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Best Time to Visit Mazatlán
A tale of two seasons — the dry, golden winter and the hot, stormy, bargain summer — plus the two weeks a year when the whole country shows up.
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The same hotel can cost a fraction as much in September as in Carnival week — compare live prices for your dates on both marketplaces.
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Mazatlán
Expedia's flight-plus-hotel bundles are worth a look for the high-season weeks, when airfare and rooms both spike.
Mazatlán has two clear personalities: a dry, sunny season from about November through May, and a hot, humid, rainy season from about June through October. Neither is "bad" — they suit different trips. Here is how the year actually feels, season by season and month by month, in honest round terms.
The dry season — November to May
This is the Mazatlán of the postcards: blue mornings, warm afternoons in roughly the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 24–29°C), low humidity and evenings cool enough for a light jacket. Rain is rare, and the sea warms steadily toward May. It is high season for good reason — snowbirds settle in for months, and beach clubs, boat trips and Old Town terraces all run at full song. For where to base yourself, see our Mazatlán hotels guide.
Carnival — the biggest week of the year
For several days in late February or early March, Mazatlán throws one of the largest carnivals in the world — a tradition well over a century old. There are parades along the Malecón, concerts, a coronation, and the Combate Naval — a mock naval battle of fireworks over Olas Altas bay. The whole city parties, rooms sell out far in advance and prices peak. Come for it on purpose: book early and give yourself a recovery day. Our things to do in Mazatlán guide covers the rest of the week.
Semana Santa — Mexico's beach week
Holy Week, leading up to Easter, is the other surge. Families from across Mexico pour into Mazatlán, the beaches fill with umbrellas, and the Malecón becomes a rolling fiesta. Expect peak prices, crowded restaurants and company everywhere. If your dates are flexible, the weeks just before or after give the same golden weather at a gentler tempo.
The rainy season — June to October
Summer flips the city. Days run hot — into the low-to-mid 90s Fahrenheit (around 33°C) — with real humidity, and the rains arrive mostly as theatrical late-afternoon storms that clear the air. This is also the Pacific hurricane season; Mazatlán is seldom struck directly, but passing storms can stir the sea for a day or two and interrupt boat trips. In exchange: the ocean is at its warmest for swimming and hotel prices fall to their lowest of the year. July and August still bustle with school holidays; September is the quietest, wettest month. Plan beach mornings, siesta afternoons, and evenings in the Old Town after the storm.
Mazatlán weather, month by month
| Month | Weather in round terms | Crowds & notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | Dry, sunny, pleasantly warm days; cool evenings | High season, relaxed pace |
| February | Dry and warm; sea breezes | Carnival — the biggest party of the year |
| March | Warm and dry; spring-break energy | Carnival some years; Semana Santa some years |
| April | Hotter, still dry; warm sea | Semana Santa crowds when Easter falls here |
| May | Hot, mostly dry; humidity building | Shoulder season — good value |
| June | Hot and humid; first summer rains | Low season begins; warm sea |
| July | Hot, humid; afternoon storms | School holidays — lively beaches |
| August | Hottest and wettest stretch | Stormy spells; lowest prices |
| September | Hot, humid; peak rainy season | Quietest month; some closures possible |
| October | Rains easing; still warm and humid | Shoulder season returns late month |
| November | Dry season arrives; warm, golden days | High season begins — a sweet spot |
| December | Dry, sunny, mild evenings | Holiday weeks busy; early month calm |
The sweet spots. Late November and the weeks between New Year and Carnival give you dry-season weather without the biggest crowds or prices. Late April and May, after Semana Santa, are the connoisseur's pick — hot, bright and calm, just before the rains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time of year to visit Mazatlán?
The dry season, roughly November through May, is the classic answer: sunny days, low humidity and warm — not scorching — temperatures. Late November, January and April (outside holiday weeks) balance great weather with thinner crowds. February or early March adds Carnival, which is either the main event or a week to avoid, depending on your taste for a party.
When is Mazatlán's rainy season?
The rains run roughly June through October, with the wettest, most humid stretch in late summer. Rain usually arrives as dramatic late-afternoon storms rather than all-day washouts. This is also the Pacific hurricane season — Mazatlán is rarely hit directly, but offshore storms can rough up the sea. Prices are at their lowest and the ocean is at its warmest.
When is Carnival in Mazatlán?
Carnival runs for several days before Lent — late February or early March. It is among the largest carnival celebrations in the world, with parades along the Malecón, fireworks over Olas Altas bay, concerts and street parties. Book rooms far ahead; the city fills completely.
Is Mazatlán too hot in summer?
Summer is genuinely hot and humid — low-to-mid 90s Fahrenheit (around 33°C), steamy nights and afternoon storms. The city stays festive in July and August with Mexican school holidays. If you wilt in humidity, come in winter; for bath-warm water and low prices, summer delivers.
When is Semana Santa in Mazatlán?
Semana Santa (Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter) is one of the busiest weeks of the year, as families from across Mexico head for the beach. The city is joyful and packed, beaches are at their most crowded, and hotel prices peak — book everything early and expect company.
Keep exploring Mazatlán
More guides from Mazatlan.si — or head back to the Mazatlán travel guide to start from the top.
Mazatlán Hotels & Where to Stay
Zona Dorada, the Old Town, Cerritos or the Marina — which neighborhood fits your trip.
Read the guide →
Things to Do in Mazatlán
The Malecón, El Faro lighthouse, cliff divers, the great aquarium and a ride in a pulmonía.
Read the guide →
Getting to Mazatlán
Flights into MZT, the ferry from La Paz, buses, and the spectacular drive from Durango.
Read the guide →
Mazatlán Beaches
Surf at Playa Brujas, golden sand in the Zona Dorada, sunsets at Olas Altas and the quiet of Stone Island.
Read the guide →