Knowing or identifying the different seasons to go to Mexico, depending on the chosen destination, can often be an excellent idea, even though not everyone likes it or can travel at any time of the year.
We cannot deny that low seasons have a few attractive benefits, the main one for many is that normally is the cheapest time to travel.
Think about a trip to Disney in high season, for example, at Halloween events. The season is ideal with a decoration that dazzles and, without a doubt, unforgettable events, but, the number of people that you are going to find will be something quite complex with which you will have to deal and not to mention if you go with a large family and small children…
Although that may be an extreme situation, the idea is that you consider that traveling in high/peak season or low season will have its pros and cons, is difficult to identify the “best” time to visit Mexico (and sometimes is different from the cheapest time to visit Mexico) because it will depend on the tastes and needs of each traveler, so try to plan your vacation in the best time that fit with your needs.
When is the cheapest time to go to Mexico?
A lot of people ask us when is the cheapest time to travel to Mexico, and even though you can find special or last minute offers in any month of the year, normally you can find the cheapest time to visit Mexico searching for deals during low season months.
So, when is Low Season in Mexico?
Talking about “low season” is more or less indicating, by ruling out, the dates that are not in high demand, so let’s identify when the low season months are in Mexico (that as we told before are normally the cheapest months to visit Mexico).
The first indicator can be obtained from the “SEP” school calendar, which establishes the vacation periods during the school year and whose dates automatically become high season due to vacations for families.
We are talking about winter and summer holidays, long weekends, and Easter.
Under this concept, in general terms, in Mexico we have low season to travel after August (the beginning of classes), which extends during September, October, November, and the first week of December. Except for Independence Day (September 15) and Halloween/Día de Muertos.
We can also talk about the low season after new year’s eve, let’s say at the end of January, February and the beginning of March; also the days from the end of April, May and June that also count as low season.
When is the Best Time to go to Mexico?
Is difficult to establish the “best month” or the best time to visit Mexico, because it will depend on what is “best” for you, but if we talk about the cheapest month or dates to visit Mexico usually will be one of the dates of low season described above, normally will be less expensive in accommodation and flights and less crowded in the touristic zones.
Benefits and disadvantages of traveling in Low Season (Pros and Cons)
-Travel Costs
It may seem very obvious, but is real, low season costs in some destinations do make a difference and it’s a huge benefit for those who want to save money and have flexibility in their travel dates.
A matter of supply and demand means that prices on special dates are much higher for all the touristic products and services offered for this or that destination.
Flights and hotels are more expensive, and the same applies to tours, even souvenirs sometimes cost a little more, although it may happen that, for some services, booking well in advance can be the exception to the rule. For example, in the case of special offers in hot sales or discounts for airline celebrations, etc.
The disadvantage, in this case, is related to the availability of certain services, certain tours may be not enabled in low season, some hotels do not have all their restaurants open or do not have special services such as kids club, everything will depend on each particular case. Or if you want to party and meet a lot of people at the destination it would be less crowded.
-Amount of People
Another of the greatest advantages of the low season in Mexico or other international destinations is being able to enjoy the spaces without so many people.
Likewise, this will depend on individual preferences. A group of friends who want to party, enjoy places with lots of people, and meet people of the same age is not the same as a family who wants to spend quality time walking quietly with their children.
It can also happen that during the holiday season (high or peak season) in some hotels the restaurants need reservations, while in the low season, it is not so necessary to do so.
On the other hand, there are destinations where it is difficult to enjoy the beaches as one would like and it is necessary to take more precautions such as arriving early to find a good place, something that normally does not happen in low season.
-Possibility to enjoy the attractions
This point can be seen as an advantage and a disadvantage at the same time; depending on the destination, many attractions can be enjoyed much better, for example, it is not the same to enjoy El Cielo in Cozumel with a lot of people as to do it in the low season when there is no one or only very few people.
The same can happen in attractions such as archaeological zones that, although they occupy large spaces, queuing to enter is not so pleasant and even more so if it is very hot as in Chichén Itzá.
The same rule applies in the case of entering a cenote somewhere in the Riviera Maya or Yucatan, you do not enjoy them in the same way when there are a lot of people or for example, think about how nice would be to dive into one of the pools of the Tolantongo caves without so many folks, that sounds great.
But some places are better enjoyed with greater attendance, for example, the Guelaguetza event in July in Oaxaca, enjoying the nightclubs in Acapulco or Cancun in high season with a lot of people have a plus.
And if we talk about a disadvantage, in low season certain attractions are closed, but it is very relative and does not always happen in all destinations.
-Special Events
This is a great pro of the high season. It is very frequent that, on dates such as summer holidays, winter holidays and Easter, numerous events are organized in the most visited destinations.
To name a few, sometimes in peak season there are electronic parties in a cenote in Tulum, pool parties in Los Cabos, live shows in hotels in Puerto Vallarta, and more!
In low season, special events are not very common, but it does not mean that there are no destinations that offer entertainment options.
In addition, another detail that may make this section relative is that there are some special events in low season months such as the Balloon Festival or the Cervantino Festival in Guanajuato which is usually held in October or November.
Final reflection
Whether you travel in low season or high season, the destinations in Mexico are incredible and you will surely find options to have a great time.
In any case, and even if the expense is double, knowing a destination in high season and low season is worth it, so one enjoys both experiences and it is like knowing two different places.
Try it and you’ll see…