Stay in Puerto Vallarta in November
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November is when Puerto Vallarta's dry season clicks into gear. Daytime highs average 29.5°C (85°F) and nights settle near 21.3°C (70°F). Rainfall drops to roughly 6mm for the entire month, a dramatic shift from the 200mm-plus totals of July through September. The hillsides above Zona Romántica and 5 de Diciembre are still green from months of rain, and the Pacific has calmed enough for humpback whales to begin appearing in Banderas Bay. Día de los Muertos on November 1-2 fills the Centro neighborhood with decorated altars and candlelit processions around the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
November's real advantage here is timing. December through March is when Puerto Vallarta reaches peak tourist density and peak pricing. November sits right before that wave. You get the same dry weather and warm Pacific, but hotel availability is wider and nightly rates in Zona Romántica or Marina Vallarta sit closer to the annual average. The Festival Gourmet International has been running since 1995. It typically lands in mid-November and brings guest chefs to restaurants across Marina Vallarta and the gallery district south of the Río Cuale.
One thing to keep in mind. The eastern Pacific hurricane season doesn't officially end until November 30. A direct hit on Banderas Bay is statistically rare by this point, but a passing tropical system can push rain bands onshore for a day or two in the first half of the month. That risk drops sharply after mid-November, and by Thanksgiving week the weather is typically locked into dry-season mode.
Why visit in November
- Humpback whales begin arriving in Banderas Bay by mid-November, and early-season tours tend to encounter smaller pods with far less boat traffic than the January-February peak.
- The dry season is fully established. You can plan a day trip south along Highway 200 or a hike in the Sierra Madre foothills without the rain anxiety that haunts June through October.
- Shoulder-season pricing means accommodation and tour rates sit noticeably below the December-through-March average, with better room selection and tour availability across neighborhoods.
- The cultural calendar is strong. Día de los Muertos opens the month, the Festival Gourmet International fills mid-November, and the weekly Art Walk in the Zona Romántica galleries resumes as the season kicks off.
Worth knowing
- Afternoon temperatures still reach the high 20s to 30°C, which is 4-5°C warmer than the more comfortable January-through-March range. Midday heat and humidity can tire you out faster than you might expect.
- The tail end of Pacific hurricane season extends through November 30. While a direct hit is unlikely, a passing tropical system in early November can cancel boat excursions and whale tours for a day or two.
- Some whale-watching operators, beach clubs, and seasonal restaurants are still ramping up from low season and may not run daily schedules until mid-month.
Best for
Think twice if
November marks the shift from wet to dry along Jalisco's Pacific coast. The heavy humidity from the June-through-October rainy season eases noticeably, though the air still feels sticky in midday shade. Morning temperatures tend to hover in the mid-20s Celsius, and evenings cool to the low 20s, comfortable enough that a light layer is welcome on a boat. Ocean temperatures in Banderas Bay hover around 28-29°C (82-84°F), warm enough for swimming and snorkeling without a wetsuit. The rare shower might appear in the first week, but sustained rain is unlikely after mid-month. Expect roughly 11 hours of daylight, with sunrise near 6:30 and sunset around 18:00.
Seasonal caution
- The eastern Pacific hurricane season extends through November 30. Direct landfalls on Banderas Bay this late in the year are rare, but outer rain bands from a passing system can bring heavy rain and rough seas for 1-2 days, particularly in the first two weeks.
- UV index at this latitude remains high year-round. Twenty minutes of unprotected midday sun exposure can produce a significant burn, even on overcast days.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| 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 November
Public holidays
- Revolution Day(Día de la Revolución)16 November 2026
When is Christmas season in 2026?
27 November to 26 December 2026
Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in Puerto Vallarta. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.
Headline events
Día de los Muertos
November 1-2
Mexico's iconic Day of the Dead celebrations. In Puerto Vallarta, the Malecón and Centro fill with ofrendas (altars), marigold displays, and candlelit processions. Families gather at cemeteries to honor the departed, and face-painting booths and traditional food vendors line the surrounding streets. The scale is more intimate than the celebrations in Oaxaca or Mexico City, but the beachside setting gives it a distinct Pacific coast character.
