Also known as Epiphany, the date marks the visit of the Magi to the Christ child: they are traditionally considered to have numbered three wise men, corresponding to the three gifts mentioned in the Bible.

Gift-giving traditions

For many years, Three Kings Day was the date when gifts would be given to Mexican children, who would put shoes out before going to bed on the evening of January 5th. Although this was gradually and inexorably taken over by the imported tradition of Santa Claus, families here maintain the tradition of giving children toys on Three Kings Day. Rather than the main course, this is for many a complement to the excesses of modern-day Christmas; “Por no dejar” —for the sake of keeping it— as some may say.

The continuation of Three Kings Day celebration is notable in the commercial world: toy prices in Mexican stores aren’t discounted to unload leftover inventory until around the second week of January, and the days leading up to January 5th can often see shoppers out late at stores and markets desperately seeking to fill last-minute orders.

Rosca de Reyes

The extravagant meals taken at Christmas and New Year are not repeated on Día de Reyes, but instead Rosca de Reyes (“Kings’ Loaf”) is eaten, usually with hot chocolate.

The large oval-shaped cakes —sweet bread topped with crystallized fruit and sugar— are interspersed with little plastic dolls representing the baby Jesus. Whoever gets a doll in their slice, and you have to cut your own to avoid feelings of being cheated, is supposed to buy the tamales on February 2nd—Día de la Candelaria: a Catholic tradition celebrating the presentation of Jesus in the temple.

How many of the people who get the slices with dolls actually end up buying the tamales themselves is an open question. But you probably don’t want to gather for Rosca with people who insist on further slicing each slice horizontally to inspect for dolls: not the spirit you’d want to start out the year with.

Rosca de Reyes, of course, shows up in the shops long before January, just as Pan de Muerto is usually available long before Día de los Muertos.

Closing out the Guadalupe-Reyes festive season

There are other ways in which Día de Reyes marks the end of the long holiday season, sometimes referred to as Guadalupe-Reyes to describe the slow month between Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th and the grade schools going back for the new term around January 7th.

It’s also the time to start taking down Christmas trees, festive lights, and other seasonal decorations. But there’s no rush.

Tamales and Constitution Day

Candelaria on February 2nd isn’t a holiday in the sense of having the day off work, but it does come a few days before the Constitution Day holiday, which is celebrated on the first Monday in February.  That is also an official holiday, and for U.S. sports fans it has the added advantage of usually being the day after Super Bowl Sunday.

So tamales and American football. It doesn’t get much more convenient, or neighborly, than that.

Most Mexicans spend the eve of the New Year at a private party hosted in their home with close friends and family gathered near; younger people may attend dinner parties at hotels or other events hosted in public plazas; and some families who live in cooler climates may repair to the one of Mexico’s coastal resorts for some winter warmth and a party at a privately-rented house, or attend a dinner party at their hotel.

New Year celebrations at family homes

Families tend to pass New Year’s Eve at their homes in Mexico—either at their own, or at a nearby friend’s house, where a party may be organized, or a more simple gathering with a supper and drinks prepared.  The celebrations might later spill-out onto the local street, where an impromptu and convivial congregation with the neighbors could take place.

New Year dinner parties

Young adults usually ring-in the New Year with their friends and cohorts at locally-arranged parties or public plazas.  In urban centers —and especially in Mexico’s three big cities— fashionable ‘chic’ hotels arrange a New Year’s Eve dinner and a party for a fixed price.  Revelers at these events will usually repair to one of the hotel’s rooms, with late check-out arrangements in place allowing guests to sleep-off the party.

Popular oceanside resorts like Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and the Riviera Maya fill-up for New Year’s Eve, and you can expect to pay a premium for experiencing celebrations at these places—whether you stay at a hotel, or rent a private home.

Some hotels and resorts host dinner parties with dancing, live music or other entertainments for guests who want to participate, and some also welcome guests who are not staying at the hotel/resort—check locally for details.

