The Best Time To Visit Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, season by season.

Whales in the bay and sun every day in winter. The driest, clearest skies in spring. Warm water and quiet beaches in summer. Evening storms and a jungle in full green during the rains, and fiestas all autumn. Puerto Vallarta never really has an off season — it just changes, and every month has its own reason to come.

WinterDec – Feb80–82°F days
SpringMar – May81–85°F days
SummerJun – Aug89–90°F days
The RainsJul – SepEvening storms
AutumnOct – Nov86–89°F days
The Sea75–86°FAll year round

The best time to visit? It depends what you love.

Banderas Bay from the terrace of Casa Romance Escondido in Old Town Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta sits at 20° north, on the Pacific coast of Mexico, where the Sierra Madre comes down to meet Banderas Bay. Its climate is tropical, with two seasons rather than four: a long dry season from November to May, and a warm, green rainy season from June to October. It is warm in every month — daytime highs stay between about 80 and 90°F all year — and the sea never gets cold.

What changes is the character of the town. Winter is bright, busy and full of whales. Spring is the sunniest and driest time of all. Summer is hot, humid and wonderfully quiet, with the warmest water of the year. The rains bring storms over the bay and a jungle in full green, and autumn gathers the fiestas, the festivals and the start of the season.

Casa Romance Escondido sits on the hillside of Old Town, a few short blocks from the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Malecón, with a terrace that looks straight out over the bay. Every season reaches us first: the whales spouting in January, the processions passing in December, the lightning over the water on a September night. Here is the year as we know it — month by month, with what to do, what to pack and what is happening — so you can choose the Puerto Vallarta that suits you.

A humpback whale breaching in front of whale-watching boats in Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta
WinterDecember – February
01Winter · December to February

Whales in the bay, sun on the terrace.

This is the Puerto Vallarta most people dream of. While the north is buried in snow, the bay is calm and blue, the air is dry, the sky is clear from morning to night, and the humpback whales are back from Alaska to breed and raise their calves.

80–82°FAverage highs
62–64°FAverage lows
75–77°FThe sea

Hundreds of humpbacks winter in Banderas Bay from December to late March, and they are often seen from the shore. December opens with the Fiestas Guadalupanas, twelve nights of processions to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe; Christmas and New Year bring fireworks over the Malecón. It is high season, the busiest and most sought-after time of the year, so the best dates go early.

What’s happening

  • Humpback whales and their calves in the bay
  • The Fiestas Guadalupanas, December 1 to 12
  • Christmas and New Year’s Eve fireworks over the bay
  • Dry, sunny days and cool, clear evenings

Don’t miss

  • A whale-watching trip on the bay
  • Sunset on the Malecón, then dinner in Old Town
  • Los Arcos and the coves of the south shore by boat
  • Saturday morning at the Old Town Farmers Market
At the houseThe Guadalupe processions pass a few short blocks from the door, and the bells, the drums and the mariachis drift up the hill each evening. Breakfast on the terrace in the winter sun, and keep an eye on the bay: the whales spout and breach in plain sight.

Pack Light summer clothes, a sweater for the evenings, sunscreen and good walking shoes for the cobblestones.

The Marietas Islands in Banderas Bay off Puerto Vallarta in the dry season
SpringMarch – May
02Spring · March to May

The driest skies, the longest sunsets.

Spring is the driest time of the year in Puerto Vallarta: barely a drop of rain from March to May, low humidity in the early months and long golden evenings on the water. The last of the whales leave in March, and the town settles into its sunniest stretch.

81–85°FAverage highs
63–71°FAverage lows
Almost noneRain, March to May

March and April are near-perfect for the beaches, the boats and the hiking trails of the south shore. Semana Santa, the week before Easter, is the big Mexican holiday at the beach, and the Malecón fills with families. May turns warmer and livelier: Vallarta Pride, Restaurant Week and the city’s own birthday on May 31, with the sea warming by the week.

