Visiting Mexico in August: Weather Info, The Best Places to Travel & More
Planning a trip to Mexico in August?
You’re in the right place for info because I live in Mexico, and I’m going to share everything I know about visiting Mexico in August with you!
As a year-round destination, you can visit Mexico anytime, but August is only ideal for certain places — which you’re about to discover.
In this article, you’ll learn about some of the common places to visit in Mexico in August, including Cancun, Mexico City and Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos).
The destinations highlighted include info about the weather in Mexico in August, and other special events in August.
Ready to learn all about traveling to Mexico in August? Let’s get to it!
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Mexico in august Weather
Typical Mexico August Weather
You’re likely wondering, What is the weather like in Mexico in August? — so you can plan the best trip possible.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Mexico weather in August is less-than-ideal, though that shouldn’t deter you from traveling to Mexico in August.
August is smack dab in the middle of the rainy season in Mexico.
In fact, if there’s one thing you can expect from Mexican weather in August — it’s rain. Now, some areas are less rainy than others, and since the weather isn’t great, prices tend to come down a bit.
- When is the Mexico rainy season? The rainy season in Mexico runs from about May to October.
- When is the Mexico busy season? The busy season in Mexico runs from about November to April. If you don’t mind some rain, the rainy season is also the slow season in Mexico — which means fewer crowds and lower price tags.
Mexico in august Weather
Average temperatures in Mexico in August
There is no set temperature in Mexico in August, because temperatures fluctuate a lot from one part of the country to the other.
In general, expect a lot of precipitation and high temperatures — as you would with any tropical destination in August.
The beaches in Mexico on the coast are much hotter than the cities in Central Mexico, like Mexico City, Guadalajara and San Miguel de Allende.
However, the cities are still on the hotter side, and you can expect afternoon showers on most days in Central Mexican cities.
Mexico Travel Tips: If you hate the heat, head indoors and soak up the air conditioning during the hottest parts of the day, from about 11am-2pm. To enjoy the low temperatures, do all your indoor activities in the afternoons.
Visiting Mexico in august
10 Best Places to Visit in Mexico in August
Wondering where to go in Mexico in August?
Provided you don’t mind a little rain, you can really visit anywhere you’d like. Below you will find a list of the Top 10 places to travel in Mexico in August, with some information about what to expect in each one.
1. Cancun in August
For more information on visiting Cancun Mexico, check out this Cancun Travel Guide.
Cancun is the top travel destination in Mexico, and even though the weather isn’t ideal in August, that doesn’t stop people from visiting.
You will want to make sure you’re staying hydrated, because as you’ll see below that the weather in Cancun in August can be brutally hot 🥵
Summers in Cancun are popular with families, because they bring the kids during summer break — so book your family-friendly Cancun all inclusive resorts early.
If you want to visit when there are less families and small kids, opt for the last two weeks in August, when kids are back in school.
☀️ Looking for the best things to do in Cancun in August? Don’t miss swimming in the Cancun cenotes, and the Mayan Ruins in Cancun.
What’s the average humidity in Cancun in August?
There is no way to sugarcoat this, so I won’t try. The Cancun humidity in August averages about 80% — so put clothing that doesn’t show sweat on your Mexico packing list!
It is quite muggy in Cancun in August, so plan for water activities during the day to escape the heat.
Wondering, What’s the average temperature in Cancun in August?
You can expect about 95°F (35°C) during the day, and 80°F (29°C) at night. In short: It’s hot! Don’t forget to stay hydrated with this Water-To-Go bottle, and even this misting fan to cool your skin.
Swim With the Whale sharks in Cancun
Whale sharks are sharks, but they are a docile and harmless variety, similar to a nurse shark. They are also the largest fish in the sea at about 40- to 50-feet-long (12m-15m)!
Cancun Whale Shark Season runs from about June to September, but July and August are the best months — so book your Cancun Whale Shark tour now, because they do sell out.
Does it rain all day in Cancun in August?
Usually, no. It will typically rain for an hour in the afternoon, and then the sun will come back out. You should expect daily rain, but regular storms pass quickly.
If you happen to be visiting during a tropical depression, tropical storm, or even hurricane, then yes, it might rain all day.
