Travel To Mexico During Winter

October 15, 2014
Michael Ryan
US-Mexico Border

At the US-Mexico Border

Most visitors to Mexico decide to make the trip during winter.  There are several good reasons for traveling to Mexico during the cold season.  You are probably aware of the benefits of traveling during other seasons, such as limited crowds and better deals, but there are many reasons why winter is the most popular time.

One of the main reasons why winter is so popular is that those from the northern hemisphere are looking to get out of the cold and into Mexico’s warmer climate.  This does not imply that the weather is warm all over the country, as there are some chilly regions during this season.

The beach destinations are normally warm, unless you are unfortunate enough to be there when there is a cold front.  Higher altitude regions, such as San Cristobal de las Casas and Mexico City can become quite cold during the winter months.  The afternoons are normally warmer, but the mornings and evenings can become cold.  It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the weather conditions in the part of the country you intend visiting.

If it is festivals you are after during this time, it is a fantastic time of year to be in Mexico.  There are several festivals that take place, such as the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  You will be able to sample some of the special Christmas foods, get involved in their Christmas traditions and just generally have a lot of fun.

Not only do people migrate to the south during winter, but the animals do so as well.  You will have the opportunity to see the Monarch butterflies who are in the reserves of Estado de Mexico and Michoacan from November until February.  Whale watching is available from December 15 till Mar 15, and the bird life is great at this time of year.

View of San_Cristobal de las Casas

View of San_Cristobal de las Casas

Things You Should Not Forget To Bring

As this time of year is the busiest tourist season, you should plan well in advance and ensure that your reservations have been confirmed.  You should also ensure that all your paperwork is in order for your trip.  Make sure that your passport is current and valid.  If you are going to drive into Mexico and intend going beyond the border zone, you should ensure that you have a valid vehicle permit, as well as valid Mexican car insurance.

You may be wondering why you need Mexican auto insurance if you already have valid car insurance.  You are traveling to another country and the laws differ to your home country.  This means that you have to abide by the laws of the country you are visiting.  It is not a problem to obtain Mexican vehicle insurance.  All that is required is for you to go online and do a thorough search for suitable providers.  It is vital that you check the reputation of the insurance provider you wish to purchase from as you do not want to be stuck in Mexico after an accident or theft and you have no way of contacting your insurer. You can purchase your Mexican insurance policy from this link.

Many people forget about buying Mexican car insurance, and if you fall into this category, you have the option to purchase coverage at the border, although it will be more expensive and you will not be offered the range of options.