The Best and Worst Time of Year To Visit Central Mexico
The country of Mexico is as diverse as its choices of tacos. From its world-class beaches on two different coasts to snow-capped mountains and volcanoes, you can experience a range of ecosystems within a few hours’ drive.
And while many people think Mexico is hot year-round, there are parts of Mexico where the temperatures are pleasant for a good 10 months out of the year. Central Mexico is a high-altitude region home to charming colonial towns, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, world-renowned wine regions, and regional culinary delights. We share the best and worst times to visit Central Mexico plus unique festivals based on our seven years of living in Mexico.
Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links where we receive a super-small commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. We call this our Chocolate & Churro Fund.
How We Came to Know Central Mexico
As a child, Tom spent a few summers in Central Mexico visiting his grandmother who retired and lived in San Miguel de Allende for 20 years.
My first experience in Central Mexico was visiting Mexico City with Tom after we were married. I had heard about San Miguel de Allende for years because my mom, an artist, had always wanted to see the town.
During our first few years of marriage, we looked for a place to semi-retire outside the United States. The expat retirement magazine International Living always featured San Miguel de Allende, and Guanajuato and Queretaro were occasionally mentioned. We took 2 weeks exploring the region before moving to Queretaro. After 7 years of living here, we can honestly give you an accurate point of view of what the weather is really like and the best times of the year to visit.
Mexico is the 6th Most Biodiverse Country in the World
Mexico is the 6th most biodiverse country in the world, with ecosystems ranging from deserts to jungles and snow-capped mountains. The country is home to 62 indigenous languages and diverse ecosystems that vary greatly depending on the region you’re in. Central Mexico, with its mountains, valleys, and temperate climate, is a perfect example of this variety.
Cities of Central Mexico
Guanajuato
Guanajuato
The state of Guanajuato, located in Central Mexico’s plateau, is famous for its colonial cities like San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato City, and Leon.
Leon, known for its leather industry, is an ideal point of entry to explore the state of Guanajuato. Del Bajio International Airport (BJX), located near Leon, offers convenient access to this region.
The capital, Guanajuato City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in a narrow valley between mountains, offering picturesque streets and historical charm. The pueblo magico Dolores Hidalgo, located between Guanajuato City and San Miguel de Allende, is the birthplace of Mexico’s War of Independence.
San Miguel de Allende is in the state of Guanajuato. It’s 1.5 hours from the BJX airport and one hour from the QRO airport. It’s been named the Best City in the World by Conde Nast Travel readers five times. San Miguel de Allende is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known worldwide for its artistic community. It’s also one of the most visited cities in Mexico.
Hills of cobblestoned streets and colonial architecture characterize the city. San Miguel is a popular vacation destination for both Mexicans and foreigners who love art and fantastic food. If San Miguel de Allende is at the top of your list of places to visit, then check out our post on the best tours and activities in San Miguel de Allende.
FUN FACT:
San Miguel de Allende has been voted the Best Small City in the World by Conde Nast Travel readers 5 times!
Queretaro
Queretaro is centrally located in Mexico, flanked on one side by the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. Known for its wine cheese, and agricultural production, the state of Queretaro is home to the city of Santiago de Queretaro and the pueblos magicos of Bernal and Tequisquiapan. The Sierra Gorda Biopreserve also offers hiking, caves, and waterfalls, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers.
Best (and Worst) Times to Visit Queretaro and Guanajuato
After living in Central Mexico for 7 years, we can honestly give you the best advice on when to visit Colonial Mexico. Below is a list of the best and worst times to visit. Central Mexico is feeling the effects of climate change, and this post reflects the changes we have seen. This list also lists some key events each month.
QUICK FACTS:
Rainy season: end of June to Beginning of September
Humidity: 0%-30% Ocotober-May. Up to 60% June-September.
Hottest months: mid-April to June
Coldest months: December and January
Best months:
- March (jacarandas bloom)
- August-September (everything is green)
- October (wildflowers)
January
It’s usually pleasant during the day but can be extremely cold and windy in the early morning and at night. Temperatures range from 40s (F) in the morning to 70s (F) for the high during the day. January has sunny days and every town is absolutely beautiful at this time of the year. After the first week in January, there are less crowds.
Extra tip: *December through March is a great time to see the monarch butterflies in Michaocan (3 hours away).
February
The weather is still temperate with sunny days and cool nights. Wine festivals are starting to take place at Queretaro wineries. The beginning of February has two national holidays and Valentine’s Day is big here. February is a beautiful time to visit almost anywhere in Mexico.
