For those who’re planning a visit to Mexico and are questioning when the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta may be, you’ve come to the appropriate place! This information takes a have a look at all of the totally different seasons, in addition to a better look into every month to aid you resolve when to journey to Puerto Vallarta.

As a seaside city on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the climate is heat year-round in PV. No matter while you go to, you possibly can go away these heavy jackets at house.

That being mentioned, there are nonetheless seasons right here – simply not your typical 4. In brief, there’s a excessive season and a off-season, that are very a lot depending on the climate, and then there are shoulder seasons in between.

One of the best time to go to Puerto Vallarta is determined by what you propose to do there, your finances, and how you are feeling about crowds. I’ve skilled PV in each month over time and have stayed throughout all of the seasons, so I’m right here to share my discoveries and make planning your journey simpler.

Total Best Time To Visit Puerto Vallarta

So, when’s the very best time to journey to Puerto Vallarta? It is a tough query to reply, because it is determined by the way you need to spend your journey (and your cash).

Usually talking, the excessive season in PV lasts from November to March with the height being round Christmas and New Yr’s. Whereas the climate is beautiful this time of 12 months, the crowds are dense and the costs are excessive.

Folks e book their lodging for the excessive season a 12 months or extra prematurely – it’s that aggressive nowadays. Many are joyful to pay the elevated costs to escape the tough winters up north, as snowbirds flock right here 12 months after 12 months.

In my humble opinion, the very best time to go to is on the cusp of excessive season on both finish. This implies visiting in both November earlier than the vacation rush or in April/Could relying on Spring Break and Easter schedules. Like I mentioned, it’s a difficult query!

The explanation I select these months is as a result of the climate is nice, the crowds both aren’t fairly there but or have thinned out, and costs are extra cheap.

Peak Season in Puerto Vallarta
(December – January and March – April)

There are just a few totally different peak seasons in PV. The primary comes between Christmas and New Yr’s, lasting from mid-December to mid-January.

At the moment, the city is totally packed. Airways and accommodations jack up their costs and folks pay them, as many vacationers eagerly plan to trip on the seaside and rejoice the vacations.

New Yr’s Eve is a big social gathering in PV with a fireworks present on the Malecon and numerous particular occasions within the bars and golf equipment. You’ll see a combination of locals and vacationers and the site visitors will be insane.

There’s one other peak season that coincides with American spring break and the Holy Week main up to Easter. It’s vital to test the calendar to see when these are going down.

Through the former, the resorts and golf equipment are stuffed with boozy American youngsters. Through the latter, the city bursts on the seam with vacationers from Guadalajara and Mexico Metropolis coming to social gathering on the seaside. For each, the costs go up and availability goes down.

Shoulder Season in Puerto Vallarta
(October – November and April – Could)

It may be argued that the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta is in both shoulder season. Throughout these months, it’s not too sizzling or too wet. It’s additionally not as crowded or as costly because it will get from December to March.

I really like the month of Could in PV. A lot of the snowbirds have gone again up north and the busy vacation seasons are over. The extreme rain and humidity hasn’t arrived but, making it a pleasant time to go to weather-wise.

That is usually the time of 12 months when Restaurant Week is widely known. It’s extra like a month nowadays, and 50+ eating places take part by providing set menus for a closely discounted worth. For foodies, this may be the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta.

I additionally take pleasure in Puerto Vallarta in November due to the Day of the Lifeless festivities. For those who get to city simply earlier than, you possibly can lock down deal on lodging if you happen to’re wanting to keep by the winter.

Off Season in Puerto Vallarta
(June – October)

You recognize that previous saying “when it rains, it pours”? Nicely, go to Puerto Vallarta in the summertime or early fall months and you’ll dwell to expertise the phrase for your self.

From June till October, PV experiences its wet season. When it’s not pouring rain, it’s fairly sizzling and humid. This climate shouldn’t be for the faint of coronary heart, my associates.

For those who plan on touring to Puerto Vallarta throughout these months, I might advise making certain you’ve a spot with A/C and a pool. Due to the climate, you’ll want to be fairly open-minded and versatile along with your plans as they’ll shortly want to change due to the fixed downpours.

