Weather in Mexico in January

January climate overview

Daytime highs across Mexico in January run from 25.4°C (Cancun) to 27.9°C (Puerto Vallarta). In Puerto Vallarta about 91% of January days reach 25°C. Nights average 21.2°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Cancun fall to 20°C or below.

Rainfall in January

Expect around 9 rainy days (1 mm or more) in January, with Puerto Vallarta the driest (3 days) and Tulum the wettest (11 days). The wettest January at Puerto Vallarta between 1991 and 2020 was 1992 with 392 mm; the driest was 2000 with 0 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 26.1°C around Mexico in January - warmest at Riviera Maya (26.6°C). That is comfortable for swimming.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 10.9 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

January against the rest of the year in Mexico

January is the 12th warmest month of the twelve in Mexico. It is 0.5°C cooler than December and 0.7°C warmer in February. The hottest month here is August (30°C) and the coolest January (26°C).

Which part of Mexico in January?

• Most sunshine: Puerto Vallarta, 6.1 h a day.
• Driest: Puerto Vallarta, about 3 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Riviera Maya, 27°C.
• Hottest: Puerto Vallarta, 28°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Cancun, 25°C.

What to pack for Mexico in January

Based on the averages: summer clothes for the day; a rain jacket - roughly 9 wet days; swimwear - the sea is 26°C.

Similar weather elsewhere in January

Within 1.5°C of Mexico's January daytime average: Bali (28°C, sea 29°C), Koh Samui (28°C, sea 28°C), Maldives (27°C, sea 28°C), Seychelles (27°C, sea 28°C), St Lucia (27°C, sea 27°C). See the full ranking for January.

Puerto Vallarta: best for hotter, drier days

Puerto Vallarta is the strongest choice if daytime warmth and avoiding rain matter most. Its 28°C daytime average is the highest among these destinations, while 3 rainy days make it considerably drier than the Caribbean options. Days exceed 25°C for 91% of January, so pack for warm afternoons and plan shade breaks around midday. The catch comes after sunset and in the water: nights average 18°C and the sea is 24°C. A light layer makes sense for evenings, and swimmers who prefer warmer water may favour the Riviera Maya or Playa del Carmen instead.

The Caribbean coast: warmer water, more rain

Choose the Caribbean coast if warmer evenings and sea temperatures matter more than keeping rain risk low. Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen pair 26°C days with 27°C water, making them appealing for travellers who put swimming first. Tulum also reaches 26°C by day, but its sea averages 26°C. Cancun is slightly cooler at 25°C, with the same sea temperature as Tulum. Nights average 22°C across these choices, so there is less of an evening cool-down than in Puerto Vallarta. The trade-off is rain: Playa del Carmen and Cancun have 10 rainy days, compared with 11 in Tulum and Riviera Maya. Keep outdoor plans flexible.

What to pack and how to plan your days

Pack light daytime clothes, swimwear and sun protection, with a light layer for evenings, especially in Puerto Vallarta. A lightweight waterproof is a sensible addition for the Caribbean coast, where rain is more frequent. The country average of 5.9 hours of sunshine leaves scope for time outdoors, but do not plan on uninterrupted sun throughout your stay. Keep swimming and other outdoor plans movable rather than tying them to a rigid schedule. If you prefer gentler daytime warmth, Cancun is the better fit; if you want the hottest afternoons and the lowest rain frequency among these destinations, choose Puerto Vallarta.