Some of the more elegant hotels in Mexico’s provincial cities may host a gala dinner and dance event; room rates are in-line with their high-season prices and there is an additional cover charge to attend the dinner and cocktail party.

Civic events and local markets

In larger towns and cities, you’ll find civic events taking place in and around the zocalo (central plaza), which usually includes market stalls, food and drink stands, live music, dance groups, as well as other forms of street entertainment.  Street and public festivities vary by town and city—check locally for details and arrangements.

Elegant firework displays

Fireworks are tremendously popular for all types of celebrations in Mexico, and New Year firework displays tend to be among the most elegant.

In smaller towns and villages locals usually set-off private displays in their gardens, at local neighborhood town squares, or on their street. Formal displays arranged by local governments or hotels & resorts can offer extravagant displays which feature a wide assortment of pyrotechnics and create spectacular shows of light and sound for anyone in the vicinity to witness and enjoy.

Grapes and other traditions

In addition to the demand for fireworks, markets undertake a brisk trade in grapes on the run-up to New Year, as well as red and yellow-colored underwear.

These satisfy a demand to uphold Mexican traditions which include eating twelve grapes at midnight —one grape to be taken on each strike of the midnight toll— and, for the superstitious, wearing red underwear to draw luck in matters of love, and yellow underwear to draw luck in matters relating to money during the coming year.

Another tradition practiced by some with plans to travel in the New Year is to carry an empty suitcase around the block, so as to attract good fortune in one’s future expeditions.  Some parties also celebrate the New Year by breaking open a piñata.

An older tradition, not witnessed frequently these days, is one where a well-heeled member of the local community throws coins —traditionally silver troy ounces, although today Mexican legal tender is more common— from a high balcony or a rooftop to children who gather below and retrieve the falling coins for spending in the New Year.

Traditional Mexican food for New Year’s Eve

The traditional foods taken on the eve of the New Year include bacalao, a salted dried codfish re-hydrated and prepared in a stew with fresh chiles and green olives; tamales, natural corn-paste flavored using sweet or savory ingredients, wrapped in corn leaves and steamed; and bañuelos, light and crisp Mexican wafers drizzled with a sweet syrup made using piloncillo.

Traditional seasonal tipples include ponche, a fruit-punch spiked with rum; and rompope—eggnog.  Tequila and mezcal, champagne, and sparkling cider (sidra) are also firm favorites for New Year celebrations here.

The Guadalupe-Reyes festive period continues

With party-goers well-fed and properly watered, and grapes scoffed at the stroke of midnight, a ritual of hugs and kisses begins, in line with Mexican social etiquette, before dancing and music continues into the early hours and, for some, through to daybreak on January 1st.

Following the year-end climax celebrations, Mexico’s festivities continue into the New Year: the Guadalupe-Reyes festive period that begins with Día de Guadalupe on December 12th, continues until January 6th, King’s Day, or Epiphany.

Christmas and New Year traditions in Mexico

Mexperience helps you to discover Christmas traditions in Mexico and enjoy all the country offers during this important festive period:

• Learn about preparing for Christmas and New Year in Mexico
• The story of Juan Diego and Guadalupe
• Christmas party Piñatas
• The Christmas Aguinaldo
• Learn about Mexican party foods at Christmastime
• Enjoying Mexico’s traditional Christmas Posadas
• December Festivities and the Christmas Experience
• New Year Celebrations in Mexico
• Kings’ Day gifts and Rosca de Reyes
• Articles about Christmas and New Year in Mexico

A time for family gatherings in Mexico

Christmas is one of Mexico’s most important annual events.  It’s a time when families travel —sometimes long distances— to be in each other’s company and, in addition to the influx of foreign tourists who flock here for a Christmas vacation away from home, millions of Mexicans travel, too.

Many Capitalinos use Christmas to take a vacation away from the capital and some Mexicans travel between Christmas and the New Year to visit relatives living abroad.

