The Mexico Guides

Mexico in October: Día de Muertos Season Begins

· 2 min read Practical
Teotihuacan pyramids in October

Contents

  1. Día de Muertos preparations
  2. Weather
  3. Festivals in October
  4. Wildlife

October is when Mexico starts to transition out of rainy season — skies clear progressively through the month, and the colonial cities begin preparations for Día de Muertos (1–2 November). It’s also one of the best months for Oaxaca and the highland cities.

Día de Muertos preparations

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) falls on 1–2 November, but preparations begin in late October. Markets fill with marigolds (cempasúchil), the distinctive orange flower used to decorate altars. Bakeries start selling pan de muerto (sweet anise bread). Families begin constructing home altars (ofrendas).

Best destinations for Día de Muertos: Oaxaca, Pátzcuaro, Mérida, Mexico City, and smaller indigenous communities around the central states. Book accommodation for 29 October–2 November far in advance — often 3–6 months ahead for Oaxaca and Pátzcuaro.

Weather

October sees the tail end of hurricane season (the risk reduces significantly after mid-October) and the beginning of dry conditions across much of Mexico.

Caribbean coast: still some rain and storm risk early in the month; conditions improve markedly by late October. By 31 October, the Riviera Maya is typically entering early dry season.

Mexico City: October is one of the most pleasant months — the rainy afternoons become less frequent, temperatures are comfortable (20–24°C).

Oaxaca: the rains ease through October. By late October the valley is entering its best period.

Festivals in October

Festival Internacional Cervantino (Guanajuato): usually October, one of Latin America’s largest arts festivals. The city fills with theatre, music, and dance. Book accommodation months in advance.

Festival Internacional de la Cultura Maya (Mérida): October/November, celebrating Yucatecan and Maya culture with music, food, and arts events.

Day of the Dead preparations are visible in all colonial cities and markets from mid-October onwards.

Wildlife

The whale shark season in Holbox typically ends in September–early October. On the Pacific coast, whale sharks are visible off La Paz (Baja California Sur) from late October through February.

Grey whale birthing season begins in Baja California lagoons from around late November.