☂️Mexico City's rainy season: What to pack and how to plan your days
Despite the downpours, the rainy season in Mexico City has its charms, from cooler temperatures to cleaner air. Here's how to structure your days so you stay dry.
A few years ago, we almost canceled a trip we had planned to Mexico City in August.
The rainy-season photos and videos we saw as we were planning made it seem like we’d be trapped indoors, facing a nonstop deluge, with no hope of exploring the city’s charming streets and green spaces.
Those photos and videos aren’t wrong, exactly. But they’re sensationalized. They capture a snippet of a day that probably started with hours of clear skies and sunshine.
Here’s the truth: If you plan a trip to Mexico City in the summer, there’s a good chance you’re going to face rain. Maybe a lot of rain. But that doesn’t mean you should reschedule, and it doesn’t mean you’re going to have a lousy trip.
💧Does it rain all day during the Mexico City rainy season?
No, it does not rain all day. A typical summer day in Mexico City starts with clear, beautiful skies and warm sunshine in the morning. Clouds roll in by mid-afternoon, and, some days, you can expect heavy thunderstorms in the late afternoon or evening.
The rainy season usually runs from late May through late September, and July and August are the wettest months.
Think of it like Florida rainy, not Seattle rainy.
📅Planning your days during Mexico City’s rainy season
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
Here’s what we recommend:
Plan your walks, visits to parks like Chapultepec, and outdoor dining for mornings and early afternoons.
If you want to walk and the weather is iffy, head to Condesa. The trees give you some protection, and you’ll find shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants to duck into while you wait out a storm.
Schedule museums, concerts, and indoor dining for the late afternoons and evenings. Most museums are open until 5 pm. Here are a few later options:
Palacio de Bellas Artes (Centro Historico): Open until 6 pm. Ideal if a downpour strikes when you’re downtown.
Museo Soumaya (Polanco): Open until 6:30 pm and admission is free, so it’s a good option for a day with a high chance of storms.
Museo Jumex, next door to Museo Soumaya: Open until 7 pm on Saturdays.
Rubi Wine Cocktails in Condesa and Licoreria Limantour in Roma Norte are two places we hide out when we want to escape the rain in Mexico City.
The last Wednesday of every month is Noche de Museos (Museum Night). Lots of the city’s museums are open late and have free or discounted admission. So that’s an excellent rainy day option if it coincides with your trip.
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 wait time for the Uber and expect higher fares. Plan for travel time in traffic, too.
The Metro is another transit option, though it will probably be crowded when it’s raining, too.
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⛈️Here’s what you should bring
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.
🛍️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.
Here’s what you’ll want to bring:
🧥A raincoat
You can’t manage the Mexico City rainy season without a raincoat. Keep it lightweight—it’s usually not that cold when it rains, and you can always layer a light sweater under it if you need to.
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 walking shoes
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 love these waterproof On sneakers because they’re comfortable, and I can wear them all day, whether it’s raining or not. (Option for men) These highly rated 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 or day bag
When you’re out all day, you’ll need a way to carry around your raincoat and umbrella so your hands are free for taking photos, looking up addresses, and, of course, planning your days with our digital guidebook.
This tote is affordable, durable, and can fold up to keep on hand as a shopping bag when you don’t need it for your rain gear.
If you want something more secure where you can keep your wallet, passport, phone, or anything else valuable, this expandable, waterproof day bag is a nice option.
📱A phone wrist strap or lanyard
I got caught in a downpour with my phone in an open pocket on my purse. I thought it got protected but the charging port got wet and never quite worked properly again.
With a phone wrist strap or lanyard, you can tuck your phone in your sleeve or under your raincoat.
It can also help keep your phone safer from pickpockets and from the risk of dropping it if you’re taking photos from a rooftop, hot-air balloon, or boat ride.
🧥Layers
Did you see all those low temperatures in the 50s in the forecast? It won’t be much warmer than that in the early mornings and after storms comer through in the evenings.
In Mexico City, life happens outside, so I usually bring a light sweater so I’m comfortable sitting outside at a restaurant or bar.
👎What not to bring
Don’t pack flip flops or sandals. You’re visiting a big city, not a beach resort, and you’ll want to keep your feet clean and protected. Save the swimwear for Cancun or Puerto Vallarta.
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🛍️Other shopping options
I’m a fan of more affordable and climate-friendly shopping options, so I buy quite a bit of what 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. I got my On waterproof sneakers here for $35 less than full price. 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.
If you found these rainy season strategies helpful, our complete digital guidebook, Eternal Spring: Our Guide to Mexico City, contains more than 500 pages of neighborhood breakdowns, curated restaurant guides, and real-world logistics designed to work seamlessly on your phone, e-reader, tablet, or computer. Click below to download your copy.
💧More Mexico City rainy-season tips
Here are a couple of early morning activities we think are worth it. Book them for early in your trip so there’s time to reschedule in case you hit some rare inclement weather early in the day.
Mexico City: What we’re reading this week
CDMX through the eyes of Mexican-American Dayna Cobarrubias. I’m especially liking her shopping selections.
This collection of sounds of Mexico City, complete with cultural and historical background, by Marcelo Castro Salinas.
Two new museums we want to try, thanks to Leslie Brenner.
