Mexico, North America
The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta
A real Mexican town wrapped around a jungle-backed bay, best when the rains stop and the whales arrive.
- Best months
- Dec to Mar
- Think twice
- Sep
- Quietest
- September
- Cheapest
- September
The straight answer
The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is November through April, the dry season, with December through March adding humpback whales in Banderas Bay and the most comfortable weather of the year.
Go between November and April. Puerto Vallarta's dry season means blue skies nearly every day, highs in the low to mid 80sF (27C to 29C), and warm evenings on the Malecon. From December through March, humpback whales come into Banderas Bay to calve, and you can often see them from the waterfront. Late January through February is the sweet spot: whales, reliable weather, and a lull between the holidays and spring break.
The rainy season runs roughly June through October, and it changes the town. Humidity climbs, highs sit near 90F (32C) with sticky nights, and storms usually roll in during the evening or overnight rather than all day. The jungle behind town turns deep green, the waterfalls run, and prices drop sharply. September is the wettest and quietest month, and some restaurants close for a few weeks. Hurricanes are a real but less frequent threat here than on the Caribbean side; the bay has taken hits, most notably Hurricane Kenna in 2002.
What sets Vallarta apart from purpose-built resort zones is that it is a working city with a cobblestone old town. The Zona Romantica south of the river is walkable, lively, and one of the most welcoming LGBTQ+ destinations in Latin America. North of town, the Hotel Zone and Marina hold the big resorts, and farther up the bay, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, and Sayulita each offer a different flavor. The south shore beaches like Yelapa are reached mostly by boat.
Puerto Vallarta, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryBestDry and sunny, highs near 81F (27C), pleasant nights near 62F (17C)Whale season and ideal weather. The first week is busy with holiday travelers; after that, a great month.Hotels for January →CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryBestDry, highs near 81F (27C)Peak whale activity and the most reliable sunshine. Ocean is a touch cool, near 73F (23C).Hotels for February →CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchBestDry, highs near 82F (28C)Still excellent, with whales around through most of the month. Spring break and Semana Santa, when it falls in March, push crowds and prices up.Hotels for March →CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilGoodDry, highs near 84F (29C)Whales mostly gone, but dry, warm, and easing off in price after Easter week. Semana Santa fills the beaches with Mexican families.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayGoodDry, highs near 87F (31C), humidity creeping upLast dry month and a real value pick. Vallarta Pride takes over the Zona Romantica for a week of events.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneQuiet valueHot and humid, highs near 89F (32C), rains starting late monthThe rainy season begins, usually with evening storms. Lower prices and green hills; hot midday.CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyTradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 90F (32C), frequent night stormsMexican summer holidays keep hotels fairly busy. Sea turtle nesting and hatching season is underway on nearby beaches.CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustTradeoffsHot and very humid, highs near 91F (33C), heavy stormsSteamy and wet, especially at night. Deep discounts and green jungle, but you are in hurricane season.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberThink twiceHottest and wettest, highs near 91F (33C), frequent downpoursThe rainiest month and peak storm risk. Some restaurants close for a few weeks. Mexican Independence on the night of September 15 is the bright spot.CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberQuiet valueHot, highs near 90F (32C), rains taperingRains fade through the month and the town gets ready for the season. Still humid, but a good value window later in the month.CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberGoodDrying out, highs near 88F (31C)Dry season returns, the jungle is still lush, and the whales start arriving by late month or early December. Thanksgiving week is busy.Hotels for November →CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberBestDry, highs near 83F (28C), comfortable nightsWhale season opens and the Guadalupe festival fills the Centro with nightly processions through the 12th. Christmas to New Year is peak pricing.Hotels for December →CrowdsPrice
Book Puerto Vallarta for December.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for December
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Puerto VallartaOpens a hotel search for Puerto Vallarta in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Puerto VallartaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Puerto VallartaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Puerto Vallarta for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Puerto Vallarta
A real town, not a resort strip
The cobblestone Centro, the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Malecon sculptures, and the Zona Romantica's taco stands make Vallarta a place to walk, not just a hotel you sleep in.
Whales in the bay
Banderas Bay is one of the humpback's calving grounds. From December through March, mothers and calves are close enough to see from shore and easy to reach by boat.
Jungle and ocean in the same afternoon
The Sierra Madre drops straight into the bay. Boat-only beaches like Yelapa, hiking trails to hidden coves, and the Vallarta Botanical Garden all sit within an hour.
Easy access and good value
Short nonstop flights from many US cities, a walkable town, and food that ranges from street tacos to serious restaurants at prices that still beat most beach destinations.
