When to go
The best periods to explore the
northern regions of Mexico (coasts and deserts) are
spring and autumn, in March-April and September-October, and in particular, you can choose October.
In the
tierras frìas too,
spring and autumn are the best periods, even though the main purpose in this area is to avoid the summer rains; therefore, you can also avoid the month September, which is still a rainy month. You can go to the
tierras frìas in winter as well, bearing in mind that it can get cold at night.
You can go to the
tierras calientes from
December to February, to avoid both the heat and the rains of summer, and because in some areas the months of October and November are still very rainy. In spring, in April and May, the rains have not arrived yet, but the weather is usually hot.
As regards to the
sea, the southern coast (see Acapulco) is warm and sunny in winter (eg Christmas and New Year), with a warm sea, around 28 °C (82 °F), so it's recommended for a beach holiday. The good season in Acapulco is long, from November to April.
The coasts of the
Gulf of Mexico and Yucatán (see Veracruz, Cancun), do not have an ideal climate in winter, at least for a beach holiday: the sky is often cloudy, sometimes it can rain, and the
Norte can bring a bit of cool weather.
Spring is a better season, from March to May, with a preference for April: in March, sometimes a bit of cool air can still arrive, especially in the first half of the month, while in May it begins to get hot, with the first thunderstorms.
Spring is fine also in Cabo San Lucas and the southern part of
Baja California. On the northern coast of Baja California, where the air is mild even in summer, you can sunbathe, even though the water is quite cold.
What to pack
In
winter: for the Chihuahuan desert and the mountains, bring warm clothes, a jacket, a hat, gloves. For Baja California, the eastern plains and the
tierras templadas, bring clothes for spring and autumn. For Mexico City and the
tierras frìas, bring clothes for spring and autumn during the day, but also a warm jacket and a hat for the evening. For the highest mountains, bring warm clothes, such as a down jacket, gloves, a beanie.
For the
tierras calientes, light clothing, a sweatshirt for the evening in Yucatan and Riviera Maya. When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
In
summer: bring light clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, a light raincoat. For the Chihuahuan Desert, add a sweatshirt for the evening. For Mexico City and the
tierras frìas, add a sweatshirt or sweater for the evening, a jacket and an umbrella. For the highest mountains, warm clothes, a warm jacket, a wind jacket, gloves, a hat, hiking shoes.
Back to the climate of
Mexico