Best things to do in November
Early-season humpback whale watching
wildlifeHumpback whales migrate to Banderas Bay from November through March to breed and calve. Tours depart from Marina Vallarta and Punta de Mita, heading into the bay where pods surface, breach, and slap tails against water that's gone glassy after the summer storms.
Mid-to-late November marks the first reliable sightings. Groups are smaller, boats fewer, and operators often offer introductory-season rates before the January rush.Booking tipBook with an operator certified by NOM-131-SEMARNAT. Smaller pangas (open boats) get closer than large catamarans. Reserve 3-5 days ahead for weekend trips.
Snorkeling at Los Arcos Marine Park
water sportsA cluster of granite rock formations rising from the water about 30 minutes south of Los Muertos Beach by panga. The arches shelter reef fish, sea turtles, and occasionally manta rays in water that's warm enough to stay in for an hour without a wetsuit.
Underwater visibility improves dramatically as rainy-season sediment runoff clears. November conditions are noticeably better than October and rival the February-March peak.Booking tipMorning departures from Mismaloya or Boca de Tomatlán offer calmer water. Afternoon wind chop picks up around 14:00.
Hiking at Vallarta Botanical Gardens
natureThe gardens, founded in 2004, sit in the Sierra Madre foothills at roughly 490 meters elevation, about 30 minutes south on Highway 200. November finds the 3,000-plus species at peak green after months of rain, with orchids and tropical plants in bloom along 5km of trails. A river swimming hole at the bottom of the property is open for cooling off.
The trails have dried enough to walk comfortably, the vegetation is lush from the rains, and the higher elevation makes a full morning of hiking more pleasant than it would be in May.Booking tipA shuttle runs from the Río Cuale area into the hills. Check the November schedule, as it shifts when the dry-season timetable starts.
Festival Gourmet International dining
food and drinkA multi-day culinary event held annually in mid-November. Guest chefs from across Mexico and abroad collaborate with local restaurants on special tasting menus that showcase Pacific coast ingredients alongside international techniques. Zona Romántica and Marina Vallarta host the bulk of the participating spots.
The festival is exclusive to November. Restaurants create one-off menus that disappear once the event ends.Booking tipPopular participating restaurants fill up. Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead once the schedule is announced, usually in late October.
Día de los Muertos altar walk on the Malecón
culturalThe 1.5km Malecón boardwalk fills with community-built ofrendas, marigold arches, and face-painted families on the evenings of November 1-2. Live music and traditional food vendors line the route from the cathedral plaza south toward Los Muertos Pier.
This is a calendar-fixed event on November 1-2 only. The installations are dismantled within days.Booking tipNo booking needed. Arrive by 18:00 to see the altars in daylight and stay for the candlelit atmosphere after dark.
Sunset sailing on Banderas Bay
water sportsCatamaran and sailboat tours depart from Marina Vallarta for 3-4 hour cruises along the coast, passing the Malecón sculpture trail and the Los Arcos formations. The sensation of warm salt spray and the smell of the ocean at dusk are hard to replicate elsewhere on a Pacific coast sailing trip.
Post-rainy-season swells have settled. The water is calmer than any month since May, and clear skies produce reliable sunset visibility over the Sierra Madre occidental.Booking tipWeekday departures tend to be less crowded than weekends. Some operators include a snorkeling stop at Los Arcos.
Gallery hopping along the Zona Romántica Art Walk
culturalGalleries and studios in Zona Romántica open their doors on Wednesday evenings from late October through May. The neighborhood's cobblestone streets fill with browsers, and many galleries serve complimentary drinks. The work ranges from indigenous Huichol beadwork to contemporary sculpture.
The Art Walk season reopens after the summer hiatus. November's early weeks feature fresh exhibitions and opening-night energy before the December tourist wave arrives.Booking tipFree to attend. Start around 18:00 near the galleries on Basilio Badillo street and work south.
What to eat in November
In season: fruit
Guayaba (guava)
Jalisco's guava harvest peaks from October into December. The small pink-fleshed fruits appear at Río Cuale market stalls and street carts, eaten raw or blended into agua fresca with lime. The perfumy sweetness is hard to miss at a morning market.
