Puerto Vallarta is one of those rare destinations that genuinely doesn't have a bad time to visit. But there is a best time — and it depends entirely on what you're looking for. After coordinating thousands of transfers and charters across every month of the year, we know exactly what to expect when. Here's the honest, month-by-month guide from people who actually live here.
✦ Quick answer
The absolute best months are November through April — dry, warm, and perfect weather. If budget matters, May and October are the sweet spot: still beautiful, far fewer crowds, and significantly cheaper. Avoid mid-August through mid-September if you're sensitive to humidity and rain.
Puerto Vallarta's two seasons — the real story
Forget what you've read about "rainy season being terrible." PV's rainy season (June–October) has a bad reputation that it doesn't entirely deserve. Yes, it rains — but mostly in the afternoons and evenings, in intense bursts that clear quickly. Mornings are typically clear and beautiful. The vegetation turns impossibly green, the waterfalls are full, and the beaches are empty.
The dry season (November–May) is when PV shines brightest. The air is clean, the ocean is calm, temperatures are ideal, and the entire tourist infrastructure is firing on all cylinders. This is when the whales arrive, the whale sharks cruise the bay, and every restaurant is open.
Dry Season
November — May
- Perfect weather — sunny, warm, low humidity
- Humpback whales in Banderas Bay (Dec–Mar)
- All restaurants and venues open
- Ideal for yacht charters and water activities
- International film festival (March)
Green Season
June — October
- Prices drop 30–50% on hotels and services
- Beaches are uncrowded and tranquil
- Lush green jungle at its most beautiful
- Warm ocean water, excellent snorkeling
- Rain mostly afternoons — mornings still perfect
Month-by-month: what to actually expect
January
Peak Season🌡 Highs 28°C / 82°F · Lows 18°C / 64°F
Post-holiday crowds, perfect dry weather, humpback whales at peak numbers. Most expensive month for accommodation.
✦ Best whale watching of the year
February
Peak Season🌡 Highs 29°C / 84°F · Lows 18°C / 64°F
Valentine's season, warm and dry, whales still active. February is arguably the single best month weather-wise. Crowds slightly thinner than January.
✦ Perfect weather, whales, romance
March
Peak Season🌡 Highs 30°C / 86°F · Lows 20°C / 68°F
Spring break brings US college crowds mid-month. Film festival adds culture. Still beautiful weather, slightly warmer.
✦ PV International Film Festival
April
Shoulder🌡 Highs 31°C / 88°F · Lows 22°C / 72°F
Semana Santa (Holy Week) brings Mexican families. Gets warm and humid by end of month. Still dry season, good value.
✦ Great value before green season
May
Sweet Spot🌡 Highs 32°C / 90°F · Lows 24°C / 75°F
One of our favorite months. Hot and sunny, beaches nearly empty, prices drop 30–40%, occasional afternoon shower. Whale sharks in the bay.
✦ Best value month of the year
June
Green Season🌡 Highs 32°C / 90°F · Lows 25°C / 77°F
Rainy season begins. Afternoons bring dramatic storms, but mornings are sunny. Jungle is lush and gorgeous. Excellent for budget travelers.
✦ 40–50% cheaper than peak
July
Green Season🌡 Highs 32°C / 90°F · Lows 26°C / 79°F
Mexican school holidays bring domestic tourism. Hot and humid. Rain mostly evenings. Great for families from Mexico City who love PV.
✦ Lively domestic crowd
August
Green Season🌡 Highs 33°C / 91°F · Lows 27°C / 81°F
Hottest and most humid month. Heaviest rainfall. Still fine for beach mornings. Best prices of the year. Some restaurants close for maintenance.
✦ Lowest prices, not for heat-sensitive travelers
September
Green Season🌡 Highs 32°C / 90°F · Lows 26°C / 79°F
Hurricane season peak (though direct hits are rare). Quietest month of the year. If you want PV almost entirely to yourself, this is it.
✦ Quietest, most private month
October
Sweet Spot🌡 Highs 31°C / 88°F · Lows 25°C / 77°F
Rain tapering off, everything still green and beautiful, prices still low but quality picks up. Día de los Muertos celebrations are extraordinary.
✦ Día de los Muertos — unmissable
November
Peak Season🌡 Highs 29°C / 84°F · Lows 22°C / 72°F
Dry season returns. Everything opens up, whales start arriving in Banderas Bay. PV Restaurant Week, International Gourmet Festival. Perfect conditions.
✦ Gourmet Festival + whale season begins
December
Peak Season🌡 Highs 28°C / 82°F · Lows 18°C / 64°F
Christmas and New Year's bring the year's biggest crowds. Book everything 3–4 months ahead. Most festive month — the entire city decorates elaborately.