The holiday season begins on December 12th

In villages, towns, and cities across the country, local people prepare for and celebrate a variety of Christmas and New Year festivities, with festivities starting on December 12th, Día de Guadalupe—kicking-off a period colloquially known in Mexico as the Guadalupe-Reyes holiday season.

There’s a particular emphasis on Posadas—traditional Christmas parties that begin as processions re-enacting Joseph and Mary’s search for an inn, and continue with a party at someone’s home.  The Posadas Navideñas are held in the eight-day period between December 16th and Christmas Eve.

Shops and markets are very busy this time of year

Supermarkets and shopping centers in big towns and cities fill-up with festive shoppers buying food, presents and decorations for this holiday season.

Town squares across the country become drenched in color as they are adorned with lights and festive decorations; traditional Christmas fairs and markets pop-up in plazas, along streets, and even in local neighborhoods.  Brightly decorated Piñatas appear in earnest: an essential item at any Mexican Christmas party and traditional posada.

By contrast, the week between Christmas and New Year tends to be one of the quietest in Mexico City.  The capital’s infamous traffic congestion dissolves, the air becomes cleaner, and the city feels almost nostalgic for those who remember what the capital felt like several decades ago.  It’s the perfect time to visit if you prefer a quieter, more serene, capital city to wander about in.

Christmas Eve in Mexico

Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas Day in Mexico.  Stores close early on the 24th as everyone leaves their work behind to rest with their families and to take Christmas supper: roast turkey is now a popular dish, although bacalao, (codfish) cooked with a mixture of spices and olives, remains a traditional and tasty Christmas Eve supper meal enjoyed by many.  Christmas Eve festivities tend to linger on into the early hours, making Christmas Day one of rest and recovery.

New Year’s Eve in Mexico

Families tend to pass New Year’s Eve at their homes in Mexico, although New Year’s celebrations do also take place at central plazas in larger towns and cities as well as all the popular vacation resorts.

The celebrations at Mexico City’s famous Zocalo tend to be the prime focal point for nighttime TV shows that beam a live count down to midnight across the country.

Local churches and plazas become gathering places for people in provincial towns and cities; most churches ring their bells at the stroke of midnight.  You can also expect to hear a torrent of fireworks welcoming-in the New Year.  People passing the event at home often follow the tradition of eating twelve grapes, one for each toll of the midnight bells, in hope of good fortunes throughout the New Year.

Kings’ Day gifts and loaf

Traditionally, Mexicans wait to exchange their gifts on January 6th — Día de Reyes although modern influences have changed routines and today, gifts are more often exchanged on Christmas Eve with children receiving additional gifts on Kings’ Day, when the tasty Rosca de Reyes is also sliced and eaten.

Travel planning during the Christmas period

If you plan to take a Christmas vacation in Mexico at any of the country’s principal beach locations or favored colonial cities, it’s advisable to book in advance to get the best choice of accommodations.

When you’re traveling in Mexico during the Christmas holiday period, allow plenty of extra time to get to and from airports and bus stations, especially between December 17th and December 24th, and again between December 29th and January 6th.

Learn more about Christmas in Mexico

• Learn about preparing for Christmas and New Year in Mexico
• Dia de Guadalupe heralds the start of the end-of-year festivities in Mexico.
• Posadas Navideñas are an integral and essential part of Christmas traditions in Mexico.
• Colorful piñatas are an essential component of every Christmas party in Mexico.
• Discover the Mexican Christmas experience and festivities
• How the New Year is traditionally welcomed in Mexico.
• Kings’ Day gifts, delicious loaf, and the baby doll that determines who hosts the tamales party in February.
• Learn all about Christmas in Mexico on our feature section.

Guadalupe-Reyes begins December 12

December 12 is Dia de Guadalupe: coupled with Easter, this date marks the most important religious event on Mexico’s annual calendar.  The period in Mexico traditionally termed as Guadalupe-Reyes, defines the holiday period that begins on December 12 and ends on January 6th, Kings’ Day or Epiphany.  The period is also linked to Candlemas on February 2nd, when those who found a baby doll in their slice of rosca de reyes on January 6th host a party serving tamales at their home.

