Choosing The Right Season to Visit Mexico

Spring and summer in Mexico

Spring and summer are the hottest months in Mexico, so if you prefer more temperate climates, choose Mexico in the autumn and winter months or visit places in Mexico’s highlands (principally, Colonial Cities and inland nature areas), keeping away from the low-lying coasts which are particularly hot and humid during the summer months.

See Also: Spring Climates in Mexico and Summer Climates in Mexico

Related: Hot Coasts, Cool Colonial Cities

Autumn and winter in Mexico

High summer temperatures begin to ease from September onward. The cooler temperatures bring an end to the monsoon rains, and although the highland areas of the country can turn cool (and even cold overnight and early mornings), the coastal areas south of the Tropic of Cancer tend to remain warm, only cooling overnight or if a cold front blows down from the north—which does happen on occasions.

See Also: Autumn Climates in Mexico and Winter Climates in Mexico

The rainy season in Mexico

Mexico’s rainy season runs from May to October each year. Rains can start a little earlier or later. Rain storms tend to arrive in the afternoon, leaving the evenings dry and cooled-off, with mornings bright and sunny. If you want guaranteed sunshine, either avoid the rainy season or visit an area in Mexico not affected by it. For further information see:

See Also: Mexico’s Rainy Season and the Mexico Climates page.

The dry season in Mexico

When the season rains finish in the late fall the cycle begins to unveil a significant change as the moisture evaporates from the ground and the air becomes noticeably drier.  Learn more about the dry season in Mexico.

Mexico, a land of three lands

Mexico’s geographical territory is composed of a diverse topography including coastal plains, temperate highlands and extensive mountain ranges which climb to heights of over 10,000 feet above sea level. This diversity gives rise to a range of different climate zones. Learn more about these to help you choose locations to visit in Mexico:

See Also: Land of Three Lands

A note about high elevations in Mexico

Many really good places to see in Mexico are situated at high altitudes.  Heights of 5,000-7,000 feet above sea level are not unusual for cities in Mexico’s colonial heartland as well as those in the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas.  Mexico City and Guadalajara are also cities situated at altitude. To learn more about how to acclimatize:

See Also: Breathing Easy at High Elevation

Major events in Mexico

If you plan to visit Mexico during a major national event you will need to plan ahead as transport, and hotels in particular, become booked-up quickly in certain areas at certain times of the year.

Guelaguetza

If you are visiting Oaxaca in mid July for the Guelaguetza Festival, you will definitely need to book your accommodations in advance for this event.

Spring and Autumn Equinox

If you plan to visit Chichen Itza on/around March 21st and/or September 21st each year, you will need to book local accommodations well in advance.

Feria de San Marcos

If you plan to be in or nearby Aguascalientes between mid March and mid April, you will need to book in advance, as the city’s annual fair attracts some 3 million visitors and all decent hotels get booked solid during the 3-week long festival.
See Also: Feria de San Marcos, Aguascalientes

Mother’s Day in Mexico

May 10 is Mother’s Day in Mexico, a huge cultural event. If you are in Mexico on this day and plan to eat out, it’s advisable to book your restaurant table in advance.

Pamplonadas in San Miguel Allende

If you plan to visit San Miguel Allende during late September, book your hotel in advance and keep in mind that the town’s Pamplonadas, (“bull runs”) take place in the city the second from last or last weekend of the month (varies by year). The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the area and it’s not unusual for at least one person to get hurt—we recommend exercising precautions if you do attend.

Independence Day

The week leading up to and including September 15th & 16th each year requires advance booking at hotels in all of Mexico’s principal towns and cities and especially in historic places with strong links to the independence movement including: Mexico City, Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato.

