Season guide · Puerto Vallarta · Mexico

Puerto Vallarta in the dry season

November–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.

Updated 24 October 2026By the AMZBooking editorial team

Quick answer

Sunny, dry and pleasant, with cool evenings, whale watching from about December to March and peak prices. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 4 rainy days across November–April. November–April are among the best months of the year to visit.

Months: November–April
Temperatures: 16°C (61°F) to 31°C (88°F)
Rainy days in the season: About 4
Sea: 24°C (75°F) to 28°C (82°F)
Crowds: Very busy
Hotel prices: Highest

Weather in the dry season

Puerto Vallarta in the dry season: month by month
Month	High	Low	Rainy days	Daylight	Crowds
January	28°C (82°F)	17°C (63°F)	1	11 h	5/5
February	28°C (82°F)	16°C (61°F)	1	11.4 h	5/5
March	28°C (82°F)	17°C (63°F)	0	12 h	5/5
April	29°C (84°F)	18°C (64°F)	0	12.6 h	4/5
November	31°C (88°F)	21°C (70°F)	1	11.1 h	3/5
December	29°C (84°F)	18°C (64°F)	1	10.9 h	5/5

Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 30°C (86°F), and 4 of the year's roughly 64 rainy days fall in these 6 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.

What's on in the dry season

Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.

January: Humpback whale season in the bay (about December to March)
March: Semana Santa — Easter week fills beaches with Mexican visitors (March or April)
November: Festival Gourmet International — guest chefs in local restaurants (usually November)
December: Fiestas de la Virgen de Guadalupe — nightly processions to the church (1–12 December)

Make the most of the weather

Park · Zona Romántica

Isla Río Cuale

A narrow island in the Río Cuale between the Centro and the Zona Romántica, reached by footbridges and shaded by fig trees, with craft stalls, cafés, a small archaeological museum and a statue of film director John Huston.

Time needed: 1 hour
Cost: Free

Free
Shopping
Kids
Outdoors

Beach · Zona Romántica

Playa Los Muertos and the pier

Buy a drink or meal for a lounger rather than renting one, and catch a water taxi from the pier to Yelapa.

Time needed: Half a day
Cost: Free

Iconic
Free
After dark
Couples
Outdoors

Viewpoint · Centro

Mirador de la Cruz

A steep climb of streets and several hundred steps from the Centro leads to a white cross and lookout above the town, with views over the red rooftops, the church crown and the whole bay.

Time needed: 1 hour
Cost: Free

Views
Free
Active
Photo spot

Nature · Mismaloya

Los Arcos

Go on a calm morning for the best visibility, and choose an operator that limits group size.

Time needed: Half a day
Cost: Mid-priced

Nature
Active
Photo spot
Outdoors

Garden · Cabo Corrientes road

Vallarta Botanical Garden

About 30 km south of town in the mountains, the botanical garden has orchid and bromeliad collections, a cactus garden, trails through the forest and a river where visitors can swim.

Time needed: Half a day
Cost: Mid-priced

Nature
Outdoors
Kids
Couples

Day trips in the dry season

Yelapa (About 30–45 minutes by water taxi) — A village on a cove with no road access, with a sandy beach, palapa restaurants and a short jungle walk to a waterfall.
Marietas Islands (About 1 hour by boat from Nuevo Vallarta) — A protected national park of uninhabited volcanic islands at the mouth of the bay, home to blue-footed boobies and good snorkelling.

What to pack

Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes

Other times of year

Questions travellers ask

+Is the dry season a good time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

Yes: November–April are among the best months. Sunny, dry and pleasant, with cool evenings, whale watching from about December to March and peak prices.

+What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta in the dry season?

Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 4 rainy days over the season.