Mexico in October: Weather Tips & Best Places to Go [2024]

skull with flower crown at day of the dead in mexico celebration | weather in mexico in october

Planning a trip to Mexico in October?

You’re in the right place because I live in Mexico, and I’m going to share everything I know about traveling to Mexico in October with you!

A year-round destination, you can visit Mexico anytime, but October is ideal for certain places more than others — which you’ll soon discover.

In this article, you’ll learn about the 10 best places to visit in Mexico in October, including Cancun, Mexico City, Oaxaca and Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos).

You’ll also learn about the weather in Mexico in October, and the Day of the Dead holiday at the end of the month.

Ready to learn all about visiting Mexico in October? Let’s get to it!

Mexico in October Weather

Typical Mexico October Weather

colorful street in San Miguel De Allende Mexico
Not sure where to travel in October in Mexico? Even with afternoon showers, San Miguel de Allende is still one of the most unique places in Mexico — so keep planning that San Miguel de Allende in October trip!

You’re likely wondering, What is the weather like in Mexico in October? — so you can plan the best trip possible.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Mexico weather in October is usually less-than-ideal, though that shouldn’t deter you from traveling to Mexico in October.

October is the last month of the Mexico rainy season, so if you visit at the end of the month, you may have no rain. Still, the weather in Mexico in October is often rainy, but that means prices are on the lower end.

  • When is the rainy season in Mexico? The rainy season Mexico months span from about May to October, and it will very likely rain in Mexico in October, especially the first few weeks.
  • When is the Mexico busy season? The busy season in Mexico runs from about November to April. If you don’t mind some rain, the rainy season is also the slow season in Mexico — which means fewer crowds and lower price tags.

Average temperatures in Mexico in October

There is no set temperature in Mexico in October, because temperatures fluctuate a lot from one part of the country to the other.

In general, expect a lot of precipitation and high temperatures — as you would with any tropical destination in October.

The beaches in Mexico on the coast are much hotter than the cities in Central Mexico, like Mexico City, Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende.

However, the cities are still on the hotter side, and you can expect afternoon showers on most days in Central Mexican cities.

Mexico Travel Tips: If you hate the heat, head indoors and soak up the air conditioning during the hottest parts of the day, from about 11am-2pm. To enjoy the low temperatures, do all your indoor activities in the afternoons.

Mexico October Holidays

Day of the Dead in Mexico: October 31-November 2

dia de muertos decorations
Wondering, How is the weather in Mexico in October during Día de los Muertos? Since most celebrations take place in cities, not beach towns, you should expect very little (if any) rain or storms.

Wondering, What is Day of the Dead?

The first thing you need to know about Día de Muertos — it is not Mexican Halloween. Day of the Dead is, however, one of the most important holiday celebrations in Mexico, and the most festive of all Mexican holidays in October.

Unlike many rituals around death, Day of the Dead is not a somber funerary event. On the contrary, Día de los Muertos is a celebration, one so grand even the deceased return Earth-side to attend the elaborate parties 🎉

It bears little resemblance to Halloween in the United States.

Mexico October Holidays

When is Day of the Dead?

During Mexico Day of the Dead festivities, you’ll see many people with their faces painted like La Catrina.

Wondering, When does Day of the Dead take place?

Though it’s called “Day” of the Dead, the holiday takes place over two days each year. The holiday November 1-2, though the first day of Day of the Dead events begin at midnight on November 1, so many call that October 31.

Regardless of what you call the official first day of Day of the Dead, in cities and towns that have large-scale celebrations, preparations will begin around October 27th.

This is a very important holiday in Mexico in October, though there aren’t elaborate festivals in all places.

Best Places for Day of the Dead in Mexico

Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

For many travelers, the Oaxaca Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca City is a Mexico bucket list experience. If you want a true cultural experience, this is the place to be to attend Día de Muertos in Mexico.

💀 Want to attend? Check out Oaxaca Day of the Dead: The Ultimate Travel Guide.

