Mexico, North America

Puerto Vallarta in August

Steamy and wet, especially at night. Deep discounts and green jungle, but you are in hurricane season.

TradeoffsHot and very humid, highs near 91F (33C), heavy storms

Los Arcos marine park, Puerto Vallarta — Puerto VallartaPhoto: Andrew Milligan sumo, CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Puerto Vallarta. Steamy and wet, especially at night. Deep discounts and green jungle, but you are in hurricane season.

Weather: Hot and very humid, highs near 91F (33C), heavy storms
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What August is like in Puerto Vallarta

August is steamy and wet in Puerto Vallarta. Highs are near 91F (33C), the humidity is heavy, and storms often roll in at night, sometimes with loud thunder and downpours. Mornings are usually usable for beach time. Crowds are light and discounts are deep, but you are in hurricane season, and the risk grows toward the end of the month.

August suits flexible, heat-tolerant couples and bargain hunters who can book refundable. Families with small kids and anyone who wants easy, dry days should look elsewhere. For a better balance of price and weather, try late April, May, or November.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Puerto Vallarta this month.

Deep discounts

Some of the lowest hotel rates of the year, often at the nicer beachfront properties.

Turtle hatchling season

Olive ridley turtles are nesting and hatching on local beaches, and conservation camps welcome visitors at releases.

Lush jungle views

The Sierra Madre is at its greenest, which makes the drive to the Vallarta Botanical Garden especially pretty.

What to pack for August

A packable rain shell
Breathable, quick-dry clothes
Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
A power bank for storm outages

Our timing tip

Do outdoor plans before noon and book refundable rooms and flights, checking the Eastern Pacific forecasts in the week before you fly.

Book Puerto Vallarta for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Puerto Vallarta
Opens a hotel search for Puerto Vallarta in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Puerto Vallarta
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Puerto Vallarta for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

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.

Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Full guide

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.

Tickets and tours →

Whale watching in Banderas Bay

December through March. Go with a licensed operator; many trips leave from the Marina and Nuevo Vallarta.

Tickets and tours →

Zona Romantica and Los Muertos Beach

The liveliest neighborhood in town, with the pier, beach bars, and the best walking-and-eating streets.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Know before you go

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.

Puerto Vallarta in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Puerto Vallarta. Steamy and wet, especially at night. Deep discounts and green jungle, but you are in hurricane season.

What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta in August?

Hot and very humid, highs near 91F (33C), heavy storms.

Is Puerto Vallarta crowded in August?

August is one of the quieter months in Puerto Vallarta; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Puerto Vallarta in August?

Sea turtle hatching season (roughly july through december).