Weather Conditions:
Puerto Vallarta enjoys a warm tropical climate all year round, the rainy season
is late June through September (afternoon showers). January through April -
high 86°F, low 63°F; May through Dec. - high 92°F, low 70°F.
Climate/Topography:
The hills of the Sierra Madre nurse the Down Town zone, limiting growth, and
providing lush jungle and wildlife scenes from any point in town. The Banderas
Bay expansion - the second largest bay in the hemisphere - offers spectacular
views of the coast and calm beaches. The bay is clean, and excellent for scuba
diving and fishing. The town itself is divided by the Rio Cuale. Puerto Vallarta
is one of the few places on Earth that can boast an "ideal" climate. It is temperate,
but with sub-tropical vegetation, and the Bay offers shelter from harsh Pacific
winds and hard weather. Puerto Vallarta enjoys 345 days of sunshine each year,
with average daytime temperatures reaching into the high 80's. At night, the
onshore breeze from the Bay descends, bringing cool air and cool night temperatures
that make for pleasant sleeping conditions. Puerto Vallarta also has one of
the least intrusive rainy seasons found this far south. From mid-June to about
the beginning of October, there is rain almost daily. However, the rain doesn't
usually start until late in the afternoon (4 or 5 o'clock) and this leaves most
of the day clear for activities. The summer months are hot and humid, but are
still livable and many retirees and long-term visitors do live here year-round.
