The sea temperature at Puerto Vallarta today is 29.9 °C (86 °F) – water as warm as a bath. The usual October average is 29.9 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is around 30 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 30.5 °C to 29.9 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 23 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.8°C / 71.2°F | 23.8°C / 74.8°F | 25.1°C / 77.3°F |
| February | 22.7°C / 72.8°F | 23.6°C / 74.5°F | 24.4°C / 76.0°F |
| March | 22.3°C / 72.1°F | 23.0°C / 73.4°F | 23.9°C / 75.0°F |
| April | 22.8°C / 73.0°F | 23.7°C / 74.7°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F |
| May | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 26.9°C / 80.4°F |
| June | 27.6°C / 81.7°F | 28.4°C / 83.1°F | 29.0°C / 84.2°F |
| July | 29.5°C / 85.1°F | 30.0°C / 86.1°F | 30.6°C / 87.1°F |
| August | 30.0°C / 86.1°F | 30.3°C / 86.6°F | 30.8°C / 87.4°F |
| September | 29.8°C / 85.7°F | 30.3°C / 86.6°F | 30.8°C / 87.4°F |
| October | 29.5°C / 85.1°F | 29.9°C / 85.9°F | 30.2°C / 86.4°F |
| November | 26.0°C / 78.8°F | 27.8°C / 82.1°F | 28.9°C / 84.0°F |
| December | 25.0°C / 77.0°F | 26.0°C / 78.7°F | 26.7°C / 80.1°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.7°C / 62.0°F | 20.3°C / 68.6°F | 24.9°C / 76.7°F |
| February | 16.7°C / 62.1°F | 20.8°C / 69.4°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F |
| March | 16.3°C / 61.4°F | 21.1°C / 70.0°F | 26.2°C / 79.2°F |
| April | 17.9°C / 64.2°F | 22.5°C / 72.5°F | 27.2°C / 80.9°F |
| May | 19.9°C / 67.9°F | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 28.6°C / 83.6°F |
| June | 22.4°C / 72.2°F | 24.7°C / 76.4°F | 27.5°C / 81.5°F |
| July | 23.1°C / 73.5°F | 25.1°C / 77.1°F | 27.3°C / 81.2°F |
| August | 23.0°C / 73.4°F | 24.9°C / 76.9°F | 27.0°C / 80.7°F |
| September | 23.0°C / 73.4°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 27.1°C / 80.7°F |
| October | 22.3°C / 72.2°F | 24.5°C / 76.2°F | 27.1°C / 80.9°F |
| November | 19.8°C / 67.7°F | 23.0°C / 73.3°F | 26.9°C / 80.4°F |
| December | 18.1°C / 64.7°F | 21.6°C / 70.8°F | 25.9°C / 78.6°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Puerto Vallarta holidays
On the Pacific coast of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta spreads along Banderas Bay in the state of Jalisco, between the sea and the green slopes of the Sierra Madre. A fishing village until the mid-20th century, it became known abroad after John Huston filmed "The Night of the Iguana" at nearby Mismaloya in 1963, and today its cobbled old town, the Zona Romántica, and the seafront Malecón draw visitors all year.
Beaches
Playa de los Muertos is a lively beach in Puerto Vallarta's Zona Romántica, lined with restaurants and sun loungers and anchored by a pier with a sail-shaped spire, where water taxis leave for beaches further south. Just beyond it, Conchas Chinas has rock pools and smaller coves. South along the coast road, Mismaloya faces Los Arcos, granite islets protected as a marine park and popular for snorkelling. Yelapa and Las Ánimas are usually reached by boat, and Las Ánimas can also be reached on foot along the coast from Boca de Tomatlán. The surf can be strong on some beaches, so watch the flags.
Things to do
Puerto Vallarta's Malecón boardwalk runs along the sea with bronze sculptures and sunset views, and the crown-topped tower of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe rises above the old town. One of them is ‘El niño sobre el caballito de mar’, also known as El Caballito – a symbol of Puerto Vallarta and our Sea Temp mascot. It was created by Rafael Zamarripa, the legendary Mexican sculptor, painter and choreographer. Isla Río Cuale, an island in the river, has a market and shady paths. From about December to March, humpback whales come to Banderas Bay to breed and calve, and whale-watching boats leave from the marina and the pier. The Islas Marietas, off Punta Mita, are a protected national park where visits are limited and only licensed tours may land.
Weather and best time to visit
At Puerto Vallarta the sea stays above 23 °C / 73 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
Puerto Vallarta has a dry season from about November to May, with sunny days and cooler evenings, and this is the busiest time of year. The rainy season, from about June to October, brings heat, humidity and evening thunderstorms, and the Pacific hurricane season lasts from mid-May to November.
Hotels and where to stay
In Puerto Vallarta, the Zona Romántica has boutique hotels close to Playa de los Muertos, the Hotel Zone north of the centre has large beach resorts, and Marina Vallarta, near the airport, and Nuevo Vallarta, across the state line in Nayarit, have all-inclusive complexes. South of town, hillside resorts look over the bay towards Los Arcos.
Signature hotels: Garza Blanca Sanctuary Puerto Vallarta (Garza Blanca (south coast)) · Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa (Hotel Zone)
Airport and getting there
Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) lies north of the centre of Puerto Vallarta, next to Marina Vallarta, about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi from the Zona Romántica, depending on traffic. It has flights from Mexico City, Guadalajara, the United States and Canada; check current routes and connections for your departure city. Local buses run along the coast road to the Hotel Zone and to Mismaloya.