Puerto Vallarta Weather by Month: Climate Guide & Best Time to Visit

Puerto Vallarta weather is warm all year, but it is not the same all year. Seven dry, sunny months are followed by five hot, humid ones with tropical storms, and the sea swings from spring-cool to bathwater-warm. This guide pairs live conditions with ten years of climate averages so you can pick your dates — and your tours — with real numbers.

Puerto Vallarta Weather Today

The panel below shows the current conditions in Puerto Vallarta and the seven-day forecast, refreshed straight from the forecast service each time you open the page. It also shows the sea surface temperature off the Malecón, which is the number most beach and boat plans really hinge on.

Puerto Vallarta Weather by Month: Average Temperatures, Rain & Sea

These are ten-year averages (2015–2024) for Puerto Vallarta. The current month is highlighted. Across the year the average daytime high only moves between 29 °C / 83 °F and 32 °C / 90 °F, so the real differences between months are rain, humidity and how warm the nights and the ocean are.

Two things jump out of the table. First, rain is extremely seasonal: roughly 90% of the year's 1051 mm falls between June and October. Second, night-time lows climb from about 19 °C / 66 °F in March to about 25 °C / 77 °F in August, and relative humidity rises from 79% to 88% — which is why summer feels much hotter than the daytime highs suggest.

Dry Season vs Rainy Season in Puerto Vallarta

Locals divide the year into two seasons rather than four. Knowing which one you are travelling in matters more than the exact month.

What the rainy season actually feels like

"Rainy season" sounds worse than it is. Rain in Puerto Vallarta usually comes as short, intense tropical storms — thunder, a downpour, then steam rising off the streets — rather than grey, drizzly days. Storms often build over the Sierra Madre later in the day, so many travellers plan beach and outdoor time for the morning and keep the evening flexible. The trade-off is heat: with humidity in the mid-80s and nights that barely drop below the mid-20s °C, the air feels heavy, and air-conditioning becomes a priority.

Best time to visit Puerto Vallarta

For the most reliable beach weather, the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is December to April: almost no rain, comfortable nights and humpback whales in the bay until March. November and May are the sweet-spot shoulder months — still dry, a little warmer, and quieter. If you do not mind the heat and afternoon storms, June to October rewards you with lush scenery, warm water and fewer crowds. For events, hotel prices and crowd levels by month, see our companion guide on the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta Weather Month by Month

Each month below lists the average high and low, rainfall and number of rainy days (days with 1 mm or more), plus the sea temperature — followed by what that weather is good for.

Puerto Vallarta weather in January

January is peak season for a reason: dry days, clear skies and the coolest nights of the winter, so a light layer is useful after sunset. Humpback whales are in the bay, which makes this one of the best months for a private boat charter that mixes whale watching with snorkeling. It is also ideal for long walks on the Malecón and full-day jungle tours in the Sierra Madre, where the morning air is fresh.

Puerto Vallarta weather in February

February is still firmly in the dry season, with a little more rain on average than January but rarely enough to spoil a day. Whale activity is at its best, the water is clear, and the mountains are comfortable for ATV and horseback rides. Book tours and restaurants ahead — it is one of the busiest months of the year.

Puerto Vallarta weather in March

March has the coolest nights of the year and very little rain. It is the last full month of whale season, so if seeing humpbacks is on your list, do not leave it later. The sea starts cooling toward its spring low, which keeps the water crisp but also very clear for paddle boarding at Los Arcos.

Puerto Vallarta weather in April

April is usually the driest month of all — on average it records essentially no rain. Days get noticeably warmer and the sea is at its coolest of the year, which surprises some visitors. It is a great month for beach-hopping by boat to Las Ánimas or Yelapa and for zipline tours before the summer heat sets in.

Puerto Vallarta weather in May

May is the hottest month by daytime temperature, yet it is still dry, and the ocean warms quickly. Crowds thin out after spring holidays and prices soften, so many regulars call it their favourite month. Plan outdoor tours for the morning, spend the afternoon in the water, and catch sunset from the beach.

Puerto Vallarta weather in June

June marks the start of the rainy season and the jump in humidity is immediate. Rain tends to arrive as evening or night storms, often leaving the mornings bright. The jungle turns green almost overnight, the sea is warm, and it is an excellent month for surf and paddle lessons — just keep your plans flexible.

Puerto Vallarta weather in July

July is hot, humid and green, with storms on most days — though usually not all day. Sea temperatures are over 30 °C, so snorkeling feels like a warm bath. Sierra Madre tours are at their most scenic, with full rivers and waterfalls; the ranch tours run in light rain and only pause for real storms.

Puerto Vallarta weather in August

August is one of the wettest and most humid months, with warm nights and rain on most days. It is also the heart of hurricane season, so follow the forecast and prefer flexible bookings. On clear mornings the bay is calm and warm — perfect for an early boat charter or a paddle session before the heat builds.

Puerto Vallarta weather in September

September is, on average, the wettest month in Puerto Vallarta, and the most humid. It is the quietest month for tourism, so you will find empty beaches and the lowest rates of the year. Plan indoor backups — food tours, galleries, a long lunch — and use the dry windows for the beach and the jungle, which is at its most lush.

Puerto Vallarta weather in October

October is the transition back to dry weather: rainfall is well down on September and the sea is still warm. Hurricane season has not officially ended, so keep an eye on forecasts early in the month. By late October the air starts to feel lighter and it is a good month for combo tours in a green, freshly washed Sierra Madre.

Puerto Vallarta weather in November

November brings the dry season back. Rainfall is low, the humidity eases, and the ocean remains warm from the summer. It is a sweet spot for travellers who want reliable sunshine without peak-season crowds, and one of the best months for swimming, snorkeling and sunset cruises.

