Vitamin D in Mexico in October: sun, UV and what to expect
Bad weather Bad weather: October is a peak month for tropical storms here, so a beach stay is not recommended. If you still go, check forecasts and travel insurance.
6.9 hsun window (UV 2.5+)
6.9peak UV Index
8 minto a full dose
31°Cafternoon high
11/30rainy days
27/30sunny days
The country rating is for a typical beach, but some places in Mexico still work in October: Mazatlán (excellent), Acapulco (excellent), Zihuatanejo (excellent), Puerto Escondido (excellent), Huatulco (excellent).
How long in the sun in October?
- If you travel anyway, plan your sun session around midday (roughly 11:00 to 15:00), when the UV Index peaks at about 6.9. With about a quarter of your skin bare, a full dose takes around 8 minutes for skin type III at age 30, and about 14 minutes at age 65.
- Stop well before your skin turns pink. At this UV level skin type III can start to burn after about 29 minutes of midday sun, so cover up, find shade and use SPF 30+ on skin that stays out.
- Water, sand and light surfaces reflect UV, so at the beach you get a little more sun than the number suggests, for the good and the bad.
| Skin type | Full dose, age 30 | Full dose, age 65 | Time to burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type I | 5 min | 10 min | 19 min |
| Type II | 6 min | 12 min | 24 min |
| Type III | 8 min | 14 min | 29 min |
| Type IV | 12 min | 22 min | 43 min |
| Type V | 15 min | 29 min | 58 min |
| Type VI | 26 min | 48 min | 97 min |
Minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, at Puerto Vallarta, the median coastal place. Time to burn is the time to reach one minimal erythemal dose and does not depend on age. A rough planning guide, not medical advice.
Places in Mexico in October
| Place | Rating | Sun window | Full dose | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazatlán | Excellent | 7.4 h | 8 min | 32°C | 5/30 |
| Acapulco | Excellent | 7.5 h | 7 min | 31°C | 15/30 |
| Zihuatanejo | Excellent | 7.3 h | 7 min | 30°C | 15/30 |
| Puerto Escondido | Excellent | 6.8 h | 8 min | 30°C | 15/30 |
| Oaxaca City | Excellent | 6.3 h | 8 min | 24°C | 16/30 |
| Huatulco | Excellent | 6.6 h | 8 min | 30°C | 17/30 |
| Mexico City | Too cold | 6.9 h | 7 min | 21°C | 10/30 |
| Cabo San Lucas | Bad weather | 7.2 h | 8 min | 32°C | 4/30 |
| Sayulita | Bad weather | 7.1 h | 8 min | 30°C | 11/30 |
| La Paz | Too hot | 7.6 h | 7 min | 35°C | 0/30 |
| Puerto Vallarta | Bad weather | 6.9 h | 8 min | 31°C | 11/30 |
| Cozumel | Bad weather | 7.2 h | 8 min | 30°C | 19/30 |
| Cancún | Bad weather | 7.1 h | 8 min | 30°C | 20/30 |
| Mérida | Bad weather | 6.9 h | 8 min | 30°C | 19/30 |
| Tulum | Bad weather | 6.7 h | 8 min | 30°C | 22/30 |
| Chichén Itzá | Bad weather | 6.3 h | 8 min | 30°C | 19/30 |
| Holbox | Bad weather | 6.5 h | 8 min | 29°C | 19/30 |
| Isla Mujeres | Bad weather | 6.7 h | 8 min | 29°C | 21/30 |
| Playa del Carmen | Bad weather | 6.6 h | 8 min | 30°C | 23/30 |
| Bacalar | Bad weather | 6.2 h | 8 min | 30°C | 24/30 |
Other months in Mexico
- Jan Good
- Feb Excellent
- Mar Excellent
- Apr Excellent
- May Excellent
- Jun Bad weather
- Jul Bad weather
- Aug Bad weather
- Sep Bad weather
- Oct Bad weather
- Nov Good
- Dec Good
Best months: November to May. Full Mexico guide