Festival Cervantino in Guanajuato

Guanajuato is host to one of the country’s most important art culture festivals—Festival Cervantino. It runs for three weeks in October (exact dates vary) and you absolutely need to book your accommodations and travel in advance if you plan to visit the festival or be in Guanajuato during October.
See Also: Festival Cervantino

Day of the Dead

The week leading up to and including November 1st & 2nd each year. You definitely need to book ahead if you are visiting the colonial cities of Patzcuaro or Oaxaca.
See Also: Celebrating Life on Day of the Dead

Carnaval de Veracruz

The Carnaval de Veracruz, which is said to rival Rio and New Orleans, is scheduled to begin nine days before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, so the exact dates change each year. The carnival attracts people regionally, nationally and internationally, so if you plan to attend, be sure to book your travel and accommodation in advance.

Mérida Festival

The City of Mérida Festival, celebrating the city’s birth over 460 years ago, and the city’s principal arts festival overlap each other in January. If you are planning to attend the events or travel in Merida during this time, book in advance.

Peak holiday seasons in Mexico

In addition to the major calendar events, Mexico is popular at certain times of the year, as described in this summary:

Christmas & New Year

Mexicans and foreign visitors alike get away with their families at Christmas, making beach resorts and popular colonial cities very busy indeed. Airports and bus stations are particularly busy on the days at the beginning and end of the Christmas holiday season.
See Also: Christmas in Mexico and New Year Celebrations in Mexico

Easter Week (Semana Santa)

Easter is a huge holiday in Mexico. With Mexican schools out and foreign visitors arriving in large numbers, this is the tourism’s industry’s busiest time of the year – even bigger than Christmas and New Year. You must book in advance if you plan to travel to Mexico’s popular resorts, beach towns and colonial cities; although some places, like Mexico City, are quieter and provide an opportunity to visit the capital with less crowds.
See Also: Mexico City During Easter Week

July and August

July and August are the peak holiday months in Mexico. If you plan to visit Mexico at the height of summer, expect airports, bus stations and hotels to be more crowded and room prices and air fares will be more expensive too; in line with peak prices for Easter and Christmas.

Public Holidays in Mexico

Mexico has a number of public holidays, including some ‘Holiday Weekends’ where major holiday dates are moved to the nearest Monday to make a long weekend. You can learn about these on the Mexico Public Holidays page.

Guanajuato is one of a group of old silver mining cities, which also includes San Miguel, Zacatecas, Queretaro, San Luis Potosí and Alamos. You can discover all these places with Mexperience.

These cities all lie northwest of Mexico City. Each has its own unique character, features, and atmosphere and together they make up some of Mexico’s best inland travel experiences.  Mexico’s colonial cities are not overwhelmed with tourists as some of the coastal areas can be. It’s in the colonial cities that the real Mexico begins to emerge: places where you’ll experience magnificent scenery, stay at wonderful colonial hotels that offer terrific value for money, and savor local foods and flavors as colorful and diverse as the cultures that created them.

Guanajuato (gwah-nah-HWAH-toh) is a colonial gem sitting in a valley around 220 miles northwest of Mexico City. If Mexico’s colonial cities were a crown, Guanajuato would, without doubt, be its prime jewel. The town has been named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The great architecture of this gorgeous city was built using the enormous wealth generated from the silver mines that enjoyed their heyday during the 17th and 18th centuries; during this period, Guanajuato was the source for one-third of the world’s silver.

Today, you can see Guanajuato in its unspoiled and beautifully preserved splendor. Coming here is like stepping back in time; the city is remarkable and offers visitors an authentic colonial experience amidst one of the most picturesque colonial backdrops to be found anywhere in Mexico.

Guanajuato is clean, tidy, and very safe. Its cobbled streets twist and turn, so just walking around is an adventure. The city’s maze-like layout often creates opportunities for serendipitous encounters, with visitors discovering things they had never planned to see, but are glad they did.

This city has a genuine colonial look, style, feel and atmosphere. Cobbled streets, churches, asymmetrical buildings, an amazing tapestry of color, vibrancy and sheer historical splendor await all who visit.  You’ll need a good pair of walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the city on foot, some roads and alleyways feature steep and steady climbs, sometimes along cobbled pavements.