Mexico’s traditional Christmas processions

Posadas Navideñas lead up to Christmas, and the New Year festivities. If you’re traveling in Mexico, the period between December 20th and January 6th is the busiest time of year on roads in and out of major cities, and at bus stations and airports as people away for the holidays.

Book early for the best accommodations

If you plan to take a leisure break in Mexico over Christmas and/or New Year, you’ll need to book early to get the best choice of places to stay.

As of December 15th, flight prices increase and availability of seats on internal domestic flights as well as international flights out of Mexico diminishes as Mexicans and foreign residents living here leave to holiday or visit their families abroad.  It’s wise to build-in some extra time for your journey to and through the airport, as the seasonal swell in passenger numbers slows everything down.

Buses and bus stations across Mexico also fill-up as local families travel to be with their loved ones and share time together during the festive period.  Throughout most of the year, you can usually show up and buy a bus ticket on the day you are traveling and be assured of a seat on the next bus out; but if you plan to travel by bus during the days around Christmas and New Year, we recommend you buy your tickets in advance as demand for seats is high at this time of year.

Mexico City is quieter during the Christmas break

Mexico City tends to empty-out during the week between Christmas and New Year as it does during Easter week, as capitalinos leave the metropolis to holiday abroad, visit family in the provinces, or take a well-earned break at one of Mexico’s many beach resorts or picturesque colonial cities.

Driving in Mexico during the Christmas holiday season

If you’re planning to drive in Mexico over the Christmas period, be aware that the principal arterial roads out of Mexico City (towards Cuernavaca, Puebla, Toluca, and Querétaro) become jam-packed in the week leading up to Christmas, and those same roads leading back in to Mexico City can become jammed on any days between December 30th and January 6th as holiday-makers in the provinces return to the capital.

Learn more about Christmas traditions in Mexico

Mexperience helps you to discover Christmas traditions in Mexico and enjoy all the country offers during this important festive period

• The story of Juan Diego and Guadalupe
• Christmas party Piñatas
• The Christmas Aguinaldo
• Learn about Mexican party foods at Christmastime
• Enjoying Mexico’s traditional Christmas Posadas
• December Festivities and the Christmas Experience
• New Year Celebrations in Mexico
• Kings’ Day gifts and Rosca de Reyes
• Articles about Christmas and New Year in Mexico

Statutory holidays are legislated at a Federal level and dates given as a holiday by statute are termed locally as “Dias Feriados.” There are currently ten statutory holidays in Mexico, as well as a range of civic holidays and regional/national festivities.

See also: When to visit Mexico: Seasons and Events

Statutory Public Holiday dates in Mexico

Statutory holidays are dates decreed as national holidays for all workers in Mexico. There are currently ten statutory holiday dates in Mexico, as follows:

January 1

Año Nuevo. New Year’s Day. Banks, offices and factories remain closed.

February 5

Dia de la Constitucion. This day celebrates the promulgation of the country’s 1917 Constitution The date is observed on the first Monday in February.
See also: Long weekend holidays in Mexico

March 21

Cumpleaños de Benito Juarez. The birth date of Benito Juarez, Mexico’s first and most revered President, is celebrated with a public holiday. The date is observed on the nearest Monday to his birth date every March.
See also: Long weekend holidays in Mexico and Benito Juarez
See also: Benito Juarez

March/April:

Semana de Pascua. Easter week holidays vary depending on each year: consult your calendar for details. In Mexico, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are designated public holidays.
See also: Easter in Mexico

May 1:

Dia del Trabajo. Mexico, like many other industrialized countries, Mexico celebrates Labor Day on May 1 every year, commemorating the advent of workers’ unions. All banks and offices close, but most shopping centers remain open for business.