What’s happening

  • The driest, clearest weather of the year
  • The last whales of the season in March
  • Semana Santa and Easter in Old Town
  • Vallarta Pride and Restaurant Week in May

Don’t miss

  • A day at the Marietas Islands
  • The coastal trail from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas
  • A sunset sail on the bay
  • Mirador de la Cruz at golden hour
At the houseSpring is terrace season: long lunches in the shade, the dipping pool in the afternoon and sundowners as the sky turns pink over the bay. Look out for the pirate ship’s fireworks after dark — the terrace is the best seat in town.

Pack Swimwear, a sun hat, reef-safe sunscreen and sandals you can walk the Malecón in.

Warm, clear summer water on the coast of Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta
SummerJune – August
03Summer · June to August

Warm water, a quieter town.

Summer is when Puerto Vallarta belongs to the people who love it. The crowds of winter have gone home, the sea is as warm as a bath, and the town slows to a gentle, local pace — mornings at the beach, long siestas, and evenings that stay warm until late.

89–90°FAverage highs
76–77°FAverage lows
82–86°FThe sea

June is the turning point: the heat and humidity build, and the first rains arrive in the second half of the month. From July most days follow the same pattern — sunshine in the morning, clouds in the afternoon and a storm in the evening or overnight. From mid-July the first sea turtles come ashore to nest on the beaches of the bay.

What’s happening

  • The warmest sea of the year for swimming and snorkelling
  • Quiet beaches and easy restaurant tables
  • The first sea turtles nesting on the bay’s beaches
  • Lush green hills after the first rains

Don’t miss

  • Snorkelling at Los Arcos on a calm morning
  • A boat to Yelapa and its waterfall
  • Fresh fish on a stick on Los Muertos beach
  • An early hike before the heat of the day
At the houseEvery room has air conditioning, running on the house’s own solar power. Spend the hot hours in the pool, then come up to the terrace for the breeze off the bay as the evening storms roll in over the mountains.

Pack Light cotton and linen, a refillable water bottle, mosquito repellent and a small umbrella.

Lightning over Banderas Bay on a rainy-season night, with the lights of Old Town Puerto Vallarta across the water
The RainsJuly – September
04The Rains · July to September

Tropical storms, a jungle in full green.

Puerto Vallarta’s rainy season runs from mid-June to mid-October, and most of the year’s rain falls in July, August and September. It rarely rains all day. The storms come in the evening and at night — short, heavy and spectacular, with lightning over the bay — and the mornings usually dawn bright and clear.

14.6 inSeptember, wettest month
EveningsWhen storms roll in
86°FWarmest sea, August

The Sierra Madre turns a deep emerald green, the rivers run full and the waterfalls at Yelapa and in the hills come alive. This is the hottest, most humid time of the year and the quietest for visitors. The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30; direct hits on the city are rare, but keep an eye on the forecast and consider travel insurance.

What’s happening

  • Sunny mornings, stormy evenings
  • Waterfalls and rivers at their fullest
  • Turtle nesting season on the beaches
  • Mexican Independence, the night of September 15

Play it safe

  • Plan boat trips and hikes for the morning
  • Never cross a flooded street or river — wait for it to drop
  • Check the weather each day in September
  • Travel insurance for stays between June and November
At the houseWatching a storm roll across the bay from the house is one of the great shows in Vallarta: the lightning over the bay, the rain on the old tiles and the cobbled lanes running with water, then the fresh, cool air after it has passed.

Pack A light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, sandals that can get wet and insect repellent for the evenings.

Sunset over Banderas Bay from Old Town Puerto Vallarta, with the crown of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
AutumnOctober – November
05Autumn · October to November

The rains ease, the fiestas begin.

Autumn is Puerto Vallarta’s secret season. The rains fade through October, the hills are still green, the sea is at its warmest, and by November the air turns drier and the days settle into the warm, sunny pattern that lasts all winter.

86–89°FAverage highs
69–75°FAverage lows
81–84°FThe sea

November is one of the loveliest months of the year: the weather of winter, without the crowds of winter. It is also the town’s festival season, from the altars and marigolds of Día de Muertos at the start of the month to the Festival Gourmet International in mid-November, when the restaurants of Vallarta cook with visiting chefs from around the world.

