Planning to do a vacation in Mexico in February? Here’s everything you need to know about the weather, festivals, places to visit, and more!
February in Mexico is a busy time in Mexico as travelers from the USA, Canada, and Europe are escaping harsh winters in their own countries.
Expect your vacation in Mexico in February to be more expensive than usual, as demands are higher and more travelers are visiting Mexico this month.
It doesn’t necessarily mean you must break the bank to vacation in Mexico in February.
This is a big country with many places to visit during February – you don’t have to go to mandatory tourist spots like Cabo or Cancun.
Here is everything you need to know about visiting Mexico in February: travel tips, budget tips, and fantastic events to attend!
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Mexico in February: quick links
- Best activity in Mexico in February: Whale watching
- Best place to visit in Mexico in February: Los Cabos, Baja California Sur
- Best activity in Cancun in February: Chichen Itza, cenotes and Valladolid
⛱️ Weather in Mexico in February
The weather in Mexico in February is warm for North Americans and Europeans, but it is one of the coldest months in Mexico.
Of course, if you are used to the winter months of February in your home country, this “cold” doesn’t necessarily apply to you, but for Mexicans and locals, it is pretty cold.
During the month of February, we wear jackets at night in Mexico. The sun is hot but can get cold when you go to the shade.
The average weather in Mexico in February differs by area. It depends on where you are going to visit, so check out the areas below and see which is the best place for you in Mexico in February.
Southern Mexico weather in February
Southern Mexico is famous because of Cancun and the Quintana Roo area. February in Cancun reaches up to 27° C (82° F), which can drop up to 22° C (72° F) during the evenings.
The state of Chiapas (very south of Mexico near Guatemala) can be colder by 10 degrees more, but note that Chiapas experiences mostly cold weather during the year.
Northern Mexico weather in February
Northern Mexico comprises the state of Baja California, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, Coahuila, etc., all of which are also popular destinations for Americans.
Monterrey and Los Cabos weather in February is colder than in the south by 10 degrees. Northern Mexico is an excellent choice if you feel like 27° C (82° F) in Cancun is too hot.
It is important to note that Baja California and Baja California Sur have different weather patterns even if they are in the same peninsula.
Pacific West Mexico weather in February
Pacific West Mexico goes from Puerto Vallarta up to the coast of Oaxaca. Pacific West Mexico in February’s hottest day is 25° C (77° F).
The state of Guerrero (primarily the resort city of Acapulco) reaches up to 27° C (82° F), so this is probably the hottest area in the country.
Eastern Mexico weather in February
Those who love to visit Puebla might want to skip February as the hottest day in February in Puebla is 18° C (66° F).
You may want to go next door to Veracruz, where you can enjoy the beautiful Veracruz beaches at daily hot temperatures of 25° C (77° F).
💲 February in Mexico prices
Resorts in Cabo or Cancun start at $250 USD in February. These prices are for the famous resorts in both areas, but you can still book other resorts for $150 USD (2 pax).
Restaurant prices and activities in Mexico don’t really change. The prices are the same for both high and low season.
Since February is a popular month to visit Mexico, it is considered a high season.
📍 Places to visit in Mexico in February
Cabo in February
There aren’t any low or high seasons in Cabo. Cabo is visited by tourists all year round because of its weather similarities with California, USA.
The hottest in Cabo in February is about 22° C (72° F), and the coldest is 16° C (-8° F). Rest assured, this isn’t that cold for you, but Cabo is colder in February than in Cancun.
It is only cold during the evenings, but you can still do night activities like luxury yacht sailing with dinner ($199 USD for 2).
February is also the best time to see the whales in Cabo and Baja California Sur. The humpback whale-watching tour starts at $99 USD and can be done all throughout the day.
Cancun in February
Spend February in Cancun with sunny days of 28° F (83° F), perfect for spending your vacation in any Cancun resort.
At night, the weather in Cancun can drop up to 13° C (57° F), so you may need to pack thin jackets for cold nights.
One of the best things to do in Cancun in February is to see Chichen Itza, cenotes and Valladolid (for a day). You shouldn’t miss this top activity in Cancun, only for $59 USD!
In the evenings, you can go to amazing shows with dinners like Cirque do Soleil for as low as $105 USD per person.
Mexico City in February
If you look at all the places to visit in Mexico in February, they more or less have the same weather conditions, but Mexico City is ALWAYS curating a different story.
