Mexico climate
Mexico City and the rest of Mexico’s higher, inland elevations are temperate and dry, but the coastal plains are hot and humid. Daytime temperatures range between 21 and 32 degrees. It's hot and humid between May and October, especially on the coasts. During the rest of the year it cools down a bit. Some inland areas can even reach freezing temperatures in the winter.The rainy season lasts from May through September, with some slight variations in different areas. Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta see most of their rain between June and October; in Cancun it's mid-September through mid-November. Rain usually falls more on the coast than the higher elevations. The hurricane season lasts from late September to early November in Puerto Vallarta and in from May through September in Cancun.
When to fly to Mexico
Peak Season:
Southern-coast resorts are packed with tourists between July and September, especially since July and August are the peak holiday months for foreign visitors and native Mexicans. This is when the majority of tourists step off their Mexico flights. Semana Santa (the week before Easter) and Christmas week are also very busy.
Off Season:
Right after the rainy season is a good time to take flights to Mexico - smaller crowds, more reasonable prices, and the hills and mountains are green from the rain. However, it can still be very humid in Puerto Vallarta.
Getting around Mexico
For getting around on your own, walking or renting a car or moped are popular options.
Mexico has more 20 airports, which makes getting from one part of the country to another easy. Domestic Mexico flights are cheap and reliable.
Mexican cities and resorts typically have public transport and taxis. Check before you go to find out what is best at your destination. For example: Cancun has a popular city-bus system. There are also private buses, but they charge far more than the city buses. Puerto Vallarta’s city buses are easy to use, inexpensive, and can take you to most locations. However, stay away from buses named Rambo, Terminator, etc. They don’t always stop for pedestrians, and they frequently have accidents that result in fatalities. In Cozumel getting to some of the hotels and the beaches requires transportation. Cozumel has a strong cabbies’ union and the fares are set (there’s no bargaining). Mexico City has an extensive public transportation system, lots of taxis, and a problem with crime.
Mexico insider information
- With the clear water and white-sand beaches of the Caribbean, Cancun is Mexico’s most popular tourist destination. A gracious host to visitors, Cancun offers extensive water activities — snorkelling, scuba diving, parachuting, jet skiing — as well as spas, shopping, dining, and dancing all night. The outlying areas also offer attractions from Mayan ruins to ecological theme parks.
- On the Pacific coast, Acapulco is one of Mexico’s best-known resorts and, with its recent major revamping, is again a very popular resort. A party town, Acapulco goes nonstop and is a playground day and night. Days can be spent jet skiing, water skiing, playing golf or tennis, or lazing on the beach before partying all night.
- Also on the Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta has miles of beaches, cliffs, and the Sierra Madres as a backdrop. You won’t be bored here: stroll the cobblestone streets, shops, and galleries; dine in one of over 200 restaurants; try mountain biking, whale-watching, or sea kayaking. Puerta Vallarta is hard to leave, as its American, European, and Canadian residents can attest.
- Cozumel is one of the top diving locations in the world. Surrounded by more than 25 reef formations, there’s diving for all levels of experience. White, sandy beaches line both sides of the island with gentle waves on the leeward (western) side and huge crashing waves on the windward (eastern) side. The waterfront area is well populated with shops, and San Miguel the only town.
- Mexico City is one of the largest, most complex cities in the world. The architecture reflects the city’s cultural history, from pre-Hispanic remains to modern skyscrapers. As an urban playground, Mexico City offers trendy restaurants and nightlife, excellent museums, and the central square’s cobblestone, tree-lined streets. The city also has its share of crime — be cautious and stay alert.
- If you still don't know where to stay, read reviews, look at photos and compare prices for hotels in Cancun, hotels in Mexico City or hotels in Playa del Carmen on trivago.