RELATED ARTICLE 🏖️ Cancun in August: Weather Info and Travel Tips
Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on June 1 (it runs June 1 to November 30), so there’s definitely a possibility of a hurricane in August. However, direct hit hurricanes inn Cancun are rare.
By no means is August the wettest month in Cancun, but there’s always a chance of rain anywhere on the Mexican coast.
Cancun Weather in August
Visiting Mexico in august
2. Mexico City in August
For more information on visiting Mexico City, check out this Mexico City Travel Guide.
Considering a Mexico City August trip?
Not many know this, but the winters in Mexico City are on the colder side, so if you don’t like the cold, August is a great month to visit Mexico City. You can expect some afternoon showers on most days, but it rarely rains all day.
One of the world’s biggest cities, right up there with New York City, there are plenty of indoor things to do in Mexico City when it rains.
Start the day with a nice breakfast or brunch, then head to some of the best museums in Mexico City in the afternoons. From the museum, enjoy some tacos at the best restaurants in Mexico City.
By then, the rains should have passed, and you’ll enjoy the Mexico City nightlife in peace. Looking for the best things to do in Mexico City at night?! You must see a Lucha Libre wrestling match!
What’s the best time to visit Mexico City?
This will depend on your preferences, but the rainy season is from about April to October, so many want to avoid that.
It doesn’t usually rain too much in Mexico City, but if you want sunny days everyday on your trip, visit in the dry season from November to March.
🦋 Monarch Butterfly Season in Mexico: One of the best experiences is visiting the Piedra Herrada Butterfly Sanctuary during the annual butterfly migration in Mexico, from late-November to March.
Book a Mexico butterfly tour to see millions of butterflies in the mountains near Mexico City.
On a personal note — I lived in Mexico City for a while, and my favorite time to visit is March during jacaranda season, when all the purple jacaranda flowers are in bloom.
The winters are too cold for my liking, so months like August are nice because you get warm days and mild, cool nights.
Weather in Mexico City in August
Visiting Mexico in August
3. Cabo San Lucas in August
For more information on visiting Cabo San Lucas, check out this Cabo Travel Guide.
Cabo San Lucas and nearby San Jose del Cabo are located in the Los Cabos Municipality. In Spanish, los cabos means “the capes,” (as cabo means “cape”). These are the top two destinations in Los Cabos Mexico.
Cabo San Lucas is the more popular of the two Cabos, though the airport you’ll fly into is in San Jose del Cabo, about 40 minutes away.
With a more relaxed vibe, San Jose del Cabo offers a nice alternative to lively Cabo San Lucas, so some travelers stay there.
With warmer weather all year, Cabo is a great place to visit year-round — with the exception of two months: August and September.
Being a beachy desert, it may not rain all that much, but you will likely have cloudy gray skies instead of sunny blue skies. If that will ruin your trip, plan your Cabo vacation for October.
Besides the rain and clouds, August is on the hotter side in Cabo, and daily average temperatures hover around 92°F (33°C); but it’s a beach town, so you can just hop in your Cabo beach resort pool for a refreshing swim.
Cabo Weather in August
Visiting Mexico in August
4. Tulum in August
For more information on visiting Tulum Mexico, check out this Tulum Travel Guide.
Once a sleepy beach town, Tulum is now one of the most popular and best places to visit in Mexico. In recent years, it has also become one of the most expensive.
Since August is one of the Tulum slow season months, you will find some of the best deals on Tulum resorts in August.
Weather-wise, it will likely rain for a bit each afternoon. However, if you’re planning to travel to Tulum on a budget, your money will stretcher further in the summer.
Since the Tulum weather in August isn’t perfect, less people visit, so there will be smaller crowds.
With the money you can save visiting Tulum in the slow season, you may even want to extend your trip beyond Mexico and into Central America.
Just a few hours south of Tulum, you can do a land crossing into Belize near Lake Bacalar, Mexico.
Tulum Weather in August
Visiting Mexico in August
5. Oaxaca in August
For more information on visiting Oaxaca Mexico, check out this Oaxaca Travel Guide.
🗣 Before we talk about visiting Oaxaca in August, let’s clear up the Oaxaca pronunciation. If you’re wondering, How do you pronounce Oaxaca?, it’s waa-haa-kah. With that cleared up, let’s continue!
