Best Time to Visit Oaxaca Mexico and the Beaches
The best time to visit Oaxaca will vary based on your travel style and tolerance for heat. After living in Oaxaca for 4 years, I’ve determined that October and November are my favorite months to visit Oaxaca – both the city and the beaches.
By this time the rains have mostly stopped, the mountainsides are still verdant green, and the temperatures have begun to mellow.
If you prefer fewer people and are not opposed to the heat, April and May may be a good time of the year to visit. If you need a winter escape and don’t mind the influx of tourists, the high season of December to March is the best time to go to Oaxaca.
Let’s take a closer look at the best time to travel to Oaxaca as I breakdown each season and its pros and cons. I’ve also included festivals and events for each.
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Best Time to Go to Oaxaca City
The good news is, no matter what time of year you visit, there are plenty of things to do in Oaxaca City, the surrounding valleys, and at the coast.
Personally, my favorite months in Oaxaca City are October and November, and not just because of Day of the Dead (which you should absolutely experience!)
In this exploration of the best time to travel to Oaxaca, I’ve included the many Oaxaca festivals. But if you can’t schedule your travel with one of these, Oaxaca City always feels festive.
You’ll never know when you’ll randomly run into a parade or wedding calenda on the streets, which is one of the reasons I love living in Oaxaca.
Shoulder Season I – October and November
I personally think this is the best time of year to visit Oaxaca because the rains have mostly stopped, the temperatures are cooler, and the valleys are still green. You’ll also have the benefit of less people (apart from Day of the Dead celebrations).
November is also one of my favorite times to visit the beaches in Oaxaca for a lot of the same reasons.
Events in October and November
🍲 Mole de Caderas (October)
💀 Day of the Dead (November)
High Season – December to March
The high season is marked by cooler, dry weather. The mornings are cool, temperatures during the day are typically 70-80°F (21-27°C), and at night temperatures drop enough to need a jacket after dark.
It is also the busiest time of year, with several of my favorite festivals scheduled during these months. And the very festive Christmas season in Oaxaca.
With all of those qualities comes more tourists, although the influx of people isn’t so much that I find it unpleasant. It does raise prices of hotels in Oaxaca.
Wondering where to stay in Oaxaca? (you don’t want to miss our guide to the best areas).
Festivals During High Season
💃 Fandango Costeño (Nov/Dec)
🌱 Noche de Rabanos (December)
👺 Carnaval (February)
🥤 Good Samaritan’s Day (March)
Shoulder Season II – April and May
Personally, this is my least favorite time to travel to Oaxaca although it does have its positives. While hot and dry, April and May can be the best time to go to Oaxaca if you’re looking for fewer people and lower prices.
The months of April and May are typically the hottest of the year in many parts of Mexico. Temperatures often reach the 90s (32 °C) during the day with little to no rain to cool things down.
During this time everything is dry and thirsty for water (including my skin!) Many houses and accommodations struggle to keep up with tap water demands and use pipa trucks to refill their cisterns.
It’s important to conserve water year round in Oaxaca, but especially during these months. You can learn more about water issues in the arid parts of northern Oaxaca state.
Events in April and May
🐰 Easter Processions (April)
🥳 Oaxaca City’s Birthday (April)
Rainy Season – June through September
The rainy season in Oaxaca and much of Mexico lasts from roughly June to September with some rains lingering into October. But it can still be a good time of the year to visit Oaxaca.
The rains rarely last all day and on the plus side, there are typically fewer tourists during these months. An exception is during the month of July when visitors flock to the city for the Guelaguetza Festival (one of my favorite experiences!)
The rainy season in Oaxaca is characterized by afternoon thunderstorms that last for an hour or two and sometimes stretch into the evening. The temperatures are cooler than in the previous months, especially in the early morning and night.
You should always bring an umbrella with you during these months and have a backup plan in case of storms. Oaxaca City is prone to flooding, especially with torrential rains. Typically the months of June and September see the most rain, but it varies year to year.
Events During Rainy Season
💃 Guelaguetza (July)
🍄 Oaxaca Mushroom Festival (August)
🐶 Blessing of the Animals (August)
🇲🇽 Mexican Independence Day (September)
Best Time to Visit Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, and Other Oaxaca Beaches
The most beautiful beaches in Oaxaca have breathtaking bays of turquoise water encompassed by cliffs of the Sierra Madre mountains that extend into the sea.
The weather is warm year-round, with temperatures and humidity peaking in the spring and summer months. These higher temperatures also bring more rain and the threat of hurricanes.
The high season (December to March) sees the most tourists which is most evident by the higher than average prices of the best hotels in Puerto Escondido during this time.
Despite the higher prices and more people, I still think the best time to visit Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, and other places on the coast is from November through February.
You’ll have more clear days, calmer seas, and less oppressive heat and humidity. In addition, December marks the start of whale watching season which lasts until March or April.
Weather in Oaxaca
The weather in Oaxaca is characterized by two distinct seasons – wet and dry. I didn’t realize how polar opposite they are until the first year I lived in Oaxaca City.
At the end of August, I was ready for the rains to subside. I didn’t realize some of the biggest rainstorms were yet to come. But then by March, my skin and hair were desperate for moisture. And in April and May, the sun was relentless.
The higher elevation areas near Oaxaca, such as San Jose del Pacifico, can get downright cold (especially in the winter months). And of course, the coastal region has more year-round humidity with less temperature relief in the early mornings and evenings.
There are fluctuations within these two seasons. Most of these I’ve already talked about above, but you can further compare monthly averages of both Oaxaca City and the beaches using this weather site.
Oaxaca City Weather
When a friend told me we weren’t likely to see any rain until April, I was floored. It was only December after all. My nose had already begun to feel dry and dusty, something I had never experienced since I was used to living in more humid regions.
Then when April rolled around, I kept waiting for a heavy rainstorm to clear the air, wash away the dust, and bring cooler temperatures. We didn’t start to see heavy rains until the beginning of June.
My first two years in Oaxaca were particularly dry, which then led to extreme heat and wildfires the next spring. Fortunately we seem to be getting back to normal with rain levels but I always recommend everyone watch their water use.
Questions About The Best Time to Visit Oaxaca
When is the best time to visit Oaxaca?
The best time to visit Oaxaca is from October to March since most of the rains have stopped and the temperatures are lower. Although, these months bring more visitors to the city as well. If you don’t mind higher temperatures, April and May see fewer tourists. The same is true in the summer months when afternoon rains are a regular occurrence.
What is the rainy season in Oaxaca?
The rainy season in Oaxaca last from approximately June through September. During this time you can expect afternoon showers that sometimes extend into the evening. Occasionally it will be overcast and rainy throughout the entire day. During these months, the temperatures in the morning and evening are cool.
Does it rain a lot in Oaxaca?
It rains a lot in Oaxaca during the rainy season from June to September. During these months, the city receives about 70% of its annual rainfall. You can expect frequent storms in the afternoon and sometimes evenings. The dry season in Oaxaca lasts from October to May. During these months, there is almost no rain in Oaxaca.
