Palenque Weather by Month

Palenque sits at about 60 m (200 ft) above sea level on the edge of the Lacandon rainforest in Chiapas. Temperatures here barely move from one month to the next, but rainfall swings from 55 mm in April to 405 mm in September. This guide breaks down the Palenque weather by month so you can pack the right gear and pick a date with clear skies for the ruins.

Palenque Weather by Month: Climate Overview

Palenque has a tropical climate with two clear halves: a drier, cooler stretch from December to April and a muggy rainy season from June to October. The mean annual temperature is 27.1 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). Daytime highs average 32.6 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) across the year, and night time lows average 21.7 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit). Annual rainfall totals 2,115 mm (83 in), and humidity sits high all year because the town is wrapped in forest.

Palenque Weather by Month: December to February (Dry Season)

This is the most comfortable stretch of the year. January is the coolest month with a mean of 23.9 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit), daytime highs around 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit), and lows of 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit). Rain eases but does not stop: January still gets about 105 mm over 10 days, and February drops to 65 mm over 6 days. Night temperatures in December or January can dip to 12 to 13 degrees Celsius (54 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit), so bring a light layer for early mornings at the ruins. Most hotels sit 8 km away in town, so pick your base with our where to stay in Palenque guide.

Palenque Weather by Month: March to May (Hot Season)

March through May is the hottest and driest part of the year. April is the driest month at 55 mm over just 4 rainy days, and May is the warmest with a mean of 29.6 degrees Celsius (85 degrees Fahrenheit). Daytime highs climb to 35.7 degrees Celsius (96 degrees Fahrenheit) in May, and peaks over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) are common. March and April get 7 to 7.5 hours of sunshine a day. If you visit in these months, start the archaeological site at its 8:00 opening and carry two litres of water per person. If you would rather stay within walking distance of the site, see our Palenque neighborhoods breakdown.

Palenque Weather by Month: June to September (Rainy Season)

June brings the first heavy rain, with 245 mm over 14 days. The rain builds through the summer: August sees 280 mm over 16 days, and September is the wettest month at 405 mm over 19 rainy days. Sunshine drops to 5.5 hours a day in September. Showers usually arrive in the afternoon or evening, so mornings often stay clear, but trails get muddy and waterfalls run at full force. This is also hurricane season; the risk runs from June to November and is highest between August and October. For airport and transport details, read our Palenque travel tips guide.

Palenque Weather by Month: October and November

October is still wet with 285 mm over 15 days, but the pattern starts to shift. By November the rain eases to 150 mm over 10 days, and the temperature mean drops to 25.6 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit). November is a shoulder month: the forest is still green from the rainy season but the heavy downpours taper off, which makes it a good value window before the December crowds arrive. See our best time to visit Palenque guide for exact date ranges. The spring equinox and Day of the Dead both fall in drier months, so see the Palenque events and festivals calendar for exact dates.

Palenque Weather by Month: Monthly Comparison Table

Temperatures are monthly averages in degrees Celsius; highs convert roughly as 29 C = 84 F, 33 C = 91 F, 36 C = 97 F. For a full day by day plan around these numbers, read our things to do in Palenque list, which notes which attractions work best in rain or sun.