Embracing the Rain: A Quick Look at Mexico City’s Rainy Season

We live in the thirstiest flood-prone city.

It’s well known by all that Mexico City was built on a basin surrounded by five lakes. Back in 1521, Tenochtitlán was a utopian, amazing city encircled by lakes that merged during the rainy season to form a massive body of water covering nearly 2,000 square kilometers.

Fast forward 500 years, and that lakebed is now home to one of the world's largest cities, with 21 million people. Ironically, this water-rich past now contrasts with a present-day challenge: water scarcity.

1521Mexico's basin map

File:Lago de Texcoco-posclásico.png: Yavidaxiu

File:Valley of Mexico c.1519-fr.svg: historicair 13:51, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

original Sémhur

So what happened? Here are some key facts:

Rainy season raised water levels, uniting the lakes—Texcoco was the lowest and largest. As the elders in the city say: "The lake seeks to return."

We live in a closed basin, meaning the valley had no natural drainage, so water from rivers and springs concentrated in the center.

Flooded areas grew massively during rainy season—over 400 million m² during historic floods.

For centuries, flooding was the real enemy. In 1629, a storm called San Mateo brought 36 hours of rain, leaving the city flooded for five years—causing illness and death. That’s when efforts to drain the valley began.

Later, under President Porfirio Díaz in the late 19th century, engineers built the Grand Drainage System and a network of canals. But despite all that work, flooding didn’t stop. Instead, new problems popped up: dust storms, sinking ground, and eventually, over-pumping of groundwater to meet the needs of a growing population.

So while rainy season in Mexico City brings cozy afternoons and lush green views, it’s also a reminder of a long, complicated relationship with water—too much at times, too little at others. Or as we say at Pachoa: "We live in the thirstiest flood-prone city."

Mexico City flodding 1952
Foto Archivo Excelsior

 

Technical info about rainy season

Rainy season runs from June to September (sometimes into early October). The heaviest rains are typically in July and August. Here's the good news: mornings are usually clear and sunny—the rain almost always arrives in the afternoon or evening, often around 4–5 PM.

Expect temperatures between 75–85°F (24–29°C) during the day, cooling down to around 54°F (12°C) at night.

How to Arrange Your Activities

• Plan outdoor activities for the morning – Visit Chapultepec Park, Coyoacán's cobblestone streets, or Xochimilco's Floating Gardens before 2 PM. Take a nice walk around the Historic Center or Ciudad Universitaria in the morning. Enjoy the morning breeze after a rainy night.
• Keep afternoons and evenings for indoor activities – Rain is the perfect excuse to duck into a cozy spot like a cocktail bar. (Mexico City has some of the best 50 bars in the world!)
• Never drive into floodwater – Some streets can flood quickly. If you're in a car, slow down and avoid standing water.
• Use Uber or the Metro – Traffic gets worse when it rains. The Metro is affordable, efficient, and keeps you underground. Try to avoid rush hours—everyone is trying to get home, and you don't want to be stuck in the middle of the chaos.
• Get a Metro card – It's useful for multiple public transportation systems.
• Plan your routes ahead of time – Give yourself extra travel time. Public transportation gets slower when it rains.
• Monday alert – Many museums are closed on Mondays. Plan accordingly!

What to Pack

• Compact umbrella: Pop-up showers appear fast, try to bring one close.
• Breathable rain jacket or poncho: Lighter and easier than an umbrella in crowded streets.
• Waterproof shoes. Sidewalks can be slick; cobblestone streets hold puddles.
• Layers: Mornings are cool, afternoons warm, evenings chilly again. Think t-shirt + light jacket.
• Sun protection (SPF 50, hat, sunglasses) High altitude (7,350 ft!) means the sun is intense—even on cloudy days.
• Reusable water bottle: Altitude dehydrates you faster than you think.
• Small daypack with waterproof liner: Protects your phone, camera, and documents.

Walking around Bellas Artes after a rainy day | Pixabay

 

Final Advice from Pachoa

Rainy season in Mexico City isn't something to fear—it's something to embrace. With a little planning and the right attitude, you'll experience the city at its greenest, coziest, and most authentic.

Ready to explore Mexico City? Book your tour with Pachoa today and let us show you the magic of the rainy season—umbrellas included!