Day of the Dead in Mexico City

The city-wide Parade of Alebrijes (AKA Mexico City Day of the Dead Parade) takes place the Saturday before Day of the Dead.

It is a fun parade, but for a more cultural Día de Muertos experience, head to the small pueblo of San Andres Mixquic, just outside Mexico City.

There are also some Mexico City Day of the Dead tours, if you don’t to venture so far out of town:

Day of the Dead in Other places

There are some other great celebrations, like Day of the Dead in Guanajuato City, and Day of the Dead in San Miguel de Allende.

For a truly unique experience, head to Isla de Janitzio (Janitzio Island), on Lake Patzcuaro. There’s also the Mayan Hanal Pixan celebration, which is similar to Day of the Dead. The best place to attuned Hanal Pixan in Mexico is Merida.

Visiting Mexico in October

10 Best Places to Visit in Mexico in October

Wondering where to go in Mexico in October?

If you don’t mind a little rain (October falls during Mexico’s rainy season), you can visit anywhere you’d like. Below, you’ll find the Top 10 places to travel in Mexico in October, with some info about what to expect in each place.

1. Cancun in October

straw umbrellas on the beach in cancun mexico

For more information on visiting Cancun Mexico, check out this Cancun Travel Guide.

Cancun is the top travel destination in Mexico, and even though the weather isn’t ideal in October, that doesn’t stop people from visiting.

You will want to make sure you’re staying hydrated, because as you’ll see below that the weather in Cancun in October can still be quite hot 🥵

While summers in Cancun are popular with families, especially at these family-friendly Cancun all inclusive resorts, October is much calmer.

In fact, October in Cancun is one of the least-crowded months, so it’s a tranquil time for traveling to Cancun Mexico.

☀️ Looking for the best things to do in Cancun in October? Don’t miss swimming in the Cancun cenotes, and the Mayan Ruins in Cancun.

What’s the average humidity in Cancun in October?

The Cancun humidity in October averages about 77% — so put clothing that doesn’t show sweat on your Mexico packing list!

It is quite muggy when traveling to Cancun in October, so plan for water activities in the afternoons to escape the heat.

Wondering, What’s the average temperature in Cancun in October? You can expect about 90°F (32°C) during the day, and 77°F (25°C) at night.

🥵 In short: It’s still quite hot! Don’t forget to stay hydrated with this Water-To-Go bottle, and even this misting fan to cool your skin.

Does it rain all day in Cancun in October?

Usually, no. It will typically rain for an hour in the afternoon, and then the sun will come back out. You should expect daily rain, but regular storms pass quickly.

If you happen to be visiting during a tropical depression, tropical storm, or even hurricane, then yes, it might rain all day.

RELATED ARTICLE 🏖️ Cancun in October: Weather Info and Travel Tips

Keep in mind that the Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1-November 1, so there is still a chance of a hurricane in Mexico in October.

By no means is October the wettest month in Cancun, but it will likely still rain and you might feel some higher wind speed from storms.

Cancun Weather in October

weather in cancun mexico in October
October weather Cancun Mexico (Photo via Weather and Climate)
Visiting Mexico in October

2. Mexico City in October

European style Bellas Artes building

For more information on visiting Mexico City, check out this Mexico City Travel Guide.

Considering a Mexico City October trip?

Not many know this, but the winters in Mexico City are on the colder side, so if you don’t like the cold, October is a great month to visit Mexico City. You can expect some afternoon showers on most days, but it rarely rains all day.

One of the world’s biggest cities, right up there with New York City, there’s plenty of indoor things to do in Mexico City when it rains.

Start the day with a nice breakfast or brunch, then head to some of the best museums in Mexico City in the afternoons. From the museum, enjoy some tacos at the best restaurants in Mexico City.

By then, the rains should have passed, and you’ll enjoy the Mexico City nightlife in peace. Looking for the best things to do in Mexico City at night?! You must see a Lucha Libre wrestling match!

What’s the best time to visit Mexico City?

