When is the Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta holds a special place in my heart. I was able to experience the area with a group of friends. It was a wonderful experience because we enjoyed a Private Villa with our own chef. We were able to celebrate New Year’s together as we welcomed 2026 into the fold. That became the year that CARTE ATLAS was founded. And why we specialize in groups, luxury travel like private villas, and celebratory travel like holidays. It brings out the very best memories for me, and I cannot wait to go back there again one day. Let’s explore further together!

Where is Puerto Vallarta and how can I get there?

Located on the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta sits on the Bay of Banderas. The state is named Jalisco (J is pronounced with an H sound like in “Hello”). The international Airport caters to multiple international non stop flights from the United States. It is closer to the resort zone than it is to downtown. Our preference is a private transfer to your destination. Uber is available there, but be sure you understand pickup and drop off locations clearly.

I love a luxury cruise, and you will find Puerto Vallarta as a stop on plenty of “Mexican Riviera” or “Baja Mexico” cruises. In fact, over 150 cruises visit each year. The port of Puerto Vallarta is a drive away from the port. We are happy to arrange your transfers and excursions as you enjoy this stunning location on the Pacific Ocean.

Is Puerto Vallarta safe to visit?

CARTE ATLAS advises all travelers to become aware of the International Travel Advisory Map from the U.S. Department of State. This map lists out the levels of travel. As of the publication of this blog post, the Mexican state of Baja California Sur carries a Level 3 advisory from the U.S. State Department. Once you are educated on the level, you can decide if you wish to visit where thousands of voyagers do each and every year.

Will there be safe drinking water?

Always assume there to not be safe drinking water, and ensure you use bottled water. Ask any restaurants if they have bottled water. Ensure you bring your own bottled water from your cruise ship or purchase bottled water from a local market.

Puerto Vallarta – The Best Times to visit a Year Round Destination

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A Location Review

The earliest exploration occurred here in the 1500s, however the real claim to fame took place in the 1960s. Elizabeth Taylor starred in “The Night of the Iguana” and before you knew it, many Hollywood stars found their home away from home here. Celebrities began coming to relax at a location that was not too far from California. Those travelers are still coming to this day.

There are in fact five different neighborhoods within Puerto Vallarta where you can stay. Marina Vallarta is the furthest north and has plenty of places to enjoy while seeing gorgeous yachts. The North Hotel Zone hosts a number of luxury resorts right near the airport and not far from the city. This is where a majority of hotels live. Downtown and the Romantic Zone offer a more local experience right near the Malecon (boardwalk). The South Zone is the furthest away, and gives you exclusive and private escapes.

Because of its southern location, you will see the high season from October into March. Travelers love escaping the cold winter and staying down here. It is also a perfect escape from a long weekend to a two week or longer adventure. There is plenty to see and explore, such as the nature.

A Nature Paradise

Nature lovers will adore this place. One popular attraction is the Vallarta Botanical Garden. About thirty minutes from downtown, this garden hosts exoctic plants and local favorites. Plenty of species of birds visit here every day. The El Salado Estuary is another beautiful spot. Over 400 mangroves reside here and you can experience them with a biologist-led boat tour.

The beaches are popular for six of the seven sea turtle species, and you can find nesting grounds from July to December. Humpback whales make their way here from December through March, and put on quite the fantasia of fun with their leaps. Dolphins also are a plentiful sight here, and you can swim with them while with a certified instructor.

We took a water taxi to Yelapa and relaxed on the beach. It was about a 45 minute water taxi ride there one way. It got us to experience the Bay of Banderas in a new and exciting way. My friends hiked to a waterfall while I enjoyed simply being present. That means I fell asleep. It was a very enjoyable day.

Nature Lovers will enjoy visiting July through March depending on the types of animals they wish to see, as well as the flowers in bloom. This gives you the prime beauty of Mexico in Puerto Vallarta and her surrounding areas.

A Culture of Hospitality

The culture of Mexico thrives here with hospitality at its core. So much so, that Travel + Leisure Magazine named it the Friendliest City in the World! From mariachi bands and charreria rodeo style celebrations, to Wixarika artwork that takes neon colored fabric and weaves beautiful patterns. Art is famous here, and you can find multiple galleries, murals, sculptures and even an annual film festival. Sculptures dot the Malecon boardwalk, with the famous rider on the seahorse being the most recognized.

Food is abundant here. I was able to take a bike tour of the city that involved trying different street carts. We had pork, chicken, beef, barbacoa, birilla, chorizo, and stopped by a restaurant for seafood. We even enjoyed ice cream dessert before celebrating with tequila on the Malecon. There are a number of high quality restaurants. We admired a sunset view while eating at a restaurant where you sit in the water. Just your feet, no worries. It was quite the experience! Our private chef went to the food market every day for our selections. We encountered one while wandering the city. I can still smell all the fresh food.

Our recommendation is to visit during a holiday like Christmas, Three King’s Day or New Year’s (which is when we went). It really opens up the door to travel and experiencing local culture during a major holiday. I so enjoyed it that I plan to travel now every new year if I can!

LGBTQ+ Travel

The state of Jalisco legalized gay marriage in 2016. Since then, Puerto Vallarta has embraced the LGBTQ+ culture. The Romantic Zone (known as the Zona Romantica while you visit) is popular with restaurants, bars, dance clubs and beach clubs that cater to LGBTQ+ Travelers. This is where we stayed in our private villa. We experienced so many welcoming places while we visited. We enjoyed the Blue Chairs Beach Club, walking the streets of the Zona Romantica, and simply being together as friends without worry.

Vallarta Pride is a great festival to really experience all that Puerto Vallarta can offer the LGBTQ+ Traveler. The key timeframe to remember is May as this typically takes place around Memorial Day Weekend for us here in the United States. Feel the love and the pride while enjoying a location that strives to be inclusive to everyone.

Punta Mita Peninsula

Just 45 mins to an hour outside of Puerto Vallarta Airport is the exclusive luxury escape of Punta Mita. The area has few specialities we would like to call out.

• Location – While only an hour from the airport, Punta Mita actually resides in the Mexican State of Nayarit. This means a time difference may impact you. We will take this into account.
• When to Visit – Similar to Puerto Vallarta, it will depend on your intentions. The high season runs typically from November into April. You will find more visitors, but better weather. Because Punta Mita is more exclusive and private, it may not feel as crowded.
• When is Whale Season – Again, similar to Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita will have Humpback Whales offshore from December into the March season.
• What is the Hidden Beach – This is a collapsed volcanic crater that has created the beach in the Marietas Islands. While accessible from Puerto Vallarta, the boat ride there from Punta Mita is shorter. This makes it feel all the more exclusive even though it is visited by many visitors.

Explore More Of Mexico

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