Guanajuato remains largely an undiscovered treasure among foreign tourists to Mexico. It’s a very popular weekend getaway for Mexicans and their families living in the region, and if you make the time to come here, you won’t be disappointed.

Key Attractions

Colonial Center

Guanajuato doesn’t have a main square like the other colonial cities; but the Jardín de la Unión (Union Garden), an intimate tree-covered urban green space, is a popular meeting place.

However, Guanajuato does have lots of small plazas, each of which is connected by an intricate and complex series of cobbled streets and narrow alleys. Guanajuato winds and bends all over the place—it’s a delight to discover. Get a tourist map at the local tourism office (see below). If you get lost, the locals are very friendly and will point you in the right direction.

Some of the more photogenic plazas are Plaza San Roque, which hosts outdoor theater productions during the Festival Cervantino and Plaza de la Paz, adjacent to the Basilica and surrounded by mansions, owned by former silver magnates who lived here during the boom years.

Teatro Juarez is a major attraction – the architecture outside and the decor inside are both well worth a look.

For great bird’s-eye view photographs of the city get up to El Pipila; the statue at the top of the hill, commemorating Jose de los Reyes Martinez, who is said to have given his life opening the doors of the granary where Guanajuato’s rich and powerful were sheltering, enabling the rag-tag independence army to take control of the town during the struggle for Independence.

Templo de Cata is a small miner’s church, which you’ll see up on the mountain to the north of the city. Admission is free and this is another good place from which to take photographs.

The Basilica is the main place of worship in Guanajuato; other main churches include Iglesia de San Diego, Templo de la Compañía de Jesus and Templo de San Francisco.

Callejon del Beso – alley of the kiss – is famous for its balconies, which are so close to each other they nearly touch. Locals will recite an old tale of forbidden lovers for a small tip.

Museums and Art in Guanajuato

Guanajuato’s Mummy Museum is situated just outside of the town on the northwest side. The local water supply is so packed full of minerals, that people who drink it all of their lives are effectively preserved naturally when they die. Coupled with the ultra-dry climate, their bodies don’t decompose, and those who cannot afford the cemetery’s land rents end up cremated or on display at the mummy museum (only about 1% end up here). Glass cabinets house mummified remains of the dead, and a tour guide will happily tell you stories about the people currently on display. Rather macabre, but also a fascinating tour – certainly different.

Those who like art won’t want to miss Diego Rivera’s birthplace. The house has been restored recently and converted into a museum. Some of Rivera’s early works are on display.

Festival Cervantino Internacional

This festival, held in October each year (exact dates vary) is in celebration of Cervantes (of Don Quixote fame), during which time you can experience exhibitions, arts and performances from artists around the world. This festival is one of the biggest and most important festivals in Mexico, and one of the most repected festivals in the world. To find out dates and events, visit the organizer’s official website. This is an incredibly busy time in Guanajuato and we recommend that you Book your hotel accommodation early.

See Blog: International Cervantino Festival

Learn Spanish in Guanajuato

Besides being one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial cities, it is also a top venue for people who want to attend a residential Spanish School to mix learning and pleasure in the World Heritage city of Guanajuato. There’s no better way to learn Spanish than by becoming immersed in it at a language school in Mexico. Read our guide to Learning Spanish in Mexico for more details and to find a language school in Guanajuato.

Golf in Guanajuato

The climate in this region is ideal for golf and there are several good golf courses in the area to enjoy.

