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Best time to visit Oaxaca

The best time to visit Oaxaca is November–April, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.

Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico

°C

mm

−10°0°10°20°30°40°
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  • Average daily high and low
  • Precipitation
  • Good month
  • Best month
  • Made good or best by an event
Average daily high and low temperature, average precipitation and each month's verdict
MonthAverage daily highAverage daily lowPrecipitationVerdict
January24.4 °C / 76 °F9.5 °C / 49 °F4 mm / 0.1 inbest month
February26.3 °C / 79 °F10.1 °C / 50 °F5 mm / 0.2 inbest month
March27.7 °C / 82 °F11.4 °C / 53 °F16 mm / 0.6 inbest month
April28.8 °C / 84 °F12.7 °C / 55 °F24 mm / 0.9 inbest month
May28.1 °C / 83 °F14.2 °C / 58 °F70 mm / 2.8 ingood month
June25.3 °C / 78 °F14.4 °C / 58 °F189 mm / 7.4 inneither best nor good
July24.9 °C / 77 °F13.9 °C / 57 °F115 mm / 4.5 ingood month, for Guelaguetza. The weather alone makes it neither best nor good.
August25.2 °C / 77 °F14.1 °C / 57 °F139 mm / 5.5 inneither best nor good
September24.4 °C / 76 °F14.3 °C / 58 °F190 mm / 7.5 inneither best nor good
October24.8 °C / 77 °F13.2 °C / 56 °F65 mm / 2.6 ingood month, for Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). The weather alone makes it neither best nor good.
November24.8 °C / 77 °F11.4 °C / 53 °F9 mm / 0.4 inbest month
December24.6 °C / 76 °F9.8 °C / 50 °F2 mm / 0.1 inbest month
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen

Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:

  • Daytime highs
  • Night-time lows
  • How warm it feels
  • Humidity
  • How much of the day is sunny
  • Hours of daylight
  • Monthly rainfall
  • How many days it rains
  • Days of heavy rain
  • Wind
  • Snowfall and days with snow
  • Major events, such as festivals

The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.

The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.

Best months by activity

Exploring outdoors

Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.

  1. JJanuary: best
  2. FFebruary: best
  3. MMarch: best
  4. AApril: best
  5. MMay: good
  6. JJune: neither
  7. JJuly: good
  8. AAugust: neither
  9. SSeptember: neither
  10. OOctober: good
  11. NNovember: best
  12. DDecember: best
Best
November–April
Good
May, July, October

Oaxaca's dry season, November through March and largely April too, is mild, sunny and excellent for exploring on foot. The summer monsoon from June through September brings heavy, humid, afternoon-concentrated rain that makes outdoor exploring far less appealing, though the Guelaguetza and Día de Muertos festivals still lift July, October and November.

Why these months

  • January · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 23.1 °C / 74 °F, average daily high 24.4 °C / 76 °F, precipitation 4 mm / 0.1 in, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, wet days 0.8 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, relative humidity 61%, average daily low 9.5 °C / 49 °F.

    Also on: New Year's Day, Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos).

  • February · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 25.4 °C / 78 °F, precipitation 5 mm / 0.2 in, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, average daily high 26.3 °C / 79 °F, wet days 0.9 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily low 10.1 °C / 50 °F, relative humidity 58%.

    Also on: Carnaval.

  • March · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 27.5 °C / 82 °F, precipitation 16 mm / 0.6 in, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, average daily high 27.7 °C / 82 °F, wet days 3 days, days with heavy rain 0.3 days, average daily low 11.4 °C / 53 °F, relative humidity 57%.

    Also on: Benito Juárez's birthday, Carnaval, Guerreros baseball season.

    Watch out for: Semana Santa (Holy Week) crowds.

  • April · best

    In its favour: precipitation 24 mm / 0.9 in, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, days with heavy rain 0.6 days, average daily high 28.8 °C / 84 °F, average daily low 12.7 °C / 55 °F, relative humidity 57%.

    Against: feels like (high) 29 °C / 84 °F, wet days 4.5 days, share of rain falling in the daytime 79%.

    Also on: Guerreros baseball season.

    Watch out for: Semana Santa (Holy Week) crowds.

  • May · good

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 88%, average daily high 28.1 °C / 83 °F, average daily low 14.2 °C / 58 °F, relative humidity 63%.

