Discover the Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Timing can make all the difference when visiting Puerto Vallarta, a wildly popular resort known for its sublime jungle-backed beaches and emerald waters, tucked onto Mexico’s Pacific coast.
The pleasantly cool and dry winter and spring months can cost you a pretty peso, but an epic whale-watching experience might warrant the peak-season splurge. The sultry summer months, in contrast, are a bargain hunter’s dream, as long as you don’t mind the heat and more frequent rainy days.
Autumn brings Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a uniquely atmospheric Mexican tradition in which families pay respect to deceased loved ones by laying out colorful altars decked with offerings for the departed, coinciding with low prices and increasingly sunny weather.
Deciding when to visit Puerto Vallarta will depend on your budget, the experiences on your bucket list, and how much sunshine you expect for your peso. Whether you’re looking to see the wildlife, soak up the sun, or experience local culture, here’s the lowdown on the best time to go.
High season is the best time for whale-watching (December to April)
Many folks visit Puerto Vallarta from December to March when thousands of humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Banderas Bay for the mating season. There’s a definite wow factor in getting up close to these majestic creatures as they leap out of the sea. Tour companies run four-hour whale-watching outings using boats equipped with hydrophones (underwater microphones that let you listen in on the whales’ mesmerizing mating calls). There’s even a small chance of spotting a whale shark or gray whale this time of year.
Weather-wise, these are the coolest and driest months, providing ideal conditions for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. With warm but not scorching daytime temperatures, this is prime time for lolling on those lovely sandy beaches. A winter visit comes at a price; however, travel can get downright expensive as snowbirds flock from the north.
For the best diving, visit during shoulder season (May to August)
The hot summer months bring warm water temperatures and excellent visibility to Banderas Bay, making it arguably the best time to explore Puerto Vallarta’s prime diving sites, though rain becomes more common from June onwards. Dive shops run snorkeling excursions to serene palm-fringed coves and scuba outings to remote islands, where you can glide in the company of giant manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and pods of wild dolphins.
Once the city gets spring break out of its system in March, prices become more manageable. You can snag hotel deals throughout May and June, except for the last week of May when the spirited Vallarta Pride fest takes over the city. Hotels fill up particularly fast in the gay-friendly Zona Romántica, Mexico’s most thriving gay beach destination. In July and August, hotel rates gradually increase over the Mexican vacation period, though they’re still well down from the winter peak season.
Low season is the best time to experience Puerto Vallarta like a local (September to November)
Not only is fall one of the most affordable times to visit, but it’s also colorful, as Mexicans celebrate the nation’s Independence Day on September 16 (and the evening before) and Día de Muertos on the first days of November. Halloween on October 31 also gets some love in Puerto Vallarta’s gringo-friendly restaurants and bars. Note that inbound flights to Mexico can be more expensive during the celebrations.
The weather remains hot and sticky, but the warm waters and increasingly sunny days are highly conducive to swimming and snorkeling, allowing you to enjoy the experience without the crowds. However, be ready for some disruption as locals switch their attention from catering to tourists to spending time with family during this time.
Monthly Guide to Puerto Vallarta
January: Expensive, but with great weather
Relatively cool weather makes this one of the best times of the year to visit, with the caveat that it comes with a hefty high-season price tag.
February: Peak whale-watching season
Temperatures remain delightfully cool while still warm enough for time on the beach. February marks the height of whale-watching season as humpback and gray whales congregate on Banderas Bay for mating.
March: Begins spring break madness
The really busy season arrives with warmer weather as Puerto Vallarta gears up for spring break madness.
April: Crowds and high prices
The mercury continues to rise, but it remains fairly dry. Semana Santa (Holy Week) sees crowded beaches and exorbitant hotel prices.
May: Hosts a major Pride fiesta
Visitors come from far and wide for Vallarta Pride in late May, a weeklong fiesta filled with parades and street parties. Hotels in the gay-friendly Zona Romántica are often booked months in advance.
June: A good month for bargains
The rainy season begins, bringing heavy afternoon downpours but mostly sunny mornings, making it a great month to grab hotel deals.
July: Increased local tourism
The muggy summer heat carries over into July as the busy Mexican vacation season begins, bringing many local tourists.
August: Steamy and hot
August is one of Vallarta’s hottest and wettest months, and domestic tourists continue to flock for summer vacations.
September: Celebrations abound
Puerto Vallarta celebrates Independence Day with fireworks and vibrant nightlife on September 16.
October: Hot but less rainy
The heat persists, but rainfall begins to diminish. End of the month festivities allow comparison of Halloween and Día de Muertos celebrations.
November: Embrace Día de Muertos
As the rainy season winds down and colorful Día de Muertos altars appear across town, it’s hard to imagine a better spot to soak up one of Mexico’s richest traditions.
December: Busy winter holiday season
The temperature drops slightly with the winter holiday season approaching, but deals can still be found in early December.
