Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta: Holidays, Bear Week, Pride & More
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Okay y'all, let's talk about the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta, because it really depends on what kind of trip you want. High season runs from about November through May, give or take, and that's when PV is at its best: dry, sunny, warm, and full of people. If you want a packed town with a lot of energy, those are your months. If you DON'T want a lot of people, then you need to know which dates to avoid, because some of these weeks get crazy.
So here's my breakdown of the best times to go, the big events worth planning around, and what the rest of the year is actually like.
The Quick Answer
If you want the best weather, come between November and May. If you want the big moments, plan around Día de Muertos, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Bear Week or Pride. And if you want cheaper prices and fewer tourists, come in the rainy season (June to October), but know what you're signing up for. If you make me pick one? Pride in May. That's the time I really love to be in PV.
The Best Times to Visit Puerto Vallarta (In Order)
Halloween & Día de Muertos (End of October to November 2)
Day of the Dead is AMAZING. The city gets decorated, there are altars and marigolds everywhere, and since it lands right after Halloween, people really do dress up. It's one of the most beautiful and culturally rich times to be in Mexico, and it's right as the season is starting to pick up. I wrote a whole guide to Day of the Dead in Puerto Vallarta if you want the full rundown.
Thanksgiving Week (Late November)
This is when the season really starts to get pumped up. Thanksgiving is a great week to go because a lot of Americans and Canadians come down and the town fills up fast. If you want a lot of people in town, this is your week. If you don't, avoid it, because flights and hotels get pricey.
Christmas (December)
Mexicans and Christmas? Oh my God, they do it RIGHT. People really celebrate, and the whole city gets festive. On top of that, from December 1 to 12 there's the Virgin of Guadalupe festival, with nightly pilgrimages and processions to the church downtown, which is a big deal locally and worth seeing.
New Year's Eve
Spectacular. We're talking Mexican fireworks, okay? They do NOT play with their fireworks shows. There's a big show on the beach and honestly fireworks just everywhere, and they're LOUD, and they pop them pretty often, so bring your earplugs. I've got a whole guide to Christmas and New Year’s in Puerto Vallarta.
Bear Week (Late January — January 24–31, 2027)
BeefDip Bear Week is an amazing time to be in PV, and the 2027 dates are January 24 to 31. The town gets taken over, the parties are nonstop, and if bears are your thing, you already know. Everything you need is in my BeefDip Bear Week guide, and if you're planning bear weeks around the world, here's my list of the best bear weeks in the world.
Pride (May)
Pride is the last big hurrah of the season, and honestly, this is the time I really love to go. Parties, the parade, hotel takeovers, everybody's out. Book early, because the gay hotels in the Zona Romántica fill up fast. For more Pride dates around the world, check out my gay Pride events guide.
Mexican Independence Day (September 15–16)
This one's outside high season, but it's really celebratory. The night of September 15 is the big celebration, with the Grito, music and fireworks, and September 16 is the national holiday. Just know it's in the middle of the rainy season, so it'll be hot and you might get rained on.
Month-by-Month at a Glance
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Dry, warm | High | Whales, BeefDip Bear Week (Jan 24–31, 2027) |
| Feb | Dry, warm | High | Whale season, perfect beach weather |
| Mar–Apr | Dry, warming up | High (Semana Santa peaks) | Last of whale season, beach weather |
| May | Hot, mostly dry | Spikes for Pride | Vallarta Pride, the last hurrah of the season |
| Jun–Aug | Hot, humid, rainy | Low | Cheaper, quieter, everything turns green |
| Sep | Hottest, wettest, storm risk | Low | Mexican Independence Day (Sept 15–16) |
| Oct | Rain tapering off | Rising | Halloween + Día de Muertos kick off |
| Nov | Drying out, warm | High | Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving week, season starts |
| Dec | Dry, warm | Peak | Guadalupe festival, Christmas, New Year’s fireworks |
What About the Rainy Season?
From roughly June through October, PV is hot, humid and rainy, usually with afternoon or evening storms, and everything turns super green. It's cheaper and a lot quieter, but some businesses cut their hours, and the Pacific hurricane season runs from mid-May through November, with the highest risk in late summer and early fall. If you do come during this time, keep an eye on the forecast. Here's what to do when it rains in Puerto Vallarta, and what happened in town after Hurricane Priscilla.
Other Times Worth Knowing About
Whale season (December to March): humpback whales come into the Bay of Banderas, and seeing them is a bucket-list thing. Here's my whale season guide.
Semana Santa (Holy Week, the week before Easter): one of the busiest weeks of the year for Mexican travelers, so the beaches get packed and prices go up.
Gay mixers during the season: if you're solo and want to meet people, the gay mixers in PV are the move.
Solo travel timing: if you're planning a solo gay trip, see the best times to visit gay spaces solo.
When NOT to Go
If you hate crowds and high prices, avoid Thanksgiving week, Christmas through New Year's, Bear Week, Semana Santa and Pride. If you hate heat, humidity and storms, avoid August through October.
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What is the best month to visit Puerto Vallarta?
For weather, anytime from November through May. For the best vibe, plan around Día de Muertos, Christmas and New Year's, Bear Week or Pride in May.
When is high season in Puerto Vallarta?
Roughly November through May, with the biggest crowds around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, Semana Santa and Pride.
When is Bear Week in Puerto Vallarta?
BeefDip Bear Week 2027 runs January 24 to 31. Book early, because hotels fill up fast.
When is Vallarta Pride?
Every May. Book early, because the gay hotels sell out.
When is rainy season in Puerto Vallarta?
Roughly June through October, with hurricane season running from mid-May through November.
What is the cheapest time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
During the rainy season, roughly June through October.
Final Take
There's no bad time to visit PV, but there IS a right time for YOU. Want energy and crowds? Come for the holidays, Bear Week or Pride. Want peace and lower prices? Come in the off season and pack an umbrella. Either way, you're gonna have a good time.
Keep planning: Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta · Is Puerto Vallarta Worth Visiting? · Ultimate Gay Men’s Guide to PV · 21 Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta · Is Puerto Vallarta Safe in 2026?