Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta: Seasons and Whale Months
Dry winters with whales, value in late spring and November, and a green, quiet rainy season: how the year works in Puerto Vallarta.
In this guide
In short
For most travelers the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is the dry season, roughly November to May, and especially January to March, when humpback whales are in Banderas Bay. The rainy season runs from June to October, within the eastern Pacific hurricane season (15 May to 30 November). Holiday weeks are busiest.
The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta depends on what you want from the trip: dry, sunny days and the whale season; lower prices and a greener, quieter coast; or a particular holiday week with the whole family. The city is warm all year, so the real choices are about rain, humidity, crowds and what is happening in Banderas Bay. This guide sets out how the year works so you can match the dates to the kind of stay you want.
How the seasons work
Puerto Vallarta’s official tourism board describes average temperatures from the mid-80s Fahrenheit in winter to the mid-90s in summer, and a rainy season from June to October, when showers and thunderstorms become regular, often in the afternoon or overnight. The months outside that window, roughly November through May, are the dry season and the busiest time of year.
The rainy season overlaps with the eastern Pacific hurricane season, which runs from 15 May to 30 November. Most weeks pass without a storm affecting the bay, but a trip in late summer or early autumn should have flexible plans, travel insurance that covers weather disruption, and a watch on official forecasts from Mexico’s National Meteorological Service.
Winter: the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta for most travelers
December to March brings the most reliable weather: dry days, warm sea and cooler evenings. It is also humpback whale season in Banderas Bay, when boat trips leave from the city and from the Nayarit side; see whale watching in Punta Mita for the season and how to choose a tour. The Christmas, New Year and Easter weeks are the busiest and most expensive of the year, with minimum stays at many villas and early bookings for chefs, boats and restaurants.
Spring: April and May
Spring stays dry and grows steadily warmer. Once the holiday weeks pass, the city is calmer and villa availability widens, which makes late April and May good value for groups who do not need school-holiday dates. Days become hot by late May, and humidity starts to build ahead of the rains.
Summer and early autumn: June to October
The rainy season turns the Sierra Madre green and empties the city of much of its winter crowd. Mornings are often clear, afternoons can bring storms, and the heat and humidity are at their highest. Prices and occupancy fall, and some restaurants and businesses shorten hours or close for part of the season. For travelers who want space and quiet and can plan around the weather, it is the least crowded time to be here; for anyone who needs guaranteed beach days, it is the riskiest.
November
November is a shoulder month: the rains usually fade, the hills are still green, and the winter crowds have not fully arrived. The hurricane season officially runs to the end of the month, so keep an eye on forecasts, but for many returning visitors it is one of the most pleasant times of year.
What the seasons mean for a villa stay
For villa travelers, the calendar affects more than the weather. In peak weeks, many homes require minimum stays and full payment well in advance, and the best private chefs, boat captains and drivers are booked early, so confirm them when you book the house rather than on arrival. Outside the peak, owners are often more flexible on dates and length of stay, and staff have more time to tailor menus and plans.
In the rainy season, ask how the house handles storms: covered outdoor space for meals, backup power, and whether any access roads are affected by heavy rain. A villa with a large covered terrace makes a wet afternoon far more pleasant than one built entirely around an open pool deck.
Choosing your dates
- For guaranteed dry weather and whales: January to March.
- For value with good weather: late April, May and November.
- For festive family trips: Christmas and New Year, booked many months ahead.
- For quiet and low prices: June to October, with flexible plans.
The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is, for most people, the dry winter and spring. If your dates are fixed, the city still works all year, as long as you plan around the season. For neighborhoods, read where to stay in Puerto Vallarta; for comparison across the bay, see the best time to visit Punta Mita.
