Puerto Vallarta Weather

Puerto Vallarta sits on the Costa Dorada (Golden Coast) of Jalisco Mexico, at the mid-point of the large Banderas Bay, where the Pacific Ocean washes the beaches between the Mexican States of Jalisco and Nayarit.

Located on the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands (20ºN), the city's weather and climate are often compared to Hawaii's (City information). Puerto Vallarta (as well as Nuevo Vallarta) is surrounded by jungle and receives considerable rain during the wet summer months. Vallarta climate has a distinct dry season and wet season during the year. In general, Summer has a much higher chance of precipitation than the Winter months that are mostly dry.

Generalities

• Tropical wet and dry (Köppen Climate classification)
• Rainy Wet Season: June to September, most rain in September. It rains intermittently during the partly cloudy day, around an hour in total, at most.
• December, January, and February (high dry season) are hot and sunny.
• Spring and Autumn offer moderate temperatures.
• Average High is 85ºF (29.4ºC) and low at 69ºF (20.5ºC).
• Hurricanes seldom strike Puerto Vallarta, last significant events were Kenna (2002) and Lily (1971) before that one. 

While rain can spoil a day at the beach, tropical storms can be quite beautiful and amazing, when rain seems to march across the hills and lightning illuminates the humid sky while the thick clouds advance inland from the Bay.

Runoff from the rains in the jungle and hills can turn the seawater brown in some areas, mainly around rivers and streams, detracting somewhat from the beauty of the beaches and the bay. The highest temperatures reach 90ºF (32ºC) during the summer, and the humidity can add to the perception of heat.

During the winter, the local weather changes significantly and temperatures move into the low to mid-80s ºF (28 - 30ºC), quite comfortable for a stroll on the beach and around town. Nighttime temperatures in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta range from the 60's to the mid-70s (19-24ºC).

See PV now, use the webcam

What is the weather like in January, May, or December?

• Winter - (December 22 - March 21)
• Spring - (March 22 - June 21)
• Summer - (June 22- September 21)
• Autumn - (September 22 - December 21)

Weather in December, January, and February

You can expect the conditions to include warm sunny days and pleasant evenings. During the day, the weather is temperate and you can easily wear light clothes. Warmer clothes at night during this, the local winter, this could be a light sweater, a cotton jacket or a long-sleeve shirt, but if you are from a cold climate, you'll be fine with short sleeves. Temperatures start to go down before sunset, around 6 PM or 7 PM, with the low temperature in the early morning and then start to rise again when the sun comes up.

December: Average High: 81.5ºF (27.5ºC) / Low 63.5ºF (16.5ºC)
January: Average High: 81ºF (27ºC) / Low 62ºF (16ºC)
February: Average High: 80ºF (26.6ºC) / Low 62ºF (16ºC)

Weather in March, April, May, and June

Use very light clothes, this period is hotter than the previous one, there's normally some wind, especially in March so skirts can be inconvenient, especially short and light skirts.

March: Average High: 81ºF (27ºC) / Low 63ºF (17ºC)
April: Average High: 82ºF (28ºC) / Low 65.5ºF (18.5ºC)
May: Average High: 85.5ºF (30ºC) / Low 71ºF (21.5ºC)
June: Average High: 88.5ºF (31.5ºC) / Low 77ºF (25ºC)

Weather in July, August, September to Mid-October (wet season begins)

The rainy season begins during these months, bring rain clothes along, it may be better to consider umbrellas because the heat can be quite uncomfortable for those not accustomed to the humid heat. You can buy a cheap umbrella on the street if needed. The weather, as mentioned is quite hot and humid during these months.

IMPORTANT: Many think that wet days means it rains all day and every day, that's not the case. During the wet season it may rain a bit in the morning, a bit during the day and then most of it during the night, it's intermittent and for short runs, it doesn't get in the way of touring and enjoying the area, it is actually a blessing as temperatures actually go down during what is the warmest period of the year.

Daily average temperature goes up to around 32 - 34 ºC (90 - 93ºF) on some days, especially during August and September and it is very humid, expect to sweat quite a bit, so bring extra shirts or blouses, cold showers will be a regular treat during the day. Avoid silky fabrics as they will get humid and stick to your body, this is quite disagreeable (it has happened to me :-)). A good tip is to bring along a refillable spray water bottle, use regularly on your face and arms to cool down.

July: Average High: 90ºF (32ºC) / Low 77ºF (25ºC)
August: Average High: 90.5ºF (32.5ºC) / Low 76ºF (24.5ºC)
September: Average High: 90ºF (32ºC) / Low 76ºF (24.5ºC)
October (1st half): Average High: 90ºF (32ºC) / Low 76ºF (24.5ºC)

Mid-October, November, start of December Weather in Puerto Vallarta (dry season begins)

October (2nd half): Average High: 88ºF (31ºC) / Low 73ºF (23ºC)
November: Average High: 86ºF (30ºC) / Low 69ºF (20.5ºC)
Start-December: Average High: 84ºF (29ºC) / Low 66ºF (19ºC)

Average Precipitation (inches) by Month

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Average Monthly Temperatures (ºF)

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PV Weather Webcam

If you want to know what the weather is like RIGHT NOW in Puerto Vallarta, use our Webcam (click on the image) to see real-time shots of the city. If it's night time then, of course, you won't see much :-)

Weather Forecasts for PV

1. Weather Forecast Map (Weather Underground)
   Current Weather Conditions and Three Day Forecast for Vallarta.
2. AccuWeather (Weather Maps & Forecast for PV)
   Another reliable weather data and forecast site.

Satellite Images

1. Satellite view Weather.com
2. Eastern Pacific Visible Satellite NOAA for cloud cover
3. Collection of satellite images by Mexico Weather Stations (SMN)

Storm Warnings and Tracking

1. National Hurricane Center
2. Tropical Weather Outlook Data Sources for the Eastern Pacific
3. Hurricane Central & Cyclone Warnings Mexican Meteorological Service

Other Weather Related Links

1. Tide Predictor Great data for sailors and surfers
2. Puerto Vallarta Mexico average water temperature / external
3. Wind Speed (miles per hour) & Tide Predictor
4. Satellite Image of the World from Space zoom and pan available
5. Vallarta Mexico Weather and Radar Maps
6. Jet Stream Analyses (North America - Part of Mexico)
7. Local time / Time Zones / Daylight Saving Time