This will depend on your preferences, but the Mexico City rainy season is from about April to October, so many want to avoid that.

It doesn’t usually rain too much in Mexico City in October, but if you want sunny days everyday on your trip, visit in the dry season from November to March.

If you do want to travel to Mexico City in October, don’t miss the Mexico City Day of the Dead. It is quite the experience, with a parade route that spans miles and lasts for several hours.

The date varies each year, but it’s usually held the Saturday before Day of the Dead (November 1-2).

🦋 Monarch Butterfly Season in Mexico: One of the best experiences is visiting the Piedra Herrada Butterfly Sanctuary during the annual butterfly migration in Mexico, from late-November to March.

Book a Mexico butterfly tour to see millions of butterflies in the mountains near Mexico City.

Weather in Mexico City in October

weather in mexico city mexico in October
Mexico City weather October (Photo via Weather and Climate)
Visiting Mexico in October

3. Cabo San Lucas in October

beautiful white homes with pink roofs and large white rock formations behind on the beach in cabo san lucas, one of the Best Mexican Beach Towns

For more information on visiting Cabo San Lucas, check out this Cabo Travel Guide.

Cabo San Lucas and nearby San Jose del Cabo are located in the Los Cabos Municipality. In Spanish, los cabos means “the capes,” (as cabo means “cape”). These are the top two destinations in Los Cabos Mexico.

Cabo San Lucas is the more popular of the two Cabos, though the airport you’ll fly into is in San Jose del Cabo, about 40 minutes away.

With a more relaxed vibe, San Jose del Cabo offers a nice alternative to lively Cabo San Lucas, so some travelers stay there.

With warmer weather all year, Mexico is great year-round — and Cabo even more so. It averages 300 days of sunshine each year (though some say it gets 350 days of sunshine!), so you can expect to have a nice trip to Los Cabos in October.

In fact, the Cabo rainy season only runs from about August to September, followed by 8-10 months of sunshine.

October is on the hotter side in Cabo, and temperatures average about 90°F (32°C), but you can always hop in your Cabo beach resort pool or the ocean for a refreshing swim.

Cabo Weather in October

weather in cabo san lucas mexico in October
Weather in Cabo in October, which shows what you can expect in Los Cabos in October. (Photo via Weather and Climate)
Visiting Mexico in October

4. Tulum in October

For more information on visiting Tulum Mexico, check out this Tulum Travel Guide.

Once a sleepy beach town, Tulum is now one of the most popular and best places to visit in Mexico.

In recent years, it has also become one of the most expensive. Since October is one of the Tulum low season months, you will find some of the best deals on Tulum resorts in October.

Weather-wise, it will likely rain for a bit each afternoon. However, if you’re planning to travel to Tulum on a budget, your money will stretcher further in the summer.

Since the Tulum weather in October isn’t perfect, less people visit, so there will be smaller crowds.

With the money you can save visiting Tulum in the slow season, you may even want to extend your trip beyond Mexico and into Central America

Just a few hours south of Tulum, you can do a land crossing into Belize near Lake Bacalar, Mexico

Tulum Weather in October

weather in tulum mexico in October
You can use this chart to get a good feel for Yucatan Mexico weather, both for Tulum and the entire Yucatan Peninsula. (Photo via Weather and Climate, Tulum weather in October)
Visiting Mexico in October

5. Oaxaca in October

Colorful buildings in downtown Oaxaca City, Mexico

For more information on visiting Oaxaca Mexico, check out this Oaxaca Travel Guide.

🗣 Before we talk about visiting Oaxaca in October, let’s clear up the Oaxaca pronunciation. If you’re wondering, How do you pronounce Oaxaca?, it’s waa-haa-kah. With that cleared up, let’s continue!

Oaxaca State is one of the most culturally-rich places in Mexico and all Latin America.

Oaxaca City, the capital of Oaxaca State, is well known as the Foodie Capital of Mexico thanks to its delicious Oaxacan cuisine. There’s also and colorful festivals, like Day of the Dead and the Guelaguetza.

