Mexico Essentials

Learn About Mexico’s Seasonal Clock Changes

Most of Mexico stopped moving its clocks after the fall of 2022; however, some areas along the US border continue to synchronize their clocks with the USA

Clocks on a wall

Mexico’s seasonal clock changes, which used to take place in the spring and fall of each year, were abandoned after the fall (back) clock change in October 2022.

Mexico’s congressional representatives and Senate voted to eliminate the practice of changing the clocks in the spring and fall, with exceptions for Mexican municipalities bordering the US.

The US, Canada, and Europe move their clocks

Although Mexico ceased the practice of moving its clocks every spring and fall, its closest allies and trading partners —the USA and Canada— as well as other countries around the world continue to move their clocks each spring and fall.

Even when Mexico used to move its clocks, there was usually a wider time difference than normal for some weeks every year, because different countries moved their spring and fall clocks on different dates.

Spring & Fall Clock Changes in 2024

Learn about 2024 spring and fall clock changes in the US, Canada, Europe and Mexico’s northern border regions that move their clocks in alignment with the US

Baja California State and Mexican Municipalities along the US border

Baja California (but not Baja California Sur) continues to move its clocks in the spring and fall in alignment with US Pacific Time.

Important Mexican municipalities along the US border continue to move their clocks in the spring and fall to remain synchronized with their sister towns and cities in the US.

The Mexican State of Sonora, in alignment with its US neighboring State of Arizona, never moved its clocks.

Check Time&Date.com for details of clock times in your locality.

Mexico’s four time zones

Mexico has four different time zones: the Central Zone that covers most of the country, two zones exclusive to two states, and a Pacific Zone.

Learn how Mexican States are organized by each time zone on this article

The effects of Spring clock changes in other countries

When the United States, Canada, and Europe move its clocks forward by one hour in the spring:

  • US Pacific Time, that is normally 2 hours behind Mexico’s Central Time, will be 1 hour behind.
  • US Mountain Time, that is normally 1 hour behind Mexico’s Central Time, will be on the same time as Mexico City.
  • US Central Time, that is normally aligned with time in Mexico’s Central Time, will be 1 hour ahead.
  • US Eastern Time, that is normally 1 hour ahead of Mexico’s Central Time, will be 2 hours ahead.
  • The UK and Ireland will be 7 hours ahead of Mexico’s Central Time instead of 6.
  • Central Europe will be 8 hours ahead of Mexico’s Central Time instead of 7.

The effects of Fall clock changes in other countries

When the United States, Canada, and Europe move its clocks back by one hour in the fall:

  • US Pacific Time, that was 1 behind Mexico’s Central Time when the clocks moved forward, will revert to be 2 hours behind Mexico’s Central Time.
  • US Mountain Time, that was on the same time as Mexico’s Central Time when the clocks moved forward, will revert to be 1 hour behind Mexico’s Central Time.
  • US Central Time, that was 1 ahead of Mexico’s Central Time when the clocks moved forward, will revert to be aligned with Mexico’s Central Time time.
  • US Eastern Time, that was 2 hours ahead of Mexico’s Central Time when the clocks moved forward, will revert to be 1 hour ahead.
  • The UK and Ireland will be 6 hours ahead of Mexico’s Central Time instead of 7.
  • Central Europe will be 7 hours ahead of Mexico’s Central Time instead of 8.

Learn more about time and time zones in Mexico

Mexperience helps you to learn about Mexico’s time zones and the effects of annual clock changes:

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