Photo: Richard Wright via Google
When to go to Puerto Vallarta
A month by month read on weather, sea temperature, whales and crowds, so you choose the right week for the beach you want.
The verdict
- Best forBeachgoers deciding which month balances warm dry weather, a swimmable sea and a bearable crowd in Puerto Vallarta.
- Top pickNovember and again April into May for warm dry days with fewer people, or December to March for whale season and the liveliest scene.
- One thing to knowThe sea is warm enough to swim all year, so the real variable is the rains and the crowds, not the water, with a dry season from November to May and a wet, humid summer.
Published 24 February 2026. Last reviewed 10 May 2026
Puerto Vallarta keeps a simple rhythm, and once you understand it the timing of a trip falls into place. The sea on Banderas Bay is warm and swimmable every month of the year, so the question is never whether the water is right. It is whether you want the dry, sunny, busier high season or the hot, green, near empty low season, and whether you would like the humpback whales that visit through the winter.
The dry season runs from roughly November to May, with reliably sunny days, gentle humidity and the warmest crowds, peaking around the festive weeks and the North American winter. The wet season runs from June to October, when it stays hot and the sea is at its warmest, but humidity climbs and afternoon storms roll in, especially from August into September, the heart of the hurricane watch.
If you take one line from this page, take this one. For the best balance of warm dry weather and a manageable crowd, aim for November or for April into May, come December to March if you want whales and the liveliest scene, and treat the summer as hot, humid and quiet, with warm water and lush green hills the reward for the afternoon rain.
Month by month at a glance
| Month | Air | Sea | Rain | Crowd | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Warm, around 28C | Warm, near 26C | Dry | Peak | Whale season, clear blue skies |
| February | Warm, around 28C | Warm, near 25C | Dry | Peak | Whales and near perfect weather |
| March | Warm, around 29C | Warm, near 25C | Dry | Busy | Warm, dry and lively |
| April | Hot, around 30C | Warm, near 26C | Dry | Easing after Easter | Hot and dry, quieter late |
| May | Hot, around 31C | Warm, near 27C | Mostly dry | Quiet | Hottest dry month, great value |
| June | Hot, around 32C | Warm, near 28C | Rains begin | Quiet | Warm sea, afternoon storms |
| July | Hot, around 32C | Warm, near 29C | Wet, humid | Quiet | Green and humid, brief downpours |
| August | Hot, around 32C | Warmest, near 30C | Wettest, humid | Quiet | Warmest sea, most humid |
| September | Hot, around 31C | Warm, near 29C | Wettest | Very quiet | Lush but stormy, hurricane watch |
| October | Hot, around 31C | Warm, near 29C | Easing | Quiet | Rains fading, warm sea |
| November | Warm, around 30C | Warm, near 28C | Dry returns | Building | Excellent, dry and warm |
| December | Warm, around 28C | Warm, near 27C | Dry | Busy | Whales return, peak begins |
When each month earns its place
November. The sweet spot at the start of the dry season. The summer rains have cleared, the hills are still green, the humidity has dropped and the days are warm and sunny, yet the big winter crowds and prices have not arrived. The sea is warm for easy swims and the town feels fresh and uncrowded. For many regulars November is the single best month to visit.
December to March. The high season and whale season rolled into one. The weather is at its driest and sunniest, the humpback whales are in the bay from December to March, and the town is at its liveliest with snowbirds, festivals and a full restaurant scene. It is the busiest and priciest stretch, especially over the festive weeks, so book well ahead and expect company on the sand.
April and May. The warm, dry tail of the high season and a value sweet spot. Easter week is busy with Mexican holidaymakers, but once it passes the crowds thin while the weather stays gloriously dry and hot. May is the hottest of the dry months and the sea is warm and calm, making late spring a fine time for warm beach days with more room and softer prices.
September. The honest low point for a beach trip. It is the wettest, most humid month and the heart of the hurricane watch, with heavy afternoon storms and the highest chance of a washed out day. The flip side is a lush, dramatic landscape, the warmest sea of the year and the quietest, cheapest town, which suits a flexible traveller who does not mind the rain and watches the forecast.
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Before you go
What is the best month to visit Puerto Vallarta for the beach?
November and the April into May window offer the best balance, with warm dry weather, a swimmable sea and far smaller crowds than the festive peak. December to March is superb for sunshine and whale watching but is the busiest and priciest stretch. The summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms, but the warmest water and the quietest beaches.
When is the rainy season in Puerto Vallarta?
The wet season runs from June to October, when it stays hot and the sea is warmest but humidity climbs and afternoon thunderstorms roll in, typically building through the day. August and September are the wettest and most humid, and the heart of the hurricane watch. The dry season from November to May is reliably sunny, which is why it is the high season.
When can you see whales in Puerto Vallarta?
Humpback whales visit Banderas Bay through the winter, roughly from December to March, when boat tours run to see them breaching and the bay is at its most spectacular. The exact timing varies year to year and sightings are typical rather than guaranteed, but a winter trip gives the best chance and pairs the whales with the driest, sunniest weather of the year.
Is Puerto Vallarta too hot in summer?
Summer is hot and, more notably, very humid, with daytime air around 32C and the sea at its warmest near 30C. It rarely feels unbearable on the coast thanks to the sea breeze, but the humidity and the afternoon storms make it the most demanding season. Many travellers find mornings on the beach and afternoons in the shade or pool the comfortable way to handle it.
When is Puerto Vallarta least crowded?
The summer wet season from June to October is the quietest and cheapest, especially September, though you trade the crowds for humidity and afternoon storms. For warm, dry weather with fewer people, the shoulders of November and of April into May after Easter are the sweet spot, far calmer than the December to March peak while keeping the reliable sun.
Is the sea warm enough to swim year round in Puerto Vallarta?
Yes. The sea on Banderas Bay stays warm and swimmable every month, ranging from around 25C in the cooler winter to near 30C at the height of summer, so water temperature is never the reason to pick a month. Conditions, surf and currents vary by beach and day and are typical rather than guaranteed, so check locally and choose the calmer bay beaches for an easy swim.