Mexico (Puerto Vallarta)
Mexico · North America
The best time to visit Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) is January, February, March, April, May, November, and December. In summer, daytime highs average 32°C (90°F), with peaks around 33°C (91°F); in winter, nights average 18°C (64°F), dropping to around 14°C (57°F) on the coldest. Rainfall is very low during the best travel period (17 mm (0.7 in)), making Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) an ideal destination.
Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) – What you should know
Puerto Vallarta lies on the Bahía de Banderas on Mexico's Pacific coast, where the Sierra Madre rises directly behind the town. The climate is tropical with a clearly separated rainy season: from June to October 170 to 350 mm (6.7 to 13.8 in) fall a month, and August averages 350 mm (13.8 in) across 27 days. By comparison, March to May bring 1 to 15 mm (< 0.1 to 0.6 in), in April practically nothing. In the rainy season it usually rains as a heavy shower or thunderstorm, and the rest of the day can still be sunny, but sunshine falls to 5 to 7 hours a day.
November to May is the best time: daytime highs are 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F), the air is less muggy than in summer, and the sea is 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F). February is peak humpback season; the whales can be watched in the bay from about December to March. April is the sunniest month with 10.5 hours of sunshine, while May, with highs of 29°C (84°F), is already noticeably more humid.
Summer and early autumn are hot and humid, with daytime highs around 31°C (88°F), nights around 24°C (75°F) and sea water of 29 to 31°C (84 to 88°F). The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May to November and peaks in September and October; anyone travelling then should choose flexible bookings. In return, prices and visitor numbers are lower in summer, and the slopes behind the town are lush green.
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 27° (81°)24– (75–)29 (84) | 26° (79°)23– (73–)29 (84) | 27° (81°)24– (75–)29 (84) | 28° (82°)25– (77–)29 (84) | 29° (84°)26– (79–)31 (88) | 31° (88°)27– (81–)33 (91) | 32° (90°)28– (82–)33 (91) | 32° (90°)28– (82–)33 (91) | 32° (90°)28– (82–)33 (91) | 31° (88°)27– (81–)33 (91) | 29° (84°)25– (77–)32 (90) | 27° (81°)22– (72–)30 (86) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | 18° (64°)14– (57–)21 (70) | 18° (64°)14– (57–)20 (68) | 18° (64°)14– (57–)21 (70) | 19° (66°)16– (61–)21 (70) | 22° (72°)18– (64–)24 (75) | 24° (75°)21– (70–)26 (79) | 25° (77°)23– (73–)26 (79) | 25° (77°)23– (73–)26 (79) | 25° (77°)23– (73–)26 (79) | 24° (75°)20– (68–)26 (79) | 22° (72°)17– (63–)24 (75) | 19° (66°)15– (59–)22 (72) |
☀️Sunshine | 8h UV 7 | 9h UV 8 | 10h UV 9 | 11h UV 10 | 11h UV 10 | 7h UV 8 | 7h UV 8 | 6h UV 8 | 6h UV 8 | 7h UV 8 | 8h UV 7 | 7h UV 6 |
🌊Water Temp | 26° (79°) | 25° (77°) | 25° (77°) | 25° (77°) | 27° (81°) | 29° (84°) | 31° (88°) | 31° (88°) | 31° (88°) | 31° (88°) | 29° (84°) | 27° (81°) |
🌧Rain Days | 2d17mm (0.7") | 2d31mm (1.2") | 1d13mm (0.5") | 0d2mm (0.1") | 1d9mm (0.4") | 13d184mm (7.2") | 23d260mm (10.3") | 27d350mm (13.8") | 26d331mm (13.0") | 15d169mm (6.6") | 4d35mm (1.4") | 2d30mm (1.2") |
Best travel timeØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel Tips
Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) has a pronounced rainy season: July, August, and September bring significantly more rainfall than the rest of the year — not ideal for a beach holiday.
From February to August, UV levels in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) reach 10 — very high on the WHO scale. High-SPF sunscreen and shade around midday are essential.
June offers great weather in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) with fewer tourists and lower prices — ideal for those who want to avoid the peak season crowds.
The travel year in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta)
November – February
High season on the Bahía de Banderas: the rain has gone, the hills behind town are still green, and the Malecón fills in the evening with music and people strolling past the sculptures. Humpback whales enter the bay between December and February. Hotels are well booked and the mood is festive.
March – May
The driest and sunniest stretch: beach days at Playa Los Muertos, trips to Yelapa and Sayulita, snorkelling around the Marietas Islands. Holy Week brings Mexican families to the coast. By May it is noticeably hotter and stickier as the rainy season draws closer.
June – October
Green, hot and humid. The rain usually comes as a heavy shower or thunderstorm, the sun returns in between, and the sea is as warm as a bath. The slopes behind town glow jungle green, and hotels and beaches are quiet. Travellers plan with a buffer, since the hurricane season peaks in September and October.
Events & Festivals
February
- Humpback whale season· December to March
Humpback whales winter in the Bahía de Banderas and give birth to their calves here. January and February are considered the best time for boat tours.
November
- Festival Gourmet International· mid-November
Mexico's longest-running gourmet festival: more than 60 guest chefs from around the world cook in restaurants across Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit.
December
- Fiestas Guadalupanas· 1–12 December
For twelve days, hundreds of processions wind through the old town to the church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, culminating on 12 December.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to visit Mexico (Puerto Vallarta)?
- The best time to visit Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) is January, February, March, April, May, November, and December. These months offer the most favourable combination of sunshine, temperatures, and low rainfall.
- How warm does it get in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta)?
- In summer, daytime highs in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) average 32°C (90°F), with peaks around 33°C (91°F); in winter, nights average 18°C (64°F), dropping to around 14°C (57°F) on the coldest.
- How much rain does Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) get?
- Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) has a pronounced rainy season: July, August, and September bring significantly more rain than the rest of the year. During the best travel period (January, February, March, April, May, November, and December), rainfall is much lower.
- How warm is the water in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta)?
- Water temperature in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) ranges from 25°C (77°F) (March) to 31°C (88°F) (August). During the best travel months (January, February, March, April, May, November, and December), the water is most pleasant for swimming.
Best Travel Time by Vacation Type
🏖️
Beach Holiday
Warm, sunny, little rain
AprMayNov
🏙️
City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot
JanFebMar