What’s happening

  • Día de Muertos, October 31 to November 2
  • Festival Gourmet International, mid-November
  • Revolution Day parade, November 20
  • Turtle releases at sunset on the beaches

Don’t miss

  • The altars and catrinas along the Malecón
  • A tasting dinner during the Gourmet Festival
  • A sunset turtle release with a local camp
  • Snorkelling in the warm, clear water of the south shore
At the houseBy November the terrace is back to its best: warm days, soft evenings and the Fiestas Guadalupanas only weeks away. Ask Guy about private dinners at the house during the Gourmet Festival — a chef can be arranged with a day’s notice.

Pack Summer clothes, a light layer for the evenings, and an appetite.

06Month By Month

Puerto Vallarta weather, month by month.

Average daytime highs and night-time lows, monthly rainfall and the temperature of the sea, with what each month brings. The swing from day to night is gentle on the coast — about 18°F in winter and 13°F in summer — so a light layer is all you need for the evenings.

JanuaryWinter
80° / 62°F27° / 17°C
Rain 1.3 inSea 75°F

Dry, sunny and comfortable. Whales in the bay, and the busiest weeks of high season.

FebruaryWinter
80° / 62°F27° / 17°C
Rain 0.2 inSea 75°F

Clear skies, cool evenings and calves with their mothers in the bay. Still high season.

MarchSpring
81° / 63°F27° / 17°C
Rain 0.1 inSea 73°F

The driest month, with the coolest sea of the year. The last whales head north. Spring break.

AprilSpring
82° / 66°F28° / 19°C
Rain 0.1 inSea 75°F

Sunny and dry, with long evenings. Semana Santa brings Mexican families to the beach.

MaySpring
85° / 71°F29° / 22°C
Rain 0.6 inSea 77°F

Warmer and quieter. Vallarta Pride, Restaurant Week and the city’s birthday on May 31.

JuneSummer
89° / 77°F32° / 25°C
Rain 7.4 inSea 82°F

Heat and humidity build; the first rains arrive late in the month. Low season begins.

JulyThe Rains
90° / 77°F32° / 25°C
Rain 12.9 inSea 84°F

Sunny mornings and evening storms. The hills turn green and the first turtles nest.

AugustThe Rains
90° / 76°F32° / 24°C
Rain 12.3 inSea 86°F

Hot and humid, with the warmest sea of the year. Waterfalls at their best.

SeptemberThe Rains
90° / 76°F32° / 24°C
Rain 14.6 inSea 84°F

The wettest month and the quietest in town. Independence night on September 15.

OctoberAutumn
89° / 75°F32° / 24°C
Rain 3.7 inSea 84°F

The rains ease through the month. Green hills, warm sea, and Día de Muertos at the end.

NovemberAutumn
86° / 69°F30° / 21°C
Rain 0.8 inSea 81°F

Dry, sunny and lovely. The Festival Gourmet International and the start of the season.

DecemberWinter
82° / 64°F28° / 18°C
Rain 0.9 inSea 77°F

The whales return and the Fiestas Guadalupanas fill Old Town. Christmas on the Malecón.

Averages from the World Meteorological Organization’s long-term climate normals for Puerto Vallarta; sea temperatures are typical monthly averages for Banderas Bay. Individual days can be warmer or cooler.

07Fiestas & Festivals

Plan your dates around a fiesta.

Puerto Vallarta keeps its traditions, and several of the biggest happen right on our doorstep in Old Town. Each card shows when it happens and how far it is from the house.

The crowned tower of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Old Town Puerto Vallarta Dec 1–123 blocks
December 1–12

Fiestas Guadalupanas

Twelve nights of processions along Juárez to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe: dancers, drums, floats and mariachis, ending with the great pilgrimage of December 12.

The heart of Old Town · Every evening
Fireworks over Banderas Bay and the Malecon on New Year’s Eve, Puerto Vallarta Dec 31Malecón
December 24–January 1

Christmas & New Year

Posadas, nativity scenes and midnight Mass in Old Town, then New Year’s Eve on the Malecón, with fireworks over the bay at midnight.

