There’s a particular romance to a Puerto Vallarta wedding. The Sierra Madre mountains tumble down to Banderas Bay, cobblestone streets wind through the old town, and bougainvillea spills over every other wrought-iron balcony. It’s Mexico with a heartbeat, a destination wedding where your celebration feels as much like a love letter to the place as to your partner. The good news on timing: with Banderas Bay’s protective geography and a longer dry season than most of Mexico, the calendar is gentler here than you might expect.
Short answer: November through April. The Pacific dry season delivers 80-degree afternoons, low humidity, and even the chance to fold humpback whale sightings into your bay ceremony if you book between late December and late March. Late summer and early fall bring real rain and a tropical storm risk worth weighing.
Here’s how to read Puerto Vallarta’s wedding calendar. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists can help you plan every detail of your big celebration.
Puerto Vallarta Wedding Season at a Glance
| Season | Months | Weather | Whale Season | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak (best weather) | November–April | 75–85°F, dry, sunny | Late December–late March | Highest |
| Shoulder | May, October | Warm, occasional showers | Tail ends | Mid-range |
| Low / Hurricane Risk | June–September | Hot, humid, daily storms | None | Lowest |
Month-by-Month Wedding Weather in Puerto Vallarta
January
Dry, sunny, and steady in the high 70s and low 80s. Humpbacks fill Banderas Bay almost daily. Old town comes alive at golden hour, when the cobblestones turn rose-gold, and the malecón fills with strolling couples. One of the most reliable destination wedding months on the calendar.
February
Peak whale watching with mothers and calves frequently visible from beachfront resorts. Valentine’s week books out fast at the top properties. The bay shimmers, the mountains stay green, and the weather is close to perfect!
March
Whales remain spectacular, especially in the first half of the month. Spring Break in Vallarta runs quieter than in Cabo or Cancun (the city draws families more than college crowds), but North Beach and Marina Vallarta still see a small bump.
April
The last whale heads north, and the weather hits its warm, dry sweet spot. Easter and Holy Week bring a domestic-travel surge, with downtown processions that make for unforgettable wedding-week photography.
May
Warm, dry, and lower-priced than April. Vallarta Pride takes over the city in late May, an excellent fit if you’re planning an LGBTQ+ wedding weekend that doubles as a cultural celebration.
June
The rainy season opens around mid-month with afternoon thunderstorms that roll in off the mountains and clear quickly. The jungle is at its lushest, hurricane season has officially begun, and rates drop noticeably across the city.
July
Hot, humid, and reliably rainy in the afternoons. Also, most ceremonies are pushed to after 5 p.m. when the storms have passed, and the air cools off. Indoor backup is essential.
August
A close cousin to July with slightly higher humidity and a slightly elevated tropical storm risk. Build flexibility into your contract if August is your target month.
September
The wettest, riskiest month of the year. Statistical peak for Eastern Pacific hurricanes and the city’s heaviest rain totals. Some couples book September for the discount, but it’s the one month we’d most gently steer you away from.
October
The first half is still rainy and humid; by the second half, the dry season starts settling in. The last week of October often delivers gorgeous, transitional weather with low crowds and shoulder pricing.
November
Quietly one of the best months of the year. Day of the Dead (November 1 and 2) turns Old Town into a candlelit wonderland, Festival Gourmet International runs in mid-November, and the dry season is firmly in place. A foodie couple’s dream wedding window!
December
Peak season begins. Humpbacks arrive in the bay around the third week, and the Virgin of Guadalupe processions run nightly through old town from December 1 through 12. Christmas and New Year’s bring the year’s highest rates and demand.
A Word on Hurricane Season
Puerto Vallarta sits in the Eastern Pacific hurricane belt, with the season running from June 1 through November 30 and peak storm activity from late August through early October. Banderas Bay’s geometry, encircled by the Sierra Madre to the east and partially shielded by Punta Mita to the north, has historically reduced direct hurricane impact on the city itself. Still, tropical storms passing offshore can bring strong winds and heavy rain.
If you’re considering a date in this window:
- Get your resort’s hurricane rebooking policy in writing before signing.
- Encourage every guest to buy travel insurance with weather coverage.
- Plan around an indoor or covered backup venue from the start; many old-town courtyards make beautiful Plan Bs.
- Watch the Eastern Pacific tracker through the National Hurricane Center as your date approaches.
Whales in Banderas Bay: Yes, From Your Beachfront
Banderas Bay is one of the world’s most reliable humpback nurseries. Mothers and calves congregate in the warm bay from late December through late March, and breaches and tail-slaps are visible directly from resort beachfronts on calm mornings. Couples marrying in this window often book a half-day whale-watching catamaran as a wedding-week excursion. Guests almost universally rate it as a trip highlight.
