January is one of the best months to visit the Central American paradise that is Mexico. It's gloriously dry and sunny, with barely any signs of rain to spoil your perfect Mexican party. Although temperatures will vary depending on which part of Mexico you find yourself in, you can expect them to average around lows of 5°C (41°F) to highs of 29°C (84°F).
January in Mexico can be quite crowded, though not as bad as it is during December and February. The primary reason for it being crowded during this time of the year is the good weather that most people come to enjoy from overseas. Prices for most things related to traveling in Mexico, as a result, remain on the higher side during January. Although good deals on flights to and from, and hotels in, Mexico City are possible if you book far out in advance, be prepared to pay more for domestic flights and accommodation options outside the capital, as compared to the prices on offer during the country's off-season.
Although there is barely any chance of it raining in Mexico during January, the weather can fluctuate from warm to cold, depending on where you are. The coastal regions remain warm whereas the central, northern, and mountainous regions can get quite cold, especially in the mornings and evenings. In order to remain prepared to tackle both warm and cool weather conditions, it's best you pack plenty of short sleeved tops for the warm afternoons, shorts, swimwear, dresses, sweaters and jackets for places with cooler temperatures, scarves, jeans, capris, comfortable walking shoes, sandals or flip-flops, sunscreen, and sunhats.
To get a better understanding of what Mexico is like in terms of climate and weather conditions during the month of January, continue reading below.
Mexico Weather in January: Overview
- Average temperature range: 5°C (41°F) – 29°C (84°F)
- Rainfall: 20 mm (1 inch) in Mexico City; 75 mm (3 inches) in Cancun; 0 mm (0 inches) in Oaxaca; 10 mm (0 inches) in Cabo San Lucas.
- Rainy days: 2 in Mexico City; 5 in Cancun; 0 in Oaxaca; 2 in Cabo San Lucas.
Average temperatures in Mexico will vary depending on which part of the country you're interested in visiting. The average maximum temperatures will touch 21°C (70°F) in Mexico City, 27°C (81°F) in Cancun, 26°C (79°F) in Oaxaca, and 26°C (79°F) in Cabo San Lucas. The average minimum temperatures, on the other hand, are closer to 5°C (41°F) in Mexico City, 20°C (68°F) in Cancun, 8°C (46°F) in Oaxaca, and 17°C (63°F) in Cabo San Lucas. The capital, Mexico City, and Oaxaca can be particularly cold during the month, especially in the mornings and evenings.
The weather is generally dry in Mexico during January, with close to no chance of rain in most places. The only spots where you could experience the odd drizzle are Cancun and Oaxaca city.
If you're looking to spend some time whale watching on the Pacific coast, while also having the opportunity to experience some of the grandest festivals in Mexican culture, a January trip to Mexico will certainly interest you!
Weather of Mexico Major Cities in January
| City | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | 5°C (41°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (1 inch) |
| Cancun | 20°C (68°F) | 27°C (81°F) | 75 mm (3 inches) |
| Guadalajara | 8°C (46°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 15 mm (1 inch) |
| Oaxaca | 8°C (46°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 0 mm (0 inches) |
| Chichen Itza | 22°C (72°F) | 29°C (84°F) | 30 mm (1 inch) |
| Cabo San Lucas | 17°C (63°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0 inches) |
| Monterrey | 9°C (48°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (2 inches) |
Best Places to Visit in Mexico in January
1.Puerto Vallarta
January is a terrific month to be visiting Puerto Vallarta. This city on the Pacific coast benefits from perfect weather conditions during this time of the year. It's nice and cool in the early hours of the mornings and late hours of the evenings whilst being pleasantly warm during the afternoons. The water temperature is perfect, too, meaning you can relax on the beach and go for a dip whenever you'd like. The highlight of a trip to Puerto Vallarta during January, though, has to be whale watching. If you sign up for a boat tour and venture a little further out from the coast, you can see humpback whales swimming in the waters and jumping up from time to time. It's a surreal experience!
2.Merida
What makes Merida in the Yucatan a no-brainer for a trip in January isn't just the cool, dry, weather but also the fact that one of Mexico's most highly anticipated festivals, Merida Fest, is held during this month. It coincides with the city's founding on January 6 and is a carnival full of lively music, scrumptious fare, and beautiful artwork!