September 16

Dia de la Independencia. This date commemorates the date when Father Miguel Hidalgo made his ‘cry for independence’ on September 16, 1810 in the town of Dolores Hidalgo — an event that ultimately led to Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule. Independence celebrations take place on the evening of September 15; September 16 is a public holiday.
See also: Independence Day in Mexico

November 2

Dia de los Fieles Difuntos. Mexico’s “Day of the Dead”, celebrations take place over 2 days (November 1st and 2nd) and contemporarily, October 31 is often included, taking-in Halloween. Mexico’s banks and businesses close on November 2, to observe this important religious holiday in Mexico.
See also: Day of the Dead in Mexico

November 20

Dia de la Revolucion. November 20 commemorates the start date of Mexico’s 1910 revolution, led by Francisco I. Madero. The date is observed on the third Monday in November.
See also: Mexican Revolution and Long weekend holidays in Mexico

December 1 (presidential election year)

Transmision del Poder Ejecutivo Federal. Mexico’s Federal Government and Presidency returns for re-election every six years. On the date of transition, which is December 1 every six years, Mexico observes a public holiday.
See also: Mexican Politics

December 25

Dia de Navidad. Christmas Day is observed with a public holiday in Mexico.
See also: Christmas in Mexico

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Civic holidays in Mexico

In addition to the national holidays decreed by statute, Mexico observes a number of other Civic Holidays. These are not holidays although some states and municipalities may observe them and offer workers time off in their locale.

February 19

Dia del Ejercito. Army Day, also known as Dia de la Lealtad (Day of Loyalty), commemorates the day when President Madero was escorted to the National Palace by cadets of the nation’s military college.

February 24

Dia de la Bandera. Flag Day was introduced by President Lazaro Cardenas, a man best known for having nationalized Mexican oil reserves in the 1930’s. The day commemorates Mexico’s current flag as well as previous ones. Schools often get children to undertake flag research projects for presentation on this day.

March 18

Anniversario de la Expropriacion Petrolera. This day commemorates the day in 1938 when President Lazaro Cardenas expropriated all oil reserves and declared oil a strategic Mexican national asset.

April 21

Heroica Defensa de Veracruz. The Heroic Defense of Veracruz commemorates the defense of Veracruz in 1914 when the port city was sieged the by the USA.
See also: Guide to Veracruz

May 5

Batalla de Puebla. The Battle of Puebla, or more commonly referred to as simply Cinco de Mayo, is observed as a public holiday in the state of Puebla, but nowhere else in Mexico. The date commemorates the victory of a small Mexican army against a French army double the size on May 5, 1862. The French re-took the city a year later and soon after installed Emperor Maximilian in 1864. The date is far more widely celebrated by people in the USA than in Mexico itself; possibly due to beer and liquor companies aligning themselves with the date as part of their US marketing. The date is sometimes mistakenly associated with Mexico’s Independence, which is September 16.
See also: Cinco de Mayo in Mexico

May 8

Cumpleaños de Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Miguel Hidalgo is known as the “Father of Mexican Independence.” Although he and his conspirators were captured and executed by the Spanish for their insurgency against the Spanish Crown, his movement gave inspiration and created a political vacuum that eventually led to Mexico’s independence from Spain and, alongside Ignacio Allende and Jose Maria Morelos, is a revered personality in Mexico’s independence history.
See also: Mexico’s History

June 1

Dia de la Marina. Mexico’s Navy Day, acknowledging the nation’s maritime service men and women. The day is commemorated with various military parades.

September 13

Dia de los Niños Heroes. “Boy Heroes” (or Cadet Heroes); this day commemorates the events which took place at the Battle of Chapultepec, in modern-day Mexico City. The battle, which took place during the Mexican-American war in 1847, gave victory to US troops over Mexican forces defending Chapultepec Castle. According to military records, six cadets refused to fall back as the superior US forces moved to take the castle; choosing to fight to the death; the last of the six is said to have wrapped himself in a flag and jumped from the castle point. The event is also commemorated in a permanent monument of six pillars, which stands at the foot of the castle near the capital’s principal boulevard, Paseo de la Reforma.

