Rainy Season In Mexico: Peak Timing and Why It Rains So Much

Mexico
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Written by Patrick MacFarland

Updated: September 27, 2023

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Viva Mexico! That’s what you’ll be saying when you come back from a country that is all about vibrant colors and having a great time. In a country that celebrates the dead and has a national holiday dedicated to them, there’s something we can learn about the traditions and thinking of Mexican culture. 

If you’re thinking of visiting Mexico during the rainy season, you will have the time of your life.

The rain could affect your tourist activities, but that’s how life goes sometimes. The great part is that you will get to witness something magical — all types of colors, from green and blue, to red and yellow.

The rainy season in Mexico is nothing like Bali’s rainy season, but it can rain heavily every once in a while, especially in the wetter months of autumn. We’ll go through the details of when the rainy season is in Mexico, what to expect when you’re there, and why it rains so much. We will also give you some extra tidbits to prepare for your trip to Mexico, including fun things to do and what to eat.

Guanajuato, Mexico, Scenic cobbled streets and traditional colorful colonial architecture in Guanajuato historic city center

Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena, who was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, invented the color television.

©Elijah-Lovkoff/iStock via Getty Images

When is the Rainy Season in Mexico?

The rainy season in Mexico usually begins in the spring (around May) and continues till the autumn (around November). The dry season is from December to April. The best time to go is during the dry season, of course, and tourists from around the world flock to Mexico during this time to take advantage of the good weather.

However, if you want to visit Mexico during the rainy season, things will be cheaper, as it’s the off-season. It’s also perfect because you will experience the country with very few tourists. Mexico is also quite beautiful during this time of year and you won’t be disappointed.

The rainiest month in Mexico is September. But it’s not like rainy seasons in other parts of the world. What should you expect? The average rainfall in September is 10 inches. Usually, it will rain nonstop all day, though it’s more common for it to rain in the mornings. If it does rain hard, it’s always best to prepare yourself.

Why Does it Rain So Much?

Cancun beach with boat

The dry season in Mexico is from December to April which is when most tourists visit.

©Jonathan Ross/iStock via Getty Images

Mexico is located south of the United States and north of Guatemala and Belize. It borders the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Thus, because of its location, the coasts can get a lot of rain during El Niño. Unfortunately, climate change has been a cause of much change in weather in recent years. According to the Climate Change Knowledge Portal of the World Bank, Mexico will experience more El Niño events on the Pacific side. The country, being between two oceans, can experience more floods, hurricanes, and tropical cyclones. The country’s northern regions are mainly exempt from rain for much of the year, but they are more vulnerable to earthquakes.

Prepare for Your Trip to Mexico During the Rainy Season

If you’re preparing to go on a trip to Mexico during the rainy season, there are a few things you’ll need to ensure you have the time of your life.

  • Always bring an umbrella in case it rains hard. And pack closed shoes while you’re at it. It’s more common for it to rain in the mornings in Mexico, instead of afternoons and evenings.
  • Buy a good, sturdy rain jacket because it wouldn’t be ideal if your clothes got wet while exploring Mexico’s rainforests and colorful cities.
  • In case of lots of rainfall, bring a book so you can cozy up on your hotel room bed or the hotel’s lobby.
  • Bring mosquito spray because, during the rainy season, those flying critters will be buzzing around more frequently.

Fun Activities in Mexico

Panoramic view of Zocalo and Cathedral - Mexico City, Mexico

There are 60,000 registered taxicabs in Mexico, making it the country with the most taxis in the world.

©diegograndi/iStock via Getty Images

Mexico is a big country. It has 130 million people and area-wise, it’s one of the biggest countries in the world. Mexico City alone has 22 million people. So when you’re wondering what activities you can do, it’s hard to pick just five. It depends on what you want to focus on.

If you’re focusing on Mexico City, your trip will be historical and cultural. There are numerous museums you can visit: the Frida Kahlo Museum, Museo Soumaya, and the Templo Mayor Museum. There are also must-see landmarks: the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, the city’s main square called El Zocalo, and the city’s main park, el Bosque de Chapultepec.

If you focus on the southwest, you can mix your trip with city visits and nature. Oaxaca has beautiful beaches like Puerto Escondido where you leave your phones and just experience the beauty of the jungles and pristine, sandy beaches. 

And finally, if you want a mix of culture and relaxation, go to the Yucatan Peninsula. There you can check out Chichen Itza, a Mayan pyramid, or Tulum, ancient Mayan ruins. And afterward, go to the many beaches on the peninsula for some sun and relaxation.

Things to Eat in Mexico

Mexican cuisine is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage and therefore, you have to try it all. Don’t limit yourself to just tacos and burritos. The cuisine is diverse and you won’t run out of things to eat. Depending on where you are, the typical cuisines will change. 

In the mornings, have a hearty breakfast by ordering some chilaquiles, which are fried tortilla chips drenched with red salsa. You can choose to add shredded chicken and a fried egg. For the afternoons, you can choose from a huge list: shredded beef sopes, mole poblano, or delicious tripe tacos.

For dinner, why not treat yourself to something fancy? There are several restaurants in Mexico City and elsewhere that have great reviews. When you enter, you will see the restaurant is picture-perfect. The meal will be scrumptious and they have a great selection of wines, tequilas, and other liquors. Plus, the restaurant service in Mexico is top-notch. 

Fun Facts About Mexico

Colourful Skulls at Street Market, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Day of Dead Concept

Besides Spanish, there are 68 other languages spoken in Mexico; most of them are indigenous and the one spoken the most is Nahuatl.

©R.M. Nunes/iStock via Getty Images

  • UNESCO named the Mexican cuisine as World Cultural Heritage.
  • Tenochtitlan (which was the Aztec capital and current site of Mexico City) was built on a lake because the Aztecs believed that the capital should be built where an eagle devoured a serpent, and that happened to be above a lake.
  • Because Mexico’s capital, Mexico City, is built on a lake, the city sinks 12 centimeters per year.
  • Mexico has the most Spanish speakers in the world, surpassing Spain and every other Latin American country.
  • Every September 16, Mexico celebrates its independence from Spain, which was declared by Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo on September 16, 1821.
  • Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.

Conclusion

Mexico is an amazing place to visit. The rainy season will make the places you visit much more magical, as it will create an enchanting paradise around you. You’ll get to experience the various cities in their glory, as well as nature at its finest. The biodiversity in Mexico is vast and you’ll get to see a variety of flora and fauna. Not only that, it’s a country where you can eat good food, see historical sights, and learn about a unique and dynamic culture.
The vibrant culture of Mexico will teach all about the zest of life. You’ll come back wanting to add more color to your life. The vibrancy of its culture, history, and art will have you wanting more. Life will be enjoyable while in this enchanting country. If you decide to go in the rainy season, all you have to watch out for is flying critters, but you will still have the time of your life.


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About the Author

Patrick Macfarland is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering travel, geography, and history. Patrick has been writing for more than 10 years. In the past, he has been a teacher and a political candidate. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SDSU and a Master's Degree in European Union Studies from CIFE. From San Diego, California, Patrick loves to travel and try new recipes to cook.

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