Mexico is a beautiful country to escape to for vacations. While known for resort getaways and spring-break adventures, its culture and rich history offer travelers an enticing experience. What are six tips for the cheapest way to fly to Mexico?
There are a few tricks for flying to Mexico without spending a fortune. Finding a quality flight search engine to get the best rates is the best place to start. It’s also important to be flexible with dates and destinations within Mexico. Booking early and considering non-direct flights will help make the trip more affordable, too. Finally, use any available discounts, points, and available deals at the point of order.
When making travel plans, it cannot be stressed enough that research is essential! There is a lot of relevant information that can be learned with a quick look. There are different seasons, airlines, and areas that may offer you lower rates depending on your travel needs. Doing searches can help identify when the cheapest travel times might be.
What Is the Cheapest Month to Fly to Mexico?
Mexico is a popular travel destination. Peak travel months break into two seasons: from December until Easter approximately and then from June until August. While these indicate traffic, we can see below the current lowest costs for travel by month. February and March both report the lowest costs of $306 for travel.
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
| $317 | $306 | $306 | $329 | $320 | $348 | $405 | $369 | $338 | $347 | $366 | $423 |
Courtesy of CheapFlights.com
Of course, these are the average costs and can vary. Using averages and estimates, one can account for the “usual” circumstances. However, there may be an even lower rate available when you decide to buy. If booked early, rates can drop by certain percentages or have discounts you can take advantage of if you plan far enough ahead.
December is the most expensive month for travel as people fly in for holiday celebrations and getaways. Other holiday travels to take into consideration are Easter and the Day of the Dead. Many people travel to see the grand festivals put on by Mexican cities, which attribute to the high demand for tickets.
Based on travel data, February or March would be the cheapest times to book travel. These months are between the holiday peaks, lowering the expectation for planned travel. They are particularly ideal as they lie within the “dry months” where rain is not common. Temperatures can still reach a comfortable 82 degrees, and you will not have to worry about rain.
What Is the Cheapest Month to Fly to Cancun?
Cancun is a top tourist destination. Known for its beautiful beaches and resorts, many people make it their top travel destination for the year. Does this mean it is consistently expensive to visit? It does not have to be if planned and visited accordingly.
Much like the rest of Mexico, it follows December’s peak travel times through Easter and then the summer season. For a resort location, this can be particularly traffic-heavy, as spring breakers and summer college students may travel to Cancun. It cannot be easy to find a deal during these months.
The exciting thing about Mexico is that different cities have different low seasons. This is all dependent on what is considered regular traffic and vacationing for the area. For Cancun, that would be from May until about November, excluding June, July, and August. The ideal travel month, according to Skyscanner, is October!
During October, flights can be as much as 35% cheaper than other months if you book early! However, this is the final month of the hurricane season. Following hurricane movements and reports in the weather can help you see if there is an expectation for hazardous weather. If no hurricanes occur, you can enjoy a lovely trip and cheap resort rates upon arrival.
(Check out cheap flights to Cancun for affordable plane tickets, things to do, places to stay, and more!)
What Is the Cheapest Airline to Fly to Mexico?
Finding the cheapest airline in Mexico is a great way to test your research skills. Many factors play into costs, such as time of year and peak seasons. Certain airlines maintain lower rates than others that you can take advantage of. Knowing the most affordable airline options may help you find the cheapest flights.
While it is common to hear of budget airlines that travel between states, like Spirit Airlines, your best bet may be airlines from Mexico itself:
- VivaAerobus
- Interjet
- Volaris
- Aviasca
VivaAerobus offers flights starting at $79, making it the cheapest option to fly to Mexico. They provide plenty of destination airport options, giving you the flexibility to easily travel to your vacation spot. On top of that, a quick visit to their website will provide you with their best deals on airfare.
For some of these airlines, you may have to consider an additional flight to a connecting airport so that you can board this cheaper option. Because they are based in Mexico, they will have connecting flights at only certain airports, like Dallas International or Orlando. The good news about this is that booking your connecting flights can be less expensive in the long run!
How Far in Advance Should You Book a Flight to Mexico?
Whether it is a planned or sudden vacation, booking your flight early can help you make it to your Mexican getaway at the best cost. On top of that, it can give you enough time to identify and handle any possible complications before the date. When it comes to trips, it is all about timing.
