The Perfect Mirage: Weather in Puerto Vallarta in December When Snowmen Melt into Beach Cocktails
While the rest of America shivers through holiday shopping, Puerto Vallarta offers the meteorological equivalent of a warm hug from a Mexican grandmother who insists you need more sunshine.
Weather in Puerto Vallarta in December Article Summary: The TL;DR
- Temperature range: 65-85°F
- Rainfall: Less than 1 inch
- Beach days: 27-29 perfect days
- Humidity: 60-70%
- Ocean temperature: 77-79°F
The weather in Puerto Vallarta in December is a meteorological paradise, offering consistent temperatures between 82-85°F during the day and 65°F in the evening. With minimal rainfall, high sunshine probability, and warm ocean temperatures, it provides the perfect winter escape for travelers seeking to dodge cold northern climates.
Detailed Weather Insights
| Weather Metric | December Details |
|---|---|
| Daytime Temperature | 82-85°F |
| Evening Temperature | 65°F |
| Rainfall | Less than 1 inch |
| Humidity | 60-70% |
| Ocean Temperature | 77-79°F |
Is December a Good Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta?
Absolutely! December offers nearly perfect weather in Puerto Vallarta with 27-29 ideal beach days, warm temperatures, minimal rainfall, and comfortable conditions for outdoor activities and swimming.
What Should I Pack for Puerto Vallarta in December?
Pack lightweight clothing, swimwear, a light sweater for evenings, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Avoid heavy winter clothing as temperatures remain warm and pleasant throughout the month.
How Warm is the Ocean in Puerto Vallarta During December?
Ocean temperatures in December range from 77-79°F, making it perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and water activities without feeling cold.
What are UV Levels Like in December?
UV indexes remain high (8-10) in December. Visitors should use high SPF sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit direct sun exposure during peak hours.
How Crowded is Puerto Vallarta in December?
December marks the high season with an influx of “snowbirds”, but beaches remain surprisingly uncrowded. Expect higher resort prices and more tourists compared to off-peak months.
December’s Mexican Miracle: When North Freezes But Puerto Vallarta Sizzles
While most Americans are scraping ice off windshields and praying their car batteries survive another frigid morning, Puerto Vallarta lounges smugly by the Pacific, basking in what can only be described as meteorological perfection. The weather in Puerto Vallarta in December achieves what no dating app has yet managed—a near 100% satisfaction rate. As northerners bundle up in thermal layers thick enough to qualify as portable saunas, Puerto Vallartans contemplate whether today’s beach ensemble should feature the blue flip-flops or the slightly bluer flip-flops.
For those unfamiliar with Puerto Vallarta Weather by Month, December stands as the crown jewel in an already impressive collection. It’s the statistical anomaly of finding beachside perfection while your neighborhood back home transforms into a tundra wasteland. Finding such reliably pleasant conditions in December is like spotting a unicorn drinking a margarita—theoretically impossible yet gloriously real.
Geography plays no small role in this meteorological miracle. Nestled along the horseshoe-shaped Banderas Bay and protected by the Sierra Madre mountains, Puerto Vallarta enjoys a microclimate that seems custom-designed by a vacation planner with an advanced degree in atmospheric science. The mountains block cold fronts while the bay moderates temperatures to the exact degree that human bodies find most agreeable. Nature’s thermostat, apparently, was calibrated by someone who really understands comfort.
The Great Migration: When Snowbirds Fly South
December kicks off high season in Puerto Vallarta with all the subtlety of a mariachi band at midnight. The town transforms as snowbirds descend like confused geese who’ve suddenly discovered the joy of SPF 50 and bottomless guacamole. These seasonal migrants, easily identified by their startling white legs and expressions of weather-induced euphoria, arrive with one mission: escape winter’s cruel grip while simultaneously posting envy-inducing beach photos to social media.
Locals mark their calendars by this annual migration, watching resort prices climb faster than the temperature back in Minnesota drops. The weather in Puerto Vallarta in December isn’t just pleasant—it’s valuable real estate on the calendar, commanding premium rates from those desperate to trade their snow shovels for beach towels. Yet even with the influx of northern refugees, the beaches remain surprisingly uncrowded—stretching wide enough to accommodate both the experienced winter dodgers and the wide-eyed first-timers who can’t stop exclaiming about feeling warm sunshine in December.
Holiday Spirit with a Tropical Twist
There’s something delightfully disorienting about seeing Christmas decorations strung between palm trees or watching Santa arrive by speedboat. December in Puerto Vallarta offers the bizarre juxtaposition of holiday traditions set against a backdrop that makes winter seem like a fairy tale told to frighten children. It’s Christmas, but without the necessity of multiple layers or the constant threat of frostbite.