Old Town & the Malecón · A short walk downhill
The parade during Vallarta Pride 1 weekMalecón
Late May

Vallarta Pride

A week of parties, beach events and a parade along the Malecón in one of the most welcoming cities in Mexico.

Malecón & Zona Romántica
Fireworks over Puerto Vallarta for Mexican Independence Sep 15Main square
September 15–16

Mexican Independence

On the night of September 15 the main square fills for El Grito, the cry of independence, followed by fireworks, music and a parade the next day.

Plaza de Armas · By the church
Day of the Dead altars and marigolds in Puerto Vallarta Nov 1–2Malecón
October 31–November 2

Día de Muertos

Altars of marigolds and candles, sugar skulls and catrinas: the town remembers its families with colour, music and food rather than mourning.

Old Town & the Malecón
A chef plating a dish during the Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta 10 daysOld Town
Mid-November

Festival Gourmet International

Mexico’s longest-running food festival: Vallarta’s best restaurants cook with guest chefs from around the world, with tasting menus and wine dinners.

Restaurants across the city
08Best Time For

Choose your Puerto Vallarta by what you love.

Everyone has a favourite season here. Start with what you want to do, and the calendar will tell you when to come.

Whale watchingDecember – March

Humpbacks and their calves in Banderas Bay, often seen from the shore.

Beach weatherNovember – May

Dry, sunny days in the low to mid 80s°F, and almost no rain from February to May.

Warm-water snorkellingJuly – October

The sea reaches 84–86°F. Go out on calm mornings, before the afternoon clouds.

Sea turtlesAugust – December

Nesting season on the beaches of the bay, with sunset hatchling releases.

FiestasSeptember · November · December

Independence night, Día de Muertos and the Fiestas Guadalupanas.

Food loversNovember · May

The Festival Gourmet International in November and Restaurant Week in May.

Jungle & waterfallsJuly – October

The Sierra Madre at its greenest, with the rivers and waterfalls running full.

Quiet streetsJune – October

Low season: the town at its most local, and the easiest tables in Old Town.

09Questions

Puerto Vallarta weather, answered.

What is the best time of year to visit Puerto Vallarta?

For sunshine and dry weather, November to May, when days are in the low to mid 80s°F and it almost never rains. December to March adds the humpback whales. For warm water, quiet beaches and green hills, come in summer or early autumn and enjoy the evening storms. Puerto Vallarta is a true year-round destination.

When is whale season in Puerto Vallarta?

Humpback whales spend the winter in Banderas Bay from December to late March, when they breed and raise their calves. They are often seen from the shore, and whale-watching trips leave daily from the marina and the Los Muertos pier.

When is the rainy season in Puerto Vallarta?

From mid-June to mid-October, with most of the rain in July, August and September. Storms usually come in the evening or at night and pass quickly, so mornings are often sunny. From November to May it hardly rains at all.

Should I worry about hurricanes in Puerto Vallarta?

The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30, with the most activity in late summer and early autumn. Direct hits on Puerto Vallarta are rare, but it is wise to watch the forecast and buy travel insurance for summer and autumn stays.

How warm is the ocean in Puerto Vallarta?

The sea is warm enough to swim all year: around 73–77°F from December to May, and 82–86°F from June to October, with August the warmest.

When is Puerto Vallarta busiest?

From mid-December to Easter, and above all over Christmas, New Year and Semana Santa (the week before Easter). For those dates, book your stay several months ahead. The quietest months are June to October.

What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta at Christmas?

Sunny, dry and comfortable: highs around 82°F and evenings in the mid 60s°F. December also brings the Fiestas Guadalupanas, the whales and fireworks over the bay on New Year’s Eve.

Is Casa Romance Escondido comfortable in the summer?

Yes. There is air conditioning in every room, running on the house’s own solar power, and the pool and the terrace breeze off the bay do the rest.

Book Direct

Every season starts on the terrace.

Whales in winter, sunsets in spring, warm water in summer, storms over the bay in September. Four bedrooms for up to ten, a heated pool and spa, and a terrace above Banderas Bay in the heart of Old Town — booked direct with Guy & Patricia.

Check your dates