Learn the best time of year to visit Puerto Vallarta plus what it’s REALLY like during rainy season.
Your experience in Puerto Vallarta can vary greatly depending on the time of year you visit. However, it’s not a given that you should plan your trip during peak season. With so many awesome things to do in Puerto Vallarta, it’s tough to go wrong.
After reading this post, you will know the best season to travel to Puerto Vallarta for the best weather, clear skies and warm temperatures.
Plus, you will learn the benefits of visiting Puerto Vallarta during the low season and what to expect from Puerto Vallarta weather during the “bad time” to visit.
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Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta
Regardless of when you decide to visit, you will of course need a place to stay in Puerto Vallarta.
From the hotel zone to more local areas like 5 de Diciembre, Puerto Vallarta is a big city with a lot of options for accommodation.
If it’s your first time traveling to Puerto Vallarta or you’re looking to take advantage of the city’s famous nightlife, I recommend staying in the Romantic Zone (Zona Romántica).
I stayed in the Romantic Zone on my first trip to Puerto Vallarta. There are lots of cafes, restaurants, shops & bars plus it’s an easy walk to the popular Los Muertos Beach.
Here are my picks for the best places to stay in the Romantic Zone in Puerto Vallarta:
Joint Coworking Hotel and Cowork
- Adult-only accommodation for travelers on a budget
- Clean air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms
- One of the best coworking spaces in Puerto Vallarta
- Click here to check the room rates for your date
- Adult-only accommodation with a pool for guests
- Spacious air-conditioned rooms with balconies
- Colorful decor and friendly staff
- Click here to check the room rates for your date
- Old-school Puerto Vallarta decor (very Instagrammable)
- Rooftop infinity pool and bar with incredible sunset views
- Convenient onsite breakfast available
- Click here to check the room rates for your date
- Gay-friendly lodging with a Sunday pool parties
- Swimming pool open 24 hours per day
- Breakfast included
- Click here to check the room rates for your date
High Season in Puerto Vallarta
The peak season in Puerto Vallarta is December through March.
Many people will tell you this is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta, and while the weather conditions are certainly ideal, this time of year is when Puerto Vallarta is at its most crowded.
International tourists and Mexicans alike travel to Puerto Vallarta during the winter months to escape the cold back home and celebrate winter holidays. Remember, Puerto Vallarta isn’t the only part of Jalisco worth visiting. The Costalegre has some incredible beaches & San Patricio Melaque doesn’t have the crowds of Puerto Vallarta.
If you’re set on visiting Puerto Vallarta during the high season, I recommend planning your trip for before Dec. 15 or after Jan. 6. Another option is to stay in one of the towns near Puerto Vallarta to avoid some of the craziness. Learn about all the best things to do in Bucerias!
Sometime in February is your best bet to avoid winter holidays as well as spring break.
Puerto Vallarta Weather in January
If you’re thinking about spending New Year’s Eve in Puerto Vallarta, don’t miss this roundup of the top nightlife spots in Puerto Vallarta.
January is when Puerto Vallarta is at its coolest with an average temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius).
Similarly, the sea temperatures are at their lowest with a minimum water temperature of 71 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius).
If you plan on doing a lot of water sports (snorkeling, scuba diving, etc.), it might be a good idea to consider planning your trip during a time with warm waters.
But, if you don’t mind slightly colder water temperatures, little to no rain means visibility is at its best this time of year in Puerto Vallarta for underwater activities like snorkeling.
The Best Month to Visit Puerto Vallarta
For good weather and affordable hotel prices, the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is between April and early June.
These are some of the driest months in Puerto Vallarta with little rainfall (if any), and you can enjoy clear skies with fewer crowds than during the high season.
Shoulder season takes advantage of the tail end of dry season, and the higher temperatures mean warm ocean temperatures.
For the best month to visit Puerto Vallarta, I recommend mid April.
Unlike the previous months of peak season, you will have fewer crowds to compete with for tables at the most popular beach clubs and restaurant reservations. Plus, this time of year is ideal because it’s just before it starts to get really hot.
That being said, April is the windiest month in Puerto Vallarta with an average wind speed of 6.8 miles per hour. Something to keep in mind if you plan to organize a boat ride.
