Zihuatanejo has a tropical savanna climate with just two seasons: a long dry season from November to May and a rainy season from June to October. Daytime highs sit between 31°C and 33°C (88°F to 91°F) in every single month, so the variable that actually changes your trip is rain, not heat. This Zihuatanejo weather by month guide gives you the real numbers so you can plan around the downpours, the sea temperature, and the humidity.
Zihuatanejo Weather by Month: At a Glance
The table below shows average high and low air temperatures, monthly rainfall, and average sea temperature for each month in Zihuatanejo. Rainfall is what separates a perfect beach week from a trip spent watching afternoon storms roll in.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Sea Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C (88°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm | 27°C (81°F) |
| February | 31°C (88°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm | 27°C (80°F) |
| March | 31°C (88°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 3 mm | 27°C (80°F) |
| April | 32°C (90°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm | 27°C (81°F) |
| May | 33°C (91°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm | 28°C (82°F) |
| June | 32°C (90°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 180 mm | 29°C (84°F) |
| July | 33°C (91°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm | 30°C (86°F) |
| August | 33°C (91°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 200 mm | 30°C (86°F) |
| September | 32°C (90°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 280 mm | 30°C (86°F) |
| October | 32°C (90°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm | 29°C (84°F) |
| November | 32°C (90°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm | 29°C (84°F) |
| December | 31°C (88°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm | 28°C (82°F) |
Zihuatanejo Weather by Month: The Dry Season (November to May)
The dry season is why most people come. From November through May, Zihuatanejo averages under 30 mm of rain a month and sun dominates. This is the window that lines up with the best time to visit Zihuatanejo for beach weather, so book early if you want the best hotel rates and flight prices.
Zihuatanejo Weather in December, January and February
December, January and February are the coolest and driest months. Highs run 31°C (88°F) and nights drop to 20°C (68°F), which feels comfortable after the humidity of summer. Rainfall totals just 15 mm in January, 5 mm in February, and 10 mm in December, so you may not see a drop of rain across a full week. Sea temperature holds at 27°C (81°F), warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit. Many visitors pair this window with a room on Playa La Ropa, covered in the where to stay in Zihuatanejo guide.
Zihuatanejo Weather in March, April and May
March, April and May heat up as the dry season winds down. April and May are the hottest months, with highs around 32°C to 33°C (90°F to 91°F) and nights of 22°C to 24°C (72°F to 75°F). Rainfall is still almost zero through April (3 mm) and only reaches 20 mm in May, but humidity starts to climb noticeably by late May, a sign the rains are coming. May is also when the sea warms to 28°C (82°F).
Zihuatanejo Weather by Month: The Rainy Season (June to October)
From June to October, Zihuatanejo gets most of its roughly 1,050 mm of annual rainfall. Rain usually arrives as short, heavy afternoon or evening thunderstorms rather than all-day drizzle, so mornings are often still usable for the beach. Bring a lightweight rain jacket and plan outdoor activities before midday, and check the Zihuatanejo events and festivals calendar, since the big festivals cluster in the dry months.
Zihuatanejo Weather in June, July and August
June, July and August bring 170 to 200 mm of rain per month spread across 12 to 15 rainy days. Temperatures stay hot, with highs of 32°C to 33°C (90°F to 91°F) and muggy nights around 25°C (77°F). This is also when the sea reaches its warmest, 29°C to 30°C (84°F to 86°F), so snorkeling and swimming feel like bathwater. The things to do in Zihuatanejo article lists the reef spots that stay calmest in this season.
Zihuatanejo Weather in September and October
September is the wettest month of the year with around 280 mm of rain, and October follows with 140 mm. This is the peak of the eastern Pacific hurricane season, which runs from June to November but concentrates its strongest storms in September and early October. If a system is forecast, flights and water tours pause for a day or two. The rest of the time you get heavy afternoon downpours that clear by evening. For practical advice on traveling in this season, from insurance to packing, see the Zihuatanejo travel tips guide.
Zihuatanejo Weather by Month: Sea Temperature and Sunshine
Sea temperature in Zihuatanejo only swings about 3°C across the year, from a low of 27°C (80°F) in February and March to 30°C (86°F) in July, August and September. That makes the bay swimmable in every month, which is rare for the Pacific coast of Mexico. Sunshine runs around 8 to 9 hours a day in the dry season and 6 to 7 hours a day in the rainy season, when cloud builds through the afternoon. For a full look at what to expect in each season, see the Zihuatanejo travel guide which breaks down the yearly pattern, and check the Zihuatanejo neighborhoods guide if you want to match a neighborhood to the sunniest stretch of beach.
Zihuatanejo Weather by Month: What to Pack
- Dry season (November to May): light cotton and linen clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a light layer for air-conditioned restaurants and airport transfers.
- Rainy season (June to October): a packable rain shell, quick-dry clothes, insect repellent with DEET (mosquitoes spike after rain), and waterproof bags for phones and cameras.
- Year-round: water shoes for the rocky entry at Playa Las Gatas, and a rash guard for snorkeling over coral.
