For those who’re planning a visit to Mexico and are questioning when the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta is perhaps, you’ve come to the precise place! This information takes a have a look at all of the completely 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 while you go to, you may go away these heavy jackets at residence.
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, after which there are shoulder seasons in between.
The perfect time to go to Puerto Vallarta depends upon what you propose to do there, your price range, and the way you’re feeling about crowds. I’ve skilled PV in each month through the years and have stayed throughout all of the seasons, so I’m right here to share my discoveries and make planning your journey simpler.
General Finest Time To Go to Puerto Vallarta
So, when’s the very best time to journey to Puerto Vallarta? It is a tough query to reply, because it depends upon the way you wish 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 yr, the crowds are dense and the costs are excessive.
Folks ebook their lodging for the excessive season a yr or extra upfront – it’s that aggressive today. 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 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/Might 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 a number of completely different peak seasons in PV. The primary comes between Christmas and New Yr’s, lasting from mid-December to mid-January.
Right now, the city is completely packed. Airways and accommodations jack up their costs and folks pay them, as many vacationers eagerly plan to trip on the seaside and have a good time the vacations.
New Yr’s Eve is a large celebration in PV with a fireworks present on the Malecon and many particular occasions within the bars and golf equipment. You’ll see a combination of locals and vacationers and the site visitors could 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 necessary 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 very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta is in both shoulder season. Throughout these months, it’s not too scorching or too wet. It’s additionally not as crowded or as costly because it will get from December to March.
I like the month of Might in PV. Many 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 well known. It’s extra like a month today, and 50+ eating places take part by providing set menus for a closely discounted worth. For foodies, this is perhaps the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta.
I additionally take pleasure in Puerto Vallarta in November due to the Day of the Dead festivities. For those who get to city simply earlier than, you may lock down an excellent deal on lodging in the event you’re seeking to keep by means of the winter.
Off Season in Puerto Vallarta
(June – October)
that previous saying “when it rains, it pours”? Properly, 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 scorching and humid. This climate shouldn’t be for the faint of coronary heart, my mates.
For those who plan on touring to Puerto Vallarta throughout these months, I’d advise making certain you might have a spot with A/C and a pool. Due to the climate, you’ll should be fairly open-minded and versatile along with your plans as they will rapidly want to alter because of the fixed downpours.
On the brilliant facet, 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 rather a lot, my advice is to go to in April or Might. The water is heat this time of yr and also you received’t see any unwelcoming runoff that comes throughout the wet season.
Other than Semana Santa (Holy Week), which I like to recommend avoiding just like the plague in the event you’re touring to benefit from the seashores, it is a comparatively quiet time of the yr in PV.
Whereas there are many folks out having fun with the seaside always of the yr, the water can get fairly chilly throughout 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 have a good time in PV. One which I notably take pleasure in 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 appears to be like like on this brief video:
As a number one LGBTQ+ vacation spot, Puerto Vallarta hosts an enormous homosexual pleasure week yearly, usually on the finish of Might. Lodges replenish upfront for this celebration which features a parade, pool events, a celebration within the park, and many extra.
The normal Mexican vacation, Day of the Useless, offers a singular cultural expertise. The Malecon fills up with colourful ofrendas (altars) that folks create to honor those that have handed on.
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Historic Websites
Not like the Riviera Maya on the opposite coast of Mexico, Banderas Bay isn’t residence to many ruins. And in contrast to the large cities, Puerto Vallarta doesn’t have a substantial amount of historic websites.
For probably the most half, folks journey right here to chill out on the seaside, go on adventures, or simply wine and dine their method round city. For those who’re concerned with seeing quite a lot of historic websites in Mexico, I encourage you to make a journey to Mexico City or Oaxaca.
The primary historic website in PV is the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in El Centro. It’s the image of the town and an necessary 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 primary sq..
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Wildlife
No doubt, the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta for wildlife is throughout the whale-watching season. Just a few thousand humpback whales migrate to the waters right here in Banderas Bay each December to mate and provides start – it’s an unforgettable expertise to witness these creatures.
You’ll be able to 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 possibly dolphins. For those who’re fortunate, chances are you’ll even see a whale breach.
It’s one in every of my favourite issues I’ve carried out in PV through the years and there’s some robust competitors there!
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Low-cost Costs
For these questioning about the very best time to journey to Puerto Vallarta on a price range, August to October are the most cost effective months. Whereas it’s scorching, humid, and wet within the mid-summer months, numerous Mexican households nonetheless journey to PV for a seaside trip.
Consequently, costs don’t are likely to drop all that a lot in June and July. Positive, it’s cheaper than the excessive season, however you’ll get a greater deal in the event you wait till Mexican colleges are again in session.
