We've helped over a million guests pick a date for Puerto Vallarta. Most of them don't need 'high season' — they need the month that matches what they actually want.
The 30-second answer
If you only read one paragraph: February and November are the sweet spots. Dry, warm, calm seas, but slightly less crowded than the peak Christmas-to-Easter rush. If you can only get away in summer, September is rainier but the mountains are electric green and prices are 30% lower.
December through April — the high season
This is what guidebooks call "the season." Daytime highs of 82–86°F, water temp 76–78°F, almost no rain, calm seas every morning. It's also when prices peak and tours sell out 2–3 weeks ahead.
- December — Christmas markets in town, whales just arriving. Last two weeks of December = busiest week of the year. Book everything.
- January — perfect weather, whales abundant, tours running max capacity. Cruise ships hit hardest 9am–noon.
- February — our pick. Whales peaking, sea turtles still releasing on some beaches, slightly fewer cruisers than January.
- March — Spring Break crowds in Old Town March 10–25. Beaches loud. Avoid these weeks if you want quiet.
- April — Semana Santa (Mexican Easter) brings huge domestic crowds. Locals flood the beaches. Festive but packed.
If you hate crowds and love deals, the second half of November and first ten days of December are an undiscovered window. Same weather as February, half the people.
May through October — the green season
The world calls this rainy season; we call it green season. Yes, it rains — but typically as afternoon/evening thunderstorms, not all-day washouts. Mornings are usually clear. Hotel rates drop 30–50%, beaches empty out, and the Sierra Madre turns Studio Ghibli green.
- May — last dry month. Hot. Bay starts filling with bait fish, dorado season opening.
- June — humid. First storms. Tourists thin out. Sea turtles start nesting late in the month.
- July — peak Mexican domestic vacation. Hotels busier than expected.
- August — warmest water of the year (84°F+). Lush jungle. Sea turtle releases ramping up.
- September — wettest month. Hurricanes possible (rare to land). But prices are at their absolute lowest, and if you're flexible the value is unbeatable.
- October — rain easing, marlin & sailfish offshore, sea turtle releases peaking. Underrated.
What about specific things you want to do?
If your priority is whales 🐋
Mid-December through March, peak in late January through February.
If your priority is sportfishing 🎣
Marlin & sailfish: November–February. Yellowfin tuna & dorado: May–September.
If your priority is sea turtles 🐢
August–December for releases. Nesting peaks in September.
If your priority is the lowest possible prices 💰
September. Period.
If your priority is the calmest, sunniest weather 🌞
February. No close second.
Weeks we'd avoid
- Dec 24 – Jan 2 — peak crazy. Restaurants 2-week-ahead reservations.
- March 10 – 25 — Spring Break. Loud Old Town nights.
- Semana Santa (varies, usually late March / early April) — domestic crowds, hard to find a quiet beach.
- Mid-September — hurricane risk plus heaviest rains.
Bottom line
There's no bad month in PV — there are months that match different priorities. Tell us what you want, we'll tell you when to come. Drop us a line and we'll send personalized advice based on your dates.