When most people say “Oaxaca,” they are referring to Oaxaca City (AKA Oaxaca de Juarez), in the central part of the state.

The beaches of Oaxaca, like Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Zipolite and Huatulco, are also popular, but they are located on the Pacific Coast.

Oaxaca City weather is more of a desert-like climate, versus the beaches that are quite tropical. Though a desert, Oaxaca City does have a rainy season which runs from about May to September.

It shouldn’t rain too much in October, especially the last half of the month.

Oaxaca Weather in October

weather in oaxaca mexico in October
Oaxaca Mexico weather October (Photo via Weather and Climate)
Visiting Mexico in October

6. Riviera Maya in October

sign that says "life is better at the beach" in riviera maya, mexico
Many of the best things to do in Mexico in October involve being in the ocean! (Photo: Caribbean weather in October via Canva)

The Riviera Maya is located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, in the Yucatán Peninsula. It’s the most posh area in Yucatan, where you’ll find many of the best resorts in Mexico and even the nicest Mexico overwater bungalows.

Given its location, you can expect similar weather to Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, which is to say: hot!

Of course, you’ll be right on the Caribbean Sea, so you’ll likely have a nice breeze from time to time, but you can also jump in the sea to cool off.

Costa Maya Mexico Weather in October: Located about 3.5 hours south of Riviera Maya, you’ll be in the beach town of Mahahual, Mexico on the Costa Maya. The weather will be similar to Riviera Maya, but the vibe is much more laid back.

Besides the Caribbean, there are so many other places to cool off and swim near Riviera Maya.

From the cenotes in Tulum and cenotes near Cancun, both close to Riviera Maya, you also have water parks like Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and underground rivers, like Rio Secreto.

For a truly memorable experience, head about 40 minutes south to the beach town of Akumal.

It’s just south of Tulum, and one of the more up-and-coming Mexico resort towns. However, the real claim to fame is that you can swim with the turtles in Akumal Beach.

riviera maya weather in October

weather in riviera maya mexico in October
Weather in Mexico in October Riviera Maya (Photo via Weather and Climate)
Visiting Mexico in October

7. Puerto Vallarta in October

For more information on visiting Puerto Vallarta Mexico, check out this Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide.

Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest cities in Mexico, and best beach towns in Mexico.

It appeals to all types of travelers, from solo travelers to honeymooners, families and LGBTQ+ travelers — as Puerto Vallarta is the gay capital of Mexico, or the San Francisco of Mexico.

If you’re looking to go on a cruise to Mexico in October, see if there are any to Puerto Vallarta. A top destination for cruises in Mexico, there’s no shortage of things to do in Puerto Vallarta when you venture off-boat.

Sayulita in October: Located about one hour from Puerto Vallarta, many visit or even take a day trip to Sayulita, Mexico. This bohemian beach town has less-than-ideal weather, similar to Puerto Vallarta in October, but it’s absolutely worth checking out.

On one side of the city, there’s Bahía Banderas (Bay of Banderas), a tranquil inlet off the Pacific Ocean great for swimming, snorkeling, and whale watching (winter only).

The Sierra Madre mountains are located just behind the beach, so you really get the best of all worlds.

As with all Mexico beaches in October, you can expect hot, humid weather, and rain showers in the afternoons.

The showers usually pass quickly, and then you can go back to enjoying all the Old World charm, beautiful nature, and best beaches Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

Puerto Vallarta Weather in October

weather in puerto vallarta mexico in October
Weather in Puerto Vallarta in October (Photo via Weather and Climate)
Visiting Mexico in October

8. Playa del Carmen in October

beach hut in playa del carmen mexico

For more information on visiting Playa del Carmen Mexico, check out this Playa del Carmen Travel Guide.

Though some call Playa del Carmen the mini-Cancun, it’s a destination in its own right. Now, to get there, you do have to travel from Cancun to Playa del Carmen (or just “Playa,” as the locals call it), but it’s just a one hour drive.

