When is the Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta?

The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta depends on what matters most for your trip, whether that’s perfect beach weather, thinner crowds, or the lowest prices on an all inclusive Puerto Vallarta resort. This Pacific Coast favorite stays warm all year, so every season has something to offer.

The dry high season from November through April brings the sunniest skies and the liveliest crowds, while the summer low season trades humidity and afternoon rain for serious savings. Below, we break down the seasons, the month-by-month weather, and the events worth planning around so you can book your Mexico getaway with confidence.

Puerto Vallarta Seasons at a Glance

Season	Weather	Crowds & Price	Notes
High Season (November to April)	Warm, dry, and sunny, with highs from 72 to 84F	Busiest and most expensive, so book early	Best beach weather, whale watching, festivals, and lively nightlife. Holidays and spring break fill up fast.
Shoulder Season (May & October)	Warm to hot with the odd afternoon shower, mostly mid-80sF	Fewer tourists and better deals	Relaxed pace and quieter beaches. May brings Vallarta Pride, October keeps the green scenery.
Low Season (June to September)	Hot and humid with frequent afternoon storms, upper 80s to low 90sF	Lowest rates of the year and the fewest crowds	Lush tropical scenery. Overlaps hurricane season, so stay flexible and weather-aware.

Puerto Vallarta Climate and Weather

Puerto Vallarta enjoys warm, beach-ready weather year-round, with temperatures that generally sit between 72 and 90F depending on the season. Winters are mild and dry, with comfortable days in the low 80s and cooler evenings perfect for strolling the Malecon. Summers turn hot and sticky, with highs reaching the low 90s and humidity climbing along with the afternoon clouds.

The year splits into two clear patterns. The dry season runs from roughly November through April, delivering sunny skies, low humidity, and very little rain. The wet season takes over from June through October, when short but heavy afternoon showers and thunderstorms roll in off the Pacific, usually clearing by evening and leaving the jungle greener than ever.

Hurricane season officially spans June through November, with peak activity from August to October. The good news is that the protective geography of Banderas Bay and the surrounding Sierra Madre mountains makes direct hits rare. Storms can still bring heavy rain and gusty winds, so if you travel in late summer it’s smart to stay flexible and keep an eye on the forecast.

Puerto Vallarta Seasons Explained

High Season (November to April)

If you’re dreaming of sun-drenched beaches, deep blue water, and a cocktail in hand, November through April is your golden ticket. These are Puerto Vallarta’s driest months, with sunny skies, low humidity, and minimal rain. Daytime temperatures range from 72 to 84F, with cooler evenings made for dining al fresco.

This is the most popular time to visit, so expect bustling beaches, lively nightlife, and higher hotel rates. The city fills up fast, especially around the winter holidays and spring break, so booking early is a smart move if you want a room with a view at a reasonable price. The clear skies also make it the ideal stretch for water activities like snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, paddleboarding, and whale watching.

Shoulder Season (May & October)

May and October mark Puerto Vallarta’s transitional shoulder season, a sweet spot between the busy high season and the rainy summer. With fewer tourists around, the city feels more relaxed and the beaches stay quieter. May averages around 84F while October reaches about 85F, and both months can see occasional afternoon showers as the wet season starts or winds down.

One of the biggest perks of the shoulder season is value. You’ll find better hotel deals, easier reservations at popular spots, and less crowded tours. For budget-minded travelers who still want warm weather and a laid-back vibe, May and October strike a practical balance between comfort, quiet, and savings.

Low Season (June to September)

Puerto Vallarta’s low season runs from June through September and brings hot, humid days along with frequent afternoon showers. The rain is usually short-lived and tends to arrive in the late afternoon or evening, leaving clear mornings for the beach or a boat trip. Daytime highs often climb into the upper 80s and low 90s.

This quieter stretch overlaps with hurricane season, so travelers should stay weather-aware. In return, you get the lowest hotel rates of the year, the smallest crowds, and a landscape that turns lush and green. If you don’t mind the humidity and the occasional storm, the low season rewards you with peace, scenery, and unbeatable deals.

Puerto Vallarta Month by Month

Whether you’re chasing sunshine, festival energy, or a peaceful off-peak escape, each month in Puerto Vallarta has its own personality. Here’s what to expect as you fine-tune your timing.

Month	Weather	Crowds & Price	Notes
January	Cool, dry, and sunny, highs around 81 to 83F	Busy high season, higher rates	Prime whale watching and snowbird season
February	Dry and sunny, low 80sF	Busy high season	Peak whale watching in Banderas Bay
March	Warm and dry, low-to-mid 80sF	Busy, spring break energy	Excellent beach weather and nightlife
April	Dry and sunny, around 86F	High season winding down	Semana Santa draws crowds around Easter
May	Hot with the first humidity, near 90F	Shoulder season, better deals	Vallarta Pride lights up the city
June	Rainy season begins, around 90F	Low season starts, rates drop	Brief afternoon showers, heavier air
July	Hot and wet, around 90F	Low season, low rates	Afternoon storms, lush green scenery
August	Hottest and wettest, low 90sF	Low season, few crowds	Peak hurricane season, clear mornings
September	Hot and the wettest month, low 90sF	Cheapest month to visit	Peak hurricane season, greenest scenery
October	Rains taper and skies clear, around 85F	Shoulder season, good deals	Quiet beaches with lingering greenery
November	Cooler and dry, high season begins, low-to-mid 80sF	Busier, rising rates	Festival Gourmet International and Day of the Dead
December	Warm, dry, and festive, low 80sF	Peak crowds and prices	Christmas and New Year celebrations

From January through March, Puerto Vallarta offers some of its most idyllic weather, with cool, dry, sunny days, highs in the low 80s, and barely a drop of rain. It’s prime time for beach lovers and a peak moment for whale watching, especially in January and February when humpbacks are most active. The city buzzes with snowbirds in early winter and spring breakers in March, so booking ahead pays off.