The town embraces this contradiction with characteristic Mexican flair—piñatas and posadas blend with tinsel and lights, creating a festive atmosphere that doesn’t require thermal underwear to enjoy. Visitors find themselves humming carols while applying sunscreen, experiencing the peculiar joy of celebrating winter’s biggest holiday while wearing the season’s smallest clothing. It’s a parallel December universe where hot chocolate is replaced by icy margaritas and snowmen exist only in the imagination.
The Naked Truth About Weather in Puerto Vallarta in December: Numbers Don’t Lie, But They Do Tan
Let’s talk numbers, because the weather in Puerto Vallarta in December is a statistical masterpiece worth analyzing. Daytime temperatures consistently hover between 82-85°F (28-29°C), while evenings cool to a comfortable 65°F (18°C). This is the meteorological equivalent of Goldilocks’ “just right” porridge—warm enough for swimming but cool enough that makeup doesn’t immediately slide off faces like an avant-garde art installation.
These temperature ranges explain why December visitors develop a curious swagger within 48 hours of arrival. It’s the physical manifestation of weather-based smugness, knowing that while relatives back home are layering clothes like Siberian nesting dolls, you’re debating whether putting on a t-shirt over your swimsuit constitutes “dressing up.”
Rainfall: The Precipitation Vacation
December in Puerto Vallarta receives less than 1 inch (25mm) of rainfall for the entire month, typically delivered in 1-2 brief showers that have the courtesy to arrive and depart with such efficiency they barely interrupt happy hour. Compare this to Seattle’s December deluge of 5.6 inches—a figure suggesting Seattleites might evolve webbed feet by New Year’s Eve.
These rare rain episodes follow a predictable pattern: dramatic clouds gather with theatrical flair, locals glance upward with mild interest, tourists panic and order one final margarita before the apocalypse, a 20-minute shower ensues, and then everything dries within an hour. The entire performance serves mainly to clean the streets and provide a brief respite from sunshine that even the most dedicated sun-worshippers occasionally appreciate.
Humidity: The Goldilocks Zone
December humidity levels in Puerto Vallarta typically range from 60-70%—just humid enough to maintain your skin’s dewiness without feeling like you’re attempting to breathe underwater. This is particularly appreciated by visitors from places like Arizona, where winter air has all the moisture content of astronaut food.
The practical effect of this humidity level is that travelers find themselves using significantly less moisturizer while simultaneously looking five years younger in photographs. It’s a dermatological miracle that spas charge hundreds of dollars to replicate, yet Puerto Vallarta provides it complimentary with your December visit.
Ocean Temperatures: Warmer Than Your Hotel Shower
Banderas Bay water temperatures in December register a consistent 77-79°F (25-26°C)—warmer than many hotel pools in northern US states during summer. This creates the surreal experience of ocean swimming in December, an activity that would constitute a polar bear plunge or possible psychiatric evaluation in most American coastal cities.
The practical implication of these water temperatures is that ocean activities remain accessible to everyone, not just the cold-tolerant superhumans who volunteer for winter charity swims. Snorkeling, swimming, and paddleboarding continue uninterrupted, with the biggest challenge being explaining to friends back home that you acquired your tan while actually in the water during Christmas week.
Perfect Beach Day Probability
Statistically speaking, 27-29 days of December qualify as perfect beach days in Puerto Vallarta. These odds make finding a decent parking spot at an American mall during holiday shopping season seem like a mathematical impossibility by comparison. The weather in Puerto Vallarta in December operates with the kind of reliability that Swiss watchmakers aspire to but rarely achieve.
This predictability allows visitors to plan outdoor activities with confidence bordering on arrogance. Sunset cruises, fishing expeditions, and hiking adventures can be booked weeks in advance without the usual weather-anxiety that accompanies vacation planning. The meteorological certainty creates a strange phenomenon where visitors stop checking weather apps entirely—perhaps the truest form of vacation relaxation.
Daylight: When the Sun Works Reasonable Hours
December in Puerto Vallarta delivers 11-12 hours of daylight daily, with sunrise around 7:10 am and sunset near 6:20 pm. This provides more sunlight hours than most US locations during the same month, where darkness descends with the approximate timing and cheerfulness of an IRS audit around 4:30 pm.
These generous daylight hours mean morning beach walks can happen before breakfast, while evening dinners can begin with spectacular sunset views before transitioning to stargazing. It’s as if the sun negotiated a more civilized work schedule for winter, refusing to abandon its post prematurely as it does in northern latitudes.
