The short answer
For most travelers, November to April is ideal: dry, sunny and outside hurricane season. December and Easter are the most expensive weeks of the year.
Dry season vs rainy season
Mexico has two seasons across most of the country: dry (Nov–April) and rainy (May–October). The rainy season usually means a sharp afternoon downpour rather than all-day rain.
Hurricane season
Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November. Direct hits on the Caribbean coast are rare but September and October are the riskiest months.
Avoid the Caribbean coast in September if you're not prepared for a possible storm disruption.
Month by month
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Dry, mild | High | Peak season, perfect weather everywhere |
| February | Dry, mild | Med-high | Great month, whale watching in Baja |
| March | Warming up | High | Spring break crowds in Cancún |
| April | Hot, dry | Med | Easter (Semana Santa) is busy |
| May | Hot, first rains | Low | Cheaper, can be very hot |
| June–August | Hot, rainy | Med | European summer crowds, daily afternoon rain |
| September | Hurricane peak | Low | Cheapest, riskiest |
| October | Tail of hurricanes | Med | Day of the Dead at month-end |
| November | Dry returns | Med-high | Perfect month, no crowds yet |
| December | Dry, cool | Very high | Christmas/NYE — pricey but festive |
Best for the beach
December–April for the Caribbean coast. November and May are quieter shoulder months.
Best for the highlands
October–March for Mexico City, Oaxaca, San Cristóbal. The dry season has perfect blue-sky days in the high-altitude central regions.