Mexico City weather is unpredictable, and the locals have learned to adapt to it. The coldest day in February in Mexico City is about 6° C (44° F), and the hottest is 25° C (78° F).
The days can be sunny and pleasant with clear skies. This is the best time to go out and do outdoor activities and food tours in Mexico City.
Mexico City is known for its vibrant nightlife, so this is also an excellent opportunity to explore bars and clubs in the Roma, Polanco, and Condesa areas.
Oaxaca in February
28° C (84° F) is the hottest temperature in Oaxaca in February, but it can get cold during the evenings (10° C / 51° F).
By all means, Oaxaca is a great place to visit all year round (except the months of August, September, and October) when Oaxaca experiences heavy rainfall.
You can visit Hierve El Agua, the petrified waterfalls of Oaxaca, and a famous outdoor destination. You can also go to small towns like Mitla and if you have the time, visit the Oaxacan coastal towns like Mazunte, Puerto Escondido and Zipolite.
Tulum in February
Tulum in February is the exact same weather as Cancun so you may want to combine Tulum and Cancun for your trip to Mexico in February.
Price-wise, there also isn’t a big difference with Cancun. More often than not, Tulum is ridiculously expensive as it is the most popular destination in Mexico.
Tulum is not only a party town. Through the years, many different types of travelers (not only Spring Breakers) have been drawn to Tulum because of its small-town vibe, amazing Airbnbs, and beautiful beaches.
Puerto Vallarta in February
Puerto Vallarta is always humid (be it summer or winter), so during February in Puerto Vallarta, expect it to be as hot as 27° C (82° F) while the coldest is 15° C (59° F).
Just like Cancun and Cabo, Puerto Vallarta is also an all-year-round destination and is a popular place for digital nomads and expats who wishes to move to Mexico.
Biking in the Malecon of Puerto Vallarta is one of the best things to do in February. Foodies can enjoy taco tours in PV during February without sweating too much while walking.
You can also go on a day trip to the small magical towns of Sayulita and San Pancho. If you opt for an evening boat cruise with dinner, bring a jacket on the boat!
February is also the best time to see the whales in Puerto Vallarta.
🎊 February in Mexico events and festivals
Mexico Carnivals
Mexico is a catholic country so the carnival is a big event here. However, it is not as big as the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but is as colorful and depicts Mexican traditions.
The best carnivals are in La Paz (Baja California Sur), Campeche, Manzanillo, Veracruz, El Oro, and Gunyo. These are the biggest carnivals in Mexico, and all are in non-touristy destinations!
Expect these carnivals to be super local, with only a few tourists or foreigners. Carnivals in Mexico are only big to those who know them, but it is still not as popular with foreign tourists.
Grey Whale Festival
📍 Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur
February in Mexico is whale season, and while I mentioned that Puerto Vallarta and Cancun are spots to see whales, Baja California Sur is the biggest whale sanctuary in the country.
In Puerto San Carlos, you will have a different kind of whale experience since whales behave differently because of their environment.
In touristy places, whales tend to be more aloof, but in San Carlos, the whales will approach your boat, and you will see hundreds of them simultaneously in Adolfo Lopez Mateos.
The whale festival in Puerto San Carlos and Adolfo Lopez Mateos extends to Guerrero Negro and San Ignacio. During this time, there will be activities, fireworks, street dances, and many more.
La Candelaria
📍 San Juan de Los Lagos, Jalisco
Celebrated on February 2nd, La Candelaria (day of the Candelaria) is a religious festivity in San Juan de Los Lagos, Jalisco.
It is a feast to honor the virgin of Candelaria; at this time, millions of pilgrims come to San Juan de Los Lagos to visit the Virgin of Candelaria.
Leon Fair
The Leon Fair in the state of Guanajuato starts as early as January and goes through the month of February. Leon Fair is the celebration of the founding anniversary of Leon.
During this time, the streets of Leon will be filled with people, concerts, street food carts, and even magical circuses!
Pilgrimage in honor of San Caralampio
San Caralampio (Saint Charalampos) is a religious figure and a martyr from the third century AD. This saint is honored every February 10th in Comitan, Chiapas.
The city of Comitan is famous for this celebration as Comitan is one of the most visited pueblos magicos in Mexico.
There are 2 parts of the celebration and is mostly about pilgrimage. Candles, flowers, prayers, and songs fill the whole city of Comitan.