    Against: feels like (high) 28.9 °C / 84 °F, days with heavy rain 2.4 days, wet days 8.2 days, precipitation 70 mm / 2.8 in, share of rain falling in the daytime 64%.

    Also on: Guerreros baseball season.

    Watch out for: Mother's Day.

  • July · good

    Made good by Guelaguetza.

    In its favour: feels like (high) 26 °C / 79 °F, average daily high 24.9 °C / 77 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 80%, average daily low 13.9 °C / 57 °F.

    Against: wet days 15.2 days, precipitation 115 mm / 4.5 in, days with heavy rain 4.1 days, relative humidity 74%, share of rain falling in the daytime 57%.

    Also on: Feria del Mezcal, Guerreros baseball season.

    Watch out for: Guelaguetza crowds, Mexican summer vacation season.

  • October · good

    Made good by Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

    In its favour: feels like (high) 25.2 °C / 77 °F, average daily high 24.8 °C / 77 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 82%, average daily low 13.2 °C / 56 °F.

    Against: wet days 8.7 days, relative humidity 71%, days with heavy rain 2.1 days, precipitation 65 mm / 2.6 in, sunshine per day 9.7 h, share of rain falling in the daytime 51%.

    Watch out for: Día de Muertos crowds.

  • November · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 24.2 °C / 76 °F, average daily high 24.8 °C / 77 °F, precipitation 9 mm / 0.4 in, share of daylight that is sunny 91%, wet days 1.9 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily low 11.4 °C / 53 °F, relative humidity 65%.

    Also on: Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

    Watch out for: Día de Muertos crowds.

  • December · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 23.3 °C / 74 °F, average daily high 24.6 °C / 76 °F, precipitation 2 mm / 0.1 in, share of daylight that is sunny 95%, wet days 0.6 days, days with heavy rain 0 days, relative humidity 62%, average daily low 9.8 °C / 50 °F.

    Also on: Christmas, Fiesta de la Soledad, Las Posadas / Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes).

Hiking and trekking

Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.

  1. JJanuary: best
  2. FFebruary: best
  3. MMarch: best
  4. AApril: best
  5. MMay: good
  6. JJune: neither
  7. JJuly: neither
  8. AAugust: neither
  9. SSeptember: neither
  10. OOctober: neither
  11. NNovember: best
  12. DDecember: best
Best
November–April
Good
May

The dry, mild, low-humidity months from November through April offer excellent hiking conditions with clear skies and largely dry trails. May through October, especially the core monsoon from June to September, bring heavy, muddying, afternoon-concentrated rain that makes hiking much less enjoyable.

Why these months

  • January · best

    In its favour: precipitation 4 mm / 0.1 in, wet days 0.8 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily high 24.4 °C / 76 °F, average daily low 9.5 °C / 49 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, feels like (high) 23.1 °C / 74 °F, daylight per day 11.2 h, wind (daily max) 12 km/h / 7 mph.

    Also on: New Year's Day, Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos).

  • February · best

    In its favour: precipitation 5 mm / 0.2 in, wet days 0.9 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily low 10.1 °C / 50 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, daylight per day 11.6 h, wind (daily max) 13 km/h / 8 mph, feels like (high) 25.4 °C / 78 °F.

    Against: average daily high 26.3 °C / 79 °F.

    Also on: Carnaval.

  • March · best

    In its favour: precipitation 16 mm / 0.6 in, wet days 3 days, days with heavy rain 0.3 days, average daily low 11.4 °C / 53 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, daylight per day 12.1 h, wind (daily max) 13 km/h / 8 mph.

    Against: average daily high 27.7 °C / 82 °F, feels like (high) 27.5 °C / 82 °F.

    Also on: Benito Juárez's birthday, Carnaval, Guerreros baseball season.

    Watch out for: Semana Santa (Holy Week) crowds.

  • April · best

    In its favour: precipitation 24 mm / 0.9 in, days with heavy rain 0.6 days, average daily low 12.7 °C / 55 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, daylight per day 12.5 h, wind (daily max) 13 km/h / 8 mph.

    Against: feels like (high) 29 °C / 84 °F, wet days 4.5 days, share of rain falling in the daytime 79%, average daily high 28.8 °C / 84 °F.

    Also on: Guerreros baseball season.

    Watch out for: Semana Santa (Holy Week) crowds.

  • May · good

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 88%, daylight per day 12.9 h, average daily low 14.2 °C / 58 °F, wind (daily max) 12 km/h / 7 mph.

