Mexico: A Country for All Seasons

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Start planning your journey to Mexico with Ker & Downey’s Mexico year-round travel guide.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday, enriching cultural experience, private villa getaway, or something more adventurous and off the beaten path, Mexico has it all.

Start exploring the wonders of our nearby neighbor with a tailor-made approach. We love Mexico for its year-round appeal. From Fall wildlife migrations to colorful Spring celebrations, Mexico is truly a country for all seasons. Here is a month-by-month guide to our favorite festivals and seasonal highlights that Mexico has to offer.

January | Three Kings Day (Nationwide)

In Mexico, Christmas celebrations continue in full force throughout January. Specifically, in early January – on Three Kings Day (Los Reyes Magos) – locals celebrate the three Wise Men arriving in Bethlehem to present gifts to the baby Jesus. Presents are given to the children, and everyone shares a sweet bread known as Rosca de Reyes. Hidden inside is a small figure of a baby. Whoever gets the piece with the baby must give another party on Candlemas, the official end of the Mexican holiday season on February 2nd.

February | Zona Maco Art Festival (Mexico City)

Every February, Mexico City transforms into an international arts hub as the Zona Maco art fair takes over the city. The fair features three different events taking place throughout the city and welcomes over 140 national and international exhibitors showcasing everything from contemporary and modern artworks and cutting edge photography to vintage and antique treasures.

March | Pink Flamingo Mating (Celestún Biosphere, Yucatán State)

With 147,500 acres of protected lands, the Celestun Biosphere Reserve is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the Yucatan and comprises one of the largest areas of mangroves in the Gulf of Mexico. Due to the unique eco-system of a combination of fresh water from the estuary and salt water from the Gulf of Mexico, more than 200 species of birds flock to the area which has become famous for their large colonies of bright pink flamingos, which are out in full force come the month of March. Celestun is best explored by boat, winding through the canals of the mangroves and having a local guide point out the magnificent natural surroundings.

April | Festival of Spring and Peace (San Cristóbal de las Casas)

“Feria de la Primavera y de la Paz” (Festival of Spring and Peace) is the most important festival of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Spanning Easter Week, the festival features a range of culturally enlightening events such as the gastronomic exhibition, the parade of allegoric floats, the nomination of the Queen of Spring and of Peace, and the traditional serenade of the city. Visitors will also find a party taking place in each of the town’s many neighborhoods.

May | San Marcos National Fair (Aguascalientes)

The San Marcos National Fair is one of the best times to visit Aguascalientes. Held in honor of St. Mark, the patron saint of this charming city, this festival has delighted locals and tourists since 1828. Around the globe, La Feria de San Marcos, better known as the “Fair of Mexico,” has a well-earned reputation as the highlight of any spring visit to Mexico. During this time, you can get to know the locals, sample the best Mexican food you’ve ever tasted, buy local arts and crafts to take back home, listen to great music by a wide variety of musicians, and take in numerous free museums and galleries showcasing hundreds of Mexico’s artists. Keeping with its 100+ years of tradition, travelers will also witness multiple livestock expositions and traditional Charreadas and skirmishes during their festival experience.

June | Whale Sharks (Isla Mujeres and Yucatán Peninsula)

From June to September, the whale sharks make a visit to the warm waters off the Yucatan – where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea meet. Ker & Downey recommends pairing your whale shark adventure in Cancun, Isla Mujeres, or Isla Contoy with a visit to the nearby ancient Mayan ruins for a unique and exhilarating journey. Swim with a whale shark will make even the biggest admirer feel small in comparison!

July | Guelaguetza Dance Festival (Oaxaca)

If you are a fan of cultural travel and traditional music and dance, the sights and sounds of la Guelaguetza cannot be missed. Guelaguetza, meaning “offering” and “mutual exchange of gifts and services” in the ancient Zapotec language, is one of Mexico’s largest and most colorful festivals. During the festivities, the state’s many indigenous peoples and cultures come together to celebrate the diversity of their traditions and cultures. The festival of La Guelaguetza dates back to 1932 and is now celebrated through traditional music, dancing, and events which attract thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

August | Sea Turtle Nesting (Pacific and Caribbean Coasts)

For generations, sea turtles have played a key role in Mexican culture in native coastal communities. In addition, they have provided a significant part of the livelihood of a large number of coastal fishermen. In the past 20 years, a combination of factors, including unlimited exploitation, the low percentage of hatchlings which survive to adulthood, and environmental degradation, have resulted in the turtles becoming endangered in Mexico. The Mexican Government in partnership with the NGO community and private businesses has been working hard to protect Mexican Sea Turtles throughout the country. There are currently sea turtle preservation programs on the Baja Peninsula and up and down the Pacific Coast that offer extraordinary up close experiences for interested travelers, like the Magdalena Bay Sea Turtle Monitoring Camp! Hatchling releases, sea turtle monitoring, and open ocean sea turtle viewings allow visitors to witness these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat while ensuring their presence for generations to come.

September | Fall Equinox (Chitzen Itza)

The Maya, known for an almost preternatural understanding of astronomy, built the pyramid at Chichén Itzà in honor of their serpent god Kukulkan. The angle of the sun was accounted for in such a way that during each equinox, the cast of the sun forms seven isosceles triangles that resemble a feathered serpent slithering toward its stone head at the base of the pyramid. The Maya measured their lives by the sun, and as such, the equinoxes had practical importance for them as well. The spring equinox marked the time to begin planting the corn crop and the autumnal equinox signaled the time to begin the harvest.

October | Whale Sharks (Baja Peninsula)

Mexico is blessed to welcome whale sharks nearly the entire year, as they split their time between Mexico’s coasts. This provides travelers with the chance to choose their own location for this incredible experience. October and November, specifically, are prime months to swim and snorkel with the whale sharks in the stunning waters of Baja California Sur. Called the “world’s aquarium” by the famous Jacques Cousteau, this area is an ocean lover’s dream come true.

November | Dia de los Muertos (Nationwide)

From late October to early November, participate in one the most colorful, mystical and misunderstood ceremonies in Mexico: Day of the Dead. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember loved ones who have died. The traditions vary widely throughout the different regions of Mexico, but no matter where you go, you will have the opportunity to see the seasonal offerings, vibrant preparations, and altar creations leading up to this very special night.

December | Monarch Butterfly Migration (Michoacán and the State of Mexico)

Every winter, the oyamel fir trees of Michoacan, Mexico are transformed into a breathtaking backdrop for one of the most amazing natural phenomena in the world: The Monarch Butterfly Migration. During this time, millions – perhaps even billions! – of monarch butterflies suddenly descend upon the branches of Mexico’s spectacular forest reserve to rest amongst the evergreen needles. The arrival of the Monarch butterfly is a celebrated event for both locals and foreign visitors who are eager to witness the final stretch of a 5000-mile journey from North America. It also coincides with migrations of the Humpback Whales around Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, as well as the Gray Whales of Baja – making it the perfect time to witness Mexico’s wildlife up close and unhindered.

Our Mexico year-round travel guide is a great place to start planning your journey. To discuss your next Mexico holiday, contact our designers. 

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