Mexico City in January is high, dry and clear, and nobody else has arrived yet.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | ~22°C / 72°F, sunny |
| Nights | ~6°C / 43°F, sometimes near freezing |
| Rain | Almost none |
| Air | Dry season haze; ozone builds by March |
| Volcanoes | Often visible from the city on clear mornings |
December before, February after.
What's on#
- Día de Reyes, 6 January: the rosca de reyes, gifts, a giant rosca in the Zócalo most years. The figurine you find commits you to tamales on 2 February.
- The ice rink and holiday displays in the Zócalo usually run into the first week.
- Lucha libre every Friday at Arena México; the Pumas and América football season resumes mid-month.
What to do#
Everything outdoors in the afternoon sun: Chapultepec, Coyoacán, Teotihuacán on a clear morning (day trips), the rooftops, the markets. Things to do, the 5-day itinerary, where locals eat.
Prices and crowds#
Holiday prices until the 6th, then the year's quietest good weeks. Mexico City on a budget, best neighbourhoods.
Pack#
Layers: a T-shirt for 2pm, a jumper for 8pm, a coat for 11pm. Sunscreen; the altitude bites. Lip balm. First time in Mexico City covers altitude and water.
With a chilango#
Rosca at a family table, a Friday at the lucha, a cantina afternoon: post your dates on Roavi Community and a Local Friend can include you. Travellers in the city in January appear there too.
Mexico City in January? Spend an evening with someone who lives there.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Mexico City in January?
Dry and sunny with a big daily swing: highs around 22°C (72°F) in the afternoon, lows around 6°C (43°F) at night, occasionally near freezing. Almost no rain. Mornings are cold until about 10; afternoons are T-shirt weather.Is Mexico City cold in January?
At night and early morning, yes, by Mexican standards: a coat for the evenings and a jumper for breakfast. By midday it's warm. Buildings often have no heating, so a cold hotel room is possible; check for one with heating.What is Día de Reyes in Mexico City?
Epiphany, 6 January: children receive gifts, families share the rosca de reyes (a ring cake with a hidden figurine; whoever finds it hosts the Candelaria tamales on 2 February), and the Zócalo often hosts a giant rosca. Bakeries sell out; order ahead.Is January a good time to visit Mexico City?
Very good after the 6th: dry weather, clear skies, few tourists, lower hotel prices. The cold nights and poorer air quality are the only downsides.
