Mexico City In July: Weather & Travel Tips

Let’s get something out of the way immediately: Mexico City weather in July means rain. It’s as inevitable as eating too much on a food tour or paying too much at one of the city’s souvenir markets. Before you discount planning a trip to CDMX during the summer, however, let us explain why July can be one of the best times of year to visit the metropolis.

Since we first began living in CDMX part-time, we’ve come to appreciate how the weather in Mexico City in July actually has some benefits. For example, the rain helps wash the skies clean, reducing pollution. At the same time, it thins out the usual crowds from some of our favourite hangouts. 

In this post, we’ll give you the low down on exactly what to expect if you’re mulling over a summer trip to the Mexican capital, covering what to pack to be prepared as well as what to do in Mexico City in July whether the sun is shining or the rain is pouring.

Is It Worth Visiting Mexico City In July? Our Opinion

A lot of people avoid visiting CDMX in the summer because they have read all about how it’s the wet season, but in our experience, the Mexico City weather July has to offer is reassuringly predictable. As a general rule of thumb, mornings tend to be sunny, while in the late afternoon or evening, the sky will chuck it down for an hour or two before clearing up for the rest of the day. 

In practice, we’ve found that this regularity makes it super easy to plan our days, knowing ahead of time what to expect. Sure, there’ll be a washout for a brief spell, but that’s the perfect time to grab a drink or a bite to eat.

What we love most about Mexico City in July is that it’s just that little bit less frenetic than at other times of the year. Most tourists avoid the month, while locals escape the city for family-friendly summer holidays elsewhere. Plus, the temperatures are mild, making for perfect sightseeing weather.

Cards on the table: it’s not the best weather for lounging about in outdoor pools, but if your main goal is to experience the local culture, there’s no reason you can’t have just as good a time in July as you can in March – and probably at a cheaper price point.

Pros & Cons Of Visiting Mexico City In July

Further down, we’ll go into more detail about weather-related considerations like rainfall, humidity, and temperature, but If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary of the main pros and cons of visiting CDMX in July.

Pros of visiting Mexico City In July:

✅ Best time for bargains. All the badmouthing about Mexican summers means it’s the ideal time to sniff out a good holiday deal. March and April might get all the tourist love, but with that comes inflated prices. July is the savvy spender’s opportunity to make discounted reservations.

✅ School holidays mean fewer people. Mexicans often abscond from CDMX over July and August for their vacations, heading to the beaches, mountains, and other holiday locales outside the city. While the capital is always going to be congested, the streets are a little quieter in July compared to other times of year.

✅ Mild summer temperatures. Mexico City doesn’t tend to get as hot and humid as coastal areas, thanks to its elevation (around 2,240 metres or 7,350 feet above sea level). That’s great news for eager-beaver tourists, who don’t need to fret about overheating. Just make sure to pack a sweater for the evenings.

Cons Of Visiting CDMX In July:

⚠️ Wet, wet, wet. Along with September, July is when CDMX experiences the most rainfall. While this does have the benefit of deterring many would-be visitors, you should make sure you have an umbrella handy at all times!

⚠️ Less vibrant than at other times of the year. Rainy weather always puts a dampener on things, and Mexico City isn’t immune to that effect. None of the capital’s major festivals, neither traditional fiestas nor modern music extravaganzas, take place in July.

⚠️ Humidity. While we can say from experience that Mexico City doesn’t get anywhere near as sticky and uncomfortable as the coastal parts of the country, it is still more humid in July than at other times of the year. Pack accordingly.

Mexico City Weather In July

Admittedly, July isn’t one of the sunniest months of the year in Mexico City, but it does see some of the smallest fluctuations in temperature. If we were to describe it in terms of personality, it’s generally a nice, even-tempered time of year with occasional tearful (by which we mean rainy) tantrums. 

☀️ Temperature In Mexico City In July

Mexico City July weather is basically mild days and slightly chilly nights. The temperature generally sits around 22 to 24 degrees Celsius (71 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, dropping to about 12 to 14 degrees Celsius (53 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit) at night.

It might sound strange, but we’ve found that July isn’t as hot as April and May, but it’s also not as cold. The average temperature feels slightly colder, but there isn’t as much of a change between the coldest and warmest times of day.

☔ Rainfall

Visit Mexico City in July, and you should be prepared to face regular afternoon-evening showers, with a total rainfall of about 60mm (about 2.4 inches). We haven’t precisely tabulated the number of downpours we’ve experienced per month while staying in CDMX over the summer, but it’s safe to say you’ll see more days with rain than days without in July!

Even though most of the time, we don’t see sustained rain over the whole course of the day, the intensity of the showers can lead to flooding, which plays havoc with the roads, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.

🥵 Humidity

July is one of the most humid times of the year in Mexico City, with relative humidity usually sitting around 69%, give or take a few percentage points. That’s not peak humidity for the capital – that would be in September – but it is close. 

