When Is the Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta

The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is from December to March, because the weather is sunny but cool.

You can still have fun the rest of the year, but you’ll have to deal with heat and humidity from April to May, and frequent rains from June to October.

In this article, we’ll look at not just the best time to go to Puerto Vallarta, but the best things to do while you’re there.

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About Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico, because of the beautiful beaches water sports, diverse marine life, and exciting night life.

Visit Puerto Vallarta time of the year — Visiting Puerto Vallarta

But to maximize what this resort town has to offer (and avoid the blistering heat) you have to pick the right time of the year.

So when is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

However, you don’t have to let the weather stop you—there’s always a lot to do in Puerto Vallarta every day of the year, and you may even enjoy better prices and special festivals if you go off-season.

December to March: best time to enjoy the scenic outdoors

This is the “golden time” to visit Puerto Vallarta. it’s sunny but still cool, and you’ll enjoy a light breeze for most of the day.

Those are perfect weather conditions for enjoying what this resort town has to offer.

Visit Puerto Vallarta in December — Puerto Vallarta beaches

Aside from hanging out at the beach, you can book a tour of the Islas Marietas National Park and spend the whole day snorkeling and kayaking through river caverns.

If you’re into adventure sports, you can also go skydiving, ziplining, deep sea fishing, or go driving through the jungle in an ATV. There’s a lot to do—and with such cool weather, you can cram a lot of activities in one day.

When night falls, you can head to beach-side street pubs and restaurants.

One of the most famous clubs, the Top Sky Bar, even has jacuzzis, so remember to pack your swimsuit.

If that’s not reason enough to book a trip to Puerto Vallarta, consider this: during December to March, there’s a really good chance that you’ll see entire families of humpback whales, including their young.

April to May: best time to enjoy uncrowded beaches and celebrate Gay Pride

By this time, the weather is starting to get warm and muggy, with average temperatures of 82°F (28 °C).

Visit Puerto Vallarta in April — Walking around Puerto Vallarta

However, there’s a big chance that you’ll have the beach to yourself since the people who are here on Spring Break tend to congregate in the trendier resorts and nightclubs.

The water is also warmer, which makes swimming a lot more pleasant.

Puerto Vallarta is also known for its vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and culture, and they celebrate this with aplomb during the annual Puerto Vallarta Gay Pride every May.

The eight-day festivities include:

parades
shows
and parties

The event attracts thousands of visitors for around the world, so find out the exact dates for the year and book your hotel or AirBnB way ahead.

June to September: Best time for to travel on a budget

While Puerto Vallarta’s tropical climate means there’s sun throughout the year, but during June to September you’ll also get frequent bursts of rain.

That leads to a rather humid, muggy atmosphere that may be uncomfortable for people who aren’t used to this type of weather.

Visit Puerto Vallarta in September — Puerto Vallarta cool places

However, if you’re willing to deal with a little discomfort and have a more flexible itinerary to accommodate the occasional afternoon rain shower, you will save a significant amount of money.

The price of plane tickets and hotel accommodations drop, and you’ll even get a lot of discounts on package tours.

So if you’re looking for when is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta on a budget, then look into going here during this off-season.

You could save up to 50% on your travel costs, and even get to enjoy other perks that only happen this time of year.

For example, many of Puerto Vallarta’s festivals are held in September. If you schedule your trip so you’re there on September 16, you’ll also be able to join their Independence Day celebrations—there’ll be lots of fireworks and street parties, so don’t miss out.

This is also the time of the year when they do sea turtle releases, so ask your hotel or tour guides about where you can go and how to participate.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

October to November: Best time for traveling with kids and underwater adventures

As the year winds to a close, the temperatures become a little bit cooler and more comfortable.

However, the holiday crowds haven’t arrived, and the hotel and tour package rates are fairly reasonable.

So, if you’re traveling with young children, this may be the best time to visit Puerto Vallerta.

It’ll be much easier to find accommodations that are big, conveniently located, and still affordable.

The beaches and restaurants are also less crowded, which is better for toddlers or preschoolers who may be overwhelmed when there’s a lot of noise.

October and November are also known as “snorkeling and diving season” because the waters are clearer, and you’ll be able to see more of the marine life.

And though the climate is noticeably cooler, the waters are still quite warm and very comfortable for long swimming trips.

Enjoy Puerto Vallarta at every time of the year

While December to March are considered the “peak season”, as you can see there’s a lot to enjoy in Puerto Vallarta at any time of the year.

You may have to deal with a little bad weather, but it won’t stop you from enjoying view or the many activities. It all boils down to your comfort level, budget, and what’s important to you.