On the intense facet, the crowds are far smaller and costs plummet throughout this time.

When to Visit Puerto Vallarta For Seashores

In order for you to spend some high quality time on la playa and plan on getting within the water quite a bit, my suggestion is to go to in April or Could. The water is heat this time of 12 months and you received’t see any unwelcoming runoff that comes in the course of the wet season.

Other than Semana Santa (Holy Week), which I like to recommend avoiding just like the plague if you happen to’re touring to benefit from the seashores, it is a comparatively quiet time of the 12 months in PV.

Whereas there are many folks out having fun with the seaside always of the 12 months, the water can get fairly chilly in the course of the excessive season and the seashores can change into fairly crowded. The spring months present a cheerful medium that’s good for hitting the seaside.

When to Visit Puerto Vallarta For Festivals

There are every kind of festivals to rejoice in PV. One which I notably take pleasure in is Mexico’s Independence Day. It falls on September 17th and the times main up to it are stuffed with parades, outside markets and gala’s, and a enjoyable and full of life ambiance. See what it seems to be like on this brief video:

As a number one LGBTQ+ vacation spot, Puerto Vallarta hosts an enormous homosexual delight week yearly, usually on the finish of Could. Resorts refill prematurely for this celebration which features a parade, pool events, a celebration within the park, and loads extra.

The standard Mexican vacation, Day of the Lifeless, offers a novel cultural expertise. The Malecon fills up with colourful ofrendas (altars) that individuals create to honor those that have handed on.

When to Visit Puerto Vallarta For Historic Websites

In contrast to the Riviera Maya on the opposite coast of Mexico, Banderas Bay isn’t house to many ruins. And in contrast to the large cities, Puerto Vallarta doesn’t have a substantial amount of historic websites.

For essentially the most half, folks journey right here to chill out on the seaside, go on adventures, or simply wine and dine their approach round city. For those who’re interested by seeing quite a lot of historic websites in Mexico, I encourage you to make a journey to Mexico Metropolis or Oaxaca.

The primary historic website in PV is the Church of Our Woman of Guadalupe in El Centro. It’s the image of town and an vital a part of the native tradition. Many individuals make a pilgrimage to the church between December 1st and 12th. This pageant celebrates the Virgin Mary and her important position in Mexican tradition, with processions and different festivities centered round the primary sq..

When to Visit Puerto Vallarta For Wildlife

No doubt, the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta for wildlife is in the course of the whale-watching season. A number of thousand humpback whales migrate to the waters right here in Banderas Bay each December to mate and give delivery – it’s an unforgettable expertise to witness these creatures.

You possibly can take a whale-watching tour all through the excessive season from December to March the place you’ll be all however assured to see whales and in all probability dolphins. For those who’re fortunate, you might even see a whale breach.

It’s one among my favourite issues I’ve accomplished in PV over time and there’s some powerful competitors there!

When to Visit Puerto Vallarta For Low-cost Costs

For these questioning about the very best time to journey to Puerto Vallarta on a finances, August to October are the most affordable months. Whereas it’s sizzling, humid, and wet within the mid-summer months, numerous Mexican households nonetheless journey to PV for a seaside trip.

In consequence, costs don’t have a tendency to drop all that a lot in June and July. Certain, it’s cheaper than the excessive season, however you’ll get a greater deal if you happen to wait till Mexican colleges are again in session.

I child you not, an Airbnb or native short-term rental is probably going to be half the value or much less in September compared to December or January. These prepared to courageous the rain and the humidity are no less than rewarded with low-cost lodging prices.

When to Visit Puerto Vallarta For Mountain climbing

For those who’re wanting to do extra mountaineering than lounging, I like to recommend visiting between December and March. Sure, that is the excessive season, however most individuals are occupied with mendacity on the seaside or going out to eating places and bars.

Puerto Vallarta isn’t usually thought-about a mountaineering vacation spot. Nonetheless, that is excellent news if you happen to’re wanting to work up a sweat because the few trails within the space are by no means notably crowded. Even higher, you’ll know that tacos and margaritas await when you’re again on the town.

