Mexico spans nearly 20 degrees of latitude, stretches from sea level to peaks above 5,000 meters, and sits between two oceans. The result is not one climate but many: scorching deserts in the north, tropical coastlines in the south, and cool highlands in between. Understanding Mexico’s climate means understanding how geography, altitude, and season interact across a vast and varied landscape.
Three Climate Zones Stacked by Elevation
Altitude is the single biggest factor shaping local climate across Mexico. The country’s dramatic topography creates three traditional climate bands, each with distinct temperatures and crops.
The lowlands below roughly 900 meters are known as the “tierra caliente,” or hot lands. These coastal plains and river valleys stay warm year-round, with average temperatures often above 25°C (77°F). This is where you find sugarcane, bananas, and tropical produce. Most of Mexico’s beach destinations, from Cancún to Puerto Vallarta, sit in this zone.
Between about 900 and 1,800 meters, the “tierra templada” (temperate lands) offers milder conditions. Temperatures here are comfortable for most of the year, and the region supports corn, beans, and subtropical fruits. Many of Mexico’s mid-sized cities fall in this band.
Above 1,800 meters, the “tierra fría” (cold lands) brings cool days and chilly nights. Mexico City sits at roughly 2,240 meters and has a notably temperate climate for a city this close to the tropics, with average highs around 20–26°C depending on the season. The highlands support wheat, potatoes, and specialty crops like the high-altitude coffee grown in Chiapas. Above roughly 4,000 meters, conditions become too cold and harsh for agriculture entirely.
The Northern Deserts
Northern Mexico is dominated by two of North America’s great deserts: the Sonoran in the northwest and the Chihuahuan in the interior. This region is hot and arid, receiving less than 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) of rain per year, with most of that falling during brief summer storms. Summer temperatures regularly climb above 40°C (104°F), while winter nights in the Chihuahuan Desert can dip below freezing due to the higher elevation of the central plateau.
Cities like Hermosillo and Monterrey experience extreme heat for much of the year. During the spring of 2024, a series of unprecedented heatwaves pushed temperatures between 30°C and 45°C (86–113°F) across more than a dozen Mexican cities, breaking records even in places like Mexico City that normally stay mild. These heat events are becoming more frequent and intense.
Tropical South and Coastal Lowlands
Southern Mexico, including the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Oaxaca, and the Yucatán Peninsula, has a tropical climate with high humidity and heavy rainfall. Coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific receive far more rain than the north, often exceeding 1,500 millimeters (59 inches) annually in some locations. Tabasco is one of the wettest states in the country.
Temperatures along these coasts remain fairly consistent throughout the year, typically ranging from 25°C to 35°C (77–95°F). Humidity is the bigger variable. The combination of heat and moisture makes the southern lowlands feel significantly hotter than the thermometer suggests, particularly from May through September.
Wet Season and Dry Season
Mexico’s year divides into two broad seasons. The dry season runs from roughly December through April, bringing clear skies and little rainfall to most of the country. The wet season begins in May in the south and lasts through October, with afternoon thunderstorms becoming a near-daily occurrence in many regions. Rain typically falls in intense bursts rather than all-day drizzle, so even during the wet months, mornings are often sunny.
The timing and intensity of the rainy season shifts with latitude. Southern states start getting rain earlier and receive more of it. Northern desert regions see their modest rainfall concentrated in July and August. The central highlands, including Mexico City, follow a pattern closer to the south, with the heaviest rains arriving in June through September.
Hurricane Season on Two Coasts
Mexico is one of the few countries exposed to tropical cyclones from two separate ocean basins. The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30, affecting the Pacific coast from Baja California Sur down to Oaxaca. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, bringing storms to the Gulf coast, the Yucatán Peninsula, and the Caribbean shoreline.
Peak activity on both coasts falls between August and October. The Caribbean coast, particularly the stretch from Cancún to Tulum, is most vulnerable to Atlantic hurricanes. On the Pacific side, resorts like Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco face their own cyclone risks. Hurricanes can deliver enormous amounts of rainfall in a short period, triggering flooding and landslides even in areas far from the coast.
Drought and Water Stress
Despite heavy rains in the south and along the coasts, much of Mexico faces serious water challenges. As of early 2024, nearly 60 percent of the country was experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to Mexico’s national water commission (CONAGUA). Mexico City was hit particularly hard, with an estimated 90 percent of the metropolitan area classified as being in severe drought.
The contrast is striking: parts of the south flood during the wet season while the north and central highlands struggle with chronic water shortages. Population growth, aging infrastructure, and shifting rainfall patterns have all intensified the problem. Even regions that receive adequate annual rainfall can experience water stress when that rain falls in unpredictable bursts rather than steady, manageable amounts.
What Climate to Expect by Region
- Baja California: Mediterranean climate in the northwest (mild, dry summers near Ensenada) shifting to desert conditions further south. Cabo San Lucas is hot and dry most of the year with a brief rainy season in late summer.
- Central Highlands (Mexico City, Puebla, Guadalajara): Mild and spring-like for much of the year due to elevation. Daytime highs of 20–27°C (68–81°F), cool nights, and a defined rainy season from June to September.
- Gulf Coast (Veracruz, Tabasco): Hot, humid, and rainy. This is Mexico’s wettest region, with heavy rainfall from June through October and warm temperatures year-round.
- Pacific Coast (Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco): Tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons. December through April is sunny and dry; May through October brings heat, humidity, and afternoon storms.
- Yucatán Peninsula (Cancún, Mérida): Hot and humid year-round, with the heaviest rains from June to October. Hurricane risk peaks in September and October.
- Northern Deserts (Chihuahua, Monterrey): Extreme heat in summer, cold winters at higher elevations, and very little rainfall. The most dramatic temperature swings in the country.