Spring warms things up. April stays dry and sunny near 86F, with Semana Santa bringing festive crowds around Easter, while May pushes toward 90F and welcomes the first hints of humidity along with the color and energy of Vallarta Pride. By June the rainy season stirs to life, trading some of that sunshine for lower rates and a more relaxed pace.

July through September is the hottest and wettest stretch, with afternoon thunderstorms, highs around 90F, and humidity at its peak. Mornings usually stay clear, and the rain keeps the jungle vivid and green. With the fewest tourists and the lowest hotel rates of the year, it’s a budget traveler’s window, as long as you don’t mind sticky air and the occasional storm.

As October arrives, the rains taper off and the skies clear while the lush greenery lingers, making for great outdoor adventures without peak-season crowds. November kicks off the high season with cooler temperatures, minimal rain, and cultural highlights like Festival Gourmet International and Day of the Dead. December then delivers festive energy, with Christmas and New Year celebrations lighting up the city.

Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta for…

• Good weather: December through March for cool, dry, sunny days.
• Whale watching: December through March, when humpbacks fill Banderas Bay.
• Budget travel: June through October for the lowest rates of the year.
• Fewer crowds: the May and October shoulder months.
• Festivals and nightlife: the November through April high season.

Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta

One of Puerto Vallarta’s most unforgettable experiences runs from December through March, when humpback whales migrate into the warm, sheltered water of Banderas Bay to breed and raise their calves. The bay’s size and calm conditions make it one of the best places in Mexico to see these giants breach, slap their fins, and spout close to shore.

Guided tours depart regularly from the marina, and January and February tend to offer the most activity. Many operators follow responsible viewing guidelines that keep a respectful distance from the whales, so you can enjoy the show while protecting the animals that make it possible.

Festivals and Events in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta’s calendar is packed with culture and celebration throughout the year. Vallarta Pride in May fills the streets with colorful parades, lively events, and a strong spirit of unity that welcomes the LGBTQIA+ community from around the world.

In early November, Day of the Dead brings candlelit altars, marigolds, and moving tributes across the city, while Festival Gourmet International later that month turns Puerto Vallarta into a playground for food lovers with tastings and special menus from top chefs. Around Easter, Semana Santa is one of Mexico’s biggest travel weeks, filling the beaches with festive local crowds. Come December, Christmas and New Year celebrations light up the town with parades, fireworks, and a joyful atmosphere.

Cheapest and Most Expensive Times to Visit

The cheapest time to visit Puerto Vallarta is the low season from June through October, when hotels can discount rooms by up to around 40 percent to draw travelers during the rainy, humid months. September is typically the cheapest and the wettest month of all, so patient, flexible travelers can score the biggest savings then.

The most expensive time runs from December through March, when the dry, sunny peak season drives demand. Rates climb even higher around the winter holidays and spring break, so if you’re set on traveling then, booking early is the best way to lock in a good price.

How to Save Money on a Puerto Vallarta Vacation

• Travel in the low or shoulder season: June through October brings the deepest discounts, while May and October balance savings with better weather.
• Book an all inclusive package: bundling your flights, room, meals, and drinks keeps your spending predictable and usually costs less than booking everything separately.
• Avoid the holiday peaks: steer clear of Christmas, New Year, and spring break to sidestep the highest rates of the year.
• Book early and watch for deals: reserving ahead and keeping an eye on limited-time offers helps you secure the best price before rooms sell out.
• Stay a little longer: many resorts reward longer stays with better nightly rates, so an extra night or two can lower your average cost per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta overall?

For most travelers, the sweet spot is December through March, when Puerto Vallarta delivers cool, dry, sunny days, prime whale watching, and a lively events calendar. If savings matter more than perfect weather, the June through October low season offers the lowest rates of the year.

When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta for cheap deals?

The best time for cheap deals is the low season from June through October, when hotels drop rates by up to around 40 percent. September is usually the single cheapest month, though it’s also the wettest, so pack for afternoon showers.

When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta to avoid crowds?

The shoulder months of May and October are ideal for avoiding crowds. You’ll still get warm weather and plenty of sunshine, but with quieter beaches, easier reservations, and a more relaxed pace than the busy winter high season.

Do I need a passport to visit Puerto Vallarta?

Yes. U.S. citizens need a valid passport book to fly to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and back. Make sure your passport is up to date well before your trip, since renewals can take several weeks to process.

Is hurricane season a problem in Puerto Vallarta?

Hurricane season runs from June through November, with peak activity from August to October. Direct hits are rare thanks to the sheltering effect of Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre mountains, but storms can bring heavy rain and wind, so it’s wise to stay flexible and watch the forecast if you travel then.

Book Your Puerto Vallarta Vacation Now

Puerto Vallarta is calling, and every season brings a fresh slice of paradise, from winter’s sunny skies and whale sightings to summer’s lush greenery and unbeatable deals. Once you’ve picked the timing that fits your travel style, you’re ready to turn the plan into a getaway.

Ready to make it happen? Browse our latest deals at All Inclusive Outlet and lock in your perfect Puerto Vallarta escape. Paradise is just a few clicks away.