Everyone dresses up on the festival’s second day and puts a character on. Some notable costumes/characters are movie icons, little devils, giants, clowns, and witches.
Taurine Festival
Probably one of the best festivals in Mexico, Colima holds a Taurine festival every February, and it lasts for 11 days! It usually takes place in the first week.
The Taurine Festival is an event where there will be horses, mojigangos, giant paper dolls, all over the city. This festival is held to honor San Felipe de Jesus.
One thing to watch out for during the Taurine Festival in Colima is the La Petatera, the famous bullfighting stadium.
This tradition has been part of the state of Colima for nearly 160 years so the Colimans take this event seriously!
Patronal festivities of Suchitlán
As part of the celebrations of the Candelaria, the patronal festivities of Suchitlan take place from January to February 2nd. Suchitlan is a small town Colima and is not as popularly visited by tourists.
During this week/month, there will be parades, rodeos, and street dances throughout the region.
📅 Is February a good time to go to Mexico?
ABSOLUTELY! February is a great time to visit Mexico because of the great weather. There is nothing like it in the world where you get to soak in the sun and be on the beach during February!
As February is the coldest month in the United States, Canada, Europe, and some Asian countries like Japan, China, and South Korea, February is a popular month to go to Mexico.
Expect prices to be higher than usual, so book your accommodations in advance!
☀️ How hot is it in Mexico in February?
It is not hot at all in Mexico in February. The hottest area would be Oaxaca and Puerto Vallarta (Pacific Mexico), but most of the country experiences 25° C (77° F) with cold nights up to (10° C / 51° F).
The days are sunny, pleasant, and warm in Mexico in February, but it is still recommended to pack some light jackets or cardigans.
Shoes wouldn’t be that necessary – all tourists go on flip flops when traveling Mexico in February!
🌤️ How warm is Cancun in February?
The warmest weather in Cancun in February is 27° C (82° F), which can drop up to 22° C (72° F) during the evenings.
There aren’t any low or high seasons in Cancun, as it is a favorite Mexican destination all year round. You don’t have to worry about traveling to Cancun in February – nothing can go wrong (weather-wise).
🏊♀️ Can you swim in Mexico in February?
ABSOLUTELY! Swimming in Mexico in February is great but the water temperatures are the coldest during February.
The waters of the Caribbean will also be seaweed free at this time of the year. Expect to soak in the sun and swim in crystal clear waters.
🌀 Is February hurricane season in Mexico?
No, February is not hurricane season in Mexico, but there are occasional rain showers in the north (Baja California, Coahuila, Monterrey).
The hurricane season in Mexico falls in the months of August, September, and October. In Oaxaca or the Pacific West, it starts to rain as early as July.
🗓️ Is February a good time to go to Cabo?
ABSOLUTELY! February is one of the best months to go to Cabo but expect resorts to be more expensive (from $250 USD per night).
Like Cancun, Cabo is an all-year-round destination because of its close proximity to the United States. There isn’t any wrong month to travel to Cabo!
⚓ Which part of Mexico is best in February?
If you like the sun and beaches, the best parts of Mexico to visit in February are Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Los Cabos. Here, you can enjoy the sun without suffering extreme heat.
For city lovers, Oaxaca City can be an excellent option for warm weather, but if you like it a little cold, go to Mexico City in February.
🇲🇽 Mexico Travel Planning
🚑 Do I need travel insurance to go to Mexico?
ABSOLUTELY! Travel insurance is required to go to Mexico. Our recommended best insurance for travelers is SafetyWing (from $40 USD per month), valid when you come back home to the US.
🚗 What is the best car rental company in Mexico?
Any rental company at Mexican airports is excellent; however, we recommend you book your rental car in advance. Discover Cars and Rental Cars are the two most used platforms when renting a car in Mexico.
🏨 Where can I book affordable hotels and resorts in Mexico?
Budget travelers, use Hostelworld when looking for accommodations in Mexico. A bed in a hostel dorm starts at $25 USD per night. Booking.com is best for boutique hotels, while you will find many luxury hotels on Expedia.
Trisha traveled to Mexico in 2018 and after a year, she found herself obtaining a 4-year residency visa in Mexico. She is the Editor-in-chief for our Living in Mexico Series which has helped over 3,000 Americans move to Mexico with ease. Trisha currently resides in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.