Things to do, and when to do them
The Malecon and Centro
Walk the waterfront at sunset, then climb into the old town to the Guadalupe church's crown. Evenings are when the Malecon comes alive.
Whale watching in Banderas Bay
December through March. Go with a licensed operator; many trips leave from the Marina and Nuevo Vallarta.
Zona Romantica and Los Muertos Beach
The liveliest neighborhood in town, with the pier, beach bars, and the best walking-and-eating streets.
Yelapa and the south shore
A water taxi from Los Muertos pier reaches Yelapa, Las Animas, and Quimixto. Yelapa's waterfall walk and slow village pace make a great day.
Vallarta Botanical Garden
About 30 minutes south in the mountains, with orchids, a river to swim in, and good birding. Best in the green season or early in the dry season.
Marietas Islands
A protected national park with strict daily limits; the famous hidden beach requires a permit and a licensed tour. Book ahead in high season.
Sayulita and the Riviera Nayarit
About an hour north: surf town energy, boutiques, and beach clubs. Go midweek to avoid weekend traffic.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Humpback whale season
December through March
Humpbacks calve and court in Banderas Bay. January and February are the most active weeks.
Fiestas de la Virgen de Guadalupe
December 1 to 12 every year
Nightly pilgrimages of neighborhood groups, businesses, and dancers walk to the church, ending in a huge celebration on December 12.
Vallarta Pride
Late May, most years
A week of parties, a parade along the Malecon, and events across the Zona Romantica. Hotels in the area fill up.
Sea turtle hatching season
Roughly July through December
Olive ridley turtles nest on area beaches. Local conservation camps run evening hatchling releases, which are a highlight for kids.
Mexican Independence Day
Night of September 15 and September 16
The Grito in the main plaza, fireworks, and a parade. A lively night in an otherwise quiet month.
Beat the crowds
- Avoid Christmas to New Year and the Semana Santa week; the rest of the dry season is busy but manageable.
- Take whale-watching and Marietas trips on the first departure of the morning, when the bay is calm and boats are fewer.
- Late April and May give you dry weather and much lower prices after the Easter rush.
- Stay in the Zona Romantica or Centro rather than the Hotel Zone if you want to walk everywhere and skip taxis.
Open or closed
- September into early October: some restaurants and smaller hotels close for staff vacation or renovation. Call ahead for specific places.
- Whale tours only run from December to March. Outside those months, the humpbacks are gone.
- The Marietas Islands are periodically closed for environmental recovery and have daily visitor caps. Check with licensed tour operators before you plan around them.
- Hurricane season runs June through November, peaking August to October. Direct hits are uncommon, but storms can disrupt flights and boat tours.
With kids in tow
- Nuevo Vallarta and the northern bay beaches are calmer and flatter, which suits young swimmers better than the waves near Mismaloya or the Pacific-facing north shore.
- Whale watching and turtle releases are genuinely memorable for kids. Turtle releases happen in the rainy season, whales in winter; pick the one that matches your dates.
- The rainy season's humidity and heat are tough for small children midday. Plan pool and beach time for mornings and late afternoons.
- For homeschool families, Vallarta pairs marine biology with Mexican history and Spanish practice in a town that is easy to navigate on foot.
Getting there
- Puerto Vallarta International (PVR) sits just north of the Hotel Zone and has nonstops from many US hubs, including Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, and Atlanta, with more seasonal service in winter.
- From Texas: nonstops from Houston and Dallas run year-round; Austin and San Antonio have had seasonal service in recent winters.
- The airport is 10 to 30 minutes from most of town. Nuevo Vallarta and Bucerias are a short ride north, Sayulita about an hour.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Puerto Vallarta for the holidays
Holiday and school-break weeks where Puerto Vallarta makes our ranked list.
Puerto Vallarta timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Puerto Vallarta?
February. Dry, sunny, highs near 81F (27C), and peak whale season in the bay. January and March are close behind.
What is the cheapest time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
September, followed by August and early October. You trade humid heat, nightly storms, and hurricane risk for the lowest rates of the year.
When is the rainy season in Puerto Vallarta?
Roughly June through October, with September the wettest. Rain usually comes in evening or overnight storms, so mornings are often clear.
When is whale season in Puerto Vallarta?
December through March, peaking in January and February. Humpback mothers and calves are often visible from the Malecon.
Is Puerto Vallarta safe from hurricanes?
It is less exposed than many coastal resorts because of the bay's shape, and direct hits are uncommon, but storms do reach it. The riskiest window is August through October.
Is Puerto Vallarta crowded at Christmas?
Yes. The last two weeks of December and the first days of January are the busiest and most expensive stretch of the year. Book months ahead.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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