Photo: Apolinar Hernández via Google
The verdict
- Best forBeach travellers who want the honest read on Sayulita's seasons, from the dry sunny winter and whale season to the warm, quiet, good value green months.
- Top pickNovember to April for dry sunny weather and whales, or May and the quiet green season for warm water, surf and lower prices.
- One thing to knowThe year splits cleanly into a dry winter peak and a warm green season of afternoon showers from June to October, so you are mostly trading crowds and price against a daily shower.
Published 14 February 2026. Last reviewed 3 May 2026
Sayulita makes the timing question fairly simple, because the year divides neatly in two. From November to April the little Nayarit surf town runs dry, sunny and warm, with low humidity and a steady stream of visitors, and this is also when humpback whales move through Banderas Bay just to the south. From June to October the green season takes over, warmer and more humid, with a reliable afternoon shower and a warm, lively sea.
That split leaves price and crowd as the main variables. The dry winter is the high season, busiest and priciest around the Christmas weeks and Semana Santa at Easter, when the village fills and rooms book months ahead. The green season is quieter and cheaper, with the warmest water of the year and consistent surf, in exchange for humid days and a daily downpour that usually clears as fast as it arrives.
The town stays warm and walkable all year, the main beach works for swimming and beginner surf across the calendar, and the river mouth can muddy the water after heavy green season rain. Conditions below are typical rather than guaranteed, and there are no safety promises, just the honest pattern of the seasons to help you choose.
Month by month at a glance
| Month | Air | Sea | Rain | Crowd | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28C | 24C | Low | Peak | Dry, sunny and warm with whales in the bay. Prime time and priced like it. |
| February | 28C | 23C | Low | Peak | More fine dry weather and peak whale watching. Busy and one of the best months. |
| March | 29C | 23C | Low | Busy | Warm, dry and sunny, whales tailing off, calmer and a touch cheaper late in the month. |
| April | 30C | 24C | Low | Busy | Hot and dry, with a sharp Semana Santa spike at Easter. Fine, otherwise easing weather. |
| May | 31C | 26C | Low | Steady | Hottest dry month with humidity building, smaller crowds and softer prices. Strong value. |
| June | 31C | 28C | Moderate | Quiet | The green season begins, warm sea and good surf, with the first afternoon showers. Quiet value. |
| July | 32C | 29C | Moderate | Steady | Green and lush, warm water and consistent surf, with short afternoon downpours. Lively and cheaper. |
| August | 32C | 29C | High | Steady | Wettest stretch with daily showers, warmest sea and the best surf. Green and good value. |
| September | 31C | 30C | High | Quiet | The quietest, cheapest and wettest month, with some storm risk in the bay. A value gamble. |
| October | 31C | 29C | Moderate | Quiet | The rains ease through the month, warm sea and surf, still quiet and cheap. Good value. |
| November | 30C | 27C | Low | Steady | The dry season returns and whales arrive, warm and sunny. The best all round month. |
| December | 28C | 25C | Low | Peak | Dry, sunny and pleasant, with whales about, quiet early then packed over the holidays. |
When each month earns its place
February. A high point of the year, dry and sunny with comfortable warmth and the best whale watching in Banderas Bay, when humpbacks are active just to the south. It is busy and pricier, but for many it is Sayulita close to its best, so book ahead.
May. One of the smartest windows. The winter crowds have thinned and prices have eased, yet the weather is still dry and sunny before the rains, with the sea warming up. For the same beaches at a calmer pace and a lower cost, late spring is hard to beat.
August. High green season, the wettest stretch and the warmest water of the year, with consistent surf that makes it a favourite of board riders. The showers come mostly as short afternoon downpours that clear quickly, and the town stays lush, lively and good value between them.
September. The quietest and cheapest month, hot and humid with the highest rainfall and some Pacific storm risk in the bay. Travellers who do not need the peak buzz find an uncrowded, bargain Sayulita with warm water and good surf, in exchange for the wettest weather. The value gamble.
November. The sweet spot as the dry season returns, warm and sunny with the humidity gone, the whales beginning to arrive and prices still below the holiday peak. It is the best all round month for most travellers, after the rains and before the Christmas rush.
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Before you go
What is the best month to visit Sayulita?
November is the standout for most travellers, with dry sunny weather, the whales arriving and prices still below the holiday peak. February is a close second for fine weather and the best whale watching. For warm water, surf and low prices, the green season months of May, June and October are the value picks.
Does Sayulita have a rainy season?
Yes, the green season runs from roughly June to October, peaking around August and September. The rain usually comes as a short, heavy afternoon downpour that clears quickly rather than an all day washout, leaving warm mornings and lively evenings, and it brings the warmest sea and the best surf of the year.
When is whale watching season in Sayulita?
Humpback whales are in Banderas Bay just south of Sayulita from roughly December to March, with January and February the peak. Tours run from Sayulita and nearby Punta Mita, and sightings are typical for the season rather than guaranteed, so allow a little flexibility in your dates.
When is hurricane season near Sayulita?
The Pacific storm season runs from roughly June to November, overlapping the green season. Direct hits on Banderas Bay are uncommon and the bay offers some shelter, but the wettest months of August and September carry the most risk, so keep an eye on forecasts if you travel then. Conditions are typical rather than guaranteed.
When is the cheapest time to visit Sayulita?
The green season from June to October is the cheapest and quietest, with the lowest prices in September and October. You trade humid days and a daily afternoon shower for warm water, good surf, smaller crowds and softer rates, with the sun still out most mornings. The Christmas weeks and Semana Santa are the most expensive of all.
Is Sayulita good for surfing all year?
Sayulita works for beginner and intermediate surf across the year, with gentle beach break waves on the main beach and more for stronger surfers nearby. The green season from summer into autumn brings the bigger, more consistent swell and the warmest water, while the dry winter is smaller and calmer, which suits first timers.