Mexican journey according to climate this winter

I'm planning a lengthy semi-country-wide tour of Mexico starting in Jan 2007. My question is how should I order the destinations to taken in the best weather and climate and avoid pollution and other obvious undesirables.

I plan to start in Tijuana (just because it's so close to San Diego), and I want to experience both.

From TJ, I plan to fly to a central Mexican destination (either Mexico City, Guadalajaura, or Peurto Vallarta). I don't know which to go to first, but want to see them all.

I want to avoid rainy weather. I also don't like cold nights (as it will be January there). I want to go out at night with realtive comfort.

So, what do you think? How should I order my Mexican journey starting this January?

Eventually, I want to end up in Cancun (before departing for Havana, Cuba). I want to take in as of Mexico as possible, especially natural scenary, but avoid dirt and pollution.

So TJ to Cancun in a few months. How should I do it?

thanks

I think you need to find a source of news from Mexico that you can trust, not a site aimed at tourists, because I don't think anyone can tell you right now what will be happening in Mexico in January. There appears to be a near civil war going on in some areas, especially at Oaxaca, where a U.S. reporter was killed this weekend. I wouldn't discourage you from planning the trip as long as you can keep an eye on reliable news. A riot in Detroit wouldn't stop you from visiting the Grand Canyon. Mexico is a big place. Well, you know that. The state department has cautioned against travel to Chiapis for years, however, an acquaintance went bicycling there for apparently no real reason except idle curiosity during the late 1990s and he didn't meet with any problems. I'm not real sure he was even aware that there was unrest. (He is an artist.) When we traveled to Veracruz state during the same time period, there was visible movement of armed soldiers and police, but the people seemed friendly and peaceful. I'll bump you up a little and maybe someone else can give you a link or more recent information.

Oh, by the way, if you are starting in January, and have several months, I would try to time Cardel, Veracruz for April to catch the spring migration of the birds of prey. The autumn (first week in October) is the best, and you might see hundreds of thousands of birds of prey streaming overhead on a good day, but April is probably good too. After all, the birds have to return to their breeding territories. I can try to find out the best recommended week for spring migration if you like. We went in October 1998 and it was quite a sight to see. Bring good binoculars!

Buy a Lonely Planet and you'll have everything you need for a nice, cheap and interesting journey.
I'd recommend all the towns I went to: Guanajuato, Mexico City of course, Puerto Escondido at the Pacific Coast, San Cristobal de Casas and ofcourse to Yucatan - Tulum is supposed to be so beautiful!

Cancun in January is beautiful, maybe a bit cloudy during the day but always about 70-80 degrees. I'm not sure about the other places though. January is pretty ideal in my opinion, it's not too busy in the major tourist centers in most Mexico cities (it gets more crowded in February).

I do recommend venturing down the coast of the Yucatan. Lots of beautiful ruins and beaches and jungle south of Cancun, and they are unfortunately starting to overdevelop it with hotels so I would see it while it's still there! I think the area 1-2hrs south of Cancun (Playa del Carmen/Tulum area) is prettier and more authentic than Cancun. Cancun is like a Mexican Las Vegas, albeit much nicer to look at. ;)

Cancun in January is amazing.

Mexico City is COLD at night.. in the 40s F (Yes, that's cold to a socal boy). the city is something like 6000 ft above sea level which is why.

You could stick to the coastal areas in Baja Sur/Jalisco/Guerrero like in Ixtapa/Pto Vallarta/Acapluco, would be considerably warmer there.

Veracruz is another city you should consider seeing, It's a hike from Cancun or Mexico City (especially there, closer to Monterrey/Brownsville, TX) but it's a real colonial city.

Could end your trip in Cancun and hop one of the flights from there to Havana, lot of Americans start their Cuban trips via CUN.