Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta in March

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Stay in Puerto Vallarta in March

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March in Puerto Vallarta is the driest month of the year. The skies stay clear from sunrise to sunset, and daytime warmth settles into the mid-20s Celsius (upper 70s Fahrenheit) without the oppressive heat that arrives by June. Evenings cool enough for a light layer. The Pacific is warm for swimming, the air carries salt and faint sweetness from the first roadside mango carts of the season, and the sun holds a dry, comfortable warmth that stops well short of the swelter you'll meet in July.

The tradeoff is crowds. This is the heart of spring break season, and the second half of March can feel like a different city. Los Muertos Beach fills shoulder to shoulder on weekends, the Malecón turns into a slow-moving parade most evenings, and reservations at popular restaurants in Zona Romántica need to be made a few days out. Snowbird season from the US and Canada is still near its peak, with long-term visitors who arrived in November settled into Marina Vallarta condos.

If you time your visit for the first two weeks, you get the weather without the worst of the crush. Late March, especially when Semana Santa falls there, brings a wave of domestic visitors from Guadalajara and Mexico City. Jalisco families set up grills on the sand, and you'll hear norteño music from portable speakers instead of Top 40 from the resort pools.

Why visit in March

March records less than 1 mm of rainfall on average, making it the driest month in Puerto Vallarta's calendar. You can plan a full week of boat trips to the Marietas, dives at Los Arcos, and hikes toward Yelapa with virtually zero chance of rain rearranging the day. Mornings tend to start with a soft warmth that builds gently into early afternoon, and by 4 p.m. the light turns golden along the Malecón.
Banderas Bay is still active with humpback whales through March, the last full month of the December-to-March calving season. Operators like Vallarta Adventures and Wildlife Connection run 3- to 4-hour morning departures from Marina Vallarta, and mothers with newborn calves are the main draw. Breaching tends to be most frequent in the earlier hours before the bay fills with boat traffic.
The Pacific sits around 24°C (75°F) through March, warm enough for long snorkeling sessions at Los Arcos and the outer reefs of the Marietas without a wetsuit. Dry-season visibility typically reaches 15 to 20 meters, compared to 5 to 8 meters when summer rains wash sediment into the bay. You'll spot moray eels, pufferfish, and schooling reef fish more clearly this month than in any other.
The dry air and open Pacific horizon produce some of the sharpest sunsets of the year along the Malecón and the Conchas Chinas coastline. From June through October, cloud banks tend to obscure the lower horizon. In March, the sky stays clear to the waterline most evenings, and the warm orange gradients last a solid 20 minutes past the drop.

Worth knowing

Spring break crowds from the US and Canada reshape the main beaches from mid-March onward. Los Muertos Beach fills shoulder to shoulder by mid-morning on weekends, the Malecón slows to a crawl most evenings, and popular Zona Romántica restaurants like La Palapa and El Arrayán need reservations 3 to 4 days ahead. When Semana Santa overlaps in late March, families from Guadalajara and Mexico City add a second wave of visitors.
Accommodation and flight prices sit at their annual highs. Zona Romántica hotel rooms can run roughly double or more their low-season rates, and beachfront all-inclusives along the Hotel Zone climb steeper still. The overlap of spring breakers and Canadian snowbirds who locked in long-term rentals back in November keeps availability tight across the bay.
The tropical dry forest on the Sierra Madre foothills is at its most parched by March, with deciduous trees long since bare. Trails toward the Río Cuale canyon and the foothills behind Boca de Tomatlán look brown and skeletal compared to the lush canopy that returns with the June rains. The hikes still offer views of the coast, but the jungle atmosphere is largely absent until the wet season.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 26° / 16°C 0mm rain · 0 rainy days · 76% humidity rains perceptibly ~0h/day · 100% of mornings dry

Crowds high

Pack Lightweight breathable fabrics for warm, dry days. A light long-sleeve layer for evenings when the temperature drops into the mid-teens Celsius. High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brimmed sun hat, and polarized sunglasses for the strong tropical UV at this latitude.

March averages a high of 26.3°C (79°F) and a low of 15.9°C (61°F), with zero measurable rainfall across the entire month. Humidity holds at 76%, which feels like a light coastal stickiness in the afternoon but nothing close to the tropical heaviness that arrives from June through October. Mornings tend to be the most comfortable hours, with dry warmth building gently into early afternoon. The Pacific water temperature sits around 24°C (75°F), warm enough for extended swimming and snorkeling at Los Arcos or the Marietas without a wetsuit. Evenings drop into the mid-teens, and waterfront terraces along Olas Altas feel noticeably cooler after dark.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Puerto Vallarta
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	26	17	6
Feb	26	17	9
Mar	26	16	0
Apr	27	18	0
May	30	20	2
Jun	30	24	128
Jul	31	25	201
Aug	31	25	212
Sep	30	25	214
Oct	30	24	112
Nov	30	21	6
Dec	28	19	8

Holidays and festivals in March

Public holidays

Benito Juárez's birthday(Natalicio de Benito Juárez)15 March 2027
Maundy Thursday(Jueves Santo)25 March 2027
Good Friday(Viernes Santo)26 March 2027

Headline events

Nationwide Free

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Late March in some years (moves with Easter; check the calendar for your travel year)

Mexico's most significant holiday period after Christmas. When Easter falls in late March, Puerto Vallarta hosts religious processions through the streets of Centro, and the beach scene shifts as families from inland cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City arrive for the week. Palm-frond weaving and procession floats are distinctive to the Jalisco coast tradition. In years when Easter falls in April, March stays quieter.

#SemanaSanta

Best things to do in March

Humpback whale watching in Banderas Bay

wildlife

Banderas Bay is one of the Pacific coast's primary calving grounds for humpback whales. Tour boats depart from Marina Vallarta and the pier near Boca de Tomatlán, running 3- to 4-hour trips into the bay. Mothers with newborn calves surface close to the boats, and breaching tends to be most frequent in the morning hours before the bay fills with traffic. The salt spray and the sound of a whale exhaling 30 meters from the boat are hard to replicate anywhere else on the Mexican Pacific.

March is the final full month of humpback season (December through March). By April, most whales begin migrating north toward Alaska, making this the last reliable window for sightings.

Booking tipVallarta Adventures and Wildlife Connection both operate morning departures from Marina Vallarta. Book weekday morning slots at least 2 weeks ahead for the best sighting rates, as peak-season boats fill quickly.

Snorkeling at Islas Marietas National Park

water sports

The Marietas sit about 35 km northwest of Puerto Vallarta, accessible by boat from Punta de Mita or Cruz de Huanacaxtle. The park limits daily visitors to protect the coral, so access requires a licensed operator with a CONANP permit. Large schools of tropical fish, manta rays, and the occasional sea turtle populate the outer reef formations. The water is a clear turquoise in March, and the boat ride across the open bay is smooth in the calm dry-season seas.

Zero rainfall means no runoff clouding the water. Visibility in the dry season typically reaches 15 to 20 meters, compared to 5 to 8 meters during the rainy months.

Booking tipVallarta Adventures and other licensed operators hold CONANP permits for the park. Daily visitor permits are capped, so reserve at least 1 week in advance during March.

Diving and snorkeling at Los Arcos Marine Park

water sports

Los Arcos is a cluster of granite rock formations rising from the water about 3 km south of Puerto Vallarta near Mismaloya. The underwater arches create swim-throughs popular with divers, and the surrounding waters host moray eels, pufferfish, and reef sharks. Snorkelers can work the shallower areas around the outer rocks, where the water is clear enough in March to see the bottom at 10 to 12 meters.

Calm dry-season seas and minimal surge make March one of the best months for diving here. Current is lighter than during the rainy season, and visibility peaks alongside the rest of the bay's dry-season window.

Booking tipDive operators based near Mismaloya run morning two-tank dives. Morning trips before 10 a.m. avoid the midday boat traffic from day-cruise operators.

Yelapa waterfall hike

hiking

Yelapa is a small coastal village about 45 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta by water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán. The trail from the village climbs through jungle for about 30 minutes to a cascade that drops into a swimming pool surrounded by rocks and tropical vegetation. The village itself has no road access, which keeps it quieter than the main beaches. The sound of the falls carries well before you see them through the tree line.

Dry weather and comfortable temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius make the trail pleasant without the mud and mosquitoes that the rainy season brings. The water taxi ride across the open bay is smooth in the calm dry-season seas, unlike the choppy crossings from July through October.

Booking tipWater taxis depart from Boca de Tomatlán starting around 10 a.m., with round-trip fares of roughly 250 to 400 MXN. Take the earliest departure to reach the falls before the day-cruise groups arrive after noon.

Surfing at Sayulita

water sports

Sayulita sits about 40 km north of Puerto Vallarta along the Riviera Nayarit coast. The main beach break offers consistent left and right peaks suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers. The town has a laid-back culture with rental shops and lesson operators lining the main drag. The water is warm, the sand is soft underfoot, and the after-surf taco stands along Calle Delfines keep people on the beach well past sunset.

The north Pacific swell season runs November through April, and March delivers consistent overhead waves on bigger days. Water temperatures remain comfortable in the mid-20s Celsius without a wetsuit.

Booking tipHalf-day board rentals run roughly 300 to 500 MXN. Arrive before 9 a.m. to beat the lesson-group crowds that fill the lineup by mid-morning.

Sunset sailing on Banderas Bay

sailing

Several operators run evening catamaran and sailboat trips departing from Marina Vallarta or the Terminal Marítima. The boats head south along the coast, passing the Los Arcos formations and the Conchas Chinas shoreline, with the Sierra Madre foothills catching the last light behind the city. Most trips include a snorkeling stop, an open bar, and run 4 to 5 hours total.

March delivers some of the clearest sunset views of the year, with virtually no cloud cover over the Pacific. The calm water and dry air produce deep orange and pink skies most evenings, and the absence of rain means cancellations are rare.

Booking tipMidweek sailings tend to run with smaller groups than weekend departures. Book through your hotel or directly with the operator at least a few days ahead during peak spring break weeks.

What to eat in March

In season: fruit

Manila mango (Ataulfo)
The early harvest from the Jalisco Pacific coast begins in late February and hits its stride by March. Smaller and sweeter than the later-season Tommy Atkins variety, Manila mangos appear at roadside stands and market stalls throughout Zona Romántica. The flesh is creamy, almost buttery, without the fibrous texture of larger cultivars. Vendors along the Malecón sell them sliced on a stick with chili and lime for around 30 to 50 MXN.

On menus now

Pescado zarandeado
A whole butterflied fish, usually huachinango (red snapper) or pargo, marinated in a chili-and-soy paste and grilled over mangrove or mesquite charcoal. The smoke hits you before the plate does. The dish originates from the Nayarit coast and appears on menus throughout Banderas Bay, from beachfront palapas on Playa Las Ánimas to sit-down seafood restaurants in Zona Romántica. March's calm seas mean the morning catch arrives reliably fresh.
Birria de chivo
Jalisco's signature goat stew, slow-braised in a dried-chili consommé with cumin, ginger, and oregano. The aroma is warm and earthy, heavy on the guajillo. Traditionally a cool-weather and celebration dish, it remains in season through March before the heat of May shifts appetites. Market stalls and weekend stands throughout 5 de Diciembre and Centro serve it from morning onward, typically around 80 to 120 MXN per bowl with consommé on the side.

Street food peaks

Aguachile
Raw shrimp cured in lime juice with serrano or habanero chili, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro, served cold on a tostada or in a bowl. The burn hits the back of your throat before the citrus catches up. March's warming afternoons make it a natural midday choice at ceviche stands along the Los Muertos pier area. The verde (green) version is the most common, but negro and rojo variations show up at seafood stalls along the waterfront.

What to drink

Tejuino
A pre-Hispanic fermented corn drink served cold with a scoop of lime sorbet and a pinch of salt. The fermentation is mild, so it carries almost no alcohol. Vendors sell it from clay pots and plastic coolers along the beach and at the Mercado Municipal, typically for 25 to 40 MXN. The dry March warmth makes it a reliable afternoon refresher, and the sour-sweet tang is unlike anything in the tourist cocktail bars.
Raicilla
A distilled agave spirit native to the Sierra Madre mountains of Jalisco, sometimes called mezcal's wilder cousin. The flavor profile tends toward herbal and slightly smoky, varying considerably by producer. March's dry-season cocktail scene along Olas Altas street in Zona Romántica features raicilla-based drinks prominently, and several bars offer tasting flights of 3 to 4 producers for around 200 to 350 MXN.

Regular events in March

Natalicio de Benito JuárezFree

Mexico's national holiday honoring President Benito Juárez, born March 21, 1806. Observed on the third Monday of March as part of Mexico's long-weekend (puente) system. Schools close, banks shut, and domestic family travel rises for the extended weekend, adding to the mid-March crowd bump in Puerto Vallarta.

Third Monday of March (observed)

Banderas Bay RegattaFree

An annual sailing race across Banderas Bay, attracting cruising sailboats that have been working down the Pacific coast of Mexico through the winter season. The regatta includes races between Puerto Vallarta and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, with shore-side social events at the marinas. You can watch the fleet from the Malecón or the La Cruz waterfront without a ticket.

Mid-March (varies by year)

Wednesday ArtWalk in Centro galleriesFree

Puerto Vallarta's gallery district in Centro opens its doors on Wednesday evenings during high season, from late October through late March. A dozen or more galleries along Calle Juárez and the surrounding side streets participate, with artists on hand to discuss their work. March is the final month of the season, and the warm dry evenings make the walk between galleries comfortable.

Every Wednesday evening, late October through late March

Best places this March

Malecón
boardwalk
Puerto Vallarta's oceanfront boardwalk stretches about 1 km through Centro, lined with over a dozen bronze and steel sculptures by Mexican and international artists, including the iconic Caballito de Mar (Boy on a Seahorse) near the southern end. March evenings bring out street performers, sand sculptors, and the unhurried paseo that locals maintain despite the tourist crowds. The dry-season air makes sunsets from the northern overlook near Hotel Rosita particularly sharp this month.
Centro
Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
landmark
The parish church at the heart of Centro, recognizable by its crown-topped bell tower, said to be modeled after the crown of Empress Carlota of Mexico. The interior is modest compared to Mexico City's cathedrals, but the setting on a small plaza above the boardwalk gives it a focal role in the city's layout. Evening light in March hits the tower facade around 6 p.m., and the plaza fills with families buying corn and elotes from the carts that cluster on the south side.
Centro
Vallarta Botanical Gardens
garden
Founded in 2004, this 20-acre garden sits in the foothills about 30 minutes south of town along Highway 200. Unlike the surrounding dry forest, the garden is irrigated, so orchids, bromeliads, and the vanilla plantation remain green through March. The trails are dry and comfortable for walking this month, with butterflies working the flowering sections. A river runs through the property with natural swimming holes where you can cool off after the walk.
Conchas Chinas
beach
A residential hillside neighborhood south of Zona Romántica, with a string of small rocky coves accessible by stairs from the road. These beaches see a fraction of the foot traffic that Los Muertos gets, and the snorkeling off the rocks is surprisingly good in March's clear water. Calm dry-season surf makes the coves safe for wading and swimming, and the rocky tidepools hold sea urchins and small crabs at low tide.
Conchas Chinas
Isla Río Cuale
island park
A narrow island in the middle of the Río Cuale, between Centro and Zona Romántica, connected by footbridges on both sides. The island holds the Museo del Cuale (a small archaeology museum with pre-Columbian artifacts), an outdoor sculpture garden, and a craft market with better prices than the tourist-facing shops along the Malecón. March afternoons on the shaded riverbank walkways offer relief from the midday sun, with the sound of the river drowning out the Centro traffic above.
Centro
Los Muertos Beach
beach
The social center of Zona Romántica's beach scene, stretching south from the distinctive sail-shaped pier (El Muelle de Los Muertos). Rows of palapa restaurants serve ceviche and coconut water while vendors walk the sand with mango on a stick. The smell of grilled fish and coconut oil carries on the breeze by mid-morning. March mornings before 9 a.m. are the window for a peaceful walk along the waterline before the crowds settle in for the day.
Zona Romántica

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Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+The March UV index at this latitude reaches 10-11, strong enough to burn exposed skin in under 20 minutes. Puerto Vallarta's marine parks require reef-safe formulas, and vendors near the water charge a steep markup. Shop
Wide-brimmed sun hatShade is scarce on the open beaches, and the sun angle climbs toward equinox through March. A hat with UPF rating does more than sunscreen alone for face and neck protection. Shop
Light linen or cotton clothingHumidity averages in the mid-70s percent in March, so synthetic fabrics trap heat against the skin. Linen and cotton breathe better in the coastal air. Shop
Water shoes with thin solesRocky entry points at Conchas Chinas and the southern coves make barefoot wading uncomfortable. Thin-soled water shoes let you navigate the rocks and still swim freely. Shop
Light evening layerNights drop into the mid-teens Celsius, and waterfront restaurant terraces along Olas Altas feel cool after dark. A linen shirt or light cardigan handles the shift. Shop
Dry bagEssential for boat trips to the Marietas or Los Arcos, where you transfer from pangas into the water. Spray on the open-water crossing will soak anything not sealed. Shop
Polarized sunglassesThe Pacific surface glare in March's dry season is intense, especially on morning boat trips. Polarized lenses cut the reflection enough to see into the water while snorkeling from the surface. Shop
Insect repellentMosquitoes are minimal along the coast in the dry season, but the Vallarta Botanical Gardens and jungle trails toward Yelapa still have them near shaded standing water. A small bottle covers the occasional inland excursion. Shop

