The best time to visit San Cristóbal de las Casas is the dry season from November to April, when rain totals just 11 to 62 mm per month and sunshine runs 8 to 10 hours a day. That said, the highland city is comfortable every month, and visiting in the shoulder months of May and October gets you lower hotel prices with only afternoon showers to work around.
Best Time to Visit San Cristóbal de las Casas for Good Weather
November through April is the weather window. February and March are the driest and sunniest, with highs around 20°C to 22°C (68°F to 72°F) and lows of 9°C to 10°C (48°F to 50°F). April is the warmest month at 22.7°C (73°F) but rain starts creeping back in at 57 mm (2.2 in). If you want dependable clear days for the things to do and day trips to Chamula and the Sumidero Canyon, aim for December through March. The weather by month guide has the full monthly data.
Best Time to Visit San Cristóbal de las Casas for Festivals
If you are travelling for events and festivals, time your trip to a specific date. The biggest celebrations are the Fiesta de San Cristóbal on July 25, Día de Muertos on November 1 and 2, the Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe on December 12, and the Carnival in San Juan Chamula in late February or early March. The Festival Cervantino Barroco brings baroque music and theatre to the city each October. Book accommodation at least a month ahead for Día de Muertos and Holy Week, when rooms in the centre fill up fast.
Best Time to Visit San Cristóbal de las Casas for Lower Prices
May, June and September are the cheapest months. Rain peaks in June (495 mm) and September (437 mm), so hoteliers drop rates and you can find a private room in a where to stay guide for less than in the dry season. May is a good compromise: rain is building but still only 223 mm (8.8 in), and mornings are mostly clear. Low season also means fewer crowds at the neighborhoods and markets.
Best Time to Visit San Cristóbal de las Casas: Months to Avoid
September is the month to avoid if you can: it averages 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain over 19 days, and heavy downpours can trigger landslides on the road to the Sumidero Canyon. Holy Week (Semana Santa, late March or April) and Christmas to New Year bring peak crowds and the highest hotel rates of the year, so book far ahead or skip those dates if you dislike crowds. August and September also carry the highest humidity at around 81% to 87%. For advice on the airport transfer and altitude, see the travel tips guide.