September 27

Consumacion de la Independencia. Consummation of Independence; this date marks the end of the War of Independence, eleven years after Miguel Hidalgo’s ‘cry for independence’.

September 30

Cumpleaños de Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon. Birth date of Jose Maria Morelos, a general in the armed struggle for independence who took up leadership of the rebellion following the execution of Miguel Hidalgo. Jose Maria Morelos was captured and executed by the Spanish for treason in 1815. Following the execution his Lieutenant, Vicente Guerrero, continued the armed struggle against the Spaniards for Mexican independence. The city of Valladolid was later renamed in his honor to present-day Morelia.
See also: Guide to Morelia.

October 12

Dia de La Raza. Columbus Day; commemorates the Discovery of the New World by the Italian navigator, Christopher Columbus.

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Principal festivity dates in Mexico

These festivities are generally observed in modern-day Mexican culture, but they are not statutory or civic holidays in Mexico.

January 6

Epiphany, also known in Spanish as Dia de los Reyes Magos. In previous generations it was on this day that children received their holiday gifts; today, children receive their gifts at Christmas and sometimes an additional gift on this date. It’s also the date when Rosca de Reyes is taken, a sweet bread inside which is hidden a plastic doll. If your slice contains the doll, you host a party at your home on February 2, Candles mass, and serve Mexican corn tamales.

February 2

Dia de la Candelaria – Candle mass. This is the date when tamales, flavored (sweet or sour) corn paste wrapped in corn leaves and steamed, are eaten. If your slice of Rosca de Reyes contained the plastic doll, traditionally you serve tamales at a house party on this date.

February 14

Not traditionally a Mexican holiday, but with the Anglo-American influence February 14th is celebrated as Valentines Day — Dia del Amor y la Amistad — particularly in more urbanized places across the country.

April 30

Dia del Niño — Children’s Day is widely observed in Mexico. It’s not a holiday but children receive gifts from family members on this day.

May 10

Dia de las Madres — Mother’s Day is an important cultural date in Mexico, as the country has a strong matriarchal culture. Families take their mothers and grandmothers out to lunch. Restaurants are very busy on this date.

May 15

Dia del Maestro — Teacher’s Day, traditionally school-age children will take their home room teacher a small gift.

Third Sunday in June

Dia del Padre – Father’s day in Mexico. Children will buy a gift for their father and some families take their fathers out to lunch. Restaurants are very busy on this date.

November 1 & 2

Dia de los Muertos, also Dia de los Fieles Difuntos: All Saints Day and All Souls Day. One of the most important religious holidays in Mexico. November 1 is not a public holiday but November 2 is. Halloween (October 31) is often tied-in with the festivities these days.
See also: Celebrating Life on Day of the Dead in Mexico

December 12

Dia de la Virgen Guadalupe – Not a public holiday but an important religious holiday in Mexico.
See also: The Virgin Guadalupe and Juan Diego

December 16-24

Posadas Navideñas – Christmas processions begin on the 16th and run until Christmas Eve on December 24.
See also: Posadas Navideñas

December 24 & 25

Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) and Dia de Navidad (Christmas Day). Traditionally, Mexicans take their main Christmas meal and open presents on the evening of the 24th. Some families have taken up the Anglo-American tradition of eating on the 25th. The 25th is a public holiday, but the 24th is a normal working day in Mexico.
See also: Christmas in Mexico

December 28

Dia de los Santos Innocentes — Day of the Innocent Saints. This is a day when Mexicans traditionally play practical jokes on each other, similar to April Fool’s day in the Anglo traditions.

December 31

New Year’s Eve. New Year’s eve is a traditionally a family affair in Mexico, although the squares of main towns and cities will fill up with revelers celebrating the New Year.
See also: New Year Celebrations in Mexico

When to visit Mexico

Mexico offers visitors and foreign residents year-round opportunities to enjoy the climate, culture, and events taking place here. For details about seasons and events see the article about when to visit Mexico

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.