In other words, you’ll probably feel a little sticky if it’s a particularly hot day, but most of the time, you can explore the city in comfort. 

3 Best Things To Do In Mexico City In July

Take advantage of the sunnier morning weather to get out and about in the city. Here are three of our favourite activities to do before the afternoon showers strike, combining essential sightseeing with leisurely outdoor strolls.

📍 Explore the Teotihuacan Pyramids

One of Mexico City’s best-preserved glimpses into Mesoamerican life, the Teotihuacan Archaeological Site, is an incredible experience that allows you to walk in the footsteps of a civilization that existed hundreds of years ago.

While the ruins occupy 21 square kilometres (8 square miles) of land, there are only a handful of buildings that you can still see today, including the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest pyramids in the world. Make sure you set aside time for the on-site museum, which contains some useful context on the history of the Teotihuacan.

The Aztec city is just on the outskirts of the capital, and it’s super easy to reach by public bus. We recommend heading out in the morning when the weather tends to be clearer.

Not only does this mean you don’t have to wander about under an umbrella, but you can also take a hot air balloon up above the site and get a bird’s-eye view of this incredible place from the skies. It’s one of our all-time favourite things we have ever done in CDMX!

The entrance fee is 90 pesos per person, plus an additional charge for parking if you drive there. Unlike many of CDMX’s museums, Teotihuacan is open every day of the week, which makes it easy to slot into an itinerary, especially as you don’t need to buy tickets in advance.

📍 Visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes

The Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) is one of the most recognisable buildings in Mexico City. While the art nouveau exterior is impressive regardless of the weather, it looks particularly stunning when the sun is glittering off the orange roof tiles and marble facade.

We recommend first heading to the café in the Sears building opposite, where you can enjoy the full splendour of the Palacio de Bellas Artes from the outdoor balcony while perking up over a cup of coffee before making your way into the palace to explore its interiors.

Entrance to the lobby is free, but it’s worth paying 85 pesos (around $5 US) to ascend the staircase and see some of the finest murals in CDMX, including the Diego Rivera masterpiece El Hombre Controlador del Universo (Man, Controller of the Universe), also known by its original title El Hombre en el Cruce de Caminos (Man at the Crossroads).

Our top tip is to time your visit so that it coincides with one of the free tours. There are two to choose from: one that covers the history of the building and another that explores the mural collection in detail.

The streets surrounding the Palacio de Bellas Artes are full of notable edifices, including the Palacio Postal, the Casa de los Azulejos, and the Torre Latinoamericana, which boasts a panoramic viewing platform. When the weather is fine, you can easily do a little survey of the area’s amazing architecture. 

📍 Check out Diego Riviera’s Murals at the National Palace (Palacio Nacional)

If you can’t get enough of Diego Rivera, there are lots of other places aside from the Palacio de Bellas Artes where you can see his iconic murals, including inside Mexico’s primary governmental building, the National Palace. 

Located just off the Zocalo (Town Square), it’s here you’ll find the monumental History of Mexico, which took six years to complete and covers several walls of the opulent palace. 

You can only get access to the mural as part of a free tour, which takes in select sections of the building, but even if you don’t manage to get inside, it’s worth heading to this part of town for a morning stroll. 

Aside from the unique tezontle (porous volcanic rock) facade of the National Palace, there are several other must-see landmarks around the Zocalo, including the country’s oldest and largest cathedral, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the pre-Hispanic Templo Mayor ruins.

What To Wear In Mexico City In July

Thanks to its elevation, Mexico City doesn’t become overly hot in July. In fact, the nights, in particular, can feel a little chilly, so make sure you balance your warm weather wear with some sweaters and jackets. To help you pack, here are our CDMX clothing essentials for summer. 

✅ Light clothing. Although the daytime temperature hovers around 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) in July, the humidity can make you feel sticky if you’re doing a lot of walking. Shorts, skirts, T-shirts, and dresses should make up the majority of your suitcase.

✅ Waterproof outerwear. The afternoon rains in Mexico City are pretty predictable, so make sure you prepare for the inevitable July showers by having a raincoat or umbrella on your person. A thin, waterproof poncho that can be shoved into a bag is our preferred way of staying dry without having to lug about extra stuff.

✅ Jumpers and jackets. You’ll want to pack at least one jumper or jacket for the evenings when the thermometer dips to average lows of about 12 degrees (54 degrees Fahrenheit). The last thing you want is to find your teeth chattering while you’re enjoying an after-dinner cocktail at a stylish rooftop bar!

✅ Jeans. If you’re somebody whose legs are sensitive to breezy evenings, a pair of jeans or slacks will keep your bottom half warm when you’re out and about once the sun has set. 

✅ Bum bag. Finally, a bum bag is an always-handy accessory to help you keep your money and other valuables secure. Like any major metropolitan hub, opportunistic thieves abound in CDMX, so don’t make yourself a target.

