Good Time to Visit

Weather

There is great climatic variation between the coastlands and mountains. Inland, northern Mexico suffers extreme temperature variations, being very cold in winter, and very warm in summer. It is also usually cold at night.

On the central pacific coast (Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco) it is hot, sunny and humid almost throughout the year, and in the late summer months, heavy rains come with the hurricanes. The beach resorts of the Yucatán Peninsula (Cancún) have similar weather, but suffer more from hurricanes. Mexico's pacific peninsula (Baja California) enjoys very hot summers and comfortable winters, with very little rain throughout the year.

On the high central plateau (Mexico City and Guadalajara), the weather is mild throughout the year, with typically 2 hours of rain every day during the summer. The temperatures tend to be cooler from December to March.

Visitors are advised to bring natural fibre clothing for the heat, with some warmer layers for evenings. Somewhat heavier clothing will be needed in the mountains.

For a more detailed look at the Mexican weather, see Climate in Mexico.

Festivals

Mexicans celebrate more than 120 festivals every year. Some occasions are of religious significance, others secular, national or local. In nearly all instances, however, they are a time for music, dancing, processions and fireworks. The Day of the Dead is celebrated with enthusiastic fervour throughout the country on 1 November. It is especially dramatic on Lago de Patzcuaro, where locals converge on the island of Janitizio in canoes, a solitary candle alight in each craft. Other major events include Semana Santa, or Holy Week, in the week before Easter. As in the rest of the Latin world, Carnaval in the week before Lent, is celebrated with costumes, parades, eating and dancing.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Mexico: