Visiting Mexico in September: Weather Info, The Best Places to Travel & More

Planning a trip to Mexico in September?

You’re in the right place because I live in Mexico, and I’m going to share everything I know about traveling to Mexico in September with you!

A year-round destination, you can visit Mexico anytime, but September is ideal for certain places more than others — which you’ll soon discover.

In this article, you’ll learn about the 10 best places to visit in Mexico in September, including Cancun, Mexico City and Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos).

You’ll also learn about the weather in Mexico in September, and the Mexico Independence Day holiday on September 15-16.

Ready to learn all about traveling to Mexico in September? Let’s get to it!

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Mexico in September Weather

Typical Mexico September Weather

You’re likely wondering, What is the weather like in Mexico in September? — so you can plan the best trip possible.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Mexico weather in September is less-than-ideal, though that shouldn’t deter you from traveling to Mexico in September.

September is part of the Mexico rainy season. In fact, if there’s one thing you can expect from Mexican weather in September — it’s rain.

Now, some areas are less rainy than others, and since the weather in Mexico in September isn’t great, prices tend to come down a bit.

• When is the rainy season in Mexico? The rainy season Mexico months span from about May to October, and it will very likely rain in Mexico in September (though it’s not the wettest month).
• 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 September Holidays

September 15 Mexico Independence Day

Though many assume Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day — the holiday actually takes place at midnight on September 16.

Since the holiday is celebrated at midnight, many will say it’s on September 15; but it’s technically the night of September 16 at midnight.

Another reason many say Mexican Independence Day is September 15 is because for much of the day of September 15, there will be cultural celebrations, dancing, music and foods in the Zocalo (Town Square) of cities throughout Mexico.

The day will end with El Grito de Dolores, or Cry of Independence (see video above), one the most important annual traditions during this national holiday.

For those visiting the country in mid-September, you’ll get to experience the most important of all Mexico holidays in September.

Mexico September Holidays

What is the Grito de Dolores?

El Grito de Dolores (The Cry of Dolores) is the most important of all Mexican Independence Day traditions.

It is very passionate speech, and followed immediately by an impressive fireworks display similar to those on the 4th of July, or Independence Day in the United States 🎆

The Grito was the rallying call given to Mexican troops before going into battle against the Spanish.

Proclaimed by Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the town of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, this cry is said to have triggered the Mexican War of Independence.

The largest Grito de Dolores takes place in Mexico City, where the Mexican President recreates the cry on the Presidential Balcony of the Palacio Nacional (National Palace).

Each year, thousands gather to hear the cry and see the impressive firework display that follows.

Though the largest Cry of Dolores in Mexico, it’s not the only one.

Throughout the country, many cities also recreate the Grito, including in Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico, where Father Hidalgo rang the church bell and made the original battle cry to the troops at midnight on September 16, 1810.

Mexico September Holidays

Chile en Nogada: National Dish of Mexico

Chile en nogada is an unusual combination of ingredients, but also one of the most delicious of all traditional Mexican foods.

The green, white and red colors mirror the colors of the Mexican flag, which is why chile en nogada is only made around Mexican Independence Day.

The dish consists of a poblano chili, lightly battered, and stuffed with a meat and fruit picadillo hash.

It is then topped with a walnut cream sauce (called en nogada sauce), parsley and pomegranate seeds. Although this all may sound unusual, the combo works perfect!

Visiting Mexico in September

10 Best Places to Visit in Mexico in September

Wondering where to go in Mexico in September?

If you don’t mind a little rain (September falls during Mexico’s rainy season), you can visit anywhere you’d like. Below, you’ll find the Top 10 places to travel in Mexico in September, with some info about what to expect in each place.

1. Cancun in September

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 September, 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 September can be brutally hot 🥵

Summers in Cancun are popular with families, especially at these family-friendly Cancun all inclusive resorts, but September is much calmer. In fact, September in Cancun is one of the least-crowded months, so it’s a tranquil time to visit.

☀️ Looking for the best things to do in Cancun in April? Don’t miss swimming in the Cancun cenotes, and the Mayan Ruins in Cancun.

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 mid-September.

The Mexican government limits the number of boats that can visit the whale shark area this per day, to keep the animals safe. If you’re visiting the first two weeks of September and want to do a Cancun Whale Shark tour, make sure to book ASAP.

What’s the average humidity in Cancun in September?

The Cancun humidity in September averages about 70-90% — so put clothing that doesn’t show sweat on your Mexico packing list!

It is quite muggy when traveling to Cancun in September, so plan for outdoor activities in the morning and water activities in the afternoons to escape the heat.

Wondering, What’s the average temperature in Cancun in September? You can expect about 92°F (33°C) during the day, and 78°F (25°C) at night.

In short: It’s still quite hot! Don’t forget to stay hydrated with this Water-To-Go bottle, and even this misting fan to cool your skin.

Does it rain all day in Cancun in September?

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 September: Weather Info and Travel Tips

Atlantic Hurricane Season runs June 1 to November 30, so there is a chance of a hurricane in Mexico in September.