🌧️ When Is It Rainy Season In Mexico City?

The rainy season starts in mid-May and finishes in mid-October. July and September tend to be particularly prone to showers, while June and August have slightly more sunny spells. 

As a kind of rough indication of what to expect, we would say that usually about two-thirds of the days in July feature at least a little rain, but as we’ve already noted, it usually pours itself out in an hour, leaving the city streets moist but the skies clear.

What To Do In Mexico City When It Rains?

Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you have to confine yourself to gazing wistfully out of your hotel window. Mexico City has a huge array of museums, rooftop bars, and other indoor entertainment where you can immerse yourself in the local culture while waiting for the rain to wrap up. Here are three of our go-to suggestions.

📍 Visit One of the Cool Rooftop Bars in Mexico City

You might be thinking, why would I visit a rooftop bar when it’s raining? Won’t I get soaked? Well, yes, in some of them, you would, but many of our favourite scenic drinking spots are actually covered or boast retractable roofs, so you can gaze out on the water-sprinkled skyline while staying completely dry!

There are quite a few 5-star spots that are excellent for drinks with dizzying views, including Cityzen in the Sofitel and the Carlotta Reforma in the Ritz-Carlton. 

For more of a casual, fun vibe, we tend to head to Balmori, which has a retractable roof and a DJ, while Supra Roma and Skybar Condesa are top choices for more of a party evening.

The best views of all are arguably to be had at Nivel 40 Skybar, up on the 40th floor of the Torre Latinoamericana. Having said that, La Casa De Las Sirenas is hard to beat for drinks and meals overlooking the Zocalo.

📍 Visit One of the City Museums, Such as the Museum of Anthropology or the Frida Kahlo Museum

Mexico City is filled with all kinds of wonderful (and even some weird) museums, whether you’re interested in the history of chocolate, the design ethos behind everyday objects, or the political life of Leon Trotsky.

One of our absolute favourite places to hang out on a rainy day is the National Museum of Anthropology, which houses an enormous, diverse collection of pre-Hispanic pieces spanning thousands of years of Mesoamerican culture.

A whole world of giant Olmec heads, Zapotec jade masks, and replicas of Mayan tombs is available for just 90 pesos, which explains why the museum is one of the most visited places in all of Mexico City.

If your tastes tend towards modern art, head to the Coyoacan neighbourhood, located in the southern part of Mexico City. It’s here that the artist Frida Kahlo was born and raised. In fact, her childhood home has been converted into a museum dedicated to her memory. 

Even if the Frida Kahlo Museum weren’t the birthplace of a famous painter, it would still be a landmark thanks to its bright blue walls, which have given rise to its nickname, Casa Azul. Inside, the house has been kept just as it was when Kahlo lived there, from her boudoir to her studio. Entry is 290 pesos.

📍 Attend a Lucha Libre Show

There’s nothing quite like the bright, bizarre world of lucha libre, Mexico’s signature wrestling style. Born in the mid-1800s, it’s one of the most popular spectator sports in Mexico, filled with colourful costumes and big personalities. 

Unlike our other two rainy-day suggestions, a lucha libre show isn’t something we return to again and again, but it’s an absolute must-try experience the first time you visit Mexico City.

It’s possible to organise a trip yourself, but frankly, we found it a real pain in the bum to buy the tickets, even though we speak Spanish (which is a bare minimum for navigating the chaotic Arena Mexico, where the best shows take place).

Honestly, it’s much easier just to hop on a tour. There are several companies that will not only purchase the tickets for you and explain what’s happening in the ring during the show but also organize a trip to a local taqueria and cantina in the bargain.

What Is The Best Time To Visit Mexico City?

We’ve talked a lot about the merits of July, but it’s only fair to give some of the other months of the year their due! 

One of our favourite times to be in Mexico City is in March, when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom, creating purple clouds of flowers throughout the capital. The weather is also sunny, warm, and predominantly rain-free – what more could you ask for? Well, fewer people, I guess, but you can’t have everything!

Alternatively, the end of October to the beginning of November is a really atmospheric time to visit CDMX because that’s when the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations take place. The city puts on all kinds of celebratory events, culminating in one big parade that marches through the middle of town.

What Is The Worst Time To Visit CDMX?

We might be slightly biased, but there’s never a bad time to visit Mexico City! Having said that, July and September tend to be the least popular because the weather is at its most rainy. It’s also hurricane season, which can derail even the best-laid plans.

Having said that, you’re unlikely to experience any truly horrendous weather in Mexico City, and the fact that many people are put off during this time of year means you can shop around for good deals.

Mexico City In July: The Wrap-Up

Even if we haven’t completely convinced you to visit Mexico City in July, hopefully, this post has opened your eyes to the possibilities of travelling to the capital during the off-season. Given the many entertaining indoor activities that CDMX has to offer, there’s no reason to avoid a trip just because of the rain!