México’s Long Daylight Hours and its Extraordinary Light

The decision in 2022 by México’s congressional representatives to eliminate seasonal clock changes ended a practice that was never very popular here—a country that enjoys a good amount of daylight all year round.

México enjoys long daylight throughout the year

México’s geographical location gives the country a privileged mix of daylight and dark, regardless of the season.  This is in contrast to countries situated further away from the equator, where daylight hours can be substantially curtailed during the winter months.

One of the reasons why so many people enjoy overwintering in México is because the country offers pleasantry warm or temperate climates, and also because the daylight here remains fairly constant —thus by living here during the winter you can avoid the ‘long nights’ —and enjoy plenty of sunshine, too.

How México’s daylight hours vary during the year

A helpful way to illustrate México’s privileged daylight hours is by way of an example.

The table below shows the hours for sunrise and sunset on the longest and shortest days of the year —and the total daylight hours on those days— for three locations in México: Tijuana (situated on the northern border with the US), México City (on a similar latitude to Mérida, in the Yucatán), and Tapachula (México’s southernmost city on the border with Guatemala).  Times shown take into account México’s abandonment of annual clock changes.

Enjoying long daylight on the shortest day of the year

The hours recorded in the table above for the ‘winter low’ are for December 21—the shortest day of the year in México.  In the northern-most areas of México, even the shortest days of the year offer more than 10 hours of daylight; and in the southern-most areas (nearer to the equator) you can enjoy over eleven-and-a-quarter hours of daylight on the shortest day of the year.  México City (and Mérida) enjoy virtually eleven hours of daylight, even on the year’s shortest day.

A good balance on the longest days of the year

On June 21 —the longest day of the year in México— you’ll enjoy between 13 and 14 hours of daylight in the peak of summer, regardless of where you’re situated in the country.

México’s geographical location in relation to the equator offers an equitable  balance of night and day all year long, with each month and season offering plenty of daylight every day of the year—which can be supportive to one’s moods, general health, and well-being.

México’s light is also extraordinary

As well as offering an equitable balance of daylight and dark, when you pause to consider the quality of the light here, you come to realize that México’s light is truly extraordinary.  Its quality is especially noticeable in the mountain highlands, although it’s exceptional even at lower elevations, and along the coasts.

México is said to be one of the most ‘colorful countries in the world’ and the quality of the light undoubtably contributes to the sparkling tapestry of colors to appreciate here. Writers describing México often remark, for example, on the sharp and crisp ‘azure blue’ skies to be found here, especially in the central highlands. They’ve noticed how the subtleties and hues of the light in México are quite special.

The exceptional light is complemented by sensational fragrances during the rainy season as the groundwater swells and the flora blossom and bloom; and when the ground becomes parched in the dry season, dust particles rise high up into the atmosphere and contribute to the composition of the most magnificent sunsets you’ll experience anywhere.

México for living and leisure

México is one of the most visited countries in the world, offering beautiful beach locations, picturesque colonial mountain towns, fascinating archaeology, and an abundance of wild, natural habitats to traverse and enjoy. It also offers opportunities for living and lifestyle, that you can also discover and explore here on Mexperience.