My favourite hike is the one from Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas Seaside. You possibly can take the native bus down there from the Romantic Zone for simply 10 pesos ($0.58), cross the bridge, and simply comply with the path alongside the coast. Click on right here for instructions to the bus cease.

It’s not too strenuous of a hike and it passes by a number of distant seashores if you would like to take a break. When you make it to Las Animas, you possibly can seize lunch and drinks whereas chilling on the seaside earlier than catching a water taxi again.

The Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta By Month

By now you might be questioning what month is finest to go to Puerto Vallarta. Actually, my reply modifications 12 months to 12 months because it relies upon quite a bit on the climate. Right here’s a short description of every month in PV centered on the climate and issues to do.

Puerto Vallarta in January

The New Yr kicks off with a bang in Puerto Vallarta, as the entire city is one large fiesta on December 31. It’s an important place to get better from a hangover, that’s for certain!

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in January

January is a really nice time to be in PV. The common day by day excessive is 27°C/80F whereas the low is 16°C/60F, and there’s usually no rain.

With freezing temperatures reigning supreme up north, it’s no surprise Puerto Vallarta is such a preferred snowbird vacation spot. Higher to be plowing sand than snow, am I proper?

Whilst you can positively hit the seaside in January, the water is a bit chilly for my liking. I normally simply hang around on Los Muertos Seaside with fish tacos and margaritas rejoicing in the truth that I’m not in Michigan.

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in January

One beauty of being right here in January is that it’s peak whale-watching season. The whales normally begin arriving in December and there are many them within the bay by January. Click on right here for whale-watching tour choices.

That is additionally time of 12 months to be energetic outside. In different months it’s merely insufferable with the warmth and humidity. Get on the market and jog the Malecon and even run up the steps to the mirador (viewpoint). Click on right here for instructions.

Puerto Vallarta in February

The excessive season remains to be going robust in February, because the climate is way the identical as it’s in January.

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in February

It’s nonetheless good climate right here in February, with loads of sunshine and not a rain cloud in sight. And the crowds are nonetheless right here soaking all of it up…

Through the day, you possibly can hang around on the seaside and then stroll by city after sundown. After darkish, although, you positively don’t desire a moist bathing swimsuit on and you may want a light-weight sweater – it may be a bit chilly.

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in February

February in Puerto Vallarta is the proper time to get on the market and do some mountaineering. As I discussed earlier, the Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas is a superb alternative and is definitely accessible from PV.

It’s additionally month to discover extra of Banderas Bay. All the little seaside cities are hopping this time of 12 months; head to Yelapa, Bucerias, Sayulita, or San Poncho.

Puerto Vallarta in March

March in Puerto Vallarta is that odd time when all of the snowbirds and American highschool & school youngsters are all on the town on the identical time. Pointless to say, it could possibly get fascinating.

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in March

“Spring Break! Wooooo!” You may hear that a couple of times in March. College students flock right here to resorts to unwind and slam Piña Coladas, so yeah, the solar is shining down right here.

The Spring Breakers not often make it to city, however you might encounter a few of them barefoot, (barely inebriated), and confused on the native bus. Partygoers apart, the climate remains to be superb presently of 12 months!

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in March

With larger temperatures and tons extra rain on the horizon, March is a superb month for taking a ship journey. Top-of-the-line is the journey to the Marietas Islands, the place you possibly can swim to a hidden seaside and look out for blue-footed boobies.

The water will get a bit hotter in March, and it’s throughout this time of 12 months that almost all I really like going out to SUP (stand-up paddleboard) or snorkel. You are able to do each on a visit to Los Arcos simply south of PV.

Puerto Vallarta in April

Issues are beginning to heat up a bit in April and numerous the high-season people begin making their mass exodus.

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in April

By April, the typical day by day excessive is 29°C/84F and the low is 19°C/66F. There’s nonetheless little or no to no rain, making April an excellent month to go to PV.

Actually, the hotter climate and longer days make April one among my favourite months.

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in April

One factor to contemplate in April (and March typically) is Semana Santa. The Holy Week main up to Easter is an extremely busy time for journey in Latin America, and PV is likely one of the prime locations in Mexico.

