🇲🇽 Puerto Vallarta · When to go
The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has a tropical climate with a dry season (November–April) and a wet season (May–October). The dry season is the best time to visit — warm, sunny and ideal for the beaches, with whale-watching from December to March. The wet season is hot, humid and cheaper, with afternoon storms.
Best overall
November–April — warm, dry, sunny beach weather, with whale season December–March.
Best weather
The dry season (November–April).
Fewer crowds
May–June and September–October (outside the wettest peak and holidays).
Lowest prices
The wet/low season (May–October) is cheapest, outside Christmas/New Year and Easter.
When to avoid
September–October for the heaviest rain and hurricane-season risk; Christmas, New Year and Easter for peak crowds and prices.
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Puerto Vallarta season by season
Warm, sunny and low-humidity — peak beach weather and whale-watching (Dec–Mar); the busiest and priciest, especially over the holidays.
Hotter and more humid with building afternoon showers; quieter and better value.
Hot, humid and green, with regular downpours but busy around the July–August holidays.
The rainiest months with a hurricane-season risk; lush, quiet and cheapest.
Key events & holidays
Whale-watching season (December–March), the Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe processions (December), the Vallarta Pride festival (late May), and the busy Christmas, New Year and Easter holidays.
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Plan my Puerto Vallarta trip — freeBest time to visit Puerto Vallarta — FAQs
When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
November to April — the dry season brings warm, sunny beach weather, with humpback-whale watching from December to March.
What is the cheapest time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
The wet/low season (May–October, outside Christmas and Easter) is cheapest, with hot, humid days and afternoon storms.
When is hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta?
Roughly June to November, with the highest rain and storm risk in September–October; direct hits are uncommon but possible.
When can you see whales in Puerto Vallarta?
Humpback whales visit Banderas Bay from about December to March — a major draw of the dry season.
Weather, prices and event dates vary year to year — always check current forecasts and schedules before you book. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.