At a Glance
Compared to this destination's peak season The quietest month of the year in the capital and the tail of the value window. The last ten days are the cheapest the city gets before September’s civic calendar and October’s Grand Prix push rates back up.
Mexico City in August — Travel Guide
By Harry Nara · Last updated
Mexico City in August offers some of the best conditions of the year, ideal for nature lovers & solo travellers. Expect temperatures of 13–25°C, around 21 days of rain, and low crowds across the city. Daily budgets typically land around $35–135 for mid-range travellers. Rooms are easy to find last-minute and hotel prices stay noticeably softer through the season.
Contents15 sections
#Weather in Mexico City in August
Mexico City in August averages 13–25°C (55–77°F) with around 21 days of rain, and crowds are low.
| Measure | August in Mexico City |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 25°C / 77°F |
| Overnight low | About 13°C / 55°F |
| Wet days | About 21, with about 176mm of rain, the wettest month by total |
| Sunset | 7:13pm on the 1st, 6:53pm by the 31st |
| Big dates | Anniversary of the fall of Tenochtitlan, 13 August; the Mexico City Marathon, usually late in the month |
| Crowds and prices | Among the quietest and cheapest weeks of the year |
Figures are Servicio Meteorológico Nacional 1991–2020 normals for Tacubaya, Mexico City.
What that actually means for your trip:
- The rain keeps a timetable. Most days start bright and dry, clouds build after lunch, and a heavy storm breaks in the late afternoon or evening.
- The valley is at its greenest. After three months of rain, the parks, the volcanic hills and the canals of Xochimilco are lush.
- It is mild, never hot. At 2,240 metres, afternoons sit in the mid-twenties and nights fall to about 13°C.
- The air is clean. The rains wash out the haze of the dry season, so the city's air is at its best.
Is August a good time to visit Mexico City? Yes, if you plan around the afternoon rain. Mornings are bright and comfortable for sightseeing, the city is green and quiet, and prices are among the lowest of the year. Spend the afternoons in museums, markets and restaurants, carry a rain jacket, and keep the evenings flexible.
#August in the city
13 August marks the anniversary of the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, when the Aztec capital surrendered to the Spanish and their Indigenous allies. The city usually holds commemorations around the Templo Mayor and the Zócalo, where the ruins of the great temple lie beside the cathedral.
The Mexico City Marathon is usually run on a Sunday in late August, and in recent years it has finished in the Zócalo; roads close along the route through the morning, so check the date and the course before planning that day.
Late in the month, the Zócalo and the main avenues start to dress in green, white and red for September, the month of Independence, and the school year begins, ending the summer holiday quiet.
#What to Do in Mexico City in August
Solo Travellers
Spend a morning at Templo Mayor and the murals of the Palacio Nacional, then an afternoon in the Museo Nacional de Antropología, which can fill a day on its own.
The bookshops and cafés of Roma suit a rainy evening.
Couples
Hire a trajinera on the full canals of Xochimilco in the morning, when the floating gardens are at their greenest, and spend the afternoon in Coyoacán, with the Casa Azul booked ahead.
Families
Chapultepec, with its castle, zoo and lake, is lush in August.
The children's museum, Papalote, and the Museo Nacional de Historia in the castle are good for the afternoons.
Groups
Take a morning day trip to the green slopes of the Ajusco or the pyramids of Teotihuacán, then a lucha libre night at Arena México, safely under a roof.
#Getting Around
At AICM, the main airport, prepaid official taxis and app cars from the marked zones are the safe ways into the city, and Metro Line 5 runs from Terminal 1.
In town, the Metro and the Metrobús share one rechargeable card, and ride-hailing is the safest choice at night.
In heavy rain, some Metro stations in low-lying areas can close briefly, and the streets flood quickly. Mornings are the best time for long journeys across the city.
#Budget & Costs
| Travel style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | MXN 850–1,400 | Hostel or simple hotel, street food, Metro |
| Mid-range | MXN 2,300–3,800 | Boutique hotel in Roma or Condesa, restaurants, museums |
| Luxury | MXN 7,500+ | Five-star hotel, tasting menus, a private driver |
August is one of the cheapest months of the year, especially in the second half, with low hotel rates and few crowds.
Costs worth knowing:
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| City lodging tax | 3.5%, plus 16% VAT on the room |
| Metro fare | A few pesos a ride |
| Huitlacoche quesadilla at a market | A few dozen pesos |
| Restaurant tip | 10–15% |
| Templo Mayor museum | Ticketed; free for residents on Sundays |
- Book a room with a covered terrace, for the rainy evenings.
- Check the final price, which may add tax and VAT to the quoted rate.
- Take app cars, not taxis hailed in the street.
#Food & Dining
The rainy season brings huitlacoche, the corn fungus prized as a delicacy, and flor de calabaza, squash blossoms, to quesadillas and soups at the markets.