March
Wine and chocolate festivals are in full swing in Queretaro and around San Miguel de Allende. Purple jacaranda trees start to bloom towards the end of the month, and the Festival de las Fresas celebrates strawberry season in Irapuato, Guanajuato. It’s a good time to visit the Sierra Gorda for hiking, camping, and waterfalls.
April
Easter celebration in San Miguel is something to see. Schools are closed for the week before and after Easter, so smaller towns swell with city dwellers going on vacation. Book your hotel early as this is a popular celebration. Temperatures start getting hot during midday (high 80s), but evenings are still pleasant.
Mineral de Pozos has its Mariachi Festival, and to beat the heat, try some unusual flavors at the ice cream festival in Dolores Hidalgo. The weather is still nice to explore Sierra Gorda. Avocados and apricots are sold at ridiculously cheap prices along the roadside.
May
May is the hottest month of the year in Central Mexico (and most of the country). It’s hot and dry with temperatures in the 90s for most of the day. The heat lasts from 10 am-7 pm, then cools down by 20 degrees. It’s a good time to escape to the mountains of Sierra Gorda for 70-degree weather, waterfalls, and hiking.
Another escape: If you do come, enjoy the National Wine and Cheese Festival weekends in May and June in Tequisquiapan.
June
The hot temperatures continue through June. Luckily, by the end of the month, the rainy season begins. The rain sometimes starts in the late afternoon and continues throughout the night. At the beginning of the rainy season, flash flooding in the cities could occur ( there aren’t rainwater drains in San Miguel, Queretaro, or Guanajuato). There are still festivals every weekend such as Dia de los Locos in San Miguel de Allende. To learn more about the rainy season check out our post The Good, The Bad and the Ugly of Central Mexico’s Rainy Season.
July
July is the perfect month to visit Central Mexico. It mostly rains at night and the heat of the day (mid-80s) is just a few hours (11-4pm). The mornings and evenings are beautiful and everything is green. Wine and food festivals are happening every weekend and vendimias are starting by the end of July. The Guanajuato Film Festival is the last two weeks in July.
August
Wine Harvest Festivals or Vendimias take place all month. Plan a trip to explore the different wineries in Queretaro and Guanajuato with our customized tours at Heart of Mexico Wine Tours. Middays are in the upper 80s, but it cools down by 6pm to a comfortable temp in the mid-60s. Figs and corn vendors line the roads.
September
Mexico’s Independence Day on September 16th is a big deal across the entire country. All cities have parades, decorate buildings, and children dress in the flag’s colors of white, green, and red.
Chile en Nogada, made with ground meat stuffed in a poblano pepper and covered with a walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds is a must-have! Local produce like corn, walnuts, and pomegranates are in season.
Dolores Hidalgo’s big music event festival Fiestas Patrias is popular. Wildflowers cover the hills with electric colors of pink and yellow. The temperatures are more mild in the low 80s during the day but cool down quickly at night.
October
October is one of the best months to visit with gorgeous wildflowers and fewer tourists. The Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato City is a major cultural highlight, attracting artists from around the world. Time to break out the sweaters for dinner at one of San Miguel de Allende’s rooftop restaurants!
November
Dia de los Muertos November 1-2 is a huge celebration. Book your hotel or other accommodations 3 months in advance because the good places sell out quickly. This month marks the last of the wine festivals. Christmas decorations are in the stores and starting to go up in the residential areas. Temperatures start to drop so bring sweaters and puffy jackets (everyone wears puffy jackets, even in summer). Don’t miss the International Balloon Festival in Leon, the Catando Mexico Wine Festival in Guanajuato, and the International Festival of Jazz and Blues in San Miguel de Allende. If you decide to go into the Sierra Gorda mountains for hiking, this is the wettest month so be prepared. .
December
December is THE perfect time to visit! Christmas is everywhere! It’s cool, but sunny. The towns are decorated with Christmas lights, and the last two weeks of December are vacation weeks for the Mexican people. Crowds can be expected especially in Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende. Parades are common, especially on the 23rd and 24th. The temperatures are in the 70s during the day, but drop to the 40s at night. The Sierra Gorda region is cool, but it’s still the wet season.
*Travel Tip:
Throughout the year we’ve seen many monthly festivals for mezcal, gastronomy, wine, coffee, and chocolate.
If one of these festivals is not happening while you visit, don’t worry. There are plenty of bars, cafes, and shops to help you create your own celebration.
