Mexico
Puerto Vallarta in December
☀️ Dry seasonWarm and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: sunglasses & hat
Why December scores 9.3What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort9.6
- ✓Warm (28°C highs / 18°C lows)
- ✓Slightly humid (dew point 15.6°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~23 mm rain)
- Air quality9.1
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~11 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.0
- ·Increased caution
| Dec | Feb | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.3 Excellent | 9.6 Excellent |
| Season | ☀️ Dry season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 28° / 18° | 27° / 17° |
| Rain | 23 mm | 5 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 16° | dew pt 13° |
| PM2.5 | 11 µg/m³ | 7 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Puerto Vallarta weather-station normals. Rainfall: Puerto Vallarta weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore Puerto VallartaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyPacific resort city in Jalisco on Banderas Bay, known for its seafront Malecón, beaches, cobbled old town and winter whale-watching.
Feast of Our Lady of GuadalupeEvery year1–12 December every year
Daily pilgrimages with music, dancers and floats lead to the church, ending on 12 December.
Why go: Downtown streets fill every evening; a big part of local life.
Where: Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and downtown streets
Coming up later
Mexican Independence DayEvery year15–16 September every year
The 'Grito' is shouted on the night of 15 September, followed by fireworks and a parade on the 16th.
Why go: Expect crowds downtown on the night of the 15th.
Where: Main square and Malecón
Day of the DeadEvery year1–2 November every year
Families honour the dead with altars, marigolds and decorated sugar skulls.
Why go: Respect families at cemeteries and ask before taking photos.
Where: Citywide, including cemeteries and the Malecón
Malecón
A seafront promenade lined with bronze sculptures, restaurants and sunset views.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
The town's landmark church, topped with a large crown-shaped tower.
Zona Romántica and Los Muertos Beach
The older south-side neighbourhood, with Los Muertos Beach and its sail-shaped pier.
Whale watchinggreat in Dec
Humpback whales come to Banderas Bay to breed and calve.
💡 Boat trips run in the whale season.
Marietas Islands
A protected island group in the bay known for seabirds, snorkelling and a hidden beach.
💡 Access to the hidden beach is limited and controlled; book with a licensed operator.
Yelapa
A village on the south shore of the bay reachable only by boat, with a beach and a waterfall walk.
Pescado zarandeado
Butterflied whole fish marinated in chile and grilled over wood.
💡 Beach restaurants
Birria
Jalisco's slow-cooked spiced goat or beef stew, eaten with tortillas.
💡 Local birria stands, often in the morning
Raicilla
A traditional agave spirit from Jalisco, similar to mezcal.
💡 Bars and specialist shops
Tuba
A sweet drink of fermented coconut palm sap topped with nuts and fruit.
💡 Street vendors along the Malecón
Huichol art
Bright bead work and yarn paintings by Wixárika (Huichol) artisans.
💡 Craft galleries and the Isla Cuale market
Tequila
Tequila from Jalisco, the state where it originated.
💡 Liquor and specialist shops
Raicilla
A bottle of the local agave spirit.
💡 Specialist shops