A bowl of pozole or a caldo suits a rainy evening, and tamales with atole are breakfast for many.
Late in the month, the first chiles en nogada, the patriotic dish of the Independence season, start to appear on menus.
#Nightlife
Evenings start after the storm.
The mezcalerías and cocktail bars of Roma and Condesa fill once the rain stops, the old cantinas of the Centro are cosy on a wet night, and Salón Los Ángeles in Guerrero still holds dance nights. The altitude makes drinks stronger.
#Shopping
The Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela is an easy indoor stop on a wet afternoon, and the Lagunilla sells antiques on Sundays. The bookshops of Roma and Condesa, and the department stores of Polanco, fill the rainy hours.
#Culture & Etiquette
- Open with a greeting, buenos días or buenas tardes, before any question.
- Use usted, the formal you, with elders and staff.
- On 13 August, the commemorations are solemn; watch respectfully.
- Tip 10 to 15% in restaurants, and ask for the bill when you want it.
#Essential Local Phrases
| Spanish | Sounds like | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Va a llover | Bah ah yo-VEHR | It's going to rain |
| ¿Tiene paraguas? | TYEH-neh pa-RA-gwas | Do you have an umbrella? |
| Huitlacoche | Weet-la-KO-cheh | The corn fungus of the rainy season |
| Flor de calabaza | Flor deh ka-la-BA-sa | Squash blossom |
| La cuenta, por favor | La KWEN-ta, por fa-VOR | The bill, please |
| ¿Dónde está el metro? | DON-deh es-TAH el MEH-tro | Where is the metro? |
#Packing List
- A hooded waterproof jacket
- Shoes that can get wet, or quick-drying sandals
- A light jumper for cool evenings
- Sunscreen and a hat for the bright mornings
- A refillable bottle for filtered water
- A small dry bag for your phone and documents
- Smart clothes for a restaurant in Polanco
#Backup Plans
If the storm comes early: head for the big museums, the Antropología, the Museo Nacional de Arte or the Museo Soumaya, which fill an afternoon.
If it is Monday: most museums close; plan a market morning and a long lunch instead.
If a march or the marathon closes the centre: walk around it and use the Metro, or spend the day in Coyoacán or San Ángel.
#Safety & Health
Mexico City is safe for visitors who take ordinary care: keep valuables hidden on crowded trains and use app cars at night. In storms, keep away from flooded streets and underpasses, and watch for slippery pavements. The altitude still matters on your first day. Mexico City is in an earthquake zone; note your hotel's evacuation point.
Emergency: 911.
#What's New for August 2027
- 13 August marks the anniversary of the fall of Tenochtitlan
- The Mexico City Marathon is usually held in late August; check the 2027 date
- The rainy season peaks, with the valley at its greenest
- Independence decorations go up in the Zócalo late in the month
- The lodging tax is 3.5% of the room rate, with VAT on top
#About This Guide
By Harry Nara (founder of WhenToWander), updated October 2026 for August 2027. Climate figures are Servicio Meteorológico Nacional 1991–2020 normals for Tacubaya. Dates and prices verified against:
- Servicio Meteorológico Nacional for the August normals
- INAH for the Templo Mayor and the national museums
- AICM for the airport and Metro Line 5
- SEDEMA air quality for the rainy-season air
- Código Fiscal de la Ciudad de México for the city's lodging tax
Before August, read Mexico City in July; for May to October together, see Mexico City in the wet season.
You might also like
Destinations picked for travellers with similar taste or climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between July and August in Mexico City?
Very little in the numbers: both average about 25°C by day and 13°C at night, with around 21 wet days. August has slightly more rain in total, but by then the valley is at its greenest, and the last weeks of the month are among the cheapest of the year.
Is August a good time to visit Mexico City?
Yes, if you plan around the rain. Mornings are usually bright and mild, storms come in the late afternoon, and the city is quiet and good value. Sightsee early, keep the afternoons for museums and long lunches, and carry a rain jacket.
What are chiles en nogada?
Poblano chillies stuffed with a sweet and savoury mince of meat and fruit, covered in a walnut cream sauce and scattered with pomegranate seeds, in the green, white and red of the flag. They appear from late summer and are the classic dish of the Independence season in September.
Do hurricanes affect Mexico City?
Not directly. The city sits far inland at more than 2,200 metres, so hurricanes reach it only as extra rain from their remnants. They can disrupt flights and coastal side trips, so allow some flexibility in August and September.
What’s the weather like in Mexico City in August?
Mexico City in August typically sees temperatures of 13–25°C with around 21 days of rain across the period. Pack lightweight layers that suit both cooler mornings and warmer afternoons.
How much does it cost to visit Mexico City in August?
Budget-conscious travellers can expect daily costs of $35–135, covering accommodation, food, and local transport. Quieter periods usually push prices toward the lower end of this range.