Oaxaca State is one of the most culturally-rich places in Mexico and all Latin America.
Oaxaca City, the capital of Oaxaca State, is well known as the Foodie Capital of Mexico thanks to its delicious Oaxacan cuisine. There’s also and colorful festivals, like Day of the Dead and the Guelaguetza.
When most people say “Oaxaca,” they are referring to Oaxaca City (AKA Oaxaca de Juarez), in the central part of the state.
The beaches of Oaxaca, like Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Zipolite and Huatulco, are also popular, but they are located on the Pacific Coast.
Oaxaca City weather is more of a desert-like climate, versus the beaches that are quite tropical. Though a desert, Oaxaca City does have a rainy season that runs from about May to September. It shouldn’t rain too much, but expect afternoon showers.
Oaxaca Weather in August
Visiting Mexico in August
6. Riviera Maya in August
The Riviera Maya is located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, in the Yucatán Peninsula.
It is the most posh area in Yucatan, where you’ll find many of the best resorts in Mexico and even the nicest Mexico overwater bungalows.
Given its location, you can expect similar weather to Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, which is to say: hot!
Of course, you’ll be right on the Caribbean Sea, so you’ll likely have a nice breeze from time to time, but you can also jump in the sea to cool off.
🏝 Costa Maya Mexico Weather in June: Located about 3.5 hours south of Riviera Maya, you’ll be in the beach town of Mahahual, Mexico on the Costa Maya. The weather will be similar to Riviera Maya, but the vibe is much more laid back.
Besides the Caribbean, there are so many other places to cool off and swim near Riviera Maya.
From the cenotes in Tulum and cenotes near Cancun, both close to Riviera Maya, you also have water parks like Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and underground rivers, like Rio Secreto.
For a truly memorable experience, head about 40 minutes south to the beach town of Akumal.
It’s just south of Tulum, and one of the more up-and-coming Mexico resort towns. However, the real claim to fame is that you can swim with the turtles in Akumal Beach.
riviera maya weather in august
Visiting Mexico in august
7. Puerto Vallarta in August
For more information on visiting Puerto Vallarta Mexico, check out this Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide.
Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest cities in Mexico, and best beach towns in Mexico.
It appeals to all types of travelers, from solo travelers to honeymooners, families and LGBTQ+ travelers — as Puerto Vallarta is the gay capital of Mexico, or the San Francisco of Mexico.
If you’re looking to go on a cruise to Mexico in August, see if there are any to Puerto Vallarta. A top destination for cruises in Mexico, there’s no shortage of things to do in Puerto Vallarta when you venture off-boat.
🏝 Sayulita in August: Located about one hour from Puerto Vallarta, many visit or even take a day trip to Sayulita, Mexico. This bohemian beach town has the same weather as Puerto Vallarta in June, and it’s absolutely worth checking out.
On one side of the city, there’s Bahía Banderas (Bay of Banderas), a tranquil inlet off the Pacific Ocean great for swimming, snorkeling, and whale watching (winter only).
The Sierra Madre mountains are located just behind the beach, so you really get the best of all worlds.
As with all Mexico beaches in August, you can expect hot, humid weather, and rain showers in the afternoons.
The showers usually pass quickly, and then you can go back to enjoying all the Old World charm, beautiful nature, and best beaches Puerto Vallarta has to offer.
Puerto Vallarta Weather in August
Visiting Mexico in august
8. Playa del Carmen in August
For more information on visiting Playa del Carmen Mexico, check out this Playa del Carmen Travel Guide.
Though some call Playa del Carmen the mini-Cancun, it’s a destination in its own right. Now, to get there, you do have to travel from Cancun to Playa del Carmen (or just “Playa,” as the locals call it), but it’s just a one hour drive.
Once you arrive in Playa, it’s much more of a beach town than Cancun, which is a resort town.
Now, there are some beautiful resorts in Playa del Carmen, but it has a small town feel. It’s much more walkable than Cancun, which is great because there’s no Uber in Playa del Carmen.
What these two places do share, being so close to one another, is their weather.
Much like Cancun, you can expect hot, humid days, and rain in the afternoons. The best plan of action when traveling to Playa del Carmen in August is to be indoors, or in water, in the afternoons.
