Best time to visit Mexico

January in Mexico

Snow in the mountains Bird watching Whale watching off Baja California

January is a wonderful month for wildlife aficionados to visit Mexico. You’re midway through the short whale watching season off Baja California, migratory bird species are in abundance, and the forests of central Mexico are thick with Monarch butterflies wintering down south. The weather is gorgeous, dry and sunny, but in mountainous regions there is snow, which makes for an interesting contrast.

January is great for a small group beach and culture vacation

February in Mexico

Sea kayaking Culture and Mayan history in Oaxaca Beaching it

February in Mexico is mid-winter across much of the country, but you’ll still experience warm weather, so this could be the best time to visit Mexico’s beaches, before the spring break crowds arrive. If you’re stretched out on a sunlounger, cocktail in hand, you’ll see energetic sea kayakers paddling off the Baja California coastline and boats carrying whale watchers in hope of spotting humpbacks and blue whales. February is pleasant for cultural tours inland, exploring ancient ruins such as Chichen Itza before the temperatures start to rise.

February is great for an adventure cruise in Baja and the Sea of Cortez

March in Mexico

Warmer weather Catch whales and butterflies before they leave Cruise season begins in earnest

March is a hectic time in coastal resorts along the Riviera Maya, with cruise crowds combining with hordes of inebriated spring breakers to soak up the sunny weather as temperatures begin to increase. Head inland instead to roam Mayan ruins or the Piedra Herrada sanctuary where you can admire forests awash with orange as Monarch butterflies mate before their return migration to North America and Canada. March in Mexico also marks the end of whale watching season, toward the end of the month.

March is great for a tour of Mexico’s cultural heartlands

April in Mexico

Yucatan Peninsula and Tulum Cooler temperatures in highlands and mountains Steer clear of spring break and cruise crowds

Temperatures are on the up, making it a popular time to visit before rainy season begins. April in Mexico also means that cruise season is in full swing, massive ships disgorging thousands of day-trippers, so plan well if you want to be on the coast. By mid-April, spring break is over, affording some relief. Our partners are well aware of the coastal crowds, their small group and tailor made tours staying clear of busy spots in favour of less-visited locations such as tribal villages in the highlands.

May in Mexico

Rainy season begins Northern Mexico and Pacific Coast Cinco de Mayo

Rainy season starts in May, with rising temperatures and humidity. Short, sharp showers start mainly in the south and move further north over the next few months. May in Mexico is a 'shoulder month', so the Pacific Coast is significantly quieter than it was in March and April, and it’s a good time to visit sites such as Tulum, Chichen Itza and Palenque, fewer crowds making for a more enjoyable experience. Puebla in Central Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo and a hard-fought victory over the French.

June in Mexico

Hurricane season starts City culture and Mayan ruins Good deals on flights

June in Mexico tends to be hot and sticky, with rain showers likely in the afternoons, but still very sunny otherwise. This is the start of hurricane season when local people on the coasts prepare to batten down the hatches if necessary, although the worst of it comes later in the year. June sees Mexico entering its low season, and so locations such as Mexico City and Cancun are decidedly quieter. June is also the best time to travel to Mexico if you want to explore its jungle-clad Mayan ruins, with fewer coach groups around.