Mexico weather in October
| Avg. temperature: 17.1°C / 62.8°F | Sun: 194 hours a month |
| Rain: 72.4 mm per month | Avg. Humidity: 64% |
Visiting Mexico in October
October is an excellent time to visit Mexico. More specifically, it is the best time to visit the Mexican interior. It is not as busy as the rest of the year, the weather is cooler, you can soak up in the sun without worrying about overheating, and best of all, the cities are now crowded to oblivion, which means you can explore the urban environments without having to use your elbows as propellers! Visit Mexico City’s grand architecture and great bargains, bask out in Acapulco’s glamorous beaches, the possibilities are endless now that you have the freedom to cavort about in Latin America’s jewel of a country!
The weather in Mexico tends to be a little mild but with warm pockets in the South. Although it is still hurricane season, and it is still technically the rain season in the Yucatan Peninsula, it is suggested to book in the second half of October since both the hurricane season and the rainy season tend to ease up and subside. Also, beaches in the Yucatan area tend to be closed in the first half of October because of the monsoon and hurricane risks.
The temperatures are warm all around, but October is the Pacific Coast’s time to shine. Outdoor activities are very bearable since the oppressive heat subsides and you are able to enjoy the sunny outdoors with places like the Acapulco being open for business. Mexico City’s rain season subsides completely and is open for complete exploration since the city’s hustle and bustle (although still very much alive) eases up for the low season. Make sure to bring a light coat if you are travelling within the Mexican interior, as night temperatures tend to drop significantly.
Things to do in Mexico in October
Day of the Dead
El Dia de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is one of the most celebrated holidays in Mexico. Although the day happens on November 2nd, festivities usually begin in the last week of October. The holiday is a holiday of honouring your ancestors or deceased loved ones. Friends and family gather to pray for their loved ones and they “help support their spiritual journey” in the afterlife. Death is viewed in a way that is natural to the human cycle. In Mexico, life does not end in death. Rather, it is viewed as a test to the afterlife and it is the responsibility of those who love you to help you progress and grow in order to be accepted to a higher power. You may imagine this may be a day of sadness, but you will be surprised to find out that it is a day of celebration. People light incense in the streets, there are many street parties all over the country. Face paintings are not uncommon and cemeteries are filled with food and adornments.
World-Class Experience
The city of Guanajuato has always been a city of historical significance. The cultural richness from this colonial mining community has long since created a scene of theatres to cater to the middle and upper class people. Although they have a number of theatres in their city, they also have performances in their plazas, with audiences sitting on the benches.
In 1953, the Cervantino International Festival started as a way to not only put Mexico and Guanajuato on the map, but also to bring people together with the arts. You can enjoy classical music, Mexican folk dances, Chinese acrobats, Japanese tragedy dramas, Russian from the bolshoi, and so much more! Artists are attracted from all parts of the country to bring something new to the table as well as bringing a piece of their part of Mexico into the mix. Come to this quaint colonial town for a truly artistic experience.
Astounding Aztec Pyramids
Around 50 km away from Mexico City lies the lost city of Teotihuacan. This is a 2,000 year old archaeological site with much historic legacy. Once a thriving ancient mesoamerican city, it was the sixth largest city in the world during its heyday, and the largest city in modern-day Mexico at its time. It began as a religious center, but as time progressed, it became a power centre in the empire, and evidence in other ruins show that Teotihuacan had significant influence over the empire. This site houses the Pyramid of the Sun, which is the world’s largest pyramid. There is the Moon Pyramid, where you can also marvel at its majesty. The Avenue of the Dead is a notable site as it shows murals of multi-family life in this city as well as other scenes of normal life during the Aztec Empire. This is the perfect place to learn about the early history of Mexico and to truly get a feeling of how much Mexico’s heritage has shaped its modern day.
Best Places to Visit in Mexico in October
Acapulco
Tracing the Pacific coast in Mexico, Acapulco is a prime beach destination for a nice, easy-living experience. During the 1950s and 1960s, Acapulco exploded with foreign investment and became the glitzy Hollywood vacation destination for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and Brigitte Bardot. You can still find the vacation homes of these famed film stars for an Old Hollywood adventure. Relax by the beaches with the beautiful skyline behind you and the big blue in front of you for an experience rivalling Rio De Janeiro. For a bit of adventure, Acapulco is a prime surfing and sailing destination. Visit the botanical gardens with its many birds and reptiles to watch. Its gardens will amaze you with their beautiful blooms and wondrous colours. The Lady of Solitude Cathedral in Acapulco is also a sight to see, where you can access its dome, and marvel at the beauty inside. For an in depth history fix, check out the San Diego Fort. There is a beautiful view of the bay, and you can learn about Acapulco’s colonial past and how it has shaped Acapulco into what it is today. The winds from the North bring the currents and breezes that make the activities prime for the October season.
San Cristobal
This city, founded in the 1500s, has done an excellent job in maintaining its Spanish Colonial layout. Narrow cobblestone streets, balconies and terracotta roofs, this city really makes you feel like you have stepped into the likes of Andalusia. Marvel at the Baroque and Neoclassical facades. Santo Domingo convent is a beautiful place to visit. Its Moorish architecture is unique in its own regard, and the altar dipped in gold is a luxury to even look at! Its tradition has been kept in almost every facet of society, to the point where milk is even delivered in canisters mounted on donkeys, and horses are still used to haul wood and fare.
Visit their daily traditional Mexican market where you can taste the unique Mexican cuisine and practice your haggling skills on the merchants to snag a good deal. Chow down on some of the city’s unique local cuisine such as its saffron tamales and their sugar cane posh. From its old Spanish Colonial influences to its more modern German and Italian influences, there is a reason why foreigners have moved in by the droves to call San Cristobal their permanent home.
Mexico City
It goes without saying that Mexico City is worth visiting. An impressively massive capital city, Mexico City is teeming with activity. The colonial historic centre has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, as did the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Take a gander at the Plaza de La Constitucion with the main plaza and the Spanish Colonial buildings. Explore the ancient Aztec temple in what was once the Aztec metropolis of Tenochtitlan, and a walk down the Paseo de la Reforma, an avenue built after the Champs-Elysees. The vibrant nightlife and the busy days will be a firestorm of activity for travelers who want the quintessential Mexican urban experience!
Accommodations in Mexico
October is a quiet month for tourism in Mexico. You will be easily able to find good deals in flights and accommodations, especially on the Pacific Coastal towns. Weather is especially good in the last half of October, which is when it is the least busy in the month. With this being said, it is good practice to have proper travel insurance and to make sure your accommodation has any insurance for hurricanes, if you are travelling in a hurricane-prone area in Mexico. Although the Day of the Dead is approaching, Mexico City still experiences a low season, and not many people know that the holiday does begin its festivities in late-October, so it’s a great time to get a head-start on the tourist crowd ready to see the celebration.
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