Best Time to Visit Costalegre: Dry Season, Rains and Turtles
Sunny, silver-grey winters and lush green summers: how the seasons change the Costalegre, and when to book.
In this guide
In short
For most travelers the best time to visit Costalegre is the dry season, roughly November to May, with Christmas, New Year and Easter the busiest weeks. The rainy season, about June to October, turns the dry forest green and falls within the eastern Pacific hurricane season. In Careyes, turtle releases are best from October to March.
The best time to visit Costalegre depends on whether you want guaranteed sunshine, the greenest landscape or the quietest beaches. This stretch of Jalisco coast shares the climate of nearby Puerto Vallarta: a long dry season through winter and spring, and a hot, humid rainy season from roughly June to October. What changes more than the temperature is the landscape itself, because the tropical dry forest behind the beaches looks completely different in the two halves of the year.
The dry season: November to May
From late autumn to late spring, days are sunny, rain is rare and evenings are comfortable. This is when most visitors come, and when villas in Costa Careyes and the other enclaves are in highest demand, especially over Christmas, New Year and Easter. The dry forest gradually loses its leaves as the months pass, turning the hills silver-grey by spring; the coves and the sea stay just as blue, and the contrast has its own beauty.
Sea temperatures stay warm enough for swimming through the year, though winter mornings can feel fresh. Pack a light layer for evenings on open terraces, and strong sun protection for the middle of the day.
Winter is also the season for many of the coast’s signature experiences. In Careyes, the estate says sea turtle hatchling releases at Playa Teopa are best from October to March, and the ArteCareyes Film and Arts Festival takes place each spring. See Costa Careyes for more on both.
The rainy season: June to October
The rains transform the coast. Within weeks the dry forest turns a dense, bright green, rivers run again and the air grows heavy and warm. Storms tend to come in the afternoon or at night, leaving many mornings clear. Heat and humidity peak, insects are more active, and some services scale back, which suits travelers who want space and quiet and do not mind the weather.
This period falls within the eastern Pacific hurricane season, which runs from 15 May to 30 November. Most weeks pass without a storm affecting the coast, but a summer or autumn stay should have flexible plans, travel insurance that covers weather disruption, and a watch on the official forecasts. Remote enclaves depend on a single highway, so heavy rain can also affect travel times; see getting to Costalegre.
Best time to visit Costalegre by type of trip
- For reliable sun and social life: January to April, when most houses are occupied and the estates are at their liveliest.
- For festive family gatherings: Christmas and New Year, booked well in advance.
- For value and space: May and November, at the edges of the dry season.
- For the green season and solitude: June to October, with flexible plans.
Holiday weeks and the whale season
Peak demand follows holidays more than weather. Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks, followed by Easter, when Mexican families also travel and many houses are booked a year ahead. Minimum stays are common over these dates, and the estates are at their most social, with dinners, polo and parties.
Winter is also humpback whale season further north in Banderas Bay, around Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita. Travelers who combine the city with the coast can fit in a whale-watching trip on the way in or out; see whale watching in Punta Mita for the season and how to choose a boat, and the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta for the city.
Booking around the season
Because the coast has only a limited number of villas and each enclave is small, the best houses for peak weeks are often booked many months ahead, together with the chefs and boat captains that come with them. Outside the peak, ask how the house handles rain and heat: covered terraces for meals, fans or air conditioning in bedrooms, backup power, and screens or nets where rooms are open to the air. Our guide to fully staffed villas in Mexico covers what to confirm with the staff.
For most travelers, the best time to visit Costalegre is the dry season, from November to May. If you would rather see the coast at its most lush and most private, the rainy months have their own reward. To choose a base, read where to stay in Costalegre.
