Season guide · Puerto Vallarta · Mexico
Puerto Vallarta in the late dry season
May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Hot and still dry, with quieter beaches, lower prices and Vallarta Pride. Expect highs up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F), with about 0 rainy days across May.
Key facts
- Months
- May
- Temperatures
- 20°C (68°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 0
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 26°C (79°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in the late dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 0 | 13.1 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 30°C (86°F) against a yearly 30°C (86°F), and 0 of the year's roughly 64 rainy days fall in these 1 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in the late dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- May: Vallarta Pride — week of LGBTQ+ events and a parade (usually May)
Make the most of the weather
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Viewpoint · Centro
Mirador de la Cruz
Go early in the morning or near sunset to avoid the heat, and bring water.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Active
- Photo spot
Nature · Mismaloya
Los Arcos
Granite rock formations with natural arches rise from the sea off Mismaloya, part of a protected marine park.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
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Garden · Cabo Corrientes road
Vallarta Botanical Garden
Take the Tuito bus from the Zona Romántica, and stay for lunch to watch hummingbirds from the terrace.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
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Beach · Conchas Chinas and Amapas
Playa Conchas Chinas
Just south of Los Muertos, a string of small coves with rock formations, tide pools and clear water at low tide.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Couples
Beach · Mismaloya
Mismaloya
Take the local bus marked 'Mismaloya' from the Zona Romántica for a cheap ride along the coast road.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
Day trips in the late dry season
- 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.
- Sayulita (About 1 hour by bus or car) — A colourful surf village in Nayarit with a beginner-friendly beach break, surf schools, cafés, taco stands and boutiques.
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 late dry season a good time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
It is a trade-off: Hot and still dry, with quieter beaches, lower prices and Vallarta Pride. The best months overall are November–April.
+What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta in the late dry season?
Highs of up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F), with about 0 rainy days over the season.