Once you arrive in Playa, it’s much more of a beach town than Cancun, which is a resort town.

Now, there are some beautiful resorts in Playa del Carmen, but it has a small town feel. It’s much more walkable than Cancun, which is great because there’s no Uber in Playa del Carmen.

What these two places do share, being so close to one another, is their weather. Much like Cancun, you can expect hot, humid days, and rain in the afternoons.

The best plan of action when traveling to Playa del Carmen in October is to be indoors, or swimming in water, in the afternoons.

If you want to visit any of the nearby Mayan Ruins in Mexico, arrive early in the morning when they open, and you’ll be done touring the site by the time the rain rolls in.

When in the Yucatan Peninsula, don’t miss Chichen Itza Pyramids — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Playa del Carmen Weather in October

weather in playa del carmen mexico in October
Playa del Carmen weather Mexico in October (Photo via Weather and Climate)
Visiting Mexico in October

9. Puerto Escondido in October

beautiful bay with blue water and boats

For more information on visiting Puerto Escondido Mexico and all the best beaches of Oaxaca, check out this Oaxaca Beaches Travel Guide.

Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Puerto Escondido is the most famous of all Oaxaca Beaches.

It is popular with surfers, artists, backpackers, and solo travelers in Mexico, but there’s really something for everyone in “Puerto,” as the locals call it.

🏄‍♀️ Want to learn to surf in Puerto Escondido? Book some surfing lessons in October, one of the best months for waves in Puerto Escondido.

Many visitors start in the city, then make the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido journey, for a complete Oaxaca state trip. While you might have afternoon rain showers in the city, it’s almost a guarantee in Puerto Escondido.

The good news is there’s so many water activities and things to do in Puerto Escondido that the rain may not even put a damper on your trip.

When in town, spend some time at each of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, like Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Zicatela, Playa Bacocho, Playa La Punta and Playa Puerto Angel.

You can also take a Puerto Escondido boat tour out to see the dolphins that hang out just off-shore.

When the sun is going down, join a baby turtle release experience to send these adorable creatures into the sea for the first time. At night, head to Manialtepec Lagoon to see the bioluminescence.

Puerto Escondido Weather in October

weather in puerto escondido mexico in October
Mexico climate and Puerto Escondido October weather (Photo via Weather and Climate)
Visiting Mexico in October

10. Cozumel in October

colofrul beachside signs and huts with thatched palapa roofs on the beach in Cozumel, one of the Best Mexican Beach Towns
Want to visit Yucatan in October? Cozumel, Mexico is a great choice.

🚢 Planning to take a Mexico cruise in October? Cozumel Island is one of the best Mexico cruise ports, especially for snorkelers and divers.

Cozumel is a Mexican Caribbean island, located about 30 minutes by ferry from Playa del Carmen. There are also flights to Cozumel, and you can land right on the island at Cozumel International Airport.

It’s also quite easy to travel from Cancun to Cozumel.

Some say Cozumel is the best place for snorkeling in Mexico, and the best place for diving in Mexico as well. Just off-shore, there’s the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef.

There are plenty of ways to see the reef, even if you don’t want to swim.

That’s right, the Cozumel Submarine Tour is an unforgettable experience to see these coral reefs in an actual submarine. Cozumel also has beautiful beaches, and Mayan Ruins as well.

Of course, you will likely get rain when traveling to Cozumel in October. However, the vast majority of all the best things to do in Cozumel involve being in, on or near the Caribbean Sea, so that makes the afternoon showers tolerable.  

Cozumel Weather in October

weather in cozumel mexico in October
Cozumel October weather (Photo via Weather and Climate)

Weather in Mexico in October: FAQs

What’s the best time of year to visit Mexico?

Weather-wise, the best time to travel to Mexico is from November to March.

This is during the dry season, when you’ll see very little (if any) rain, low humidity, and few mosquitoes. This is also the high or busy season in Mexico, when most people visit.

For travelers who want to escape the crowds, the summer months will give you the most bang for your buck.