On menus now
Birria
Jalisco's signature slow-braised goat or beef stew, served with handmade tortillas, raw onion, and lime. The cooler November evenings make the rich, chile-stained broth feel right. Pitillal's taco stands serve some of the city's best versions.
Pescado zarandeado
Butterflied huachinango (red snapper) grilled over mangrove-wood coals, a tradition from neighboring Nayarit. Post-rainy-season catches are strong, and November's calmer seas mean the fish arrives fresh at beachside palapas. The smoky char and achiote marinade smell carries across the sand.
What to drink
Tejuino
Fermented corn drink served cold with a scoop of lime sorbet and a salt rim. Street vendors along the Malecón sell it year-round, but November's warm afternoons make it particularly welcome. The slight tang and corn sweetness come from piloncillo and fermented masa.
Festival food
Pan de muerto
Soft, brioche-like bread topped with bone-shaped dough knobs and dusted with sugar. Bakeries in Centro stock it through the first week of November for Día de los Muertos. Best eaten warm from panaderías in the old town.
Regular events in November
Festival Gourmet International
Multi-day food event in its third decade, featuring guest chefs and special tasting menus at restaurants across Zona Romántica and Marina Vallarta. One of Mexico's longest-running culinary festivals.
Mid-November (dates vary annually, typically second or third week)Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day)Free
National holiday commemorating the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Government offices and banks close. The Malecón and Centro may host small civic parades and cultural events, and the long weekend draws domestic travelers from Guadalajara and Mexico City.
November 20Zona Romántica Art Walk season openingFree
Weekly gallery walk through Zona Romántica's studios and exhibition spaces. The dry-season schedule restarts in late October and runs Wednesday evenings through May, with complimentary drinks and opening-night atmospheres at participating galleries.
Every Wednesday evening, approximately 18:00-22:00Best places this November
Malecón
boardwalkThe 1.5km seaside boardwalk is especially rewarding in November. Día de los Muertos altars line the route in the first days, and the evening promenade picks up as the dry-season crowd returns. The bronze sculpture trail runs its full length, and the sound of waves against the seawall is constant.
CentroLos Muertos Beach
beachZona Romántica's main beach stretches south from the Los Muertos Pier. November's calmer surf and warm water make it reliably swimmable. The pier itself catches good sunset views over Banderas Bay, and you'll notice the sand is cleaner now that the rainy-season runoff has stopped.
Zona RománticaVallarta Botanical Gardens
gardenAbout 30 minutes south on Highway 200, these gardens are at their greenest in November after months of rain. The orchid conservatory and river swimming hole are both open, and the higher elevation provides noticeable relief from coastal warmth.
Isla Río Cuale
island marketA narrow river island in the middle of town where the Río Cuale splits around it. It hosts a small market with local crafts, a few open-air restaurants, and a cultural center. November mornings here are quiet and pleasant before the midday heat builds, and the sound of the river running on both sides muffles the traffic above.
CentroConchas Chinas
beach neighborhoodA residential neighborhood south of Zona Romántica with a series of small rocky coves. The beaches here are quieter than Los Muertos and better for snorkeling as November's improving visibility reveals what the summer silt hid. Water shoes are advisable on the rocky entry points.
Conchas ChinasPitillal
neighborhoodAn inland neighborhood about 3km from the tourist strip with a distinct local character. The central plaza hosts a small Día de los Muertos altar display in the first days of November, and the surrounding streets have taco stands and birria spots where the clientele is almost entirely Mexican families from the neighborhood.
Pitillal
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Insider tips
The fish and produce stalls at the Río Cuale market offer fresher seafood and lower prices than tourist-facing restaurants along Los Muertos Beach. Arrive before 10:00 for the widest selection from the morning's catch.
Early November whale-watching trips from Marina Vallarta tend to carry half the passengers of January departures. The whales are fewer, but the experience is quieter and more personal. Ask operators about morning departures, which find calmer water.
Pitillal, the inland neighborhood locals treat as its own small town, has birria and taco stands that rival anything on the tourist strip. It's a 15-minute city bus ride from Centro, and the area around the central plaza stays well-lit and busy with locals through the evening.