Getting There & Around

By Air – The closest airport is between León and Silao “Bajio International Airport”, and stands about 40km (about 25 miles) from Guanajuato. The closest (main) airport is Leon. The only way to get back and forth to Guanajuato from the airport is to drive you own car or take a private taxi. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus – You can travel to Guanajuato on a luxury bus from Mexico City— the trip takes around 4 hours. There are plenty of buses to Guanajuato, all day, every day. For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – Driving to Guanajuato is very fast and efficient now that many high-speed and safe toll roads connect with the city. It looks longer on the map, but Highway 57, leading to Highway 45D, then Highway 45, and lastly bear east on Highway 110 is the fastest route (tolled, four-lane carriageways all the way). See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Car Rental – To explore Mexico’s colonial towns and cities, consider renting a car for your visit. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

Taxis – Guanajuato’s taxis are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a better price! Another good reason to Learn Spanish

Local Events Calendar

Practical Information

Telephone: Connect to the guide about Communications in Mexico on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Banks with ATM machines are found throughout the downtown area of Guanajuato. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

Festival Cervantino Internacional: This festival, held in October each year (exact dates vary) is in celebration of Cervantes (of Don Quixote fame), during which time you can experience exhibitions, arts and performances from artists around the world. This festival is one of the biggest and most important festivals in Mexico, and one of the most respected festivals in the world. To find out dates and events, visit the organizer’s official website. This is an incredibly busy time in Guanajuato and we recommend that you Book your hotel accommodation early. See Blog: International Cervantino Festival

Cervantino Festival Bookings: If you plan to visit and stay in Guanajuato during the Festival Cervantino, book early. Last-minute hotel rooms are impossible to find at this time, and most last-minute visitors to the festival end up staying in the nearby towns of Queretaro, Leon or San Miguel and drive in to Guanajuato during the day.

Local Climate

Guanajuato enjoys year-round, spring-like and very dry weather. The climate is ideal for taking part in a variety of outdoor sports and activities and for taking in the local culture, architecture and scenery. Rain is seldom; the infrequent thunderstorms happen April thru November and tend to be fierce and brief in the late afternoons, leaving the evenings dry and cooled off. Winter nights can get quite cold – down to freezing, so pack some warm clothes during these times.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico

Guanajuato was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO in 1988 and Cervantino Capital of the Americas in 2005. Each year in October, this colonial city hosts the most important artistic and cultural festival in Latin America – the Festival Internacional Cervantino. The city provides an ideal stage for every field of arts and culture, and the festival has created a tradition that goes beyond Mexico’s borders; today it is one of the world’s most respected international cultural events.

The Festival Internacional Cervantino has been celebrated in Guanajuato since 1972 and is the result of the outstanding quality and tradition of its University’s Theater Group, especially its repertoire of plays from Spain’s Gold Era, and in particular, Don Quijote de la Mancha, written by Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra, from whom the festival takes its name. The festival was originally known as the “Entremeses Cervantinos” (playlets) due to the one-act plays performed at the theater. On its 20th anniversary the event came to the attention of Mexico’s then president Luis Echeverría (1970-1976), who decided to create a festival of international quality to promote cultural, artistic and humanistic relations with other countries.

With support from the country’s National Council for Arts and Culture, the state government, the city, the University of Guanajuato, and several private sector sponsors, the Festival Internacional Cervantino attracts artists and companies from all cultural fields throughout the world. One way or another, every country has been represented at this festival over the years.

The events and activities for each festival are chosen based on their cultural wealth, scope, originality, innovation and international standing. As a member of the European Festivals Association and the Asian Scenic Arts Festivals Association, the Festival Internacional Cervantino is able to offer international variety and quality at each event.

The event offers an extensive selection of cultural programs from different countries including dance, music, visual arts, cinema, theater, conferences, and exhibitions. Each year different countries throughout the world and states within Mexico are invited to participate at the event. To date, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and the Mexican state of Nayarit have accepted invitations to participate at this year’s festival, being hosted from October 12th to 30th, 2011.

The Festival Internacional Cervantino is the most important annual event held in Guanajuato attracting both Mexican and international visitors. For nineteen exciting days this quiet colonial city buzzes with activity as close to 200,000 visitors are entertained with cultural and artistic performances from around the world.

Hotels become booked up months in advance for the festival, so if you plan to visit Guanajuato in October we recommend you book early.

See Also: Mexperience Guide to Guanajuato