✦ Most festive, book very far ahead
The detailed weather table
| Month | Avg High | Rain | Ocean Temp | Crowds | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C / 82°F | None | 24°C / 75°F | Very High | Whale watching, beach |
| February | 29°C / 84°F | None | 24°C / 75°F | High | Romance, perfect weather |
| March | 30°C / 86°F | Trace | 25°C / 77°F | High | Film festival, spring break |
| April | 31°C / 88°F | Occasional | 26°C / 79°F | Medium | Semana Santa, value |
| May | 32°C / 90°F | Light | 27°C / 81°F | Low | Best value, whale sharks |
| June | 32°C / 90°F | Moderate | 28°C / 82°F | Low | Budget, lush scenery |
| July | 32°C / 90°F | Heavy aft. | 29°C / 84°F | Medium | Domestic families |
| August | 33°C / 91°F | Heaviest | 29°C / 84°F | Low | Lowest prices, solitude |
| September | 32°C / 90°F | Heavy | 29°C / 84°F | Very Low | Complete solitude |
| October | 31°C / 88°F | Tapering | 28°C / 84°F | Low | Día de los Muertos, value |
| November | 29°C / 84°F | Rare | 27°C / 81°F | Medium | Gourmet festival, whales |
| December | 28°C / 82°F | None | 25°C / 77°F | Very High | Holidays, festive atmosphere |
Best time for specific activities
🐋 Whale watching
Humpback whales arrive in Banderas Bay between December and March, with January and February being the absolute peak. The bay is one of the premier humpback whale sanctuaries in the Pacific — they come to breed and give birth. A private yacht charter in January or February virtually guarantees a whale sighting.
🤿 Snorkeling & diving
November through May offers the clearest water visibility and calmest conditions. Los Arcos National Marine Park is best accessed in this window. That said, the warm water during green season (June–October) means excellent snorkeling even when it rains — the rain doesn't affect underwater visibility.
🎣 Sport fishing
Puerto Vallarta is world-class fishing year-round, but peak season varies by species. Dorado (mahi-mahi) peaks June–October. Marlin and sailfish peak November–May. Yellowfin tuna runs almost year-round. Our fishing charters go out 365 days a year.
🌊 Surfing
The best surf is during the green season (May–October) when Pacific swells pick up. Sayulita and Punta de Mita are the main breaks. The dry season has smaller, more consistent waves — better for beginners.
💍 Weddings & events
November through April is ideal — guaranteed good weather, all venues open, and reliable sunset timing for outdoor ceremonies. December and March book up 12–18 months in advance for the best venues. If budget matters, October and early November offer incredible value with beautiful weather.
🥂 Bachelorette parties
Any month works beautifully, but November through April is peak bachelorette season for a reason. If your group wants empty beaches and a more private experience, May and October are excellent. See our full Puerto Vallarta vs Cabo bachelorette guide.
Our honest recommendation by traveler type
- First-time visitors: Go in February or March. Perfect weather, all services operating, and the city at its most vibrant without the Christmas/New Year price spike.
- Budget travelers: May and October are the best-kept secrets. Beautiful, affordable, and uncrowded. You'll feel like you have the whole bay to yourself.
- Honeymooners: February is the obvious choice. Warm nights, calm water, whales, and every restaurant doing something special for Valentine's.
- Families: December (early, before Christmas) or April (before Semana Santa). Schools are out, weather is perfect, and kids can experience real Mexico.
- Corporate groups: November is ideal — great weather, post-rainy season freshness, and hotels are offering competitive rates before the December rush.
- Nature lovers: October brings Día de los Muertos, waterfalls at full force, green jungle, and some of the most dramatic sunsets of the year.
- Whale watchers: January. No question. Book your private charter early.
"The secret that locals know: May and October in Puerto Vallarta are better than peak season in almost any other beach destination in the world. The water is warm, the beaches are empty, and you'll spend half as much."
Practical tips: before you book
- Book transfers early: During peak season (Dec–Mar), private airport transfers fill up fast. Book your Sprinter or SUV at least 2 weeks ahead.
- Yacht charters in January: Book 3–4 weeks in advance minimum. Whale watching season means every available yacht is in demand.
- December 20–January 5: This is the most expensive window. Hotels triple in price. Book 6 months ahead or don't go during this specific window.
- Semana Santa (Holy Week): The beaches fill with Mexican families. Expect traffic, noise, and high energy. Fun if you embrace it, frustrating if you don't.
- Group transportation: For any group of 6+ during peak season, book your Sprinter van and coordinator well in advance. Availability is limited December–March.
- Hurricane season reality check: Hurricanes rarely hit PV directly — the bay's geography provides natural protection. September is "hurricane month" but direct hits are extremely rare historically.
✦ Final verdict
If we had to pick one month: February for the experience, May for the value. Both are extraordinary. Puerto Vallarta rewards visitors in every season — it's just a matter of knowing what each one offers and planning accordingly.