Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for staying safe under the sun in La Manzanilla, Mexico, where the tropical climate leads to elevated UV exposure, particularly during the midday hours. With UV levels peaking at a staggering 12 around midday, awareness of these levels is crucial for preventing sunburn and promoting long-term skin health. By grasping the daily UV fluctuations, residents and visitors alike can take proactive measures to protect themselves, ensuring that they enjoy the beautiful beaches and vibrant outdoor activities this stunning coastal town has to offer, while safeguarding their skin from damaging rays.
The UV Index for the day showcases a striking peak in solar intensity, particularly between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM, where it reaches a maximum of 12, indicating a very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Starting off the day, the index is quite low—measuring 0 at 7:00 AM—but gradually climbs, reaching 6 by 11:00 AM. As the sun climbs higher, the UV levels soar, peaking before gradually declining in the afternoon: it returns to 6 by 5:00 PM and drops significantly to 1 by 7:00 PM. It's crucial to take precautions during the peak hours to protect your skin and health!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 16:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
Seasonal variations in UV exposure highlight significant health risks throughout the year. The highest UV Index values occur from March to October, with April, May, and June reaching an extreme level of 13 to 14 and a dangerously short burn time of just 10 minutes. Visitors and residents should be particularly cautious during these months, especially from March to July, when prolonged exposure can lead to severe skin damage. High-risk months for UV exposure are thus March through October, requiring effective sun protection measures such as applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours. As the year progresses into November and December, UV levels decrease, but individuals should still remain mindful, especially during November's very high index of 9 and December's high index of 7, to ensure consistent skin safety.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Manzanilla | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 7 |
| Guadalajara UVI | 9 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
| Iztapalapa UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 |
| Ecatepec de Morelos UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 |
| Mexico City UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 |
| Puebla UVI | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 |