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Time in Mexico Now
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What Time Is It in Mexico Right Now With Seconds
Mexico operates multiple time zones due to its geographical size stretching from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean. The country uses four primary time zones, and most regions observe Daylight Saving Time to optimize evening daylight hours. Certain northern border areas may align with U.S. DST schedules for cross-border commerce.
Major metropolitan areas such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Cancún, and Mérida follow their respective standard or DST offsets throughout the year.
Mexico Time Zone Information
Number of Time Zones: 4 primary zones
Mexico Pacific Time (PT): UTC-8 standard / UTC-7 DST
Mexico Mountain Time (MT): UTC-7 standard / UTC-6 DST
Mexico Central Time (CT): UTC-6 standard / UTC-5 DST
Mexico Southeast Time (ET): UTC-5 standard (no DST in most regions, including Quintana Roo)
DST Observation: Yes, Mexico observes DST except some regions (Southeast / Quintana Roo)
IANA Time Zone IDs: America/Tijuana, America/Chihuahua, America/Mazatlan, America/Monterrey, America/Mexico_City, America/Merida, America/Cancun, etc.
More info: Time in Mexico on Wikipedia
Major cities following this time
| City | Time Zone | Standard UTC Offset | DST Offset (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | Central Time (CT) | UTC −6 | UTC −5 |
| Monterrey | Central Time (CT) | UTC −6 | UTC −5 |
| Guadalajara | Central Time (CT) | UTC −6 | UTC −5 |
| Puebla | Central Time (CT) | UTC −6 | UTC −5 |
| León | Central Time (CT) | UTC −6 | UTC −5 |
| Tijuana | Pacific Time (PT) | UTC −8 | UTC −7 |
| Ensenada | Pacific Time (PT) | UTC −8 | UTC −7 |
| Ciudad Juárez | Mountain Time (MT) | UTC −7 | UTC −6 |
| Hermosillo | Mountain Time (MT) | UTC −7 | No DST |
| Cancún | Eastern Time (ET) | UTC −5 | No DST |
| Playa del Carmen | Eastern Time (ET) | UTC −5 | No DST |
| Cozumel | Eastern Time (ET) | UTC −5 | No DST |
| Mérida | Central Time (CT) | UTC −6 | UTC −5 |
| Chetumal | Eastern Time (ET) | UTC −5 | No DST |
Cities in Mexico follow the time zone of their state or region.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Time zones align well with geographic daylight patterns
DST provides better evening daylight for tourism and business
Major border cities align DST schedules with U.S. for commerce
Easy to schedule nationwide business within same broad zone (Central)
Cons
Multiple zones require extra coordination
DST variations between states may complicate scheduling
Cross-border timing differences can create confusion for travel or meetings
Frequently Asked Questions
How many time zones are in Mexico?
Mexico has four primary time zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Southeast.
Does Mexico observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, most of Mexico observes Daylight Saving Time. Some southeast regions, including Quintana Roo, do not.
How many time zones does Mexico have when DST is active?
DST applies to Pacific, Mountain, and Central zones; Southeast typically remains UTC-5 all year.
What is the official time zone of Mexico?
Mexico’s most commonly referenced national standard zone is Central Time (CT), where Mexico City is located.
What are the official IANA time zone IDs for Mexico?
Mexico follows these time zone IDs, such as America/Mexico_City, America/Monterrey, America/Mazatlan, America/Chihuahua, America/Merida, America/Tijuana, and America/Cancun.