☂️Mexico City: What to pack for the rainy season

Don't let the rain keep you away from Mexico City's history, culture, charm, food, and people. Use this guide to stay comfortable.

If you plan a trip to Mexico City this summer, there’s a good chance you’re going to face rain. Maybe a lot of rain. That’s because Mexico City has two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. But that doesn’t mean you should reschedule, and it doesn’t mean you’re going to have a lousy trip.

📅When is the rainy season in Mexico City?

The rainy season usually runs from late May through late September, with the most rain typically falling in July and August.

Generally, you can expect:

• Clear or partly cloudy mornings

• Clouds rolling in during the afternoons

• Thunderstorms in the late afternoons through the evenings.

(As if on cue, it is 4 pm as I’m writing this, and I just heard the first drops hitting the balcony.)

It doesn’t rain every day, but you should expect it and be prepared for it.

The rainy season isn’t all bad. We like it because:

• The rainfall clears the air, reducing pollution

• Daytime high temperatures are comfortable

• Cool, rainy nights are great for sleeping

• The rain keeps a lot of locals home in the evenings, which makes it easier to get into restaurants and cocktail bars

The Santa Fe skyline is clearly visible during the rainy season, but often covered in smog during the dry season.

⛈️When it rains, it pours

Don’t expect any light sprinkles or drizzle when it rains in Mexico City. The thunderstorms bring the kind of downpours that mean you’ll get drenched in seconds, even if you’re just crossing the street.

Here’s what you’ll want to bring:

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🧥A raincoat

That time we thought we could make it home before the rain started!

You can’t manage the Mexico City rainy season without a raincoat. Keep it lightweight, since it’s usually not that cold when it rains, and you can always layer a light sweater under it if needed.

We have Eddie Bauer (Paul) and Land’s End (Steph) raincoats that are about mid-thigh length. They work well, although if I were buying something new, I’d get something knee-length or longer, like this one. (Option for men)

👞Waterproof shoes or boots

It’s pretty much a guarantee that your feet will get soaked, so keep them dry with the right footgear. Otherwise, you’ll be spending your valuable vacation time blow-drying your wet shoes.

I have my eye on these waterproof On sneakers because they’re comfortable, and I could wear them all day, whether it’s raining or not. I just need to wait for the price to drop. (Option for men) These waterproof sneakers are more affordable. (Option for men)

🌂An umbrella

Even with a raincoat, your pants will probably end up wet unless you add some coverage from a good umbrella.

This umbrella is big enough for two people and still folds up to a relatively small size.

👜A tote bag

You’ll be carrying around your raincoat and umbrella a lot. A bag keeps your hands free for taking photos, looking up addresses, and, of course, planning your days with our digital guidebook.

This tote is nice because it’s affordable, durable, and can fold up to keep on hand as a shopping bag when you don’t need it for your rain gear. But I wouldn’t keep a wallet, passport, or anything valuable in it because it doesn’t zip closed.

🛍️Other shopping options

I’m a fan of more affordable and climate-friendly shopping options, so I buy quite a bit of the things I need from these two retailers. These aren’t affiliate links; I’m just a fan. With both, you’ll want to check the sites frequently because the inventory changes all the time.

• Relay Goods: They sell returned but unworn, previous season, and damaged-box running and walking shoes, including some waterproof options. Shipping has been quick, in my experience.

• ThredUp: They sell all kinds of secondhand clothing, accessories, and bags. They’re a great place to shop if you need affordable travel gear in a climate that’s different from where you live. You can sort by “new with tags” if you’re not into used clothing. Shipping can take a while, so give yourself plenty of time before your trip to shop.

  

💧More Mexico City rainy-season tips

🛍️Shop for your gear before your trip

Don’t plan to buy a raincoat or shoes during your trip, especially if you’re taller than average. Most visitors are bigger than most Mexicans, so you might have a hard time finding clothes or shoes in your size. Plus, if you only have a few days in the city, you’re not going to want to spend them shopping for necessities.

📱Call a car

Taking Ubers will minimize the amount of time you’re out in the elements. Just keep in mind that when it rains, lots of people who would otherwise walk or bike take Ubers, too. So build in some extra travel time for the traffic.

⏰Plan around the weather

If you schedule your activities well, you can:

• Be outside in the mornings and early afternoons

• Hit a museum or another indoor attraction later in the day

• Spend your evening in a cozy restaurant

Here are a couple of early morning activities we think are worth it:

Mexico City hot-air balloon ride: A bucket-list experience

🌄The hidden side of the Xochimilco canals in Mexico City

You’ll find lots more content like this in our downloadable book, Eternal Spring: Our Guide to Mexico City, which is designed to work seamlessly on your phone, e-reader, tablet, or computer. Use it to plan your itinerary, and refer to it any time you need to when you’re in Mexico City.

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