What to Wear in Mexico City for the Climate & Culture

When I first came to Mexico City, I made the mistake of assuming it would be as hot as places like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta. 

So I was surprised to find myself shivering at night in November when all I had were short-sleeved tops and dresses – I wasn’t prepared for the cold at all.

Since moving to Mexico City in 2018, I’ve experienced all four seasons and know exactly what to wear and how it changes month to month. 

I’m usually most comfortable in jeans with a light jacket on hand. I rarely wear shorts and I don’t wear flashy jewelry.

I’ve seen petty theft happen (like jewelry being snatched off tourists and purses being swiped) so I know how important it is to consider safety and how locals dress.

I’ll walk you through what to wear in Mexico City for the climate, culture, and safety so you can pack confidently and explore comfortably!

Mexico City’s Weather and Climate

Mexico City has four seasons. The difference between them may not be as drastic as countries further north, but we do experience a winter, spring, summer, and fall plus two extra seasons – rainy and dry season.

Rainy season is generally May through October and dry season is November to April.

Mexico City is high-altitude (7,546ft high to be exact) so the temperature differences between night and day can literally be night and day –varying normally by 30°F (-1ºC).

One of my favorite things about living in Mexico City is that the weather is comfortable year-round (besides a few cold weeks in winter and a hot spell in spring), but never anything extreme.  

Since Mexico City’s climate is mild most of the year, homes, Airbnbs, small hotels, cafes, and restaurants don’t have central heating and air. 

That means you’re really at the mercy of the weather and knowing what to wear is essential to being comfortable when you don’t have A/C to cool you down or heating to warm you up. 

I usually stick to jeans and a short-sleeve top year-round, but in the winter I will add warm layers like a sweater, jacket, and maybe even a scarf at night. Come spring and summer I wear more tank tops and sometimes dresses.  

The key is to dress in layers no matter the time of year, but it will vary slightly depending on the season.

What to Wear in Mexico City by Season

Spring: March, April, May

Spring in Mexico City is the hottest time of the year. Temperatures shoot up after winter, but it doesn’t rain enough until summer to cool things down. 

March can still be cooler, so bring warmer clothes like sweaters, a jacket, and long pants for nights, and dresses and tank tops for warm afternoons. 

April and May are hot and can sometimes be uncomfortable to sleep at night depending on where you stay due to the lack of A/C. 

The temperature ranges from 50°F (10ºC) in the early mornings and at night to close to 90°F (32ºC) on exceptionally hot days. 

This is always the time of year when I have to bust out my fan to sleep comfortably.

For the most part, it will be hot so sundresses, skirts, and tank tops will be most comfortable for daytime. 

Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunshirts, and whatever else you prefer to protect you from the sun – it’s brutal this time of year. 

I would also bring jeans, a sweater or two, and a light jacket for cooler nights, especially if you plan on visiting in early spring. 

Average Temperatures
Highs: 75-85°F (24-30ºC) Lows: 46-53°F (8-12ºC)
What to Wear: Dresses, skirts, tank tops, jeans, sweater, light jacket, sun hat.

Summer: June, July, August

Summer is the start of the rainy season, so while temperatures are consistently warmer day and night, the rains keep things from getting too hot. 

You can expect lows around 55°F (13ºC) and highs of about 80°F (27ºC). 

Expect a heavy afternoon rain shower daily or at least every other day. July and August are typically two of the rainiest months, so be sure to bring a raincoat, an umbrella, and shoes that hold up well in the rain.

The most notable aspect of summer for me is the warmer mornings and nights. I can be sitting outside a bar late at night with short sleeves or a light jacket at the most and be very comfortable. 

Since temperatures are consistently warm, you can leave the sweaters at home and wear dresses, skirts, short-sleeves, and tank tops, but still bring a jacket or pullover for layering when the sun goes down.

Average Temperatures
Highs: 70-80°F (21-27ºC) Lows: 55-60°F (13-16ºC) 
What to Wear: Dresses, skirts, tank tops, short sleeves, jeans, light jacket, raincoat/umbrella.

Fall: September, October, November

Much like spring, the weather at the beginning of fall is quite different than at the end. 

September and the first half of October still have warm days and rainy afternoons, but the high is usually around 75°F (24ºC) and the low can get down to 45°F (7º) in November.

I would bring a mix of warm and cold weather clothes and dress in layers. You’ll likely need a jacket and a sweater for cooler nights, but also dresses and sleeveless tops for the day. 

During the fall I usually wear jeans and shorts-sleeves, and have a light jacket handy in case I get chilly. 

Come November, you’ll want to layer up more with long sleeves, sweaters, and a jacket. 

Average Temperatures
Highs: 70-80°F (21-27ºC) Lows: 45-55°F (7-13ºC)
What to Wear: Short & long-sleeve tops, jeans, sweaters, light jacket, dresses, raincoat/umbrella.

Winter: December, January, February

While winter in Mexico City is mild, it does get cold at night, especially indoors, where you likely won’t find any central heating. 

Temperatures drop to 40-45°F (4-7ºC) overnight, but during the day you can count on plenty of sunshine and highs of about 70-75°F (21-24ºC). 

Expect to see more sunny days and blue skies this time of year because the rainy season is officially over. 

While afternoons you can get away with short sleeves, you will need sweaters and jackets for mornings and nights. 

Most days I wear jeans and a lightweight top and I will have a jacket and maybe a scarf on hand if I plan to be out later at night when it really starts to get cold out. 

