Oaxaca · Month comparison

February vs October

October ranks #1 overall vs February at #7. Día de Muertos — the single greatest cultural event in Latin America unfolds across Oaxaca

Oaxaca street festival with dancers and traditional costumes

February

#7 of 12 months

Strong option

Warm dry days with Carnival energy building — one of the most underrated months to visit

  • Carnival celebrations (week before Lent) with traditional comparsas and brass bands
  • Warm 22–26°C days perfect for mezcal distillery day trips in the Valles Centrales
Día de Muertos altar covered in marigolds and candles in Oaxaca cemetery

October

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Día de Muertos — the single greatest cultural event in Latin America unfolds across Oaxaca

  • Día de Muertos (Oct 31–Nov 2) is incomparable — candlelit cemetery vigils, marigold carpets, sugar skulls and genuine emotion
  • Rains almost finished; dry bright days and cool evenings make the festival setting perfect
FactorFebruaryOctober
Weather score
7
7
Value score
6
4
Crowd score
5
8
Events score
5
10
Atmosphere
7
10
Avg high temp28°C27°C
Monthly rain5mm52mm
Daily sunshine10hrs8.5hrs

February trade-offs

  • Carnival brings some crowds on the main weekend — book accommodation if dates coincide
  • Dry dusty air in the valley on windy afternoons

October trade-offs

  • Hotel prices peak at annual high; accommodation within the city sells out months ahead
  • Crowds from CDMX and international visitors make the most famous cemeteries (Xoxocotlán) extremely busy on Nov 1
Scores compare months within Oaxaca. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →