Puerto Vallarta in December: Weather, Whales & Holiday Tips
Is Puerto Vallarta Good in December?
Puerto Vallarta in December is one of Mexico’s strongest beach trips: dry-season weather has arrived, Banderas Bay is warm, humpback whale season is opening, and Christmas and New Year’s give the city a lively holiday feel.
The catch is simple: December is no longer value season. Hotels fill quickly, flights get expensive near the holidays, and the most convenient beachfront or walkable stays need early planning. Puerto Vallarta still feels more flexible than some all-inclusive resort zones, but it is firmly in peak-season mode by Christmas week.
Start with Mexico in December if you are comparing the whole country. Use this guide if Puerto Vallarta is already on your shortlist and you need the practical answer on weather, whales, beaches, hotel timing, Christmas week, and whether December beats November or January.
30-Second Answer
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Is December good for Puerto Vallarta? | Yes. It is one of the best months for weather, whales, and holiday energy. |
| Biggest upside | Dry beach days, warm water, humpback whales, and festive evenings. |
| Biggest downside | Peak-season prices, Christmas crowds, and booked-up hotels. |
| Best dates | Dec 1-18 for easier logistics; Dec 24-Jan 1 for holiday atmosphere. |
| Rain risk | Low. December is part of the dry season. |
| Best for | Couples, families, whale watchers, beach trips, and New Year’s travelers. |
Go in December if you want Puerto Vallarta near its best and can book early.
Choose November if value matters more than holiday atmosphere. Choose January or February if whale watching is the main reason for the trip and you want stronger sighting odds.
Puerto Vallarta Weather in December
December is when Puerto Vallarta feels like the winter beach escape people imagine. The heavy rainy-season humidity has faded, skies are clearer, and beach days are easier to plan without constantly watching the forecast.
| December factor | What it means in Puerto Vallarta |
|---|---|
| Daytime highs | Usually around 28-30°C / 82-86°F |
| Nights | Comfortable for walking, dining, and the Malecón |
| Rain | Low; showers are uncommon compared with summer and early fall |
| Ocean | Warm enough for swimming, boat trips, and snorkeling |
| Humidity | Lower than September and October, though still tropical |
| Best schedule | Beach or boat in the morning, pool or lunch midday, sunset walk after |
The daily rhythm is easy: beach time before lunch, a slower afternoon, then dinner in Zona Romántica, Centro, Versalles, or along the Malecón. You do not need the same storm-aware backup plan that September and October require.
That said, December is still the tropics. Pack light clothes, sunscreen, sandals, swimwear, and one light layer for breezy boat rides or air-conditioned restaurants.
Can You See Whales in Puerto Vallarta in December?
Yes. December is when Puerto Vallarta’s humpback whale season properly begins.
Humpbacks migrate into Banderas Bay for winter, and tours normally operate from Puerto Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, Nuevo Nayarit, and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Sightings improve as December progresses, especially later in the month.
| Timing | Whale-watching outlook |
|---|---|
| Early December | Season is opening; sightings are possible but less consistent |
| Mid December | Better odds as more whales arrive in the bay |
| Late December | Stronger sightings, but holiday demand is high |
| January-February | Peak whale-watching window |
| March | Still good, especially early March |
If whales are a bonus, December is excellent. If whales are the entire point of the trip, January or February is safer. Either way, book responsible operators, avoid tours that crowd animals, and bring patience. Wildlife is never a show with a guaranteed schedule.
For broader planning, read Whale Watching in Mexico and Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta.
Christmas and New Year’s in Puerto Vallarta
December changes Puerto Vallarta’s mood. Early in the month, it still feels relatively manageable. By Christmas week, the city shifts into full holiday mode with families, winter escape travelers, Mexican vacationers, returning regulars, and New Year’s visitors all competing for the same rooms and dinner reservations.
Christmas week
Christmas in Puerto Vallarta is warm, social, and beach-focused. Resorts run special dinners, restaurants offer fixed menus, families gather on the beach, and the historic center feels active without losing its local character.
If you want a specific Christmas Eve dinner, reserve early. If you prefer a relaxed night, stay somewhere walkable and keep the plan simple: sunset, dinner, Malecón, and no complicated taxi routing.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is the busiest moment of the month. Expect fireworks, crowded restaurants, packed beach areas, late-night traffic, and higher minimum spends at some venues.
