Puerto Vallarta Weather
Tropical, with two clear seasons: dry and warm, or hot and humid with afternoon storms.
Puerto Vallarta has a tropical climate — warm all year, with the real variation being humidity and rain rather than temperature. Understanding the two seasons is most of what you need.
Dry season — November to April
Warm days, cooler evenings, low humidity and reliably blue skies. Daytime highs sit around the high 20s°C (low-to-mid 80s°F), nights are pleasant. Virtually no rain — this is the comfortable season.
Rainy (green) season — June to October
Hot and humid, with most rain arriving as heavy late-afternoon or overnight thunderstorms rather than all-day drizzle. Mornings are often sunny, so plan outdoor activity before mid-afternoon and you will barely notice it. August and September are the hottest, most humid and wettest. The landscape turns lush, and jungle trails inland get slippery.
Puerto Vallarta weather month by month
Typical climate averages. These are long-term norms, not a forecast: individual years vary, and you should check a live forecast close to your travel date. Almost all the year's rain falls between June and October, and September is the wettest month.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Days with rain | Humidity | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C / 80°F | 17°C / 62°F | 34 mm | 2 | Low | 24°C / 75°F |
| February | 27°C / 80°F | 17°C / 62°F | 5 mm | under 1 | Low | 23°C / 73°F |
| March | 27°C / 81°F | 17°C / 63°F | 2 mm | under 1 | Low | 24°C / 75°F |
| April | 28°C / 82°F | 19°C / 66°F | 2 mm | under 1 | Low–moderate | 25°C / 77°F |
| May | 29°C / 85°F | 22°C / 71°F | 15 mm | 1 | Rising | 27°C / 81°F |
| June | 32°C / 89°F | 25°C / 77°F | 188 mm | 11 | High | 28°C / 82°F |
| July | 32°C / 90°F | 25°C / 77°F | 328 mm | 16 | High | 29°C / 84°F |
| August | 32°C / 90°F | 24°C / 76°F | 312 mm | 15 | Very high | 29°C / 84°F |
| September | 32°C / 90°F | 24°C / 76°F | 370 mm | 16 | Very high | 30°C / 86°F |
| October | 32°C / 89°F | 24°C / 75°F | 94 mm | 5 | High, falling | 29°C / 84°F |
| November | 30°C / 86°F | 21°C / 69°F | 20 mm | 1 | Moderate | 28°C / 82°F |
| December | 28°C / 82°F | 18°C / 64°F | 22 mm | 2 | Low | 26°C / 79°F |
Temperatures, rainfall and rainy days are long-term averages published by the World Meteorological Organization; sea temperatures are from a 2024 survey of the bay. Stations inland, up the river valleys, record cooler nights, by a couple of degrees.
What the numbers don't tell you
Humidity matters more than the temperature column: 32°C in August feels considerably harder than 29°C in May, because the air is saturated. It is lowest from December to March, which is why those are the most comfortable months for all-day sightseeing.
Hurricanes
The eastern Pacific hurricane season officially runs from 15 May to 30 November. Direct hits on Puerto Vallarta are uncommon — the bay is relatively sheltered — but distant storms can bring rain and swell. Travel insurance is sensible if you're travelling in that window.
Sea temperature and clarity
The ocean is swimmable year-round, warmest from August to October at the end of the rainy season (around 29–30°C in September) and coolest in late winter (around 23–24°C in February–March). Clarity runs the other way: the water is clearest from November to April, when rain isn't stirring sediment into the bay — the months to choose for snorkelling and the Marietas Islands.
For how the seasons map to crowds, prices, events and the best months for each activity, see best time to visit; for what to bring, our packing guide.
Frequently asked
What is the best month to visit Puerto Vallarta for weather?
January to March. Days are warm, around 27 degrees Celsius, humidity is low and there is virtually no rain.
What are the rainiest months in Puerto Vallarta?
July to September are the wettest months, and September the wettest of all, with around 370 mm of rain on average. Rain typically falls as a heavy late-afternoon or overnight storm rather than all day.
How hot does Puerto Vallarta get?
Average highs peak around 32 degrees Celsius from June to October. Humidity makes those months feel considerably hotter than the drier spring.
How warm is the sea in Puerto Vallarta?
The ocean is swimmable year-round, from about 23 degrees Celsius in February to about 30 degrees in September.
When is hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta?
The eastern Pacific hurricane season officially runs from 15 May to 30 November, with most storms from June onwards. Direct hits are uncommon because the bay is relatively sheltered, but distant storms can bring rain and swell.
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