When you’re planning a visit to Mexico and are questioning when the most effective time to go to Puerto Vallarta is likely to be, you’ve come to the suitable place! This information takes a have a look at all of the totally different seasons, in addition to a more in-depth look into every month that can assist you determine 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 if you go to, you possibly can depart these heavy jackets at dwelling.
That being stated, there are nonetheless seasons right here – simply not your typical 4. Briefly, there’s a excessive season and a off-season, that are very a lot depending on the climate, after which there are shoulder seasons in between.
The most effective time to go to Puerto Vallarta is determined by what you intend to do there, your finances, and the way 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 Greatest Time To Go to Puerto Vallarta
So, when’s the most effective time to journey to Puerto Vallarta? This can be a difficult query to reply, because it is determined by the way you wish to spend your journey (and your cash).
Typically talking, the excessive season in PV lasts from November to March with the height being round Christmas and New 12 months’s. Whereas the climate is gorgeous this time of yr, the crowds are dense and the costs are excessive.
Individuals e-book their lodging for the excessive season a yr or extra upfront – it’s that aggressive lately. Many are completely happy to pay the elevated costs to flee the tough winters up north, as snowbirds flock right here yr after yr.
In my humble opinion, the most effective 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/Might relying on Spring Break and Easter schedules. Like I stated, it’s a tough 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 affordable.
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 12 months’s, lasting from mid-December to mid-January.
Presently, the city is completely packed. Airways and inns jack up their costs and folks pay them, as many vacationers eagerly plan to trip on the seaside and rejoice the vacations.
New 12 months’s Eve is a large celebration in PV with a fireworks present on the Malecon and plenty of 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 as much as Easter. It’s vital to examine the calendar to see when these are going down.
In the course of the former, the resorts and golf equipment are filled with boozy American youngsters. In the course of the latter, the city bursts on the seam with vacationers from Guadalajara and Mexico City coming to celebration on the seaside. For each, the costs go up and availability goes down.
Shoulder Season in Puerto Vallarta
(October – November and April – Might)
It may be argued that the most effective 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 Might 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 yr when Restaurant Week is widely known. It’s extra like a month lately, and 50+ eating places take part by providing set menus for a closely discounted worth. For foodies, this is likely to be the most effective time to go to Puerto Vallarta.
I additionally get pleasure from Puerto Vallarta in November due to the Day of the Dead festivities. When you get to city simply earlier than, you possibly can lock down a very good deal on lodging when you’re trying to keep by way of the winter.
Off Season in Puerto Vallarta
(June – October)
that previous saying “when it rains, it pours”? Effectively, go to Puerto Vallarta in the summertime or early fall months and also you’ll stay 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 just isn’t for the faint of coronary heart, my mates.
When you plan on touring to Puerto Vallarta throughout these months, I might advise making certain you may have a spot with A/C and a pool. Due to the climate, you’ll should be fairly open-minded and versatile together with your plans as they’ll rapidly want to vary as a result of fixed downpours.
On the intense aspect, the crowds are far smaller and costs plummet throughout this time.
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Seashores
If you wish to spend some high quality time on la playa and plan on getting within the water loads, my suggestion is to go to in April or Might. The water is heat this time of yr and also you gained’t see any unwelcoming runoff that comes through the wet season.
Other than Semana Santa (Holy Week), which I like to recommend avoiding just like the plague when you’re touring to benefit from the seashores, this can be a comparatively quiet time of the yr in PV.
Whereas there are many individuals out having fun with the seaside always of the yr, the water can get fairly chilly through the excessive season and the seashores can grow to be fairly crowded. The spring months present a contented medium that’s good for hitting the seaside.
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Festivals
There are all types of festivals to rejoice in PV. One which I significantly get pleasure from is Mexico’s Independence Day. It falls on September seventeenth and the times main as much as it are filled with parades, out of doors markets and festivals, and a enjoyable and energetic ambiance. See what it seems to be like on this quick video:
As a number one LGBTQ+ vacation spot, Puerto Vallarta hosts an enormous homosexual pleasure week yearly, usually on the finish of Might. Resorts refill upfront for this celebration which features a parade, pool events, a celebration within the park, and lots extra.
The normal Mexican vacation, Day of the Useless, gives a novel cultural expertise. The Malecon fills up with colourful ofrendas (altars) that individuals create to honor those that have handed on.
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Historic Websites
In contrast to the Riviera Maya on the opposite coast of Mexico, Banderas Bay isn’t dwelling to many ruins. And in contrast to the massive cities, Puerto Vallarta doesn’t have quite a lot of historic websites.
For probably the most half, individuals journey right here to loosen up on the seaside, go on adventures, or simply wine and dine their means round city. When you’re thinking about seeing lots of historic websites in Mexico, I encourage you to make a journey to Mexico City or Oaxaca.