Different locations may also have other early order windows. For example, according to Skyscanner, getting tickets to Cabo San Lucas should be done about 15 weeks in advance for the best deal. If you are looking to go to Tijuana, however, seven weeks early is all you need. (If you are looking for vacation rentals in Cabo San Lucas, check out that article!)
So what is the best early window? Seventy days or ten weeks minimum is a solid middle ground to cover across the board. With this span, you can make sure any unexpected issues are taken care of before leaving. It can also give you time to recuperate if anything stops your trip.
These time frames may vary from year to year, depending upon circumstances. For example, you may want to book even earlier for higher traffic vacation periods as there will be more travel competition. It is never too early to book your flight!
Where Is the Safest Place in Mexico?
Cancun and Mexico City are both safe choices. These cities are accustomed to travelers and have ways to keep you safe. Areas that thrive on tourism are usually a safe option.
Mexico is home to the second safest city in all of North America. This city is Merida, the capital of Yucatan. It offers both colonial and Mayan sights for the adventurous traveler and a lovely assortment of festivals and nightlife for the more city-centric individual.
It is easy to travel to with US inbound flights to the city and is well known for its food, art, and architecture. For those looking to stay in the city, you can spend hours in the museums and boutiques found around town. They have beautiful hotels and offer a warm and friendly atmosphere for visitors.
Are you looking for a bit of adventure? Merida is also known for its swimming holes and archaeological sites! No matter what kind of vacation you are on, you are sure to enjoy your time and peace of mind in Merida.
While in the Yucatan, you might want to find some more things to do. Check out the Mexico Yucatan travel guide to find out everything you need to know.
What Places to Avoid in Mexico?
While Mexico is a beautiful country, it is no secret that travelers should exercise caution during any travel. When considering a vacation, there are many resources to determine where to visit and where to avoid. If you are in the US, the US Department of State can be a huge help!
This department provides travel advisories, letting you know of any areas of concern or travel issues you may encounter. As of September 2020, they released a travel advisory for the following areas in Mexico due to crime:
- Colima
- Guerrero
- Michoacán
- Sinaloa
- Tamaulipas
On top of that, some areas are consistently advised against visiting. Unfortunately, there are towns where cartel crime, violence, kidnapping, and other crimes are regularly occurring. Some of the top cities are Acapulco, Ciudad Juárez, Mazatlan, and Chihuahua.
If you are on a resort, you may, of course, want to venture out for a local adventure. Doing so is encouraged. Knowing of the avoidance areas can ensure you and any travel companions remain safe on your trip.
The Takeaway
Traveling can be a fun adventure with or without company, but it does not have to be expensive. When looking to fly to Mexico, there are six simple ways to ensure you get the best deal for your traveling:
- Use quality search engines: Use flight searches like Skyscanner or Momondo to see the best deals available. These engines include budget airlines for you!
- Flexible dates and Destination: These are two factors you can control when it comes to pricing. Flexibility will ensure you find the best times and places to travel to for your wallet.
- Non-Direct Flights: While non-stop flights seem easy, they can be more expensive. Booking your connecting flights can allow you to get to your destination at a cheaper price!
- Deals and Discounts: Consider if qualifications students, military, or other discounts. Also, research whether any airlines are running deals for travel!
- Book Early: With early action, you can lock in lower rates for your planned trip. A bonus is the excitement and planning time you get for your upcoming trip!
- Use points and miles: Using your travel rewards points or credit card rewards can significantly discount travel costs!
Planning, booking ahead, and doing a bit of research can help you find the best deals for your budget. Of course, keep in mind areas you should avoid and peak seasons when setting up your trip.
(Learn how to plan a trip in order to get the most of our your trip to Mexico with that article!)
Finally, make sure you exhaust all outlets for discounts! Many airlines offer discounts for specific qualifications like military members, children, students, seniors, credit card users, and more. Do not hesitate to ask if you qualify for any of these.
Mexico offers a plethora of lovely sights, places to dive in Mexico, and opportunities for relaxation. Using these tips will ensure you not only have a little bit of spending cash but have peace of mind on your vacation. Whether you are sticking to the beaches of Cancun or looking for a Mayan Ruin adventure, Mexico will welcome you with a warm and friendly atmosphere!