Things to Do in Mexico City in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Mexico City
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Exceptional air quality compared to the rest of the year - January sits right after the rainy season ends, so you'll actually see Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes from the city center on most mornings. The pollution that typically blankets the valley from March through May hasn't built up yet.
- Perfect hiking weather in the mornings - temperatures around 8-12°C (47-54°F) at dawn make the climb to Desierto de los Leones or Ajusco genuinely pleasant. By 10am you're stripping layers as it warms to 18-20°C (64-68°F), which is ideal for the 2,240 m (7,350 ft) altitude where you're already working harder to breathe.
- Día de Reyes on January 6th transforms the entire city - this is when Mexican families actually exchange gifts, not Christmas. Every bakery sells rosca de reyes (a ring-shaped sweet bread), parks fill with kids showing off new toys, and you'll see the cultural calendar Mexico actually lives by, not the tourist version. Markets like La Ciudadela have artisan toy fairs throughout the first week.
- Restaurant reservations are manageable in the second half of January - the holiday crush from Christmas through Reyes ends around January 7th, and you can actually get into places like Quintonil, Pujol, or Sud 777 with just 5-7 days notice instead of the usual 3-4 weeks. Locals are back at work and eating at home more after the holiday spending.
Considerations
- The temperature swing is genuinely disorienting - you'll start your day at 8°C (47°F) needing a jacket, hit 22°C (72°F) by 2pm in full sun, then drop back to 12°C (54°F) by 7pm when you're trying to enjoy a rooftop bar. Most tourists either overdress all day or underdress all evening. Layering isn't optional, it's survival.
- Dry season means cracked lips, nosebleeds, and constant thirst at 2,240 m (7,350 ft) altitude - the 70% humidity reading is misleading because the thin air at this elevation pulls moisture from your body faster than you realize. You'll wake up feeling dehydrated even if you drank water before bed. Locals carry lip balm and nasal saline spray religiously.
- January 20th is a federal holiday (Inauguration Day transferred from the old February date) and many museums, government sites, and even some restaurants close unexpectedly - this catches tourists off guard because it's not a widely publicized holiday outside Mexico. If your trip overlaps this date, book private experiences or plan for neighborhood exploration instead of major attractions.
Best Activities in January
Teotihuacan Pyramid Sunrise Climbs
January mornings at Teotihuacan are cold enough that you'll need a fleece at 6am but not so cold that the climb feels miserable. The Pyramid of the Sun opens at 9am officially, but tour groups arrive by 7am for sunrise access. The dry season means visibility extends 50-60 km (31-37 miles) on clear mornings - you'll actually see the snow-capped volcanoes from the top. Crowds are moderate compared to March-April peak season, and the low sun angle creates dramatic shadows on the Avenue of the Dead for photography. The 65 m (213 ft) climb is easier in cool temperatures than summer heat.
Xochimilco Trajinera Boat Rides
The canals are at their fullest in January after the rainy season, and the chinampas (floating gardens) are actually green rather than the brown you see by April. Weekend afternoons from 1-5pm are when local families pack the boats with coolers of beer and hire mariachi bands, creating the authentic chaotic atmosphere that makes Xochimilco special. Weekday mornings are quieter if you want a calmer experience. The 22°C (72°F) afternoon temperatures are perfect for sitting on the boat for 2-3 hours without overheating. January is also when you'll see locals harvesting vegetables from the chinampas if you go early.
Centro Historico Walking Routes
January's cool mornings make the 3-4 hour walk through Centro Historico actually pleasant rather than sweaty. Start at 9am when Palacio de Bellas Artes opens, walk to Templo Mayor by 10:30am before tour groups arrive, then hit the Zocalo by noon when the sun is high enough to photograph the cathedral facade without harsh shadows. The low humidity means less haze in photos. Street food vendors set up by 11am selling seasonal tamales de elote and champurrado (hot chocolate with masa). The post-holiday period means fewer school groups clogging the narrow colonial streets.
Coyoacan and Frida Kahlo Museum Visits
The jacaranda trees in Coyoacan's plazas aren't blooming in January (that's March-April), but the cooler weather makes the 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 mile) walk between Casa Azul, Mercado de Coyoacan, and Jardin Centenario comfortable. The Frida Kahlo Museum is less mobbed in January than summer, though you still need advance tickets. The neighborhood cafes have outdoor seating that's pleasant in January's 18-20°C (64-68°F) afternoon temperatures - by May those same patios are unbearable. Sunday mornings have a small artisan market in the main plaza.
Chapultepec Park and Museum Circuit
Chapultepec is 686 hectares (1,695 acres) of green space that's actually walkable in January's cool weather. The Anthropology Museum alone needs 3-4 hours, and you won't be drenched in sweat like you would be in May. January's dry season means the park's paths are muddy-free after the occasional rain. Weekday mornings are when local joggers and dog walkers outnumber tourists. The castle offers views across the entire valley, and January's clear air means you'll actually see the city's edges. Most museums close Mondays, so plan accordingly.
Lucha Libre Wrestling Shows
Arena Mexico hosts matches Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday nights year-round, but January's cooler evenings make the un-air-conditioned arena less oppressive. The crowd energy peaks around 8-9pm when the main events start. This is pure local entertainment - you'll see families with kids, teenagers on dates, and elderly regulars who've attended for decades. The theatricality and athleticism are genuine, and buying a mask from vendors outside (80-150 MXN) is part of the experience. Shows run 2.5-3 hours.
January Events & Festivals
Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day)
January 6th is when Mexican families actually exchange gifts and gather for rosca de reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread with hidden figurines inside. Whoever gets the figurine hosts a tamales party on February 2nd (Día de la Candelaria). Every panadería sells roscas from January 2-6, and the tradition is to buy one larger than you need because sharing is the point. Parks fill with kids playing with new toys, and there are free concerts in the Zocalo on January 5th evening. This is the real Mexican Christmas experience tourists miss if they only visit December 25th.
Feria de las Culturas Amigas
This international culture fair typically runs in late January at Zocalo, showcasing food, crafts, and performances from countries around the world. It's free admission, and you'll find everything from Peruvian ceviche stands to Japanese taiko drumming. The timing varies slightly year to year (sometimes it starts in very late January or early February), but it's worth checking if it overlaps your trip. The fair runs about 10 days and attracts massive crowds on weekends.