Whatever your reason for visiting Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, & the Riviera Nayarit, we’re here to help you decide when you should be visiting so that you can make the most of your travels. If you’re trying to decide what month has the best weather in Puerto Vallarta for your vacation, or what season has the best deals, the good news is that there are benefits of traveling during each season, so there’s no bad time to plan an escape to the beaches of Puerto Vallarta.
Below we’ll cover the best time to go, our favorite months, when’s the best time to visit, and when hurricane season is in Puerto Vallarta.
When to Visit Puerto Vallarta
The answer to this question varies from person to person, and the reason is that each season in Puerto Vallarta brings different things to love. When deciding the best time to travel to Puerto Vallarta, there are two distinct seasons:
- HIGH SEASON: Mid-December to April 31
- LOW SEASON: May 1 to Mid-December
For some, the period from November to December is the best because that is when things start to cool down; the rains dissipate and the lush mountains retain their green hues, making for a stunning backdrop. January to May is another great time, as the temperatures are mild and the days are long.
Our favorite time to visit Puerto Vallarta is during the shoulder seasons, especially from April to mid-June when the weather is pleasant and the rentals are more affordable than in the winter high season. During these months, rain is scarce and there are fewer tourists since most snowbirds have returned home by this time.
- Sunny days? ✅
- Low probability of rain? ✅
- Relatively fewer crowds? ✅
Thanksgiving Week and Holy Week are the two exceptions since the latter is a busy time for Mexican family vacations and the former is a popular time to travel for Americans.
Late summer and early fall is also the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta if you want to take advantage of some of the best travel deals of the year. As tourism declines, local hotels, restaurants, and businesses make their best deals, inviting guests to enjoy the best of the coastal destination.
Best Time to Visit for Good Weather
The climate is tropical in Puerto Vallarta. The average temperature in Puerto Vallarta is 23.5 °C (74.2 °F). The rainfall here is around 1497 mm | 58.9 inches per year. Hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta lasts from June to October.
Seasonal Temperature Changes
Puerto Vallarta’s average temperature in the winter is 70° F (21° C) and in the summer is 83° F (28° C). Annually there are more than 300 sunny days! On average, the warmest month is August, and the coolest is February.
Hurricanes & Rainy Season
Puerto Vallarta is a stunning destination any time of the year, but if you’re planning to visit during the rainy season, there are a few things you should know. Puerto Vallarta’s rainy season might bring a few challenges, but it also presents unique opportunities to explore this beautiful destination without the usual crowds. While the city has faced hurricanes in the past, they are relatively rare events. With the right knowledge and a flexible itinerary, you can have a fantastic experience in Puerto Vallarta, even during the rainy season. So, pack your umbrella, put on your adventure hat, and get ready for a memorable journey in this tropical paradise.
Understanding the Rainy Season: In Puerto Vallarta, the rainy season typically extends from mid-June to October, with September being the wettest month, receiving an average of 340 mm (13.4 in) of rainfall. While it’s true that this season can bring about heavy downpours, there’s no need to be deterred. The city’s unique geography offers a degree of natural storm protection, and you can take advantage of some excellent deals on accommodations and flights due to fewer tourists.
Hurricane History: Puerto Vallarta, though generally well-protected by the Sierra Madre mountain range surrounding the bay, does experience occasional tropical storms and hurricanes. Historically, the city has been directly hit by a hurricane only a handful of times in the last 50 years. Here’s a look at some of the significant hurricane events:
- Hurricane Lidia (Category 4) in 2023
- Hurricane Roslyn (Category 4) in 2022
- Hurricane Nora (Category 1) in 2021
- Hurricane Kenna (Category 4) in 2002
- Hurricane Lily (Category 1) in 1971
For the latest updates on any hurricanes near Puerto Vallarta:
- ENGLISH: nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_ep4+shtml/175129.shtml?key_messages
- ESPAÑOL: https://smn.conagua.gob.mx/es/
Embracing Rainy Days: If you happen to visit Puerto Vallarta during the rainy season, you can expect occasional showers, often in the late afternoon. However, this doesn’t need to dampen your spirits. Start your day with ocean swimming or mountain hiking, making the most of the mornings when the weather is usually more pleasant. When the clouds gather and the thunder rolls in (typically after 5 pm), you can find solace indoors or at a cozy restaurant for a delightful evening.
Wind Season
The wind season (especially important to kiteboarders, windsurfers, and sailboats) usually covers the months of February to June. After that, the sea temperature rises so much that the breezes slow down. The north end of Banderas Bay is known to have pretty consistently good wind every afternoon. Bucerias is considered to be the Wind Capital of the Riviera Nayarit. Here, the wind ranges from 5 – 20 mph but can reach 30mph. Usually starts around noon and on a good day continues until sunset. It’s possible to get 3 or 4 good days a week during wind season.
Best Time to Travel to Puerto Vallarta for Great Deals
The best time to travel to Puerto Vallarta for great deals is during the summer rainy season, from June to October. The vast majority of days during the summer season are hot and humid, with afternoon showers being very frequent. For travelers who don’t mind the heat and occasional rain shower, this is the ideal time to travel, as you can find the best deals on tours and accommodations.
The 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.
Best Time to Visit for Fun Activities
Even if you are traveling during the hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta, there are some great yearly events and activities that you should check out. There are also some amazing events that take place during the winter months such as whale & turtle season. You get to decide when’s the best time to travel to Puerto Vallarta:
Puerto Vallarta Surfing Season
The best season for surfing is during the winter. Between November and March is when the North Pacific swells hit the bay. Waves do lose some of their intensity due to the protection from the bay, but you can easily head north to some great surf spots such as La Lancha and Sayulita.
Whale Watching Season
Puerto Vallarta whale watching season is from Mid-November to March every year. In late fall, Humpback Whales begin their annual migratory route to their winter breeding and calving grounds in the warmer tropical waters of Mexico. Their total migration route extends to about 5000 km (3000 mi). This makes it one of the longest journeys of any mammal on the planet!
Sea Turtle Hatching Season
Attending a baby sea turtle release in Puerto Vallarta at a local sanctuary is definitely one of our favorite family-friendly activities in the bay. Baby turtle liberation ceremonies are held almost daily at the different camps and sanctuaries around Banderas Bay. The sea turtle hatching season is between the months of July and December, although it occurs frequently outside this period of time.
Fishing Season
Regarding a general Puerto Vallarta fishing calendar, Mahi Mahi and Marlin season is best from September to February, but Red Snapper and Jack Crevalle fishing are great all year! There are also many opportunities to catch Sailfish and giant Yellowfin Tuna.
FAQ
For some, the period from November to December is the best because that is when things start to cool down and the rains dissipate. January to May is another great time, as the temperatures are mild and the days are long. Our favorite time to visit is during the shoulder seasons, especially from April to mid-June when the weather is pleasant and the rentals are more affordable than the winter high season.
Puerto Vallarta has only been hit by a hurricane 3 times in the past 50 years: Hurricane Nora (Category 1) in 2021, Hurricane Kenna (Category 4) in 2002, and Hurricane Lily (Category 1) in 1971.
Hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta lasts from July to October. Most precipitation falls in September, with a monthly average of 340 mm (13.4 in) of rainfall. Heavy rains can cause problems, but the natural geography of the city protects it from the most active hurricane season weather.
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