Insider tips

The first two weeks of March are noticeably calmer than the second half, when US and Canadian spring break peaks. If you have flexibility, arrive before March 10. The difference in crowd density on Los Muertos Beach between the 8th and the 18th is striking.
Mercado Municipal Río Cuale on Isla Río Cuale has the same handcrafts and silver as the tourist shops along the Malecón, at roughly 40 to 60% less. Go before 11 a.m. while the stalls are still quiet and vendors are more open to negotiating.
Water taxis from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas, Quimixto, and Yelapa are how locals escape the main beach crowds. The ride takes about 20 minutes each way for 250 to 400 MXN round trip, and the southern beaches feel like a different coast entirely.
Restaurants in 5 de Diciembre, one neighborhood north of Centro, serve the same Pacific seafood as Zona Romántica spots at noticeably lower prices. The informal seafood stands along Calle Honduras and Calle Paraguay are where locals eat lunch, and a full ceviche plate with tostadas might run 120 to 180 MXN compared to 250 or more at a Los Muertos palapa.
For a quieter dining experience during peak spring break weeks, El Arrayán on Calle Allende in Centro serves traditional Jaliscan dishes in a courtyard setting that most tourists walk right past. Reservations help on weekends but weeknight tables are usually available.

Avoid these mistakes

Booking a hotel in the Hotel Zone north of the airport and expecting walkable nightlife. The Zona Romántica bar and restaurant scene is roughly 20 minutes south by taxi, and that commute adds up across a week-long stay.
Waiting until mid-March to book whale watching tours. The humpbacks begin leaving Banderas Bay by late March, and operators like Vallarta Adventures and Wildlife Connection fill their morning boats 2 to 3 weeks in advance during peak season.
Spending every beach day on Los Muertos without exploring south. Playa Las Gemelas, the Conchas Chinas coves, and the beaches toward Mismaloya are a short taxi ride away and see a tenth of the foot traffic.

Practical tips for March

Book whale watching and Islas Marietas tours at least 2 weeks before arrival, as March departures fill quickly. Restaurants in Zona Romántica and along the Malecón typically need dinner reservations from mid-March onward. The Natalicio de Benito Juárez holiday on the third Monday of March closes banks and government offices for the day. If Semana Santa falls in late March, domestic flights from Guadalajara and Mexico City sell out early, and southern beach towns like Boca de Tomatlán double in foot traffic. Puerto Vallarta scores 6.8/10 for solo-traveler safety (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index), so standard precautions apply at night in less-trafficked areas. Carry cash in pesos for water taxis, market vendors, and beach palapas. The dress code is relaxed everywhere except a handful of upscale restaurants in Marina Vallarta, where long pants are expected for dinner.

FAQ

Is March a good time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

March is one of the best months for weather in Puerto Vallarta, with clear skies, comfortable temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius, and the driest conditions of the calendar year. The tradeoff is peak-season pricing and crowded beaches, particularly in the second half of the month when spring break peaks. If dry weather and ocean activities like whale watching and snorkeling at the Marietas are your priorities, March delivers. If budget and solitude matter more, November or early December tend to offer similar weather at notably lower hotel rates.

What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta in March?

Warm and reliably dry. Expect clear skies virtually every day, with highs around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F). Rain is essentially nonexistent. Humidity sits around 76%, which feels like a light coastal stickiness in the afternoon but nothing like the heavy levels of the summer months. Evenings cool enough that a light layer feels welcome at waterfront restaurants along Olas Altas. The Pacific runs around 24°C (75°F), comfortable for swimming and snorkeling.

Is Puerto Vallarta crowded in March?

Yes. March is one of the busiest months, with spring break visitors from the US and Canada overlapping with the tail end of snowbird season. Los Muertos Beach and the Zona Romántica restaurant strip feel the concentration most. The first two weeks are typically calmer than the second half. When Semana Santa falls in late March, domestic travelers from Guadalajara and Mexico City add another layer, especially along the southern beaches and in Centro during the evening processions.

Can you still see whales in Puerto Vallarta in March?

Yes, though March is the tail end of humpback season. Whales are present in Banderas Bay from December through March, with mothers and calves the most common sightings. By late March, some pods begin their northward migration toward Alaska. Earlier in the month improves your odds. Morning departures from Marina Vallarta with operators like Vallarta Adventures and Wildlife Connection tend to have higher sighting rates than afternoon trips.

Is it safe to swim in Puerto Vallarta in March?

Generally yes. March's calm seas and minimal surf make swimming comfortable at most beaches along Banderas Bay. Los Muertos and the Hotel Zone beaches have gentle waves. The southern coves at Conchas Chinas have rockier entries where water shoes help. The primary hazard is sun exposure rather than water conditions. The UV index reaches 10 to 11 this month, so reef-safe sunscreen and frequent rehydration matter more than wave awareness.