The best strategy is not complicated: book a walkable base, reserve dinner in advance, and avoid relying on a long taxi ride right after midnight. Zona Romántica, Centro, 5 de Diciembre, and parts of the Hotel Zone all work depending on your trip style.
Where to Stay in December
In December, location matters because the best parts of Puerto Vallarta happen outside the room: beach mornings, food nights, whale tours, and sunset walks. Saving money by staying far away can backfire if taxis and traffic eat into every evening.
| Area | Best for | December trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Zona Romántica | Restaurants, nightlife, Los Muertos Beach, couples | High demand and higher prices for walkable stays |
| Centro / 5 de Diciembre | Malecón access, local food, value | Fewer resort-style pools and some uphill streets |
| Hotel Zone | Families, pools, beachfront resorts | Less old-city atmosphere, more resort bubble |
| Marina Vallarta | Quieter resorts and airport convenience | Taxi-dependent for Old Town nightlife |
| Conchas Chinas | Views, romance, quieter stays | Best with taxis or a car-service plan |
For Christmas week or New Year’s, book the area first and the room second. A slightly simpler hotel in the right neighborhood often beats a nicer room that makes every dinner, beach walk, or fireworks plan harder.
Use Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone for the full area breakdown.
How Early to Book Puerto Vallarta in December
December booking windows depend heavily on dates.
| Trip timing | Hotel booking window | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1-15 | 2-4 months ahead | Good weather before the full holiday crunch |
| Dec 16-21 | 3-6 months ahead | Pre-Christmas demand builds quickly |
| Dec 22-27 | 6-10 months ahead | Christmas week is peak family and resort demand |
| Dec 28-Jan 2 | 6-10 months ahead | New Year’s rooms, dinners, and views sell early |
If you are late, widen the search before giving up. Look at 5 de Diciembre, Versalles, Marina Vallarta, Nuevo Nayarit, or smaller guesthouses. Just be honest about transport. The farther you stay from your actual nightlife or beach plan, the more December logistics matter.
Best Things to Do in December
December is one of the easiest months to enjoy Puerto Vallarta without overthinking the weather. Build the trip around mornings on the water and evenings on foot.
Best December picks
- Book a humpback whale tour once operators are reporting regular sightings
- Walk the Malecón at sunset when the heat drops and the city gets social
- Spend a morning at Los Muertos Beach before peak afternoon crowds
- Take a boat trip to Los Arcos or the Marietas Islands on a calm-weather day
- Eat through Zona Romántica, Centro, Versalles, and 5 de Diciembre
- Plan one south-coast escape toward Boca de Tomatlán, Colomitos, or Yelapa
- Reserve Christmas or New Year’s dinners early if dates matter
Use Day Trips from Puerto Vallarta for boat trips, beach towns, and easy routes beyond the city.
December vs November, January, and February
| Month | Better for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| November | Better value, lower crowds, improving weather | Whale season is just beginning |
| December | Holiday energy, dry weather, opening whale season | Higher prices and Christmas demand |
| January | Peak dry season and stronger whale watching | Busier and often more expensive |
| February | Excellent whales and winter weather | Peak-season pricing continues |
Choose December over November if Christmas atmosphere, New Year’s, and better whale odds matter. Choose November if value is the bigger priority. Choose January or February if you want maximum whale-watching confidence.
For nearby comparisons, read Puerto Vallarta in November, Puerto Vallarta in October, and Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta.
Final Verdict: Should You Visit Puerto Vallarta in December?
Visit Puerto Vallarta in December if you want warm Pacific beach weather, lower humidity, humpback whale season, festive nights, and a lively holiday atmosphere.
The best balance is early to mid December: excellent weather, improving whale odds, and easier logistics than Christmas week. Late December is worth it if you specifically want Christmas or New Year’s by the ocean and are willing to pay peak-season prices.
Skip December only if you are chasing low-season hotel rates or empty beaches. For most travelers who plan ahead, this is one of Puerto Vallarta’s best months.
For more planning, use Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide, Mexico in December, Whale Watching in Mexico, and Day Trips from Puerto Vallarta.