Destination guide
Puerto Vallarta weather by month
March and April are the best fit for a sunny holiday in Puerto Vallarta without the strongest heat: daytime averages rise from 29°C to 30°C, with just 1 rainy day per month. May also suits sunshine seekers, but it is the hottest month. Winter offers gentler warmth and mostly dry weather, while summer brings warmer seas with much more frequent rain. For a trip centred on time outdoors, the wetter months demand more flexibility.
- Hottest month
- 31.8°CMay
- Coolest month
- 27.9°CJanuary
- Warmest sea
- 30.0°CAugust
- Flight from London
- 12 h 18 minLong-haul (7 h+) · estimated
Puerto Vallarta, month by month
Month-by-month detail pages exist for our most searched destinations; for Puerto Vallarta the 12-month table below carries the full picture.
A little perspective
Puerto Vallarta through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.9°C | 18.4°C | 24.5°C | 6.1 | 32 | 3 | 91% |
| February | 28.3°C | 18.1°C | 23.9°C | 7.0 | 23 | 2 | 92% |
| Marchbest | 29.1°C | 18.2°C | 23.4°C | 8.0 | 10 | 1 | 98% |
| Aprilbest | 30.4°C | 19.3°C | 24.0°C | 7.7 | 3 | 1 | 100% |
| Maybest | 31.8°C | 21.4°C | 25.8°C | 8.4 | 16 | 3 | 100% |
| June | 31.0°C | 24.0°C | 27.9°C | 4.7 | 195 | 18 | 100% |
| July | 30.9°C | 24.5°C | 29.6°C | 2.5 | 277 | 28 | 100% |
| August | 30.9°C | 24.5°C | 30.0°C | 2.3 | 324 | 29 | 100% |
| September | 30.4°C | 24.2°C | 29.7°C | 2.0 | 318 | 28 | 100% |
| October | 30.4°C | 23.6°C | 29.5°C | 4.8 | 147 | 19 | 100% |
| November | 29.7°C | 21.4°C | 27.6°C | 6.4 | 34 | 5 | 100% |
| December | 28.3°C | 19.4°C | 25.4°C | 5.7 | 24 | 3 | 94% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Puerto Vallarta
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. August is the wettest month (324 mm, about 29 rainy days) and April the driest (3 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 30.0°C and coolest in March at 23.4°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR, 7 km from Puerto Vallarta) takes roughly 12 h 18 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: America/Mexico City.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Puerto Vallarta between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.7°C on 21 June 2012; the coldest fell to 12.6°C on 3 March 2001. In May one day in ten tops 34.0°C and about 83% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 16.3°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was September 2000 with 551 mm, against a September average of 318 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Puerto Vallarta
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:40 | 18:40 | 11.0 h | 6.1 h |
| February | 07:31 | 18:59 | 11.5 h | 7.0 h |
| March | 07:09 | 19:10 | 12.0 h | 8.0 h |
| April | 07:42 | 20:20 | 12.6 h | 7.7 h |
| May | 07:24 | 20:31 | 13.1 h | 8.4 h |
| June | 07:20 | 20:43 | 13.4 h | 4.7 h |
| July | 07:29 | 20:45 | 13.3 h | 2.5 h |
| August | 07:40 | 20:31 | 12.8 h | 2.3 h |
| September | 07:48 | 20:04 | 12.3 h | 2.0 h |
| October | 07:56 | 19:37 | 11.7 h | 4.8 h |
| November | 07:11 | 18:20 | 11.2 h | 6.4 h |
| December | 07:29 | 18:23 | 10.9 h | 5.7 h |
November to February: warm days and cooler evenings
November marks a move towards drier weather, with 5 rainy days and a sea temperature of 28°C, making it a useful choice if swimming matters as much as time outdoors. December cools to 28°C by day, a level that continues through January and February. These months suit travellers who want warmth without May's stronger daytime heat. Nights average 19°C in December and 18°C in January and February, so a light layer can be useful after dark. Rain is infrequent rather than impossible. February has slightly more sunshine than December or January, while the sea settles at 24°C in January and February - cooler than autumn, but still an option for swimming.
March to May: the strongest sunshine, with rising heat
March and April offer the clearest balance of sunshine and low rain risk, each averaging 8 hours of sunshine and just 1 rainy day. March is slightly gentler at 29°C by day, although its 23°C sea is the coolest monthly average. April reaches 30°C, with the sea warming to 24°C. May keeps the sunshine but raises daytime temperatures to 32°C and nights to 21°C. Its 26°C sea will appeal if you prefer warmer swimming water, but midday heat becomes more of a consideration. Choose March for milder conditions, April for a warmer compromise, or May if you are comfortable planning shade breaks around the hottest part of the day.
June to October: warm seas, frequent rain
June changes the balance sharply: rain occurs on an average of 18 days, despite daytime temperatures remaining at 31°C. July and August stay similarly hot, while September eases to 30°C. Across July, August and September, 28 to 29 rainy days and just 2 hours of sunshine make reliably sunny outdoor plans a poor bet. The sea reaches 30°C, but warm water does not remove the need to work around wet weather. October improves to 5 hours of sunshine, though its 19 rainy days mean it is not yet a dry-weather choice. Nights average 24°C throughout June to October, so pack light clothing and rain protection rather than expecting much evening cooling.
A little more detail
Puerto Vallarta weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Puerto Vallarta are March, April and May. May is the hottest month (average high 31.8°C) and January the coolest (27.9°C).
How many months a year is Puerto Vallarta over 25°C?
12 months in Puerto Vallarta average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 12 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Puerto Vallarta?
August is the wettest month in Puerto Vallarta (324 mm on average) and April the driest (3 mm). Annual rainfall averages 1403 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Puerto Vallarta?
The hottest day recorded in Puerto Vallarta between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.7°C on 21 June 2012; the coldest fell to 12.6°C on 3 March 2001. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
When is the best balance of warm sea and relatively little rain?
May and November offer a useful compromise. May has a 26°C sea and 3 rainy days, but hotter afternoons. November has warmer water at 28°C and 5 rainy days, with a lower daytime average of 30°C.
Will I need a jacket in the evenings?
A light layer may be useful from December to April, when night-time averages sit between 18°C and 19°C. June to October stays much warmer after dark at 24°C, so lightweight clothing is a more practical starting point.
Is Puerto Vallarta warm enough for a winter holiday?
Yes, if you want warm days rather than the year's strongest heat. December, January and February average 28°C by day, with little rain. Sea temperatures are 25°C in December and 24°C in January and February, though swimming comfort is personal.
See also: Mexico weather by month · where else is hot in May
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Puerto Vallarta. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 4.7 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C