It continues to be very rainy in Mexico around October time. October is one of two months when the hurricanes and tropical storms are at intensities of devastating severity, and this can be particularly noticeable in the Yucatan Peninsula. It starts cooling off nationwide, though, with average temperatures in Mexico standing at highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 10°C (50°F).
It is generally quiet in Mexico in October. Crowds can be expected during the first two weeks of October in the popular tourist hotspots on the Pacific coast and in Mexico City during the Day of the Dead weekend, but if you avoid traveling during these times, you're in for a relaxed and laid-back travel experience, wherein having to pay over the odds for accommodation, airfare, and transportation won't be something you have to worry about.
The first couple of weeks of October in Mexico are extremely rainy but the latter half of the month is not as wet. Moreover, while it's very warm in some regions around the country during this time of the year, some places can be very chilly, especially during the early hours of the mornings and the late hours of the evenings. All of this goes to show that a range of clothing items will be needed to be packed for a trip to Mexico in October, including summer clothes, swimwear, a few winter articles, and raincoats and umbrellas to help keep you dry during the rains.
To get a better understanding of what Mexico is like in terms of climate and weather conditions during the month of October, continue reading below.
Mexico Weather in October: Overview
- Average temperature range: 10°C (50°F) – 32°C (90°F)
- Rainfall: 100 mm (4 inches) in Mexico City; 200 mm (8 inches) in Cancun; 90 mm (4 inches) in Oaxaca; 25 mm (1 inch) in Cabo San Lucas.
- Rainy days: 8 in Mexico City; 12 in Cancun; 5 in Oaxaca; 2 in Cabo San Lucas.
Average temperatures in Mexico in October range from cool and comfortable to warm and sticky, and are dependent entirely on the region in question. For example, the average temperature highs are closer to 23°C (73°F) in Mexico City, 30°C (86°F) in Cancun, 28°C (82°F) in Oaxaca, and 32°C (90°F) in Cabo San Lucas. The average temperature lows, on the other end of the spectrum, are closer to 10°C (50°F) in the capital, 24°C (75°F) in Cancun, 12°C (54°F) in Oaxaca, and 24°C (77°F) in Cabo San Lucas. Mexico City and Oaxaca can be particularly chilly during the early and late hours of the days in October.
Metropolitans like Mexico City see much less rainfall in October than was the case during the preceding few months but the same can't be said for places in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Yucatan Peninsula experiences torrential rainfall during the first two weeks of October, with the rains easing up towards the latter half of the month. By the end of October, most places around Mexico experience a drop off in the amount of rain they receive, with clear skies and lots of sunshine replacing the darker clouds and wetter conditions that had been the norm for so long.
October, along with September, is one of the months when hurricanes are at their severest in Mexico, and it's for this reason we recommend that all travelers to the country exercise caution by constantly keeping an eye on local and national weather reports during the first two weeks of the month. This will help ensure you're up to date with any hurricanes or tropical storms developing in the area, and rearrange your travel plans accordingly, if required.
October is a good time to be in Mexico if you're in the mood to have a quieter, more relaxing, holiday experience and attend some of the country's most famed celebrations.
Weather of Mexico Major Cities in October
| City | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | 10°C (50°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 100 mm (4 inches) |
| Cancun | 24°C (75°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 200 mm (8 inches) |
| Guadalajara | 14°C (57°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 55 mm (2 inches) |
| Oaxaca | 12°C (54°F) | 28°C (82°F) | 90 mm (4 inches) |
| Chichen Itza | 25°C (77°F) | 31°C (88°F) | 90 mm (4 inches) |
| Cabo San Lucas | 24°C (75°F) | 32°C (90°F) | 25 mm (1 inch) |
| Monterrey | 17°C (63°F) | 28°C (82°F) | 75 mm (3 inches) |
Best Places to Visit in Mexico in October
1. Mexico City
CDMX is more than just a city; it's a cultural, administrative, economic, and gastronomic frontrunner on the global stage, and in October, with the rains having subsided to a significant extent, the capital of Mexico is a delight to explore. From architecture appreciation at the Palacio de Belles Artes to culinary excursions at Mercado de la Merced, you've got a lot to look forward to during a trip to Mexico City. If you're there at the end of the month for the Day of the Dead celebrations, you can expect it to be quite crowded, but you're also in for a celebration of a lifetime!
2. Guanajuato City
With cobblestone streets that wind for days and colonial architecture so colorful it feels as though it's straight out of a painting, it's easy to see why the city of Guanajuato has been accredited the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A trip to this important cultural and educational center of Mexico is not complete without a trip to the Diego Rivera Museum, a street food tour, watching a concert at the legendary Juarez Theatre, and if you're in Guanajuato in mid-October, attending the Cervantino Festival.
3. Acapulco
October is one of the best times to visit Acapulco if you're in the mood to maximize some time on the beach and have yourself a nice, relaxing, holiday. It is consistently warm and sunny during the second half of October here and given the dearth of tourists visiting Acapulco's beautiful shores during this time, there are plenty of great deals on accommodation and transportation to take advantage. Barra Vieja, Condesa, and Pichilingue are some of the best, most picturesque, beaches in Acapulco for you to enjoy.
October Crowds and Costs
October is, for the most part, a quieter month to be traveling in Mexico. It is a little crowded in the popular tourist destinations on the Pacific coast during the first two weeks of the month, but the crowds thin out during the second half of the month. You can expect a more peaceful and relaxing travel experience if you visit during this time.
Mexico City experiences an influx of tourists during the Day of the Dead weekend but apart from this one weekend, remains generally quiet as well. So, if you avoid traveling to the capital around this weekend and stick to traveling to the popular destinations on the west coast during the second half of October, you'll benefit from finding many good deals on accommodation, airfare, and transportation.
October Events in Mexico
Festival Cervantino: The city of Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts the Festival Internacional Cervantino in mid-October. While the exact date varies from year to year, the festival is set to take place from October 11 to 27 in 2024. It is one of the biggest performing arts celebrations of the year in Latin America featuring countless jazz musicians, theatre groups, and folk dancers. In addition, exhibitions, workshops, and lectures are also organized to spread knowledge and foster dialogue between performers and audience members.
Day of the Dead: Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional holiday that has gained popularity all around the globe in recent years, and very few countries celebrate this holiday quite the same way Mexico does. Although the most important days of the festival are November 1 and 2, the celebrations start on October 31, with many people setting up altars for their deceased loved ones during this extremely important day when the living and the dead are reunited. Although celebrated all over the country, San Andres Mixquic, Oaxaca, Patzcuaro and Mexico City are some of the best places to experience the grandest Day of the Dead celebrations.
What to Wear in Mexico in October
The first part of October is very rainy while the second half is much more manageable. It's also important to bear in mind that while it'll be warm in most places around the country for most of October, the early morning and late evenings can be a little chilly, especially in places like Mexico City, Oaxaca de Juarez, and Guadalajara. This means you'll have to pack a range of clothing, including summer wear, swimwear, a few winter articles, and the necessary raincoat or umbrella to keep you dry.
A comprehensive packing list for a trip to Mexico in October ought to include the following items: linen and cotton shirts, quick-drying t-shirts, a raincoat or poncho, umbrella, lightweight pants, sundresses, shorts, skirts, swimwear, beach cover ups, reef shoes, sandals, flip flops, shoes, sunhats, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant, light jackets, and a few sweaters.
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!