If you want to visit any of the nearby Mayan Ruins in Mexico, arrive early in the morning when they open, and you’ll be done touring the site by the time the rain rolls in.
When in the Yucatan Peninsula, don’t miss Chichen Itza Pyramids — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Playa del Carmen Weather in august
Visiting Mexico in August
9. Puerto Escondido in August
For more information on visiting Puerto Escondido Mexico and all the best beaches of Oaxaca, check out this Oaxaca Beaches Travel Guide.
Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Puerto Escondido is the most famous of all Oaxaca Beaches.
It is popular with surfers, artists, backpackers, and solo travelers in Mexico, but there’s really something for everyone in “Puerto,” as the locals call it.
🏄♀️ Want to learn to surf in Puerto Escondido? Book some surfing lessons in August, one of the best months for waves in Puerto Escondido.
Many visitors start in the city, then make the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido journey, for a complete Oaxaca state trip. There are so many things to do in Puerto Escondido, however, that you can easily spend your whole trip there.
While you might have afternoon rain showers in the city, it’s almost a guarantee in Puerto Escondido. The good news is there’s so many water activities that the rain may not even put a damper on your trip.
When in town, spend some time at each of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, like Playa Zicatela, Playa Bacocho, Playa La Punta, Playa Puerto Angel and Playa Carrizalillo.
Take a Puerto Escondido boat tour out to see the dolphins that hang out just off-shore. When the sun is going down, join a baby turtle release experience to send these adorable creatures into the sea for the first time.
At night, head to Manialtepec Lagoon to see the bioluminescence.
Puerto Escondido Weather in August
Visiting Mexico in August
10. Cozumel in August
🚢 Planning to take a Mexico cruise in August? Cozumel Island is one of the best Mexico cruise ports, especially for snorkelers and divers.
Cozumel is a Mexican Caribbean island, located about 30 minutes by ferry from Playa del Carmen. There are also flights to Cozumel, and you can land right on the island at Cozumel International Airport.
It’s also quite easy to travel from Cancun to Cozumel.
Some say Cozumel is the best place for snorkeling in Mexico, and the best place for diving in Mexico as well. Just off-shore, there’s the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef.
There are plenty of ways to see the reef, even if you don’t want to swim.
That’s right, the Cozumel Submarine Tour is an unforgettable experience to see these coral reefs in an actual submarine. Cozumel also has beautiful beaches, and Mayan Ruins as well.
Of course, you will likely get rain when traveling to Cozumel in August. However, the vast majority of all the best things to do in Cozumel involve being in, on or near the Caribbean Sea, so that makes the afternoon showers tolerable.
Cozumel Weather in August
Weather in Mexico in August: FAQs
What’s the best time of year to visit Mexico?
Weather-wise, the best time to travel to Mexico is from November to March.
This is during the dry season, when you’ll see very little (if any) rain, low humidity, and few mosquitoes. This is also the high or busy season in Mexico, when most people visit.
For travelers who want to escape the crowds, the summer months will give you the most bang for your buck.
In August, you’ll see flight prices drop and get deals at many hotels. If you want to treat yourself to a fancy resort in Mexico, you’ll likely find the best deals in August.
Visiting Mexico in August
When is the shoulder season in Mexico?
The shoulder season is a magical time when the weather is still nice, but the crowds have died down, and the prices have as well. It takes place just as the busy season is about to begin, and right after it ends.
For my money, this is the best time to visit Mexico!
The Mexico shoulder season includes the months of October to November and April to May; though May is the hottest month in Mexico.
You may still find great Mexico travel deals in other months, but you likely won’t find low prices or small crowds anytime during the busy season.
Visiting Mexico in August
How hot is it in Mexico in August?
You might want to know, Is it too hot to go to Mexico in August?
This answer is a matter of preference, but in short: It is pretty hot in Mexico in August. If you don’t like tropical weather, Mexico in November will be a much more enjoyable month for you.
❄️ Mexico Fun Fact: The coldest city in Mexico is the small pueblo of Ciudad Madera, Chihuahua, located in North Mexico. Ciudad Madera sees a few inches of snow each year.
