Americas · North America · Sovereign state
Current time in Mexico
Spans 6 time zones from UTC-07:00 to UTC-05:00, a 2-hour difference. 4 of 11 zones currently in DST.
Saturday, May 30, 2026
About Mexico's time
6 time zones.
Mexico spans 12 time zones across UTC-07:00 to UTC-05:00, but most of the country runs on just a handful of them — and only 4 observe daylight saving time, so the picture is simpler than it looks at first glance.
Next clock change
2026 Sunday · clocks fall back
Clocks fall back by one hour · in 5 months.
Affects 4 of 11 zones.
Daylight saving schedule
By time zone
Time zones of Mexico.
6 time zones
Remote territories & research stations
Major cities
Cities of Mexico.
History
How Mexico keeps time.
Mexico first adopted standardized time in 1922, following the lead of the United States and other nations moving toward a coordinated zone system. For decades the country operated primarily with a few Pacific, Central/Mountain, and Eastern-style time zones that roughly aligned with international borders and trade routes in North America.
The most significant modern change came in 1996, when Mexico introduced daylight saving time (known locally as *horario de verano*) across most of the country, syncing its DST schedule closely with the United States to facilitate cross-border business and communication.
In 2001, the Mexican government adjusted the DST schedule as part of the broader North American coordination: clocks spring forward one hour in April and fall back in October — a slight offset from the U.S. schedule but still broadly aligned. Then, in 2022, Mexico once harmonized its DST schedule completely with the U.S., following the U.S. schedule from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
Border cities have always had a special consideration. Places like Tijuana, Mexicali, Juárez, and Matamoros align their clocks with neighboring U.S. cities to simplify daily life for millions who cross the border for work, school, and commerce.
Did you know?
Things about Mexico's time.
Mexico officially recognizes 12 named time zones, though in practice only about 6 are used by the general population. Many of the lesser-used zones apply only to small outlying islands and territories most travelers won't visit.
One notable quirk is that several major destinations don't observe DST: Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen) stays on EST year-round, Sonora matches Arizona's no-DST schedule, and most of the interior keeps non-DST Pacific or Central time. This can mean the gap between western and eastern Mexico shifts between 1 and 2 hours depending on the season.
The Revillagigedo Islands (including Socorro) run on UTC-07:00, matching Pacific time — a full 2 hours behind the capital and most of the population. These remote volcanic islands are Mexico's farthest-flung time zone.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Mexico's time zone, daylight saving rules, and how to handle it in software. Can't find what you need? Email [email protected].
- How many time zones does Mexico have?
- Mexico officially has 12 named time zones, but only about 6 are in common use by the population. The others apply to remote islands and territories.
- Which parts of Mexico observe daylight saving time?
- Only a few zones observe DST — the most notable ones being Baja California (Tijuana/Mexicali area) and certain northern border-city zones that align with U.S. DST. Most of central Mexico, Cancún, and Sonora do not change clocks.
- Does Mexico follow the U.S. daylight saving time schedule?
- Yes. Since 2022, Mexico's DST-observing zones follow the same schedule as the United States: clocks move forward in spring (March) and back in fall (November).
- What time zone is Cancún in?
- Cancún and the state of Quintana Roo use Eastern Standard Time (UTC-05:00) year-round and do not observe daylight saving time.
- What time zone is Mexico City in?
- Mexico City uses Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-06:00) and does not observe daylight saving time, matching most of central Mexico.
- Why does Tijuana share the same time as Los Angeles?
- Tijuana and Los Angeles are synchronized — they share the Pacific time zone and both observe DST on the same schedule, making it easier for the millions of people who cross the border daily.
- Are there any time zones in Mexico I should worry about when booking flights?
- Yes — always check the local zone and whether DST applies. For example, if you're flying from Mexico City to Cancún, you gain an hour. Flying from Mexico City to Hermosillo (Sonora) also changes the offset. Misreading the zone is a common travel mistake.
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