I child you not, an Airbnb or native short-term rental is more likely to be half the worth or much less in September when in comparison with December or January. These keen to courageous the rain and the humidity are at the least rewarded with low cost lodging prices.
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta For Mountain climbing
For those who’re seeking 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. Nonetheless, that is excellent news in the event you’re seeking 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 Seashore. You’ll be able to 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 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 may seize lunch and drinks whereas chilling on the seaside earlier than catching a water taxi again.
The Finest Time to Go to Puerto Vallarta By Month
By now chances are you’ll be questioning what month is finest to go to Puerto Vallarta. Truthfully, my reply adjustments yr to yr because it relies upon rather a lot 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 Yr kicks off with a bang in Puerto Vallarta, as the entire city is one large fiesta on December 31. It’s a terrific place to recuperate from a hangover, that’s for positive!
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 surprise Puerto Vallarta is such a preferred snowbird vacation spot. Higher to be plowing sand than snow, am I proper?
When 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 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 normally begin arriving in December and there are many them within the bay by January. Click here for whale-watching tour choices.
That is additionally an excellent 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 robust in February, because the climate is far 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 may hang around on the seaside after which stroll by means of city after sundown. After darkish, although, you positively don’t desire a moist bathing go well with on and you may want a lightweight sweater – it may be a little 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 mountain climbing. As I discussed earlier, the Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas is a superb alternative and is definitely accessible from PV.
It’s additionally an excellent month to discover extra of Banderas Bay. The entire 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 youngsters are all on the town on the similar time. Evidently, it could actually get fascinating.
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 not often 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 superb presently of yr!
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in March
With larger temperatures and plenty extra rain on the horizon, March is a superb month for taking a ship journey. The most effective is the journey to the Marietas Islands, the place you may swim to a hidden seaside and look out for blue-footed boobies.
The water will get a little bit hotter in March, and it’s throughout this time of yr that the majority I 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 many 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 super month to go to PV.
Truthfully, the hotter climate and longer days make April one in every of my favourite months.
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in April
One factor to think about in April (and March generally) is Semana Santa. The Holy Week main as much as 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 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 popular time of the day is certainly siesta hour because it begins to grow to be disagreeable to be out within the scorching 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 Pleasure Week which generally 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 chill out by the river earlier than the mosquitoes come out to play.
Puerto Vallarta in June
Now we have 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 yr!
Climate in Puerto Vallarta in June
June is when you must 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 generally each.
The common every day excessive is 32°C/89F with lows generally dropping to 25°C/77F. It additionally begins raining fairly regularly, 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 would possibly get a number of good seaside days, and also you would possibly solely get one. Count on boat journeys particularly to be rescheduled due to storms.
It’s finest to flow because the wet season kicks off. Fortunately you may 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 scorching and humid as properly, so that you would possibly 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 think about an all-inclusive. You’ll be able to nonetheless hang around on the swim-up bar even when it’s raining!
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in July
Whereas it’s scorching, 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 the town and head up into the mountains. A bit of mud doesn’t cease the ATV tours from working, and so they’re really extra enjoyable in the summertime months.
Puerto Vallarta in August
By August, PV begins to grow to be considerably of a ghost city. Not less than 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 grow to be an space of upper threat in recent times.
Rain will most positively thwart a few of your plans in the event you’re visiting in August. There could possibly 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 embody the Choco Museum and the Tilt PV Museum. You’ll be able to take a chocolate-making workshop on the former and a few trippy photos 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 various 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 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 you should bathe thrice or extra. Then you definitely get caught working residence within the rain for a 4th bathe.
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in September
For those who do courageous the climate circumstances, you’ll be rewarded with with 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, 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, but it surely’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, scorching, and really, 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 a number of 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 may watch no matter type 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
Identical 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 exterior and bouncing round city earlier than the excessive season actually kicks in. It’s one in every of my favourite occasions of the yr to be right here for positive.
Issues To Do in Puerto Vallarta in November
The month kicks off with the Day of the Useless, 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 City or Oaxaca, it’s nonetheless a really fascinating 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, chill out, and drink it in.
Puerto Vallarta in December
December in PV means the floodgates are open, because the airport is packed every 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. Day by day common highs hover at 28°C/82F and the lows dip so far as 18°C/64F, so you may chortle in any respect your pals 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 Lady 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 celebration. New Yr’s Eve is large in PV and the yr goes out with a bang right here.
Finest Time to Go to Puerto Vallarta: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions on the very best time to go to Puerto Vallarta:
The wet season lasts from June to November.
It could possibly be any time from June to November however is often 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 could be busy with households on trip.
Both July or August is normally the most well liked month in PV.
December, with Christmas and New Yr’s Eve, is the busiest time of yr.
In Conclusion
I hope this put up helps you determine 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 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 an excellent 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 positive you’ll have enjoyable whatever the climate. Disfruta Puerto Vallarta, amigos.
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