In October, you’ll see flight prices drop and get deals at many hotels. If you want to treat yourself to a fancy resort in Mexico, you’ll likely find the best deals in October.

Visiting Mexico in October

When is the shoulder season in Mexico?

dog on a pyramid at Teotihuacan Tours
Avoid the crowds by visiting the Mexico shoulder season, and you might just have places like Teotihuacan Ruins all to yourself!

The shoulder season is a magical time when the weather is still nice, but the crowds have died down, and the prices have as well. It takes place just as the busy season is about to begin, and right after it ends.

For my money, this is the best time to visit Mexico!

The Mexico shoulder season includes the months of October to November and April to May; though May is the hottest month in Mexico.

You may still find great Mexico travel deals in other months, but you likely won’t find low prices or small crowds anytime during the busy season.

Visiting Mexico in October

How hot is it in Mexico in October?

Even if it’s cloudy or rainy, the sun’s rays are still strong in Mexico — so don’t forget to pack these best sunscreens for Mexico to keep your skin safe.

You might want to know, Is it too hot to go to Mexico in October? This answer is a matter of preference, but in short: It is quite warm in Mexico in October.

❄️ Mexico Fun Fact: The coldest city in Mexico is the small pueblo of Ciudad Madera, Chihuahua, located in North Mexico. Ciudad Madera sees a few inches of snow each year.

If you don’t like tropical weather, Mexico in November will be a much more enjoyable month for you.

October is one of the hotter months in Mexico, especially if you’re visiting the Mexico beach towns. Average temperatures in Mexico in October hover around 90°F (32°C) on the beaches, but it can feel a few degrees hotter because of the humidity.

Is it sunny in Mexico in October?

Yes — It tends to be sunny in Mexico year-round, even in the Fall season.

Since October is still in the rainy season in Mexico, the sun will come and go, depending on if there’s a storm or not. Do know that even if storms, cloud cover and rainfall rolls in, the sun often comes back in an hour.

Visiting Mexico in October

What is the average temperature in Mexico in October?

Wondering, Is Mexico hot in October?

Yes — The average weather in Mexico in October is hot, humid and rainy for most of the month. If you’re visiting Mexico City and/or Central Mexico, the temperatures cool down considerably at night, but this is not the case on Mexican beaches.

For Mexico beaches, you can expect 95°F days (35°C) and 85°F nights (29°C). With the humidity factored in, it might even feel hotter.

Inland, the cities of Mexico are considerably cooler, so plan for 80°F days (26°C) and 65°F nights (18°C).

If you’re debating on when to visit, know it’s usually much hotter in September compared to October, and more rainy.

When comparing Mexico weather in October and November, the temperatures are similar, but Hurricane Season is over in November.

Visiting Mexico in October

When is Mexico Hurricane Season?

If you’re nervous about hurricanes in Mexico, or just inclement weather in Mexico in October, head inland to places like Valle de Bravo, Mexico. This lakefront town is known as the “Hamptons of Mexico City.”

Mexico has about 5,800 miles (9330 km) of coastline, so there’s a lot of places susceptible to hurricanes.

Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 1, and with so many popular beach towns, you’ll want to be aware when visiting Mexico beaches in October.

You might now want to know, What’s the weather like in Mexico in October if it’s still Hurricane Season?

That depends on if you’re visiting towards the beginning or end of the month. You will have much less of a chance of seeing heavy rains and storms if you visit in late-October.

Visiting Mexico in october

What are the best beaches in Mexico in October?

Acapulco has some of the best beaches in Mexico — and though it didn’t make the list, you will absolutely love visiting Acapulco in October. (Photo: Acapulco weather in October via Canva)

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all beaches in Mexico will have about the same weather in October — hot, humid, rainy, and buggy.

That’s not to say people still don’t visit Mexico in October; they absolutely do. The thing you must do, however, is manage your expectations.

The Pacific Coast beaches (Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita), Caribbean beaches (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum and Playa del Carmen) and Yucatan beaches (Progreso, El Cuyo) will be much more humid than the beaches in Baja California.