By no means is September the wettest month in Cancun, but there’s always a chance of rain anywhere on the Mexican coast.

Cancun Weather in September

Visiting Mexico in September

2. Mexico City in September

For more information on visiting Mexico City, check out this Mexico City Travel Guide.

Considering a Mexico City September trip?

Not many know this, but the winters in Mexico City are on the colder side, so if you don’t like the cold, September 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!

If you happen to be visiting Mexico City in September on the 15th (that specific day), you must attend the Grito de Dolores in the Mexico City Zocalo.

After the grito cry, there is a huge fireworks display, on Mexican Independence Day, the most important Mexico holiday in September.

What’s the best time to visit Mexico City?

This will depend on your preferences, but the Mexico City 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 September are nice because you get warm days and mild, cool nights.

Weather in Mexico City in September

Visiting Mexico in September

3. Cabo San Lucas in September

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, visit Cabo in October.

Besides the rainfall and cloud cover, September is on the hotter side in Cabo, and daily average temperatures hover around 90°F (32°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 September

Visiting Mexico in September

4. Tulum in September

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 September is one of the Tulum slow season months, you will find some of the best deals on Tulum resorts in September.

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 September 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 September

Visiting Mexico in September

5. Oaxaca in September

For more information on visiting Oaxaca Mexico, check out this Oaxaca Travel Guide.

🗣 Before we talk about visiting Oaxaca in September, 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 which runs from about May to September. It shouldn’t rain too much, but expect afternoon showers.

Oaxaca Weather in September

Visiting Mexico in September

6. Riviera Maya in September

The Mayan Riviera 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 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 September: 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 September

Visiting Mexico in September

7. Puerto Vallarta in September

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 September, 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 September: Located about one hour from Puerto Vallarta, many visit or even take a day trip to Sayulita, Mexico. This bohemian Mexico beach town has less-than-ideal weather, similar to Puerto Vallarta in September, but 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 September, 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 September

Visiting Mexico in September

8. Playa del Carmen in September

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 September 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 September

Visiting Mexico in September

9. Puerto Escondido in September

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 September, 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. 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 and things to do in Puerto Escondido, that the rain may not even put a damper on your trip.

When in town, visit the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, like Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Zicatela, Playa Bacocho and Playa La Punta. You can also, 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 September

Visiting Mexico in September

10. Cozumel in September

🚢 Planning to take a Mexico cruise in September? 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 September. 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 September

Weather in Mexico in September: 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 September, 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 September.

Visiting Mexico in September

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 September

How hot is it in Mexico in September?

You might want to know, Is it too hot to go to Mexico in September?

This answer is a matter of preference, but in short: It is pretty hot in Mexico in September. 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.

September is one of the hotter months in Mexico, especially if you’re visiting the Mexico beach towns.

Average temperatures in Mexico in September hover around 90°F (32°C) on the beaches, but it can feel a few degrees hotter because of the humidity.

Visiting Mexico in September

Is it sunny in Mexico in September?

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 September?

Wondering, Is Mexico hot in September?

Yes — The average weather in Mexico in September is hot, humid and rainy all month. If you’re visiting Mexico City and/or Central Mexico, the temperatures cool down considerably at night, but this is not the case on Mexican 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 September

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’s beaches in September.

Visiting Mexico in September

What are the best beaches in Mexico in September?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all beaches in Mexico will have about the same weather in September — hot, humid, rainy, and buggy.

That’s not to say people still don’t visit Mexico in September; 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.

However, September is the rainy season in Los Cabos, so you might get raiinin there as well. Still, that’s where you’d have the best chance of sunshine, as Baja Mexico has a desert climate.

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 and Rosarito. 

Visiting Mexico in September

Should I go to Mexico in September?

It Depends — As long as you know you’ll likely get rain, maybe even daily showers, your Mexico September trip won’t be ruined.

If you want a yes/no answer to Is September a good time to visit Mexico?, it’s a great time for Mexico budget travel, as the month of September is in the off-season.

Can you go to Mexico in September?

Yes — For Mexico budget travelers, it’s actually one of the best times to visit, because September is the off-season, or low 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 September.

Visiting Mexico in September

Are there any major Mexico holidays in September?

Yes — Mexico’s Independence Day, one of the best holidays in Mexico, takes place on September 16.

Independence Day celebrations are bigger in large cities, especially Mexico City, but pueblos magicos (magic towns) and beach destinations may have small celebrations and military parades.

Note: Some people call Sept 15 Mexico Independence Day, but the holiday is on Sept 16. Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) commemorates an important event called the Battle of Puebla, but not the Mexican people’s secession from Spanish rule.

Are there mosquitoes in Mexico in September?

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 September

If you’re going to Mexico in September, just be prepared for some afternoon showers and higher temperatures, and you’ll do just fine.

The great thing about September 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 September? 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 September 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 September isn’t for you…

After reading this, you might not want to visit Mexico in September after all.

If so, check out the articles linked below about visiting Mexico during other months of the year — and know Mexico in October weather is often much cooler, if you can hold off for a month.