jeffergray

I've started thinking about family vacation possibilities for this summer. Neither I nor my wife have ever been to Mexico, but since she likes beaches and I love archaeology and Spanish colonial architecture, it occurred to me that the Yucatan might afford the best of both worlds. My big question is whether it would be too miserable with the heat and humidity to enjoy it during the summer months. (Our kids are 12 & 15, and thus we are limited by school schedules to the summer for extended trips.) I'm also wondering about what it's like to rent and drive a car in that part of Mexico.

Stewbear

Very Hot & Humid.

hopefulist

We'll be there in June and can let you know. We've picked places with ac and access to water. My husband and I are both teachers so it's our only travel op, too.

colokid

I live there for the summer every year. It's hot and humid. But, not enough to keep me away : ) and it has it's good points too. Get up early and hit the beach early or any other activity. Around 11 or so go back home, relax by the pool and have a cocktail. Pick a place that has a/c. Try a condo rental so that you'll have room to spread out and relax. July can be a busy month as lots of people also have vacation at that time. If you rent a car, do a search and read up on the challenges/benefits of such. I also go about every six weeks or so the rest of the year and in the summer the water is warm. Sometimes in Dec/Jan/Feb it's a little cooler. It's been quite cool down there since the beginning of January this year which is not common. My husband just got back Saturday and he said it's continuing to be cool but I'm heading down in three weeks and am hoping that it will warm up soon ; ). Drink lots of water and go and enjoy.

brendazzzz

We went there last summer and I have never been so hot in my life and I live in southern Georgia! Supposedly it was warmer than usual. They thought a hurricane might be brewing or something but it never came about.

Fra_Diavolo

Here's another compromise -- try the mountain cities this summer. I would suggest Oaxaca for its range of attractions, colonial architecture, Zapotec and Mixtec ruins, indigenous villages and good food. Pick a hotel with a good pool.

Then, during the kid's winter break try the Yucatan in February or March. Merida for a few days for its colonial architecture and ancient ruins (Uxmal and the Puuc cities are nearby),then head to your pick of beaches and make day trips to further ruins, if desired.

KVR

We've been in August a few times and it is very hot and humid even at night. After walking down 5th Avenue a couple of hours, it felt like we just got out of a sauna. We've also been in early Nov/Dec and the pools were too cold to swim in (the ocean temp was perfect though) We've found the best time to go is in May. Weather not so hot and humid, and pools warm enough to enjoy. If you must go on school break try the first part of June.

I would never advise anyone to rent a car and drive in Mexico without throughly researching the pros and cons. There are many people that do, and some have no probelms and some do. We've been to that area 9 times and have never felt the need for a rental car. We are big our guided tours instead of finding things on our own, which helps.

jw2

Think of it this way: your cameras, glasses, belt buckle and any other items of a solid nature will immediately fog up and even drip the moment you step out of AC surroundings. On the coast / beach this will be tolerable because at least the wind is blowing and there's a pool or an ocean near by.

In the colonial cities (Merida and Valadolid, at least) there will be less wind and nothing immediatly at hand to hop into except the occasional cenote.

We have gone fairly often in summer, and the beaches are great any time, but it's hot and sweaty even a few hundred yards off the coast. For that reason we've never visited inland areas except in January - March.

The best time for exploring the cultural heritage which did not include beach front condos during the Conquista or (except for Tulum*) among the Maya is mid-to-late winter and maybe up to late spring.

* now that one thinks of it - were there maybe touts meeting arriving Maya on the beach with vouchers for a free sacrifice or a round of ball if they attended a time-share presentation?

Fall (September - October) is often stormy and still on the hot and humid side, but we've done it and managed to dodge hurricains 2 or 3 times. Plan to quit that while we are ahead.

hopefulist

Some of us can only get away to travel in the summer months, so the question becomes whether or not we want to see those places, not when is the best time. We chose June because it's still considered low season and we're saving money on lodging. If we can't stand the heat we won't visit again, at least until after we retire.

jeffergray

Thanks to all for your responses thus far. You've certainly given me pause. Unfortunately, my kids' school spring breaks don't overlap, so the spring doesn't work.

nukesafe

My wife was a teacher, so our journeys to Mexico had to occur in the Summer, as well. Our rule was (is) "Never Go Below 5,000 Feet in Mexico in the Summer!!!!"

The one time we dropped down to the coast was a disaster. I can recall sitting in the shade, and the shoulders of my shirt were wet from sweat dripping from my earlobes. True! The heat was just paralytic. We headed to the hills the next day.

Fra_Divolo's advice is right on.

Continental_Drifter

We've been for an extended vacation twice during the summer.

It's hot. We live in Georgia and are accustomed to hot, humid summers.

However, there is a constant breeze on the ocean. It's a warm breeze, but the heat is not unbearable when there is a breeze coming off the water.

Having been there and Panama in the summer, we would say that the heat would not keep us from going again in the summer. Keep in mind that while Merida is charming, it's not right on the coast and is hotter.

Plan for the heat. Drink lots of water. My kids lived in their swimsuits/trunks with sleeveless (daughter wore spaghetti straps) shirts. We started our days early and by noon or 1:00 found a palapa or a pool. Then, by 5:00, we were out and about again. Keep in mind that this is the hottest part of the day and has a lot to do with why Mexicans still enjoy siesta.

Light clothing is key and avoid getting sunburned.

We have the same time constraints with school breaks and the heat simply does not stop us!

MonicaRichards

I was there last year and I didn't think it was that bad. Sure, stuff fogged up when we went outside but we all survived and I don't remember being unbearably hot, well, not for long at least until I found a pool or air conditioning! As a matter of fact, I even wore my sweater one day because I was too cold (in Valladolid). I'm from San Jose, California, too, so not used to humidity.