggage and take an assortment of clothes for hot, cold and wet weather." – Margaret Spector
"[The most memorable part was] spending time with the grey whales in San Ignacia – staying in eco-lodges by the edge of the water with lovely group meals and days spent watching and luckily, being able to touch the nose of a grey whale calf when 'he' and his mother came to see us in our boat! Be prepared for some long journeys on rough roads and tracks, Baja looks deceptively small!" – Fiona Buck
"[The most memorable part was] spending time with the grey whales in San Ignacia – staying in eco-lodges by the edge of the water with lovely group meals and days spent watching and luckily, being able to touch the nose of a grey whale calf when 'he' and his mother came to see us in our boat! Be prepared for some long journeys on rough roads and tracks, Baja looks deceptively small!" – Fiona Buck
More about Mexico wildlife
Spectacularly diverse scenery makes Mexico a sensational destination for wildlife spotting. Our guide explains what animals you can see where and the best time of year to go.
Read our guide to find out what a monarch butterfly migration vacation in Mexico looks like, where to see them, when to go – and what threatens this spectacular 2,500km exodus.
Grey whale watching in Baja is one of the world's most intimate wildlife encounters. Read on for information on what to expect - from whale camps, to daily boat trips.
When it comes to wildlife watching in Mexico, the best tours teach, leave no trace and treat animals with respect. Read on for tips on how to be a more responsible traveler.