How to Get to Central Mexico
By Plane
Central Mexico has two small international airports located in Queretaro (QRO) and Leon (BJX) about 3 hours apart.
- If you are going to Guanajuato City, fly into Leon.
- Fly into Queretaro if you plan on spending most of your time in the state of Queretaro.
- If you plan on spending all your time in San Miguel de Allende, you can fly to either airport and get a bus or private car, but the Queretaro airport is closer.
You can plan a trip to and from one airport or arrive at one and leave from another. This post will mainly focus on the states of Queretaro and Guanajuato with Queretaro International Airport and Del Bajio International Airport as your points of reference.
Queretaro International Airport code QRO
Del Bajio International Airport code BJX
Queretaro Airport (QRO)
Queretaro has its own international airport (QRO) and is just an hour away from San Miguel de Allende. Queretaro Airport offers direct flights from major cities like Mexico City, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Atlanta, Chicago, and many smaller airports within Mexico.
Leon Airport (BJX)
Leon is a great city to fly into to explore the state of Guanajuato. Del Bajio International Airport has direct flights from Mexico City, Monterrey, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Chicago (both airports), Tijuana, and many smaller airports around Mexico.
Travel Tip:
Combine a beach and colonial tour of Mexico by flying in/out of Cancun to/from Queretaro. Prices from Cancun are just an extra $120 USD. 
Is Central Mexico Safe?
We know most of the news outlets love to portray Mexico as a dangerous place. We have been here 7 years and yes, we have seen some crime increase over in the state of Guanajuato in certain towns, but it’s not as dangerous as the media makes it out to be.
When we were first looking at Central Mexico as a place to live, this is what we were told by an expat who had lived in Guanajuato for 11 years: “If a person gets pickpocketed, it would be on the front-page news.”
San Miguel de Allende and Queretaro are some of the safest cities you can visit or live in Mexico according to numerous sources including Numbeo.com.
The people in this region are very friendly and helpful. We have never felt unsafe. It’s kind of a joke around here that the cartels got together and decided that these two states were off-limits so that their families had a safe place to vacation. Whether it’s true or not, people from all over Mexico and many other countries move here because of its safe reputation.
Whether you’re visiting for the colonial history, cultural festivals, or the beautiful landscapes, Central Mexico offers something special throughout the year. The best time to visit depends on your interests, but each season brings its own charm. Consider the weather, local festivals, and crowds to tailor your trip to your personal preferences.
And if you would like a guided tour of the region, check out our company Heart of Mexico Wine Tours for tours ranging from one day to a week. We can even customize a trip for you!
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Great guide! Always so helpful to get information from someone who has lived in a place for a while. I’d love to go for the wine festivals in March and February, and for the holidays in December. It’s been a super long time since I’ve been to Mexico, and Cuernavaca in Morelos is where we’d go. I didn’t realize there were so many languages spoken in Mexico. The interior has so much to offer travelers!
Thank you! We will have to check out Cuernavaca. Luckily we have plenty of time since we live here. 🙂
I’d definitely avoid May then, too hot for my pale skin!
Arriving at one airport and leaving from another is a helpful tip too, tend to see more!
Yes, I highly recommend coming into one airport and leaving from the other. They are only 3 hours apart, but there’s definitely a lot to see in between!
Well, I certainly feel like I have a much better appreciation for Colonial Mexico and what it offers. So wonderful for you to go through the year and delineate what is happening each month, as well as the weather — great guide!
Thank you so much for the compliment! There’s so much going on and I just hit the highlights. Sometimes you have to be in the town to discover the pop-up events.
Ok, I’m sold. I need to visit Colonial Mexico. First of all, I love the architecture. Secondly, I’d love to see the butterflies. But most importantly, I believe you mentioned WINE FESTIVALS! I really appreciate that you mentioned the airports (looks like I’m covered with direct flights from Detroit) and when to visit. I’m thinking a visit in February or March would be ideal for me. Definitely need to consider this for 2020!
I think February and March would be ideal for you as well since you could check off the Monarch butterflies, wine festivals and the temperature is perfect for spending the day outside admiring the architecture. Stay in touch and let me know you’re plans!
Oh I’ve been wanting to visit San Miguel for quite some time. Many of our neighbor expats in Boquete, Panama have relocated there (or to southern Spain) due to the cost of living. Maybe 2019…
How is Boquete? Yes, come and visit and maybe we can visit you!