When most travelers picture Mexico, they envision pristine beaches, plenty of sun, and probably some tasty helado and refreshing ensalada de fruta. And sometimes, this image is accurate.

But in winter? Mexico's seasons may differ from travelers' home countries like the US or Canada. But the fact remains that seasonal changes do take place there, and it's not always the best idea to try to travel mid-winter.

The diverse geography of the country, which includes everything from beaches to snow-capped mountains, is one factor. So is its longitude; the country is quite 'tall', so your destination can also impact the type of conditions you should pack for.

Think all you need is flip flops and sunscreen to jet set to Mexico? Think again before you say adios to your hometown's dreary weather.

Here are 15 facts about wintering in Mexico that will help travelers understand what they can expect.

15 Some Areas Do Have A Stereotypical Winter...

Though most Insta snaps come from Mexico's beaches or forests, it has snow-capped mountains too. The highest peak in Mexico is Pico de Orizaba, says World Atlas, which rises 18,405 feet out of the landscape. For reference, snowfall usually occurs around 3,000 or so feet in winter.

14 And Select Locales Are Having Unexpectedly Cold Conditions

Some areas of Mexico don't typically get snow, but it's begun happening recently. Hailstorms covered urban cities at one point, so travelers might want to at least pack a sweater when venturing south this winter.

13 Dia De Los Muertos Isn't The Only Autumnal Holiday

Dia de Los Muertos occurs in November. But after that comes Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe, which commemorates the icon Our Lady of Guadalupe. Of course, Christmas is preceded by Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's trek to Bethlehem. Then, there's an April-Fools-like holiday in December, and January holidays, too!

12 The Holiday Season Lasts Longer Than Most People Think

Since the holidays are so long in places like the US, many people with family in Mexico travel home during the winter. In fact, in Mexico, it's often the harvest season around Christmastime. They celebrate Carnival in MX, too! Basically, it's the ideal time for tons of merriment, tourists included!

11 Travel To And From Mexico Gets Way More Expensive In Winter Months

It's probably the demands of holiday revelers, but I've noticed that flights to Mexico get exorbitantly more expensive around December. And the thing is, prices won't drop again until late in January. At least, that's the case when flying out from the United States.

10 Accommodations Can Be Pricier, Too

It's true that anytime you're a tourist in another country, you can expect a bit of price gouging. After all, if you want to be where the action is, you'll have to pay. Especially at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, prices might increase rather than drop surrounding winter vacation.

9 Get In Ahead Of Schedule For Hotel Stays

When booking accommodations, it's vital that you don't wait until the last minute. Many vacation properties, in particular, tend to require longer stays, and they expect tourists to shift out at certain times of the year. Make sure your rental fits your timeline, and book well in advance.

8 The Weather Changes More Noticeably Farther North

Because the northern hemisphere is generally cooler (remember the equator and all from geography in school!), you'll notice the temperature changes more in those areas. That means if you're headed to places like Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, or Sinaloa, you might notice chillier breezes.

7 Mexico Has Three Distinct Regions (& Each Has Its Own Temperature Patterns)

As Mexperience explains, Mexico has three categories of regions: low-lying coastal plains, central highlands, and mountain locales. Each of these areas can have different weather, which is important to know whether you're booking a flight or traveling to nearby cities or states via bus.

In places like Queretaro, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, and Chapala (a super-touristy lake area), you can expect pretty decent temperatures during the day. But at night, Mexperience explains, temperatures can drop to freezing. So, pack your winter coat even if it's sunny while you're packing!

5 "Cold" Is Totally Subjective

Mexperience also notes that "cold spells" in Mexico tend to involve temperatures around 70 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit... Um, what? To a lot of northern-dwelling folks, that's still summer (or at least spring) weather. Expect to see lots of huaraches and chanclas still, because the locals don't think it's cold!

4 Many Destinations Still Offer Toasty Beaches & Suntan Weather

If you stick to the coast, you can still achieve that crispy look, so don't forgo your sunscreen if you're heading to Morelos, Puebla, Oaxaca, or Chiapas. Keep in mind that places like Michoacan, for example, have such varied terrain that temperatures vary city to city.

3 You'll Still Have Plenty Of Daylight To Explore

Personally, I travel to Monterey, California annually, and often in winter. With the sun setting around 5 PM and the fog rolling in, it's best to be tucked into our hotel by that time. In Mexico, though? Daylight still lasts, giving you around ten to 11 hours of sunlight year-round. Yassss!

2 The Monarchs Love It There In Winter

Did you know that Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico in the winter? While the 2019-2020 migration was a bit of a bust, due in part to climate change, reported the Washington Post, clusters of thousands of the critters shift south of the border to overwinter. It's definitely a sight to see if you can be in Mexico between mid-November and mid-March.

1 Spring Starts Kinda Early

Hoping to avoid spring breakers? Consider heading south to Mexico by late February, says Mexperience. That's when the temperatures shift to more spring-like conditions, although in places like England, it's still the dead of winter.