Mexico City isn't beach Mexico. It sits at about 2,240 meters (7,350 feet), so the midday sun is strong but winter nights drop to 8°C (46°F), and from June to September it rains on 17 to 28 days a month, mostly in the afternoon. Pack layers and a rain shell, not a suitcase of shorts.
Mexico City weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 23°C73°F | 25°C77°F | 28°C82°F | 28°C82°F | 29°C84°F | 27°C81°F | 23°C73°F | 23°C73°F | 24°C75°F | 23°C73°F | 24°C75°F | 21°C70°F |
| Low | 8°C46°F | 9°C48°F | 11°C52°F | 12°C54°F | 14°C57°F | 14°C57°F | 13°C55°F | 13°C55°F | 13°C55°F | 11°C52°F | 10°C50°F | 8°C46°F |
| Rain days | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 17 | 26 | 28 | 24 | 11 | 3 | 4 |
Season by season
Dry season
December–FebruaryThe driest, coolest stretch. Highs are 21–25°C (70–77°F) and lows 8–9°C (46–48°F), with only 1 to 4 rain days a month. Days in Roma or Coyoacán feel like T-shirt weather, but you'll want a sweater once the sun goes down.
Hot season
March–MayThe warmest months, with highs of 28°C (82°F) in March and April and 29°C (84°F) in May. March and April stay dry at 3 rain days each, then the rains start in May with 13. Bring sun protection for Teotihuacán, where there's almost no shade on the pyramids.
Rainy season
June–SeptemberExpect rain most afternoons, 26 days in July and 28 in August. Mornings are often clear, so do your walking early and keep a rain shell in the bag for the afternoon downpour. Highs settle at 23–27°C (73–81°F), and some streets in the Centro Histórico flood fast in a downpour.
Autumn
October–NovemberThe rains taper off, 11 days in October and 3 in November, and highs hold at 23–24°C (73–75°F). It's one of the best times to visit. Nights drop to 10–11°C (50–52°F), so pack a light jacket, especially around Día de Muertos at the start of November.
What to bring to Mexico City
0 of 23 packedFrom June to September it rains most afternoons, and a light, packable shell means you're not stuck in a café waiting it out.
Light, waterproof and small enough to forget about until the 4 o'clock storm hits, which in August is most days.
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 20LBags & Luggage
When the afternoon storm hits in the Centro Histórico, weather sealing around the zips keeps your phone and passport dry.
- Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Tech CrossbodyDocuments & Security
The Metro at rush hour is packed shoulder to shoulder, and lockable zips plus a steel-wire strap keep your phone where you can see it.
- Hydro Flask 18 oz Standard Mouth Bottle with Flex CapWater Bottles & Hydration
You won't be drinking from the tap, so fill this from your hotel's purified water and keep it cold for 24 hours at shadeless Teotihuacán.
- Anker Nano Power Bank 5,000mAh (Built-In USB-C)Tech & Power
Rideshare, maps and translation apps run your phone flat by late afternoon, and this battery plugs straight in with no cable.
- Mack's Blackout Soft Foam Earplugs, 7-pairSleep & Comfort
Car alarms, street vendors and late nights in Roma and Condesa carry through the windows, and a pack of foam earplugs costs less than one bad night.
Clothing
- Jeans · 2Standard for Chilangos; shorts are mostly on visitors
- T-shirts and tops · 5Days of 21–29°C depending on the month
- Sweater or light jacket · 1December and January lows of 8°C
- Quick-drying layers · 2July averages 26 rain days, mostly afternoons
- Collared shirt or simple dress · 1Smarter restaurants in Polanco
- Sun hatAlmost no shade on the pyramids at Teotihuacán
Footwear
- Broken-in sneakers with grip · 1 pairCracked sidewalks, tree roots and potholes in Condesa
- Second pair of sneakers · 1 pairIn case the first gets soaked, Jun–Sep
Gear
- SunglassesStrong midday sun at about 2,240 m
- Compact umbrellaAugust peaks at 28 rain days
Health and toiletries
- High-SPF sunscreenStrong sun at altitude
- Lip balmDry season Dec–Apr has 1 to 4 rain days a month
- Stomach remediesDrink purified or bottled water, not tap
Documents and money
- Passport
- Small cash for markets and street food
Tech
- Plug adapter for non-US visitorsType A and B at 127V
What shoes should you pack for Mexico City?
You'll walk a lot on uneven, cracked sidewalks, and in the rainy season on wet ones. Bring broken-in sneakers with decent grip and a second pair in case the first gets soaked. Tree roots and potholes are everywhere in Condesa, so flimsy sandals are a twisted ankle waiting to happen.
What do people wear in Mexico City?
Chilangos dress like a big European city, not a resort town. Jeans, sneakers and a light jacket are standard, and shorts show up on visitors far more than on locals. Smarter restaurants in Polanco call for a step up, a collared shirt or a simple dress.
What plugs does Mexico City use?
Mexico uses Type A and B sockets at 127V, the same shape as the US and Canada. US visitors don't need an adapter. Visitors from Europe, the UK or Australia do, and should check that any hair tools work at 127V.
Tours and things to do in Mexico City
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Mexico City.
What should you leave at home for Mexico City?
Leave the beach wardrobe if Mexico City is your only stop. Skip the flashy watch and jewelry on the Metro. And don't plan on drinking the tap water, so bring a bottle you can refill from the purified-water jugs most hotels and rentals keep.
Around Mexico City
Packing for Mexico City: questions people ask
What should I wear in Mexico City?
Layers. Days are warm, 21–29°C (70–84°F) depending on the month, but nights drop to 8–14°C (46–57°F) because of the altitude. Jeans, sneakers and a light jacket fit in almost anywhere.
When is the rainy season in Mexico City?
Roughly June to September, peaking in August at 28 rain days. Rain usually comes in the afternoon, so mornings are often dry.
Is Mexico City cold at night?
It can be. Lows are 8°C (46°F) in December and January, so bring a sweater or jacket even if the afternoons are warm.
Do I need a plug adapter in Mexico City?
Not if you're from the US or Canada. Mexico uses Type A and B sockets at 127V, so visitors from Europe, the UK and Australia need an adapter.
What should I wear in Mexico City in July?
A rain shell and quick-drying layers. July averages a 23°C (73°F) high and 26 rain days, mostly in the afternoon.
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