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The best time to visit Ixtapa is December through April, when rain is close to zero and daytime highs hold at 33°C (91°F) with low humidity. It’s the dry season that built the resort’s reputation, and it’s also when prices peak. For a full temperature and rainfall breakdown, see the Ixtapa weather by month guide. The things to do in Ixtapa guide lists what’s open in each season.
Best Time to Visit Ixtapa: December to April (Peak Season)
December through April is peak season for a reason: February averages 0 mm of rain and 33°C (91°F) highs. Expect the biggest crowds from mid-December to the first week of January, and again during Semana Santa (Holy Week, late March or April), when Mexican families flood the coast. Room rates run 30 to 50% higher than in summer, and you should book all-inclusive resorts like Las Brisas or the Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa two to three months ahead. The where to stay in Ixtapa guide has full hotel picks for this period.
Best Time to Visit Ixtapa: May, June and November (Shoulder Season)
May and November are the value sweet spot. May averages 44 mm of rain, mostly late-day showers, and November drops back to 25 mm after the rains end. Room rates fall 20 to 40% from peak, the beaches empty out, and the sea is at its warmest. Early November is a great pick: the rainy season has just ended, the hills are green, and the town’s events and festivals in Ixtapa guide calendar picks up ahead of the March high season.
Best Time to Visit Ixtapa: July to October (Low Season and Hurricanes)
July through October is the cheapest time to visit, with hotel rates 40 to 60% below peak. It’s also the rainiest: September sees 320 mm (12.6 in) and August 284 mm (11.2 in), almost all as afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The bigger concern is the Pacific hurricane season, which peaks in September. If you book this window, get a refundable rate and buy travel insurance that covers named storms; the Ixtapa travel tips and FAQ guide has the details.
Best Time to Visit Ixtapa: Surfing, Fishing and Whale Watching
Surf season runs May through October, with the biggest, most consistent swell in July and August. Sport fishing is year-round, but the Sailfish International Fishing Tournament in May draws over 200 boats, and sailfish bite hardest from November through March. Humpback whales pass the coast from late December through March; you can spot them from the beach or a half-day boat tour out of Zihuatanejo’s pier. The Ixtapa neighborhoods guide explains Zihuatanejo’s districts, and the Ixtapa travel guide has the quick facts.
Best Time to Visit Ixtapa: Month by Month
- December to February: perfect beach weather, peak prices, whale watching, New Year crowds.
- March and April: dry and warm, the guitar festival in March, Semana Santa crowds in late March or April.
- May and June: shoulder rates, first rains arrive, big-game fishing season opens.
- July and August: hot and humid with afternoon storms, best surf, lowest hotel prices.
- September and October: rainiest and hurricane-risk months, deepest discounts, greenest hills.
- November: rains end, prices stay low, Dia de los Muertos on November 1 and 2.
