San Cristóbal de las Casas sits at 2,200 metres (7,218 feet) in the Chiapas highlands, so the weather stays cool and spring-like all year. Average highs hold between 19°C and 23°C (66°F and 73°F) every month, and nights drop to 8°C to 12°C (46°F to 54°F). The city has a clear dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October, with June the wettest month at 495 mm (19.5 inches) of rain. Bring a warm layer no matter when you visit; evenings get cold even after a sunny day.
San Cristóbal de las Casas Weather by Month: Temperatures and Rainfall
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18.8°C (66°F) | 8.8°C (48°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 2 |
| February | 20.4°C (69°F) | 9.3°C (49°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 2 |
| March | 22.0°C (72°F) | 10.2°C (50°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 3 |
| April | 22.7°C (73°F) | 11.2°C (52°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 8 |
| May | 21.4°C (71°F) | 12.3°C (54°F) | 223 mm (8.8 in) | 15 |
| June | 19.9°C (68°F) | 12.5°C (55°F) | 495 mm (19.5 in) | 19 |
| July | 20.2°C (68°F) | 12.0°C (54°F) | 302 mm (11.9 in) | 16 |
| August | 20.3°C (69°F) | 12.2°C (54°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 17 |
| September | 19.6°C (67°F) | 12.4°C (54°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 19 |
| October | 19.1°C (66°F) | 11.7°C (53°F) | 235 mm (9.3 in) | 14 |
| November | 18.7°C (66°F) | 10.2°C (50°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 6 |
| December | 18.9°C (66°F) | 9.3°C (49°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 2 |
San Cristóbal de las Casas Weather: Dry Season (November to April)
November through April is the dry season, and it is also the sunniest stretch of the year. February is the driest month with just 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain over 2 days, and January gets 16 mm (0.6 in). Daytime highs reach 22°C to 23°C (72°F to 73°F) in March and April, which feel warm at altitude, but nights fall to 9°C to 11°C (48°F to 52°F). Sunshine runs 8 to 10 hours a day from January to April. Frost is rare in the city but does occur on the coldest December and January nights, when the low can dip to 8°C (46°F). If you are planning outdoor sightseeing, the best time to visit is this dry window, and the walking routes in the neighborhoods guide are at their easiest.
San Cristóbal de las Casas Weather: Rainy Season (May to October)
The rainy season runs from May to October. Rain usually arrives as heavy afternoon or evening downpours, while mornings stay clear, so you can still sightsee most days if you start early. June is the wettest month with 495 mm (19.5 in) across 19 rainy days, and September is a close second at 437 mm (17.2 in) over 19 days. August brings 360 mm (14.2 in). Humidity climbs to 80% to 87% from June through September, which makes the cool temperatures feel damp. May is the transition month, when rainfall jumps from 57 mm (2.2 in) in April to 223 mm (8.8 in). Most of the events and festivals are scheduled for the drier months, and a room from the where to stay guide with a heater or fireplace earns its keep on damp nights.
San Cristóbal de las Casas Weather: Sunshine, Humidity and Altitude
San Cristóbal de las Casas gets 7 to 10 hours of sunshine a day, peaking in March and April. The annual mean temperature is 14.8°C (58.7°F), and the city totals roughly 2,240 mm (88 in) of rain a year. At 2,200 metres, the sun is strong even when the air is cool, so sunscreen is a good idea on clear afternoons. Altitude is the main thing to plan for: give yourself a day to adjust, drink water, and keep a fleece or jumper for the evenings. Check the full things to do guide to match activities to the season, and see travel tips for what to pack.