Throughout Semana Santa in PV, the seashores are packed all day lengthy and site visitors is insufferable. The sensible expats simply get out of city, so I discourage you from planning your trip throughout this time.

For those who do end up in Puerto Vallarta outdoors of Semana Santa, it’s an superior time to be right here. Get on the market and do the Rhythms of the Evening tour. It’s a sundown cruise, connoisseur dinner, an open bar, and an unimaginable efficiency multi function.

Puerto Vallarta in Could

Ahhh… Could in PV. It’s formally shoulder season and you don’t want to anticipate a seaside chair or a seat on the bar. Life is sweet.

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in Could

Come Could, the typical day by day excessive hits 30°C/86F. The most well liked time of the day is certainly siesta hour because it begins to change into disagreeable to be out within the sizzling solar – any excuse for a nap!

It’s very a lot tank-top and flip-flop climate by this level within the 12 months. There nonetheless isn’t a lot rain in Could, however these rainy-season vibes begin to creep in on the finish of the month.

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in Could

Could in Puerto Vallarta is all about Pleasure Week which usually takes place the final week of the month. There are parades and events all through the week and the city is bustling.

I additionally like hanging out down on the Isla Cuale in Could. It’s straightforward to discover some shade and it’s good to chill out by the river earlier than the mosquitoes come out to play.

Puerto Vallarta in June

We have now reached the off-season in Puerto Vallarta, as the warmth and the rain scare many a gringo away. Solely the robust survive at this level within the 12 months!

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in June

June is when you must begin to take into consideration carrying an umbrella with you. This may be to protect you from the solar or the rain relying on the day, and typically each.

The common day by day excessive is 32°C/89F with lows typically dropping to 25°C/77F. It additionally begins raining fairly often, however the actually intense storms don’t normally occur in June.

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in June

A June journey to PV requires some flexibility along with your itinerary. You may get a number of good seaside days, and you may solely get one. Anticipate boat journeys specifically to be rescheduled due to storms.

It’s finest to flow because the wet season kicks off. Fortunately you possibly can nonetheless do issues like go on superior meals excursions even on a wet day. Mas tacos y tequila por favor!

Puerto Vallarta in July

Summertime and the residing’s wet… welcome to July in PV.

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in July

These good days of June begin to slip away in July, because it rains on a near-daily foundation at this level. It’s tremendous sizzling and humid as nicely, so that you may find yourself spending quite a lot of time within the room with the A/C on.

A July go to to PV isn’t a nasty time to contemplate an all-inclusive. You possibly can nonetheless hang around on the swim-up bar even when it’s raining!

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in July

Whereas it’s sizzling, wet, and humid, July is a type of low season high-season in PV. There aren’t any snowbirds and worldwide vacationer numbers are low, however Mexicans flock right here in droves for summer time trip.

July is a enjoyable time to escape town and head up into the mountains. A bit of mud doesn’t cease the ATV excursions from working, and they’re really extra enjoyable in the summertime months.

Puerto Vallarta in August

By August, PV begins to change into considerably of a ghost city. A minimum of it’s straightforward to discover a deal on a resort room…

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in August

There’s about an 80% likelihood of rain every day in August. That is hurricane season right here, and whereas Banderas Bay is normally fairly sheltered, it’s change into an space of upper threat in recent times.

Rain will most positively thwart a few of your plans if you happen to’re visiting in August. There may very well be worse locations to be caught than a enjoyable bar in Puerto Vallarta, although. Una mas cerveza?

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in August

It’s good to have some indoor actions as backup plans. Fortunately, PV has some good air-conditioned malls with nice cinemas.

Different enjoyable indoor actions embrace the Choco Museum and the Tilt PV Museum. You possibly can take a chocolate-making workshop on the former and some trippy footage on the latter.

Puerto Vallarta in September

Locals right here name this month “Sep-hambre” (hambre that means “starvation”) as a result of it’s the depths of the off-season. The numerous who depend on tourism listed below are scraping to get by till the following excessive season, so if you end up right here in September and you’re ready, be beneficiant with ideas.