UV Warning: When Sunshine Gets Serious
Despite comfortable temperatures, December UV indexes in Puerto Vallarta remain stubbornly high (8-10). The contrast between the pleasant warmth and the sun’s actual strength creates the perfect trap for first-time visitors, whose winter-pale skin arrives with approximately the UV resistance of tissue paper.
The mathematical equation becomes: Average American’s winter pallor + Puerto Vallarta’s December sun = lobster-hued tourist explaining to coworkers in January that yes, it is indeed possible to get second-degree sunburn while wearing SPF 30. Smart visitors approach Mexican sunshine with the respect one might afford a friendly but unpredictable wild animal—beautiful to behold but capable of leaving lasting impressions if underestimated.
Wind Patterns: Nature’s Air Conditioning
December brings light northwest breezes of 5-7 mph to Puerto Vallarta—perfect for keeping sailboats moving and palm trees gently swaying without turning beach umbrellas into dangerous projectiles. These are civilized winds that cool without disarranging hairstyles or sending hats on unscheduled trips to Guadalajara.
These gentle air currents create the perfect natural ventilation system, ensuring that even at midday, shaded areas remain comfortable without additional cooling. Restaurant patios and beachside lounges catch just enough breeze to maintain the ideal temperature for enjoying both the food and the view without napkins making sudden bids for freedom.
The Pragmatic Packer’s Guide
The weather in Puerto Vallarta in December demands a minimalist approach to luggage that confounds winter travelers accustomed to packing clothes by the cubic yard. The essentials: lightweight clothing, swimwear, one light sweater for evenings, and perhaps a single pair of actual shoes for restaurants with dress codes. Your winter coat can stay home where it belongs—comforting your empty closet and reminding your neighbors you haven’t actually moved to Mexico permanently.
Women quickly discover that hair dryers become largely ceremonial in December’s perfect humidity balance, while men find that the “shirt optional” dress code extends to more locations than their significant others might prefer. In December, Puerto Vallarta’s fashion requirements shift from “barely there” to “slightly more than barely there” after sunset, creating the unique vacation phenomenon of packing for a week in a bag smaller than what most people use for gym clothes.
The Final Forecast: Where December and Paradise Hold Hands
The weather in Puerto Vallarta in December presents what meteorologists might call “the control group” of perfect conditions. Temperatures ranging from 65-85°F, rainfall measuring less than a statistical rounding error, and sunshine occurring with the reliability of a German train schedule combine to create the antithesis of typical American December weather. While Midwesterners develop seasonal hunched postures from bracing against arctic winds, Puerto Vallarta visitors struggle with the serious challenge of ensuring even tan lines.
The psychological benefits of this climate exchange program cannot be overstated. Trading snow shovels for sand shovels does wonders for seasonal affective disorder. There’s something profoundly therapeutic about sending “Merry Christmas” texts while your toes are buried in warm sand rather than wool socks. The mental recalibration happens almost instantly—somewhere between removing your jacket at the airport and your first glimpse of the impossibly blue ocean that doesn’t have ice floes on it.
Where Christmas Lights Meet Moonlight
December in Puerto Vallarta achieves the remarkable balance of maintaining holiday festivity without winter’s meteorological baggage. The town transforms with lights and decorations while palm trees sway where fir trees would typically stand. Mexican holiday traditions blend with familiar North American customs, creating an atmosphere that celebrates the season without requiring antifreeze or thermal underwear.
Nothing quite captures the surreal joy of December in Puerto Vallarta like singing carols with sand between your toes or watching candlelight processions while wearing shorts. It’s Christmas reconceptualized—all of the celebration with none of the chattering teeth. Visitors find themselves maintaining holiday spirit while wearing swimwear, a cognitive dissonance that somehow enhances rather than diminishes the seasonal experience.
The Relationship Metaphor
If weather patterns were relationships, December in Puerto Vallarta would be the partner everyone envies—reliable, comforting, and unlike your ex, it never gives you the cold shoulder. It’s the meteorological equivalent of finding someone who both looks like your celebrity crush and genuinely enjoys doing the dishes. Such perfection seems suspicious until experienced firsthand.
This climatic reliability explains why December visitors often become December regulars, returning year after year like migrating butterflies with credit cards and sun hats. They’ve discovered that while much of life remains unpredictable, the weather in Puerto Vallarta in December stands as a rare constant in an inconstant world—a place where winter exists only in text messages from relatives back home, describing weather conditions that increasingly sound like fiction from another planet.
* Disclaimer: This article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence. While we strive for accuracy and relevance, the content may contain errors or outdated information. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Readers are encouraged to verify facts and consult appropriate sources before making decisions based on this content.
Published on May 19, 2025
Updated on June 16, 2025