August is one of the hottest months in Mexico, especially if you’re visiting the Mexico beach towns. Average temperatures in Mexico in August hover around 90°F (32°C) on the beaches, but it can feel a few degrees hotter because of the humidity.
Visiting Mexico in August
Is it sunny in Mexico in August?
Yes — It tends to be sunny in Mexico year-round, summers included.
Since summer is the rainy season in Mexico, the sun will come and go, depending on if there’s a storm or not. Do know that even if a storm rolls in, the sun usually comes back out in an hour or so.
What is the average temperature in Mexico in August?
If you’re wondering what to expect from the average weather in Mexico in August, it’s likely to be hot, humid and rainy.
If you’re visiting Mexico City and/or Central Mexico, the temperatures will cool down considerably at night, but this isn’t the case on the beaches.
For Mexico beaches, you can expect 95°F days (35°C) and 85°F nights (29°C). With the humidity factored in, it might even feel hotter.
Inland, the cities of Mexico are considerably cooler, so plan for 80°F days (26°C) and 65°F nights (18°C).
Visiting Mexico in August
When is Mexico Hurricane Season?
Mexico has about 5,800 miles (9330 km) of coastline, so there’s a lot of places susceptible to hurricanes.
⛈ Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30, and with so many popular beach towns, you’ll want to be aware when visiting Mexico beaches in August.
Visiting Mexico in August
What are the best beaches in Mexico in August?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all beaches in Mexico will have about the same weather in August — hot, humid, rainy, and buggy.
That’s not to say people still don’t visit Mexico in August; they absolutely do. The thing you must do, however, is manage your expectations.
The Pacific Coast beaches (Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita), Caribbean beaches (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum and Playa del Carmen) and Yucatan beaches (Progreso, El Cuyo) will be much more humid than the beaches in Baja California.
Now, August is the rainy season in Los Cabos, but you still usually have the best guarantee of sunshine there.
Baja California is a peninsula located on Mexico’s west coast. It has two states, Baja California and Baja California Sur, and some of the best beaches in Mexico.
Besides Cabo San Lucas, some other great Baja beach towns include La Paz, Todos Santos, Loreto, San Jose del Cabo and Rosarito.
Visiting Mexico in August
Should I go to Mexico in August?
It Depends — As long as you know you will likely get rain, maybe even daily showers, your Mexico August trip won’t be ruined.
The beaches are still a bit crowded the first two weeks of the month, but the last two are much less busy because most kids have gone back to school.
Can you go to Mexico in August?
Yes — For Mexico budget travelers, it’s actually one of the best times to visit, because August is the off-season, or slow season, when you can find cheap Mexico travel deals.
If you’ve had your eye on any posh, 5 Star Mexico resorts, you should find great promotions in August.
Visiting Mexico in August
Are there any major Mexico holidays in August?
While there are a lot of holidays in Mexico, there aren’t any major Mexican holidays in August.
In smaller towns and pueblos magicos (which means “magical small towns”), you’ll find minor celebrations like the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15.
Are there mosquitoes in Mexico in August?
Yes — The mosquitoes are at their worst in Mexico in the summer months.
You’ll want to pack insect repellent and wear it all day; I recommend this eco-friendly mosquito spray from Repel, or this combo reef-safe sunscreen/mosquito repellent from Bullfrog.
Final Thoughts: Traveling to Mexico in August
If you’re going to Mexico in August, just be prepared for some afternoon showers and higher temperatures, and you’ll do just fine.
The great thing about August Mexico weather is that though you’ll have rain, the storms tend to pass quickly, and the sun comes back out.
What’s the best place to visit in Mexico in August? In my opinion, Mexico City would be best. If you like venturing a bit off the beaten path, there’s also Guanajuato City.
Another one of the best things about summer in Mexico is that you’ll likely have smaller crowds, since it’s the off-season.
Mexico in August weather is definitely hot, but if you plan to be indoors in the afternoon, or in the water swimming, the weather won’t bother you too much.
If Mexico in August isn’t for you…
After reading this, you might have come to the conclusion that visiting Mexico in August just isn’t for you.
If so, check out these other articles about visiting Mexico during other months of the year — though know the weather in Mexico in July and September isn’t much cooler.