Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta

November to April: dry and easy

From November, the rain stops and the air dries out. December to February is the sweet spot. Days are warm, nights are mild, and you can walk the Malecón (the seafront boardwalk) in the evening without feeling sticky. November is rated just as Excellent, and it's a bit quieter and cheaper than midwinter.

This is high season. Canadians and Americans escape their winters, so beaches like Playa Los Muertos and the Zona Romántica get busy. Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks. From late December to March, humpback whales visit Banderas Bay, and boat trips to see them are a real highlight. Around December 12, the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe fills the streets near the cathedral with processions.

March and April are still dry, but the heat builds. April is the driest month in our data, with almost no rain. It's also Fair rather than Excellent because afternoons get hot. Holy Week (Semana Santa) brings Mexican families to the beaches, so book rooms early if you're coming then.

May to June: hot, then wet

May is the hottest month, and the sea feels welcome. Rain barely shows up yet, so it suits beach days if you don't mind the heat. Do your walking in the morning and swim in the afternoon.

By June the rain arrives. It's still warm, but you'll get downpours on about half the days. It's a decent time for bargains.

July to October: the wet season

July to September are the wettest months. August is the wettest, with rain on 30 days, and September is close behind. Expect humid, grey days, often with heavy storms. The sun shows for only a couple of hours a day. Hurricane season peaks in this period, so keep an eye on forecasts and check your cancellation terms.

There's an upside. Hotels drop their rates, the hills turn bright green, and beaches are nearly empty. If you don't mind getting wet, it can be a relaxed time. Surfers and anyone on a tight budget may like it.

October is still Poor, with rain on about half the days. Then November brings the dry weather back.

If you want one simple answer, pick late November or early December. You get the dry weather before the biggest crowds arrive.