    Against: feels like (high) 28.9 °C / 84 °F, days with heavy rain 2.4 days, wet days 8.2 days, precipitation 70 mm / 2.8 in, share of rain falling in the daytime 64%, average daily high 28.1 °C / 83 °F.

    Also on: Guerreros baseball season.

    Watch out for: Mother's Day.

  • November · best

    In its favour: precipitation 9 mm / 0.4 in, wet days 1.9 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily high 24.8 °C / 77 °F, average daily low 11.4 °C / 53 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 91%, daylight per day 11.3 h, feels like (high) 24.2 °C / 76 °F, wind (daily max) 11 km/h / 7 mph.

    Also on: Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

    Watch out for: Día de Muertos crowds.

  • December · best

    In its favour: precipitation 2 mm / 0.1 in, wet days 0.6 days, days with heavy rain 0 days, average daily high 24.6 °C / 76 °F, average daily low 9.8 °C / 50 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 95%, feels like (high) 23.3 °C / 74 °F, daylight per day 11.1 h, wind (daily max) 11 km/h / 7 mph.

    Also on: Christmas, Fiesta de la Soledad, Las Posadas / Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes).

An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Ski Apache, 2030 km away.

Weather averages

Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Feels like (high) 23.1 °C25.4 °C27.5 °C29 °C28.9 °C26.5 °C26 °C26.3 °C25.8 °C25.2 °C24.2 °C23.3 °C
Days with heavy rain 0.1 days0.1 days0.3 days0.6 days2.4 days7.2 days4.1 days4.6 days6.9 days2.1 days0.1 days0 days
Time rain usually falls 4 pm5 pm4 pm4 pm4 pm4 pm4 pm4 pm4 pm4 pm4 pm5 pm
Sunshine per day 10.6 h10.8 h11.1 h11.8 h11.4 h9.7 h10.4 h9.8 h8.7 h9.7 h10.3 h10.6 h
Relative humidity 61%58%57%57%63%74%74%74%78%71%65%62%

Air quality

Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–20256 µg/m³6.5 µg/m³10.2 µg/m³13.2 µg/m³17.8 µg/m³11.9 µg/m³8.6 µg/m³7.9 µg/m³6.2 µg/m³5.4 µg/m³6.6 µg/m³6.2 µg/m³
Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–202510.7 µg/m³10.6 µg/m³15.2 µg/m³20.3 µg/m³26.5 µg/m³19 µg/m³14.2 µg/m³13.4 µg/m³10.8 µg/m³9.4 µg/m³11.5 µg/m³10.9 µg/m³
  • Good 15 µg/m³ or less
  • Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
  • Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
  • Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
  • Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
  • Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³

Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.

Events and seasons

What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.

Reasons to go

  • Guelaguetza Major

    16–31 July, dates vary from year to year

  • Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Major

    30 October–2 November

  • Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos)

    6 January

  • New Year's Day

    1 January

  • Carnaval

    February and March, dates vary from year to year

  • Benito Juárez's birthday

    March, dates vary from year to year

  • Guerreros baseball season

    20 March–31 August

  • Feria del Mezcal

    24–31 July, dates vary from year to year

  • Independence Day

    15–16 September

  • Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes)

    23 December

  • Fiesta de la Soledad

    December

  • Christmas

    25 December

  • Las Posadas / Christmas Eve

    16–24 December

  • New Year's Eve

    31 December

Worth knowing before you go

  • Semana Santa (Holy Week) crowds

    March and April, dates vary from year to year

  • Mother's Day

    10 May

  • Guelaguetza crowds

    16–31 July, dates vary from year to year

  • Mexican summer vacation season

    16 July–31 August

  • Día de Muertos crowds

    30 October–2 November

World Heritage sites nearby

UNESCO World Heritage sites within 25 km, nearest first.

  • Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán

    Less than 1 km away

Other places in Mexico

Compare places month by month on the travel calendar

Monthly averages over 2006–2025, unless stated otherwise.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC-BY 4.0), generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information (ERA5). City data from GeoNames (CC-BY 4.0). Air quality from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and sea temperature from Météo-France / Copernicus Marine, both via Open-Meteo.com. Coastline from Natural Earth. Ski areas from OpenSkiMap.org, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Skimap.org. World Heritage sites from Wikidata (CC0), from the World Heritage List © UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Readership from Wikimedia pageview data (CC0). Destination classification derived from English Wikivoyage, © Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).