The primary historic web site in PV is the Church of Our Lady 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 twelfth. This pageant celebrates the Virgin Mary and her important function in Mexican tradition, with processions and different festivities centered round the principle sq..
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Wildlife
No doubt, the most effective time to go to Puerto Vallarta for wildlife is through the whale-watching season. A couple of thousand humpback whales migrate to the waters right here in Banderas Bay each December to mate and provides beginning – it’s an unforgettable expertise to witness these creatures.
You may 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 doubtless dolphins. When you’re fortunate, chances are you’ll even see a whale breach.
It’s one in all my favourite issues I’ve achieved in PV over time and there’s some robust competitors there!
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Low cost Costs
For these questioning about the most effective 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.
Because of this, costs don’t are inclined 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 when you wait till Mexican colleges are again in session.
I child you not, an Airbnb or native short-term rental is prone to be half the worth or much less in September when in comparison with December or January. These prepared to courageous the rain and the humidity are not less than rewarded with low-cost lodging prices.
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Mountaineering
When you’re trying to do extra mountain climbing 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 mountain climbing vacation spot. Nevertheless, that is excellent news when you’re trying to work up a sweat because the few trails within the space are by no means significantly 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 Seashore. You may take the native bus down there from the Romantic Zone for simply 10 pesos ($0.58), cross the bridge, and simply observe the path alongside the coast. Click 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 wish 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 Greatest Time to Go to Puerto Vallarta By Month
By now chances are you’ll be questioning what month is greatest to go to Puerto Vallarta. Truthfully, my reply modifications yr to yr because it relies upon loads on the climate. Right here’s a short description of every month in PV targeted on the climate and things to do.
Puerto Vallarta in January
The New 12 months kicks off with a bang in Puerto Vallarta, as the entire city is one huge fiesta on December 31. It’s an important place to recuperate 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 every 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 marvel Puerto Vallarta is such a well-liked snowbird vacation spot. Higher to be plowing sand than snow, am I proper?
When you can undoubtedly hit the seaside in January, the water is a bit chilly for my liking. I often simply hang around on Los Muertos Seashore 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 often begin arriving in December and there are many them within the bay by January. Click here for whale-watching tour choices.
That is additionally a very good time of yr to be lively outdoor. 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 here for instructions.
Puerto Vallarta in February
The excessive season continues to be going sturdy 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 never a rain cloud in sight. And the crowds are nonetheless right here soaking all of it up…
In the course of the day, you possibly can hang around on the seaside after which stroll by way of city after sundown. After darkish, although, you undoubtedly don’t desire a moist bathing swimsuit on and you may want a lightweight sweater – it may be slightly 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 mountain climbing. As I discussed earlier, the Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas is a good alternative and is definitely accessible from PV.
It’s additionally a very good month to discover extra of Banderas Bay. All the little seaside cities are hopping this time of yr; 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 & college children are all on the town on the similar time. Evidently, it could possibly get attention-grabbing.
Climate in Puerto Vallarta in March
“Spring Break! Wooooo!” You would possibly hear that a few 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 hardly ever make it to city, however chances are you’ll encounter a few of them barefoot, (barely inebriated), and confused on the native bus. Partygoers apart, the climate continues to be wonderful presently of yr!
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in March
With greater temperatures and much extra rain on the horizon, March is a good 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 slightly hotter in March, and it’s throughout this time of yr 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 plenty of the high-season of us begin making their mass exodus.
Climate in Puerto Vallarta in April
By April, the common every day excessive is 29°C/84F and the low is nineteen°C/66F. There’s nonetheless little or no to no rain, making April a great month to go to PV.
Truthfully, the hotter climate and longer days make April one in all my favourite months.
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in April
One factor to think about in April (and March typically) is Semana Santa. The Holy Week main as much as Easter is an extremely busy time for journey in Latin America, and PV is without doubt one of the high locations in Mexico.
Throughout Semana Santa in PV, the seashores are packed all day lengthy and site visitors is insufferable. The good expats simply get out of city, so I discourage you from planning your trip throughout this time.
When you do end up in Puerto Vallarta exterior of Semana Santa, it’s an superior time to be right here. Get on the market and do the Rhythms of the Night tour. It’s a sundown cruise, connoisseur dinner, an open bar, and an unbelievable efficiency multi functional.
Puerto Vallarta in Might
Ahhh… Might in PV. It’s formally shoulder season and also you don’t want to attend for a seaside chair or a seat on the bar. Life is nice.