My second choice for the best month to visit Puerto Vallarta is late November.
Wait until later in the month for dry weather since rainy season usually extends through the first couple weeks of November. You can expect an average high temperature in the upper 80s as well as relative humidity.
Puerto Vallarta Weather in June
June is the hottest month in Puerto Vallarta with an average temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). In late June, it’s likely that the rainy season will be underway.
As someone who has visited during the month of June, let me tell you that thanks to the humidity in Puerto Vallarta 81 degrees Fahrenheit feels like 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
If high temperatures don’t bother you though, June can be a fun month to visit Puerto Vallarta since many Mexicans take a holiday during the summer months making for lively nightlife.
Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta to See Humpback Whales
If the main reason for your trip to Puerto Vallarta is whale watching, the best time to visit is between December and March.
Banderas Bay is an important breeding and birthing ground for humpback whales.
Tip: If you want to see baby humpback whales, plan your trip closer to March. The closer you are to the end of the season, the more likely you are to see baby humpbacks.
Sea Turtle Hatching Season in Puerto Vallarta
There are many opportunities to learn about and enjoy the unique marine life in Puerto Vallarta.
One of the top experiences is participating in a baby sea turtle release.
The sea turtle hatching season is from June to December each year.
When is spring break in Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is a popular spring break destination for international travelers. Many resorts and hotels offer spring break packages.
The actual dates of spring break vary from university to university, but in general, Puerto Vallarta is inundated with college students during the month of March.
In March, you can expect warm days and cool evenings. The average high is in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit (28 to 29 degrees Celsius) while the average low is 62 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius).
During spring break, the water temperatures in Puerto Vallarta are warmer so it’s a great time for water activities such as snorkeling with sea turtles.
Holy Week in Puerto Vallarta
Mexican tourists flock to Puerto Vallarta in the two weeks surrounding Easter.
The week leading up to Easter is Semana Santa (Holy Week), and since school children are off and many workers have vacation, it’s a popular time for families to hit the beach.
In 2023, Holy Starts on Sunday, April 2 with Easter falling on Sunday, April 9.
Is there a “bad time” to visit Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta’s rainy season starts in September and lasts until mid-November.
The wettest month in Puerto Vallarta is September. On average, the city gets 16.9 inches of rain.
If you’re planning your trip for summer or fall, keep in mind that summer rains have the potential to worsen since it is hurricane season.
All that being said, I visited Puerto Vallarta the first week of September & it didn’t ran until the very last morning of our trip (even than it only drizzled). I did this awesome waterfall hike in Yelapa and the jungle was so lush!
Puerto Vallarta is on the Pacific Coast, and while the surrounding mountains do offer some protection, there’s always a chance that hurricanes or tropical storms could hit land.
Really though, rainy season in Puerto Vallarta isn’t as bad as you might think.
Generally, heavy rain doesn’t start until the late afternoons or evenings, so if you don’t mind waking up early, you can get in an almost full day of activities in good weather before the downpour.
Have a plan for rainy days. Possible activities include:
During the rainy season, daytime temperatures range from the mid 70s to high 80s.
Benefits of Visiting Puerto Vallarta During Low Season
For anyone willing to brave the rain, there are benefits to visiting Puerto Vallarta during low season.
Not only are there fewer tourists, but you’ll likely score a deal flights and accommodation. This is the perfect time for budget travelers to visit Puerto Vallarta.
Hotels prices are at their lowest during the summer months & many tour operators for popular activities like snorkeling offer discounts.
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Final Thought on the Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta weather is famously good, so there’s really not a bad time to visit. Puerto Vallarta’s average temperature for the year is around 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).
The ideal time to visit Puerto Vallarta will depend on personal preference.
For the best weather, it’s tough to beat December through March. However, this also happens to be high season.
Some people might try to tell you that the rainy season is a bad time to visit Puerto Vallarta. But, visiting during this time of year can mean fewer people and more affordable hotel prices.
As long as you plan you day around the heavy rains in the late afternoon, September, October and November are still a good time to visit Puerto Vallarta.
If you prefer the spring months, try to plan your trip for after spring break and Holy Week but before the hottest months.
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