This guide covers Mexico in August. To compare with the rest of the year, see our page on the best time to visit Mexico.
Travelling to Mexico in August is possible, with caveats: it is the rainy season and the hurricane season, it is hot and humid on the coasts (34 °C (93 °F) in the afternoon in Cancun) and thunderstorms are frequent late in the day. Mornings are often sunny, the landscape is lush green, and it is whale shark season off Holbox. But crowds and prices stay high because of school holidays.
August is not the best month for Mexico, but it is not one to avoid either: it rates ⚠️ on our calendar, between the ideal dry season (November to April) and the two riskiest months on the coasts (September and October). Everything depends on the region you choose, your tolerance of humid heat and your flexibility with the weather.
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Mexico in August: key facts
- Verdict: ⚠️ with caveats (rain, humid heat, growing hurricane risk)
- Cancun: 34.2 °C (94 °F) in the afternoon, 24.5 °C (76 °F) at night, 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain (1991-2020 normals from Mexico’s SMN)
- Rain: thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening; about 175 mm (6.9 in) in Mexico City, 300 mm (11.8 in) in Acapulco
- Hurricanes: official season from 1 June to 30 November, highest risk in September-October
- Crowds and prices: high, because of school holidays
What is the weather like in Mexico in August?
In August, the rains are established over almost the whole country. They fall mostly in the late afternoon or evening, as thunderstorms: it rarely rains all day. On the Caribbean coast, August is the hottest month in Cancun, with high humidity. On the high plateaus, altitude keeps temperatures moderate but showers are regular. The Pacific coast gets the heaviest rain.
| City | August | Reference points July → September |
|---|---|---|
| Cancun (Caribbean) | 34.2 °C (94 °F) / 24.5 °C (76 °F), 115 mm (4.5 in) | Rain: 111 mm (4.4 in) → 223 mm (8.8 in) |
| Mexico City (2,240 m / 7,349 ft) | about 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain | Max: 24.7 °C (76 °F) → 23.7 °C (75 °F); min: 13.0 °C (55 °F) → 13.1 °C (56 °F) |
| Oaxaca (1,550 m / 5,085 ft) | – | Max: 30.1 °C (86 °F) → 29.1 °C (84 °F); rain: 119 mm (4.7 in) → 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Acapulco (Pacific) | about 300 mm (11.8 in) of rain | Max: 32.5 °C (91 °F) → 31.9 °C (89 °F); rain: 238 mm (9.4 in) → 347 mm (13.7 in) |
August is also deep in the cyclone season: 1 June to 30 November in the Atlantic (Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico), 15 May to 30 November in the East Pacific (US National Hurricane Center). The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026) says the hurricane season in Mexico normally runs from June to November and can affect the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, causing floods, landslides and transport disruption. Most trips pass without incident, but a hurricane can cause flight cancellations and site closures. The risk rises late in the month and peaks in September-October.
Which region to choose in August?
- Mexico City and the centre (Puebla, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende): heat stays moderate thanks to altitude. Afternoon thunderstorms mean sightseeing in the morning. It is the most pleasant region of the country in August.
- Oaxaca and Chiapas: highland climate, green landscapes, frequent showers. Nights are mild.
- Cancun, Riviera Maya and Yucatan: very hot and humid, warm sea. Sargassum seaweed can reach the Caribbean coast, more often from spring to late summer: check local beach reports before choosing a beach. The north beach of Isla Mujeres is often less affected.
- Pacific coast (Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Escondido): the heaviest rain; it is the least favourable region in August.
Things to do in Mexico in August
- Swimming with whale sharks off Holbox and Isla Mujeres, roughly from June to September, with an operator that follows the regulations.
- Maya sites early in the morning: Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Tulum, before the heat and the thunderstorms.
- Cenotes: a swim in the shade, in cool water, ideal in strong heat.
- Mexico City and its museums: National Museum of Anthropology, the historic centre, Teotihuacan in the morning.
- Oaxaca and its villages: markets, crafts, food, green mountains.
To avoid: long afternoon hikes and boat crossings during a weather alert. Follow the authorities’ instructions in case of a cyclone alert.
Events in August
August has no major national holiday. Oaxaca’s Guelaguetza takes place in July and Independence Day on 15 and 16 September: a trip straddling late July or mid-September lets you enjoy them. Guelaguetza dates change every year: check with the local tourist office.
Crowds and prices in August
August falls during Mexican, North American and European school holidays: Riviera Maya beaches are busy and prices are high, despite the rainy season. Flights are expensive in midsummer: book 3 to 4 months ahead if your dates are fixed. Choose flexible fares and insurance that covers weather-related cancellations.
What to pack for Mexico in August
- Light, breathable, quick-drying clothes
- A poncho or light rain jacket and shoes that can take water
- A sweater for evenings at altitude (Mexico City, San Cristobal de las Casas)
- An effective mosquito repellent: dengue is among the health risks listed by the UK FCDO (GOV.UK), especially in the rainy season
- Sunscreen and a hat, even in cloudy weather
If August does not suit you
July is comparable, with a little less rain in Cancun and the Guelaguetza in Oaxaca. September is cheaper but marks the peak of the rains and hurricanes: it is not recommended on the coasts. The ideal season remains November to April. If you can only travel in August, compare with destinations in their dry season: the best time to visit Bali, Peru or Mauritius, or see our selection where to go in August. For the peninsula alone, see also the best time to visit the Yucatan.
Planning your trip to Mexico
For entry requirements, health and safety advice (which varies by state), see our page on entry requirements for Mexico. To plan your tour, see our Mexico travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you travel to Mexico in August?
Yes, if you accept humid heat, late-day thunderstorms and a hurricane risk on the coasts. Mexico City and the highlands are the most pleasant at this time of year.
What is the weather like in Cancun in August?
Hot and humid: 34.2 °C (94 °F) in the afternoon, 24.5 °C (76 °F) at night and 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain on average, according to the 1991-2020 normals from Mexico’s Servicio Meteorologico Nacional. It is the hottest month of the year in Cancun.
Are there hurricanes in Mexico in August?
August is part of the cyclone season, which runs from 1 June to 30 November on the Atlantic side. The risk exists and rises late in the month, but it is highest in September and October.
Is there sargassum in August?
Sargassum seaweed can reach the Caribbean coast, more often from spring to late summer, with strong variation from year to year and beach to beach. Check local beach reports before choosing your beach.
Which region of Mexico should you visit in August?
Mexico City and the colonial cities of the centre, as well as Oaxaca: altitude moderates the heat. For the beach, the Riviera Maya remains possible, keeping an eye on the weather and sargassum.
Is Mexico cheaper in August?
No: despite the rains, August falls during school holidays and prices stay high. The cheapest periods are May and September to mid-November, outside the holidays.
Our sources
- Mexico’s Servicio Meteorologico Nacional (SMN): 1991-2020 normals for the Cancun, Mexico-Tacubaya, Oaxaca and Acapulco stations, taken from our page on the best time to visit Mexico
- National Hurricane Center (NOAA): official dates of the Atlantic and East Pacific hurricane seasons
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Mexico (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026; hurricanes and health), read 26 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.