Best Time to Visit Monterrey

October to March: the comfortable stretch

Winter is when Monterrey is easiest to enjoy. Days are mild and mostly dry, and evenings turn cool enough for a jacket. January is the coldest month, with lows around 8°C. Cold snaps can come with a north wind, so don't expect warm nights every day.

This is the season for walking. Climb Cerro de la Silla's trails, wander Parque Fundidora (a former steel mill turned park), or stroll the Paseo Santa Lucía riverwalk. Later, head to the Barrio Antiguo for dinner. Try cabrito, roast young goat, which is the city's signature dish. December is also posada season, with Christmas parties and lights across the city. Hotels fill with Mexican families around the holidays, so it's the busiest stretch of the year for domestic visitors.

April to August: hot and getting wetter

April is already warm, with highs of 32°C. May and June reach 33°C, the hottest months, and they're tied. July and August are only a degree cooler, but the air feels heavier. Humidity climbs and rain falls on 12 or 13 days in July and August.

Showers tend to be short, but they can be heavy, and the streets flood fast. Plan outdoor sights for the morning. Spend the afternoons in air-conditioned places like the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (MARCO) or the Museo de Historia Mexicana. If you're travelling with kids, summer school holidays bring local families to Parque Fundidora and the malls. That said, hotels in the city aren't as packed as in beach towns, since Monterrey is a business hub.

September: the wettest month

September is the one to avoid if you can. It brings 117 mm of rain over 14 days, the most of any month, with humidity at 72%. Hiking trails get slick, and heavy downpours can close roads. It's also hurricane season in the Gulf, and remnants of storms sometimes reach Nuevo León. Mexican Independence Day on 16 September is a good reason to go anyway. Expect crowds and fireworks in the Macroplaza, the city's big central square.

Which month suits you?

For hiking and sightseeing, aim for November or February to March. October is also rated Excellent, but it's still a little damp. If you want the lowest prices and don't mind heat, late spring works, though May is rated only Fair. Hate rain? Skip September.