The sunset view from the Mirador de la Cruz viewpoint above Zona Romántica is free, less crowded in November than in peak season, and arguably better than any rooftop bar in town. The hike up takes about 15 minutes from Calle Abasolo.
Revolution Day on November 20 creates a long weekend for Mexican domestic travelers. If your trip overlaps, book Malecón-area restaurants a few days ahead. The rest of November is calmer for walk-in dining.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking only the first week of November and losing a day or two to a late-season tropical weather band. The second half of the month is statistically drier and more reliable for outdoor plans.
- Expecting January-level whale watching from November 1. The humpbacks are still trickling in. Plan whale tours for the second half of the month when sightings become more consistent.
- Skipping sun protection because the warmth feels moderate compared to, say, Phoenix or Delhi. The UV index at this latitude is fierce regardless of air temperature, and 20 minutes of unprotected midday exposure can produce a serious burn.
- Not realizing that some seasonal tour operators and beach clubs are still opening for the season in early November. If a specific excursion matters to your trip, confirm operating status before booking flights.
Practical tips for November
Some whale-watching operators and beach clubs run reduced schedules until mid-November as they transition from low season. Book whale tours for the second half of the month when daily departures are more likely. Revolution Day on November 20 is a national holiday, so banks and government offices close, and the Malecón area sees a bump in domestic visitors for the long weekend. Restaurants in Zona Romántica begin taking reservations again after the quiet summer months, particularly during the Festival Gourmet International week. Pick up a plug-in mosquito repellent at any Farmacia Guadalajara for your accommodation, since insects remain active after the rains. If you plan to rent a car for the drive south to the Botanical Gardens or Costalegre beaches, book through a Marina Vallarta agency rather than the airport counter for a wider selection. The city bus system covers most tourist areas and Pitillal for a flat fare, with frequent routes running along the main coastal road between Marina Vallarta and Mismaloya.
FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
November is one of the better months for Puerto Vallarta. The rainy season has ended, whale-watching season is starting in Banderas Bay, and prices haven't reached the December-through-March peak. That said, afternoon warmth is noticeably higher than the mid-20s of winter, and some seasonal operations are still getting going in early November.
What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta in November?
Dry, warm, and mostly sunny. Expect clear skies most days, with minimal rainfall for the month. Humidity is lower than peak rainy season but still noticeable in the shade. Ocean temperatures run about 28-29°C (82-84°F), warm enough for comfortable swimming and snorkeling without a wetsuit.
Is Puerto Vallarta crowded in November?
Noticeably less crowded than December through March. November is the bridge between low season and high season, so tourist numbers build gradually. Early November can feel quiet. Mind you, the final week sees a bump as American Thanksgiving travelers arrive. You won't struggle for space at most beaches, though the Malecón gets lively on weekends.
Is it safe to visit Puerto Vallarta in November?
Puerto Vallarta is considered one of Mexico's safer tourist destinations. The city scores 6.8 out of 10 for solo-traveler safety (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index). Standard precautions apply. Stick to well-lit areas at night and use authorized taxis or rideshare apps. The Zona Romántica, Malecón, and Marina Vallarta areas are well-patrolled and tourist-friendly.
Is Puerto Vallarta family-friendly in November?
The city scores 7.8 out of 10 for family friendliness (see the TTDI Family-Friendliness Index). November's calm seas and warm water make beach days reliable for all ages. Whale watching works for children and adults alike, the Botanical Gardens have manageable trails, and the Malecón's sculpture walk is a good family stroll. The lower tourist density means shorter waits at popular restaurants.
Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta in November
Free cancellation Puerto Vallarta Best Zipline Canopy + Tequila and Speed Boat Ride
Day trip: 5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure
Outdoor experience: 6 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Ziplining, Waterfalls, and Speedboat Tour in Puerto Vallarta
Outdoor experience: 6.5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Puerto Vallarta Rhythms of the Night: Gourmet Dinner & Alma Show
Cruise: 5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Puerto Vallarta, Islas Marietas Tour with BBQ Lunch at Majahuitas
Cruise: 7 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Private Tour: Puerto Vallarta ATV Adventure
Outdoor experience: 3 hours, free cancellation.
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