Puerto Vallarta weather in December

December is dry, sunny and pleasantly warm, with cooler evenings. Humpback whales start arriving in Banderas Bay, holiday energy fills the Malecón, and demand for tours and boats is high — reserve early, especially for Christmas and New Year's week. Mornings are perfect for horseback and zipline tours.

Puerto Vallarta Hurricane Season

The Eastern Pacific hurricane season officially runs from May 15 to November 30. That overlaps almost exactly with Puerto Vallarta's rainy season, and the most active stretch for the region is typically late summer into early autumn.

How likely is a hurricane in Puerto Vallarta?

Direct hurricane landfalls on Banderas Bay are rare. The bay is sheltered by the mountains and by the curve of the coast, and most storms track parallel to the shore or out to sea. The more common impact is indirect: a storm passing offshore brings a day or two of heavy rain, rough surf, closed ports and cancelled boat trips. Flash flooding in streets and rivers is the main hazard during those days.

Travelling during hurricane season

• Follow the official forecasts from the U.S. National Hurricane Center and Mexico's national weather service (SMN/CONAGUA) in the days before and during your trip.
• Choose flexible or refundable bookings for flights, hotels and boat tours between August and October.
• Keep a buffer day in your plans — if the port closes, boat charters are simply moved to the next suitable day.
• Consider travel insurance that covers weather disruption.

Water Temperature in Puerto Vallarta

Banderas Bay is swimmable year-round. The sea is at its coolest in spring — about 25 °C / 76 °F in April — and warms steadily through the summer to a peak of about 31 °C / 89 °F in September. From June to November it stays at or above 29 °C / 84 °F, which is warm enough to snorkel for as long as you like without a wetsuit.

Best months for snorkeling and water sports

For visibility, the dry season generally wins: less rain means less river runoff and clearer water around Los Arcos, Majahuitas and the southern coves. For warmth, summer wins. Surfers and paddlers should think in terms of time of day rather than month — mornings are usually calmer everywhere in the bay, and the wind tends to pick up in the afternoon.

Humpback whale season: December to March

Humpback whales migrate to Banderas Bay each winter to breed and calve, and they are present from December to March. The timing lines up perfectly with the dry season, so whale watching usually comes with calm seas and clear skies. Read more in our Puerto Vallarta whale season guide.

What to Pack for Puerto Vallarta Weather

• All year: breathable cotton or linen clothes, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses — the sun is strong in every month.
• December to March: a light sweater or long-sleeve shirt for evenings, when lows fall to around 19 °C / 66 °F.
• June to October: a packable rain jacket, quick-dry shoes or sandals, insect repellent and a dry bag for phones on boat days.
• For tours: closed-toe shoes for ATV, zipline and horseback rides, a change of clothes (you will get muddy in the wet season) and a refillable water bottle.

Best Puerto Vallarta Tours for Every Season

The weather changes which activities shine, not whether you can do them. Here is how our Puerto Vallarta tours and private boat charters match up with the seasons. Prices are per the tour pages; every tour is booked with a local operator.

Dry season tours (November – May): boats, whales and clear water

Calm, clear water makes the dry season the time to get out on the bay. Our three private charters depart from Nuevo Vallarta Marina with a 4-hour minimum, and any of them can combine whale watching (December to March), snorkeling, fishing and a beach stop:

• Peaceful Easy Feeling — 32' Super Panga for up to 8 guests, $4,000 MXN/hour.
• Guanatuna — 34' Gulfstream with a fully shaded deck for up to 15 guests, $3,200 MXN/hour.
• Steel n Time — the big boat, for up to 22 guests with an air-conditioned salon, $7,000 MXN/hour.

The dry season is also prime time for a paddle board lesson at Los Arcos de Mismaloya (from $100), when the protected marine park has its clearest water, and for a private surf lesson at Playa La Lancha (from $95) on the forgiving beginner wave near Punta de Mita.

Rainy season tours (June – October): the jungle at its greenest

Summer is the season for the Sierra Madre. Rivers run full, waterfalls are loud and every trail is deep green. The ranch tours run in light rain and are only held for storms, and the full-day tours include lunch with open bar at the ranch:

• ATV Tour Las Palmas — jungle trails, river crossings and a waterfall swim, from $85.
• ATV Tour Río Cuale — a private 3-hour ride from downtown into the Río Cuale canyon, from $85.
• Sierra Madre Horseback Riding — river trail, hanging bridges and a hidden waterfall, from $75.
• Zip Line Tour — 7 Lines over the rainforest canopy, from $90.
• Canopy El Edén Zipline Tour — ten long lines above the waterfalls of El Edén, from $80.

Warm summer water also makes June to October a lovely time for surf and paddle lessons — just book morning sessions, when the bay is calmest and storms are least likely.

Year-round favourites: combo tours

If you only have one day for the mountains, the combos pack the most into it, in any season: the ATV + Zipline Combo Tour (from $145) and the full-day ATV + Zipline + Horseback Riding tour (from $195). In the dry season you get dusty trails and big views; in the rainy season, mud, river splashes and waterfalls at full flow.

Beaches by season

In the dry months every beach is at its best, including the boat-only coves of Las Ánimas and Yelapa. In the rainy season, stick to morning beach time and the easy-access beaches such as Playa Los Muertos or Conchas Chinas, and keep an eye on the surf after storms. See all twelve in our guide to the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta Weather FAQ

Climate data: Open-Meteo (ERA5-Land / ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024 averages; sea surface temperature from Open-Meteo Marine, 2023–2025). Live conditions: Open-Meteo forecast API. Hurricane season dates: U.S. National Hurricane Center.