Festivals That Can Become Part of Your Wedding Weekend
Puerto Vallarta’s annual festival calendar can compete with your wedding or beautifully fold into it. Worth planning around (or into):
- Day of the Dead (November 1–2): Old town becomes a candlelit, marigold-strewn wonderland. A spectacular backdrop for a welcome dinner.
- Virgin of Guadalupe Processions (December 1–12): Nightly candlelit processions through old town to the cathedral. Stunning, but the city is at its busiest.
- Festival Gourmet International (mid-November): Chef-driven pop-up dinners and tasting events across the city. A foodie couple’s dream wedding week.
- Vallarta Pride (late May): One of Mexico’s largest LGBTQ+ pride celebrations, perfect for couples planning a wedding weekend with a cultural anchor.
The Best Time of Day to Say “I Do”
Aim for 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset. The Sierra Madre catches the late light first, the bay turns molten orange, and your photographer gets every shade of golden hour.
Approximate sunset times and ideal ceremony windows by month:
| Month | Sunset | Ideal Ceremony Time |
|---|---|---|
| January–February | 6:10–6:30 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
| March–April | 7:00–7:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| May–August | 8:00–8:30 p.m. | 6:00–6:30 p.m. |
| September–October | 7:00–7:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| November–December | 6:00–6:15 p.m. | 4:15 p.m. |
When to Start Planning Your Puerto Vallarta Wedding
For peak-season dates (November through April), most couples book 10 to 14 months out. Saturday dates at the top bayfront resorts often need closer to 16 months.
Festival weeks (Day of the Dead, Guadalupe processions, Festival Gourmet, Vallarta Pride) book even earlier because hotel rooms across the city fill quickly. If you’re planning around one of those windows, give yourself 14 to 18 months.
For shoulder months (May and October), nine to twelve months is plenty. Low-season weddings can sometimes come together within six months if you’re flexible on the resort and the day of the week. The most useful first step is a call with a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist who knows Vallarta’s resort lineup and the rhythm of its festival year.
Puerto Vallarta Wedding Timing FAQs
What is the cheapest month to get married in Puerto Vallarta?
September delivers the deepest discounts, but it’s also peak Eastern Pacific hurricane season and the rainiest month of the year. For real savings without the storm risk, look at early June or the second half of October.
Can we really see whales from our Puerto Vallarta wedding?
Yes. Banderas Bay is one of the world’s most reliable humpback nurseries from late December through late March, with peak sightings in February and early March. Couples often spot whales directly from the resort beachfront and book a half-day whale-watching excursion as a wedding-week activity.
Should we plan our wedding around or into Vallarta’s festivals?
Either works beautifully. Day of the Dead, Festival Gourmet International, the Virgin of Guadalupe processions, and Vallarta Pride all create dramatic, festive backdrops if you build your weekend around them. If you’d prefer a quieter city, aim for January, late February, the first half of April, or early November.
How far in advance should we book a Puerto Vallarta wedding?
Plan for 10 to 14 months for peak season (November through April), and 14 to 18 months if your date falls during a major festival week. Saturday dates at the top bayfront resorts also need longer lead times.
What’s the difference between a Puerto Vallarta wedding and a Riviera Nayarit wedding?
Riviera Nayarit is the stretch of coastline north of Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, with newer luxury resort developments around Punta Mita and Nuevo Vallarta. PV proper has the old-town cobblestones, malecón, and cultural energy. Riviera Nayarit feels quieter and more resort-driven. Many couples pair the two by booking a resort in Nayarit and using PV’s old town for the rehearsal dinner.
Ready to Pick Your Puerto Vallarta Wedding Date?
The right month turns Vallarta into the wedding it’s meant to be: bougainvillea spilling over wrought-iron balconies, whales breaching in the bay, cobblestones glowing under string lights, and the Sierra Madre framing every photo. Once you’ve landed on your window, the rest of the weekend takes shape.
Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists know every Vallarta resort, every festival, and every shortcut to a wedding week that feels uniquely yours. Share your vision through our online wedding planning form, and we’ll match you with a Specialist who can lock in your date.
About the Author
Maggie Sabin
Maggie started as the SEO Manager at DestinationWeddings.com in 2024, where she works to drive organic traffic and conversions while creating meaningful, SEO-optimized content for the website. Previously, Maggie's career spanned from Human Resources & Recruitment to teaching at international schools for almost 10 years. Maggie spends her free time traveling, learning new languages, reading non-fiction books, working out, going to the beach and spending time cuddling her dog, Lola!
