Mexico, North America

Puerto Vallarta in December

Whale season opens and the Guadalupe festival fills the Centro with nightly processions through the 12th. Christmas to New Year is peak pricing.

BestDry, highs near 83F (28C), comfortable nights

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

The straight answer

December is one of the best months of the year to visit Puerto Vallarta. Whale season opens and the Guadalupe festival fills the Centro with nightly processions through the 12th. Christmas to New Year is peak pricing.

Weather: Dry, highs near 83F (28C), comfortable nights
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Puerto Vallarta

December is dry and sunny, with highs near 83F (28C) and comfortable nights. Whale season opens in Banderas Bay, and from December 1 to 12 the Fiestas de la Virgen de Guadalupe bring nightly processions of dancers and pilgrims to the church in the Centro. Christmas to New Year is the busiest, most expensive stretch of the whole year.

December suits families, couples, and anyone who wants festive energy with beach weather. The first half of the month is better value and still has the Guadalupe processions. If you want lower prices with the same weather, book the early weeks and avoid the holiday stretch.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Puerto Vallarta this month.

Guadalupe processions

From December 1 to 12, neighborhood groups, businesses, and dancers walk to the church each night, ending in a huge celebration on December 12.

Whale season begins

Humpbacks start arriving in the bay, and early trips often catch the first mothers and calves.

Holiday lights on the Malecon

Evenings are warm, festive, and perfect for a waterfront stroll.

What to pack for December

A light sweater for cooler nights
Comfortable shoes for crowded processions
Reef-safe sunscreen
Binoculars for whale spotting

Our timing tip

Go in the first two weeks of December to catch the Guadalupe processions at lower prices, and book Christmas week months in advance.

Book Puerto Vallarta for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Puerto Vallarta
Opens a hotel search for Puerto Vallarta in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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 December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

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.

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 December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta in December?

Dry, highs near 83F (28C), comfortable nights.

Is Puerto Vallarta crowded in December?

Puerto Vallarta is busy in December, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Puerto Vallarta in December?

Humpback whale season (december through march); Fiestas de la Virgen de Guadalupe (december 1 to 12 every year); Sea turtle hatching season (roughly july through december).