Baja California is a peninsula located on Mexico’s west coast. It has two states, Baja California and Baja California Sur, and some of the best beaches in Mexico — like famous Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos.

Besides Cabo San Lucas, some other great Baja beach towns include La Paz, Todos Santos, San Jose del Cabo, Loreto and Rosarito. 

Visiting Mexico in October

Should I go to Mexico in October?

It Depends — As long as you know you will likely get rain, maybe even daily showers, your Mexico October trip won’t be ruined.

If you want a yes/no answer to Is October a good time to visit Mexico?, it is a great time for Mexico budget travel, as October is an off-season month.

Can you go to Mexico in October?

Yes — For Mexico budget travelers, it’s actually one of the best times to visit, because October is the off-season, or slow season, when you can find cheap Mexico travel deals.

If you’ve had your eye on any posh, 5 Star Mexico resorts, you should find great promotions in October.

Visiting Mexico in October

Are there any major Mexico holidays in October?

Yes — Day of the Dead is kind of in October.

It’s actually on November 1 and November 2, but many towns and cities begin decorating and preparing for the holiday in late-October. If you’re attending the Dia de Muertos Oaxaca, try to arrive by October 29th.

Mexico festivals in October

The Festival Internacional Cervantino (Cervantino Festival) is a performing and visual arts festival that takes place in Guanajuato City during the first three weeks in October.

The Cervantino Festival began as a small event, but has become the largest Latin American arts festival.

Are there mosquitoes in Mexico in October?

Yes — The mosquitoes are at their worst in the Mexico rainy season, which includes October.

You’ll want to pack insect repellent and wear it all day; I recommend this eco-friendly mosquito spray from Repel, or this combo reef-safe sunscreen/mosquito repellent from Bullfrog.

Final Thoughts: Traveling to Mexico in October

If you’re going to Mexico in October, just be prepared for some afternoon showers and higher temperatures, and you’ll do just fine.

The great thing about October Mexico weather is that though you’ll have rain, the storms tend to pass quickly, and the sun comes back out.

🇲🇽 What’s the best place to visit in Mexico in October? In my opinion, Oaxaca for Day of the Dead, and Mexico City would be best. If you like venturing a bit off the beaten path, there’s also Guanajuato City, which has nice weather for Mexico in October.

Another one of the best things about the off-season in Mexico is that you’ll likely have smaller crowds, since it’s the slow season.

Mexico in October weather is definitely hot, but if you plan to be indoors in the afternoon, or in the water swimming, the weather won’t bother you too much.

If Mexico in October isn’t for you…

After reading this, you might not want to visit Mexico in October after all.

If so, check out the articles linked below about visiting Mexico during other months of the year — and know the weather in Mexico in November is often quite a bit cooler, if you can hold off for a month.

Mexico Travel Planning Guide

Should I buy Mexico travel insurance?

YES — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master, one of the biggest names in travel insurance. (Read more)

Can you drink the water in Mexico?

No — You’ll want to buy this Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico.

Also, it helps keep you hydrated while traveling Mexico. (Read more)

Is it safe to rent a car in Mexico?

Yes — Renting a car in Mexico is one of the best ways to see the country! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates. (Read more)

Will my phone work in Mexico?

Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy a Telcel SIM Card. As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of any Mexico SIM Cards. (Read more)

What’s the best way to book my Mexico accommodations?

For Mexico hotels, Booking.com is the best site, but for hostels, use Hostel World. If you’re considering a Mexico Airbnb, don’t forget to check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.

What do I pack for Mexico?

Head to the Ultimate Mexico Packing List + FREE Checklist Download to get all the info you need on packing for Mexico.

What’s the best site to buy Mexico flights?

For finding cheap Mexico flights, I recommend using Skyscanner.

Do I need a visa for Mexico?

Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but check here to see if you need a Mexico travel visa. Most travelers will get a 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa passport stamp a upon arrival.