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in September

At this level in the summertime, you’re simply so sick of the warmth, humidity, and fixed energy outages that September brings.

That is the time of 12 months when your shirt sticks to you all day and you want to bathe 3 times or extra. You then get caught working house within the rain for a 4th bathe.

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in September

For those who do courageous the climate situations, you’ll be rewarded with having the ability to take pleasure in Independence Day. It’s celebrated on September 17 and there are festivities held all through the week main up.

Rain or shine, there’ll be parades, road markets, fireworks, and a bunch of “Viva Mexico!” chants. Regardless of the sticky shirts, it truly is a enjoyable time to be within the metropolis.

Puerto Vallarta in October

There’s a light-weight on the finish of the tunnel, nevertheless it’s additionally flooded. Such is life in PV in October.

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in October

Come October, there are indicators that nicer climate is across the nook. That being mentioned, it’s nonetheless sticky, sizzling, and very, very wet.

For those who’ve survived the entire off-season, by this level you simply take the downpours and energy outages in stride. For those who’re simply visiting for just a few days, it’d put a damper in your journey…

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in October

Sports activities return to the scenes in October. There are many nice sports activities bars on the town the place you possibly can watch no matter form of sports activities tickles your fancy.

In a celebration city, it ought to come as no shock that Halloween is a enjoyable time right here. Loads of shops have costumes and varied social gathering provides, so get within the spooky spirit.

Puerto Vallarta in November

Similar to that – the rains begin to dissipate and the crowds begin to return. It’s the circle of PV life.

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in November

Lastly – after months of rain and warmth – we’re again to a pleasant 30°C/86F common excessive and 20°C/68F for the lows. The umbrellas can get stuffed again within the closet (in the event that they haven’t been retired after the wet season, that’s).

It is a stunning time in PV to take pleasure in being outdoors and bouncing round city earlier than the excessive season actually kicks in. It’s one among my favourite occasions of the 12 months to be right here for certain.

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in November

The month kicks off with the Day of the Lifeless, which is a superb time to be in Puerto Vallarta. Whereas the celebrations right here aren’t fairly as large as they’re in Mexico Metropolis or Oaxaca, it’s nonetheless a really fascinating cultural expertise.

With the return to beautiful climate, November is an effective time to leap on a ship and spend the day at a seaside hideaway. Sit again, chill out, and drink it in.

Puerto Vallarta in December

December in PV means the floodgates are open, because the airport is packed day by day with folks coming right here to spend the vacation season.

Climate in Puerto Vallarta in December

As soon as once more, it’s chilly up north and nearly good right here in PV. Each day common highs hover at 28°C/82F and the lows dip so far as 18°C/64F, so you possibly can chuckle in any respect your folks scraping ice off their windshield whilst you sip daiquiris by the pool.

The seashores and the Malecon are as soon as once more full as the prospect of a random downpour could be very low. It’s excessive season in PV, and everyone seems to be out having fun with the climate.

Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in December

On December 12, Puerto Vallarta celebrates the Feast of Our Woman of Guadalupe. Folks from throughout Mexico make a pilgrimage right here to the cathedral and there’s a festive ambiance in the primary sq. all week.

Within the lead-up to Christmas, the Malecon is embellished with a bunch of little homes. There’s even an enormous Christmas tree all lit up. After all of the Christmas enjoyable, it’s time to social gathering. New Yr’s Eve is big in PV and the 12 months goes out with a bang right here.

Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta: FAQs

Listed here are some solutions to essentially the most generally requested questions on the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta:

In Conclusion

I hope this submit helps you resolve on the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta for you. As a result of that’s the factor – what’s finest for you won’t be finest for me, and vice versa.

Fact be informed, there isn’t a dangerous time to go to Puerto Vallarta. Even after I’ve been caught in a downpour with no raincoat or umbrella in my flip-flops, I’ve managed to have time.

Rain or shine, there’s at all times somebody cooking up tacos al pastor, somebody cranking the reggaeton up, and somebody pouring drinks. I’m certain you’ll have enjoyable whatever the climate. Disfruta Puerto Vallarta, amigos.