silhouette of palm trees near body of water during sunset

Puerto Vallarta

Travelers come to Puerto Vallarta for a walkable old town, beaches on Banderas Bay and winter whale watching.

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Puerto Vallarta is a city on Mexico's Pacific coast in the state of Jalisco, built around Banderas Bay. Its old town rises from the Malecon, the seaside boardwalk, into narrow streets with shops, galleries and restaurants. Beaches run along the bay, and boats leave from the waterfront for whale watching and snorkeling trips.

The city suits couples, families and travelers who want a beach stay with a real town nearby. Your base shapes the trip. Zona Romantica puts you close to old town restaurants and the beaches, while the Hotel Zone is built around resorts. The dry season runs from November to May, and humpback whales are in the bay roughly from December through March. Summer is the rainy season, June through October, with hurricane risk in late summer and fall. Give it at least four days to cover the old town, a boat trip and a day trip north to Sayulita, which is in Nayarit.

Puerto Vallarta in five

Base in Zona Romantica for a first tripThe old-town neighborhood south of the Río Cuale has the sand at Playa Los Muertos, a dense restaurant grid and walkable streets. Pick the Hotel Zone only if a resort pool is the plan.Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta
Take a water taxi to the south shoreYelapa and several southern coves have no road, so boats from the town pier or Boca de Tomatlán are the way in. Check timetables and sea conditions, and bring cash for the fare.
Plan whale watching for the winterThe Puerto Vallarta tourism board lists the humpback season in Banderas Bay as December through March. Choose authorized small-boat operators that keep a respectful distance and follow the whale-watching rules.
Use local buses, then confirm taxi faresCity buses reach most beaches and the Hotel Zone for little money, and taxis are easy to find. Agree the fare before you get in, as meters are not always used.Getting around Mexico
Decide on Sayulita before you bookSayulita and San Pancho are easy day trips by road, but staying there is a different, surf-town trip. Compare both bases first.Puerto Vallarta or Sayulita

Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

See all attractions in Puerto Vallarta

A view of a beach with a city in the background

Beach · Puerto VallartaPlaya PalmaresTake a bus south from Puerto Vallarta for a beach stop beyond the city centre.

an aerial view of a beach with boats in the water

Sight · Puerto VallartaYelapa

Gallery · Puerto VallartaGaleria ColectikaVisit during Thursday evening’s Old Town Art Walk to pair the gallery with other cultural stops.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Puerto VallartaPut the places you like in Puerto Vallarta on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Puerto Vallarta (PVR), about 15 min from the Hotel Zone
Getting there: Direct flights; coach buses link Guadalajara and the Pacific coast
Getting around: Local buses, taxis, water taxis and a long walkable center
Best base: Zona Romantica for a first visit
Time needed: 4 to 5 days with a boat trip

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low17°Dry, whales
FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Dry, whales
MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Dry, warm
AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Dry, hot
MayClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low20°Hot, pre-rain
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Rains start
JulyRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Rainy, humid
AugustRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Rainy, humid
SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Peak rain, storms
OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Storms, humid
NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Dry returns
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Dry, holidays

Average daily high and low in Puerto Vallarta, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Puerto Vallarta

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 35°
Humidity: 64%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 30%

Puerto Vallarta

02:07 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today28°22°30%Monday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 30%.
Tue28°21°22%Tuesday: Fog. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 22%.
Wed27°21°51%Wednesday: Fog. High 27°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 51%.
Thu26°21°63%Thursday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 63%.
Fri26°19°4%Friday: Clear. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sat27°19°20%Saturday: Clear. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 20%.
Sun26°19°27%Sunday: Clear. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 27%.

Updated 12:03 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN

Amount

Converted to

MXN · Mexican Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Sayulitaabout 1 hour by bus or carA surf town with a beach, shops and small cafés; go early or stay.Read the guide
Yelapaabout 45 to 60 min by water taxiA road-free village across the bay; check the return boat time.
Marietas Islandsabout 30 to 45 min by boat from the northern bayA protected island group; Playa del Amor is capped at a little over 100 visitors a day and needs a booking with an authorized operator.

Before you go to Puerto Vallarta

Whale and Banderas Bay toursSmall-boat trips by seasonCompare day trips

Zona Romantica hotelsBoutique, apartments and beach resortsCheck availability

eSIM for Puerto VallartaTaxi and tour apps on arrivalRead the guide

Travel insurance for MexicoBoat trips, hurricane season delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Puerto Vallarta, checked

Marietas Islands: Playa del Amor is limited to a little over 100 people a day; book with an authorized operator. Weather can cancel.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
The Puerto Vallarta tourism board lists the humpback whale season in Banderas Bay as December through March.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

All Puerto Vallarta guides

Head to headPuerto Vallarta or Sayulita: which Pacific base to chooseChecked Oct 1, 2026

ItineraryPuerto Vallarta in 4 days: old town, a boat day, Sayulita and whalesChecked Oct 1, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Puerto Vallarta: four bases, from Zona Romantica to the south shoreChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Puerto Vallarta

All of Mexico

Beaches, colonial cities, ruins and highlands

Read the guide Sayulita

A surf town an hour north

Read the guide Central Pacific Coast

Barra de Navidad, Manzanillo and the Costalegre

Read the guide

Puerto Vallarta FAQ

How many days do you need in Puerto Vallarta?

Four to five days covers the old town, a beach day, a boat trip and one longer outing such as Sayulita. Three is enough for a beach-and-food stop; add days for Yelapa or Costalegre.

Where is the best place to stay in Puerto Vallarta?

Zona Romantica for most first trips because the beach, restaurants and bars are walkable. The Hotel Zone suits resorts and families, and Conchas Chinas suits couples who want quiet and views.

Is Puerto Vallarta worth visiting?

Yes for a walkable Pacific city with mountains behind the beach, boat trips and winter whales. It is busier than Sayulita or Melaque, so skip it if you want a small village.

Is Puerto Vallarta safe?

The tourist areas are busy and used to visitors, but watch your bag on crowded streets and use known taxis or app rides at night. Check your government's advice for the state before you book.

When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

November to April is dry and sunny, and December to March adds whale watching. June to October is hot and humid with heavy rain. The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from 15 May to 30 November and peaks in late August.