Climate in Puerto Vallarta in Might
Come Might, the common every day excessive hits 30°C/86F. The most well liked time of the day is certainly siesta hour because it begins to grow to be 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 yr. There nonetheless isn’t a lot rain in Might, however these rainy-season vibes begin to creep in on the finish of the month.
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in Might
Might in Puerto Vallarta is all about Satisfaction 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 Might. It’s straightforward to seek out some shade and it’s good to loosen up by the river earlier than the mosquitoes come out to play.
Puerto Vallarta in June
We’ve got reached the off-season in Puerto Vallarta, as the warmth and the rain scare many a gringo away. Solely the sturdy survive at this level within the yr!
Climate in Puerto Vallarta in June
June is when it’s best to begin to consider carrying an umbrella with you. This may be to defend you from the solar or the rain relying on the day, and typically each.
The common every day excessive is 32°C/89F with lows typically dropping to 25°C/77F. It additionally begins raining fairly incessantly, however the actually intense storms don’t often occur in June.
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in June
A June journey to PV requires some flexibility together with your itinerary. You would possibly get a number of good seaside days, and also you would possibly solely get one. Anticipate boat journeys particularly to be rescheduled due to storms.
It’s greatest to drift because the wet season kicks off. Fortunately you possibly can nonetheless do issues like go on awesome food tours 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 would possibly find yourself spending lots of time within the room with the A/C on.
A July go to to PV isn’t a nasty time to think about an all-inclusive. You may 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 form 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 flee town and head up into the mountains. A little bit mud doesn’t cease the ATV tours from operating, and so they’re truly extra enjoyable in the summertime months.
Puerto Vallarta in August
By August, PV begins to grow to be considerably of a ghost city. At the least it’s straightforward to discover a deal on a resort room…
Climate in Puerto Vallarta in August
There’s about an 80% probability of rain each day in August. That is hurricane season right here, and whereas Banderas Bay is often fairly sheltered, it’s grow to be an space of upper threat in recent times.
Rain will most undoubtedly thwart a few of your plans when you’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 may take a chocolate-making workshop on the former and a few trippy footage on the latter.
Puerto Vallarta in September
Locals right here name this month “Sep-hambre” (hambre which means “starvation”) as a result of it’s the depths of the off-season. The numerous who depend on tourism listed here are scraping to get by till the following excessive season, so if you end up right here in September and also 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 yr when your shirt sticks to you all day and it is advisable to bathe 3 times or extra. Then you definitely get caught operating dwelling within the rain for a 4th bathe.
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in September
When you do courageous the climate situations, you’ll be rewarded with with the ability to get pleasure from 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, avenue 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 lightweight 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 stated, it’s nonetheless sticky, sizzling, and really, very wet.
When you’ve survived the entire off-season, by this level you simply take the downpours and energy outages in stride. When you’re simply visiting for just a few days, it would 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 sort 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 celebration 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).
This can be a stunning time in PV to get pleasure from being exterior and bouncing round city earlier than the excessive season actually kicks in. It’s one in all my favourite instances of the yr to be right here for certain.
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in November
The month kicks off with the Day of the Useless, which is a good time to be in Puerto Vallarta. Whereas the celebrations right here aren’t fairly as huge as they’re in Mexico City or Oaxaca, it’s nonetheless a really attention-grabbing cultural expertise.
With the return to pretty climate, November is an efficient time to leap on a ship and spend the day at a beach hideaway. Sit again, loosen up, and drink it in.
Puerto Vallarta in December
December in PV means the floodgates are open, because the airport is packed every day with individuals 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. Every day common highs hover at 28°C/82F and the lows dip so far as 18°C/64F, so you possibly can giggle 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 possibility of a random downpour may 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 Lady of Guadalupe. Individuals from throughout Mexico make a pilgrimage right here to the cathedral and there’s a festive ambiance in the principle sq. all week.
Within the lead-up to Christmas, the Malecon is adorned 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 celebration. New 12 months’s Eve is large in PV and the yr goes out with a bang right here.
Greatest Time to Go to Puerto Vallarta: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions on the most effective time to go to Puerto Vallarta:
The wet season lasts from June to November.
It may very well be any time from June to November however is usually between August and October.
April has very nice temperatures with little to no rain.
The excessive season lasts from late November till March in PV.
The off-season happens between June and October, though July will be busy with households on trip.
Both July or August is often the most well liked month in PV.
December, with Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve, is the busiest time of yr.
In Conclusion
I hope this submit helps you determine on the most effective time to go to Puerto Vallarta for you. As a result of that’s the factor – what’s greatest for you won’t be greatest for me, and vice versa.
Reality be advised, there isn’t a unhealthy time to go to Puerto Vallarta. Even once I’ve been caught in a downpour with no raincoat or umbrella in my flip-flops, I’ve managed to have a very good 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.