3.Chiapa de Corzo
Chiapa de Corzo is a fan favorite for those interested in learning more about Mayan culture. Located in southern Mexico, it is home to several Mayan archaeological sites and traditional buildings. During January, the state of Chiapas also holds its annual Fiesta Grande in Chiapa de Corzo, during which attendees can witness the world-famous dance performance of the Parachicos. This performance attracts viewers from all over the planet, resulting in UNESCO awarding it the tag of an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
January Crowds and Costs
Although not as crowded as it is during December and February, January remains an extremely popular time of year to visit Mexico. This is primarily due to the terrific weather on offer during this time. Popular spots like Cancun on the Caribbean side and Acapulco on the Pacific coast can get particularly crowded during December, with many foreign travelers visiting these places to catch some sun and escape the colder winters back home.
As a result, traveling to Mexico in January can get expensive. Although certainly more expensive in December and February, accommodation, airfare, transportation, and entertainment, are all priced at a premium given the increase in demand during January. If you book far out in advance, though, you can definitely snag good deals on flights to and from, and hotels in, Mexico City, before embarking on the subsequent legs of your trip.
January Events in Mexico
New Year's Day: January 1 is a nationwide public holiday in Mexico. All public institutions like banks, schools, and government offices are closed on this day. Although eateries and small shops will stay open, most bigger businesses will also remain closed on this first day of the month.
Three Kings Day: Although not a federal public holiday, Dia de Los Reyes, or Three Kings' Day, is celebrated with much fanfare throughout the country. It is celebrated on January 6th every year and is also known as Epiphany in Spain and elsewhere. The holiday commemorates the day the Jesus Christ received gifts from the Three Wise Men and children all over Mexico spend the holiday today by drawing up lists of gifts they'd like to receive for Christmas and placing them by their family's Christmas trees or nativity scenes.
Merida Fest: Merida Fest is not only the most anticipated carnival in the capital city of the Yucatan province, Merida, but is right up there as being one of the most eagerly awaited festivals in all of Mexico. And there's good reason for it having earned this reputation! The festival features art exhibits, gastro experiences, and lively concerts attended by thousands. It also coincides with the founding of Merida city on January 6, making it doubly significant and immensely celebratory for attendees. Although the exact dates of the festival vary from year to year, it usually starts during the first week of January and runs through the middle of the month.
La Fiesta Grande de Enero: The Grand Festival of January in the city of Chiapa de Corzo is, hands down, the biggest party in Chiapas state, the center of Mayan culture, and one that all of Mexico eagerly looks forward to. The Grand Festival is a traditional festival full of dance performances, costumed parades, music, masses, religious ceremonies, naval reenactments, and fireworks!
It's a lot of fun but the highlight of the festival is the lively performance put on by the Parachicos, who are traditional masked dancers from Chiapa de Corzo. Their performances draw attendees from all over the globe and have rightfully earned the badge of being an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Although the official start date for the festival varies every year, it is usually on January 8, with the performances taking place during the third week of the month.
Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado: Celebrated in the city of Alamos on the third Friday of every January, this week-long festival is also known as the Alamos FOAT Music Festival. It is an extremely popular music and art festival that showcases opera music, among other genres, in honor of Alfonso Ortiz Tirado, the famous opera singer and doctor from Alamos.
What to Wear in Mexico in January
While it's dry nationwide and you don't really have to worry about it raining no matter where you are in Mexico in January, it's best to pack for both warm and cooler weather conditions for a trip around the country during this time of the year. The coastal destinations are warm while the central and mountainous areas can get slightly cold, especially in the mornings and evenings.
To have all your bases covered, you'll want to pack the following items if you're visiting Mexico in January: short sleeved tops for the afternoons, shorts, jeans, capris, a couple of warm dresses, sweaters, a light jacket, scarves, swimwear, socks, reliable walking shoes, sandals or flip flops, sunscreen, and sunhats.
Explore Mexico with Global Highlights
Mexico is an absolute dream to visit, and our team of travel experts here at Global Highlights would be thrilled to help you realize that dream. We know the ins and outs of traveling around Mexico and have years of experience planning the perfect itinerary for this Central American paradise. This expertise will ensure you have a thoroughly memorable time during your holiday, and come back home refreshed, rejuvenated, and with plenty of stories to tell your friends. We'll keep everything from weather conditions to special interests in mind, so all you need to worry about is having as good a time as possible!