If you’re visiting during the holiday season, bring a few nicer outfits and plan ahead if you want to do something festive for Christmas. Restaurants and activities book up quickly and can be very hard to come by for New Year’s and Christmas.

Don’t forget to bring warm pajamas or lounge clothes for your accommodation as apartments and small B&Bs can get pretty cold since they usually don’t have heat. 

Average Temperatures
Highs: 70-75°F (21-24ºC) Lows: 40-45°F (4-7ºC)
What to Wear: Short & long-sleeve tops, sweaters, jeans, jacket, scarf.

Dressing for Safety

When I’m out walking around Mexico City, I feel extremely safe and you should too, but there are some precautions to take when it comes to what you have on your person when in public.

You won’t see many people walking around with flashy expensive jewelry like large diamond rings or thick gold chains. I’m not saying don’t wear jewelry, but do so at your own risk or at least keep it discreet.

I wear a dainty gold chain and a simple gold ring (pictured below) daily because I don’t feel like that calls too much attention. However, if you can’t bear to lose something, best to leave it at home.

If you want to walk around with a large DSLR or mirrorless camera that shouldn’t be a problem, but just be vigilant with your surroundings.

The same goes for your phone, wallet, and any other valuables. Don’t keep them in your back pocket. I wear a crossbody bag and keep all my valuables within my sight.

Anything beyond pickpocketing is pretty unheard of in the tourist parts of Mexico City. It’s always good to be cautious but other than that, relax, explore, and have fun!

Should I Dress Conservatively?

In short, no, you do not need to dress conservatively in Mexico City. However, do locals dress conservatively? Generally, yes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to.

Mexico City is a multicultural capital city. Chilangos (Mexico City locals) don’t hesitate to show off piercings, tattoos, unique hairstyles, or some skin.

But with that being said, Mexico is still a predominantly catholic country and that is often reflected in the way people dress.

You won’t see many women wearing shorts or super short skirts or dresses (although I am seeing more now than when I moved here 7 years ago). But, when it comes to tops, women often show bare shoulders and some cleavage. 

During my day-to-day life in Mexico City, I feel most comfortable in jeans or dresses/skirts not too high above the knee and basically any type of top. Dressing like this also makes it easier and more comfortable to navigate the city by bike, public transport, or on foot.

Err on the side of caution and cover-up if you plan to take public transport or be in crowded places like the Historic Center.

Although it’s rare, verbal and physical harassment happens in Mexico City, just like in any other metropolitan city.

Wear whatever is most comfortable for you, but if you’re worried about attracting unwanted attention, stick with more modest clothing.

What to Wear in Mexico City

The general formula for what to Wear in Mexico City is a sweater or jacket for early morning tours like a sunrise hot air balloon flight and nights out at bars and restaurants.

The days are almost always warm so be sure you have short-sleeves underneath – the key is to dress in layers.

You’ll pretty much need the same clothes for Mexico City year-round, but depending on the season, you’ll either bring more warm-weather or cool-weather layers.

Below are clothing items I would pack no matter the time of year. Then, I would just pack more of what is seasonally appropriate for the month that you’re visiting. 

Jacket

For summer, and the warmer months of spring and fall, a light jacket like a fleece or sweatshirt is all you’ll need. During the winter, or the cooler months of spring and fall, you might want to bring a slightly warmer jacket (especially if you’re cold-natured). Nothing super heavy, but something like a quilted jacket, lightweight down jacket, or vest if you’re out exploring early morning or later at night. 

Short-Sleeves/ Tank Tops

Mexico City midday is almost always short-sleeve weather. During the warmer months, I exclusively wear short sleeves and tank tops. For winter, you should bring a couple of T-shirts in addition to your long sleeves and sweaters.

Long-Sleeves/Sweaters

Ideal for nighttime or colder months, long-sleeves and sweaters will keep you cozy once the sun goes down. This is what I wear most of the time during winter. They aren’t necessary for summer, but I would consider bringing a few for spring and fall.

Jeans/Long Pants

I wear jeans 95% of the time, but that’s just my preference since they’re the most comfortable and discreet for being out and about and biking in. It’s never too hot in Mexico City for jeans which is why I can comfortably wear them year-round.

Dresses/Skirts

Dresses and skirts are great options for Mexico City as long as they aren’t too short or revealing. Women in Mexico are more conservative when it comes to showing their legs so I wouldn’t recommend anything more than a couple of inches above the knee. 

Walking Shoes

Mexico City is an extremely walkable city (it’s one of the main reasons I moved here!) so bring shoes you can comfortably walk 15-20,000 steps a day in. I would opt for a closed-toe option just because some streets can be dirty and you also don’t want to maneuver tight markets and have your exposed feet stepped on. 

Sunglasses/Hat

If I haven’t emphasized it enough yet, Mexico City is bright and sunny year-round so be sure to bring sun protection. The city has quite a bit of shade from the buildings and trees, especially in the Roma, Condesa, and Narvarte neighborhoods, but Centro Historico is more exposed to sunshine so be prepared if you plan on walking around there midday. 

Final Thoughts

Dressing for Mexico City is straightforward – dress in layers and according to the season, keep it modest and be prepared for the lack of indoor heating and A/C.

Whether you’re exploring the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, enjoying a rooftop dinner in Centro, or discovering different things to do in Roma Norte, having the right clothes for the occasion and season will help you stay comfortable and make the most of your time in Mexico City.