Key Takeaways
- While many winter vacationers look to the East and West Coasts of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, closer to the middle, is a convenient pick
- This popular cruise ship stop remains a below-the-radar destination for resort travel, making it ideal for those seeking authenticity, fewer crowds, and immersive warm-weather winter activities
- Aside from its famous Malecon (boardwalk) and year-round beaches, a lively festive season, bursting calendar of indoor and outdoor events, and seasonal attractions like whale watching make winter an exceptional time to visit
When it comes to winter snowbird destinations, Mexico is an easy and obvious answer. With easy accessibility from anywhere in the U.S., warm weather year-round, spectacular beaches, jungles, cities, and food, for many, it’s the only answer. Often, by default, East Coasters flock to the Yucatan and West Coasters dip down into Baja California Sur. However, those in the know put another destination on their radars and travel calendars, a place that’s “Pacific & Wild” … Puerto Vallarta.
Located in the state of Jalisco, south of Los Cabos, west of Guadalajara and Mexico City, and roughly along the same latitude as Cancun in the state of Quintana Roo, it’s a perfect halfway point for travelers from either side of the United States. Popular airlines that serve the destination include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines. For North American travelers flying from Canada, you'll find direct flights on Air Canada, Air Transat, Flair Airlines, Sunwing, Swoop, and WestJet.
It's also a beloved port of call for many Pacific cruise ships, making a stay here a perfect pre- or post-cruise vacation extension for destination immersion and decompression, thanks to its gorgeous mountainous landscape, charming towns, famous boardwalk, and of course, the Banderas Bay setting – one of the largest and most beautiful bays in the world. Plus, its sense of Mexican authenticity and warmth add to Puerto Vallarta being a shortcut to relaxation. It’s well known as a family-friendly and LGBTQ+ haven with a long history of hospitality, traditions residents love to share, and recreation for all ages and travel styles.
All of that is, of course, year-round, but Puerto Vallarta particularly sparkles in the wintertime. Here are some of our favorite reasons why.
Festive Season in Puerto Vallarta
One of the things about Mexican culture that make it so beloved across cultures is its celebratory nature … and style. Visitors can always count on destinations here to do it right, and Puerto Vallarta exceeds that expectation for the winter holidays.
Beginning December 1, Fiestas Guadalupanas – a celebration of faith and gratitude centered around the Virgin of Guadalupe designated an Intangible Heritage of the State of Jalisco event – takes over for a dozen days for an incredible total of 400 processions during that time. Carriages, folkloric dancers, Mariachi music, and fireworks fill the streets and central plazas, along with vendors selling traditional foods, fruits, and crafts.
Winter is also a popular season for performances, particularly at VidantaWorld Vallarta. This year, Lionel Richie is performing and a new Cirque du Soleil show, LUDÕ, will be premiering a performance that puts its signature acrobatics into an immersive water-inspired presentation to stunning effect.
For the actual Christmas holiday, visitors will find plenty of festive spirit from Marina Vallarta to the Romantic Zone and beyond, as boats, shops, restaurants, and resorts put up their brightest lights and festive décor.
But New Year’s is when the destination’s winter shine reaches its zenith. On the night of December 31, downtown Puerto Vallarta and its boardwalk becomes an incredible, joyful open party with live music, festive bars, restaurants, and night clubs offering full service, and fireworks at midnight.
Winter Whale Watching
Snowbirds are far from limited to feathered friends and northern-dwelling humans. Humpback whales are regular vacationers to Puerto Vallarta when their rest-of-year seas become too cold, and the season officially begins with the first joyful jump by one of these magnificent creatures.
This winter, December 8 marked the official start of whale-watching season, which will reach its peak in January and February. While the season goes on through March or even April, during these winter months, they’re at their most playful and exhibiting a lot of exciting surface activity, offering a higher likelihood of sighting … and more opportunities to do so with eco-tour operators.
Be sure to book early, and that bookings are made with responsible, certified vendors who understand the importance of protecting these vulnerable giants, and will be able to make it a learning experience guests never forget. You’ll know if the companies are good picks if they work in partnership with Ecobac, RABEN, or other non-profit organizations that focus on conservation and rescue for whales. The tourist board at Puerto Vallarta recommend Vallarta Adventures or Ecotours Vallarta, and Amstar offers a great one travel advisors can bundle into vacation packages seamlessly with VAX.
Markets & More
Unlike in most of the U.S., where farmers and craft markets reach their peak in the summer, the most popular street market in Puerto Vallarta, Art & Market Marina Vallarta, doesn’t kick off until October 30. It’s in full swing in the winter months and stays that way until May 14 this year.
What makes this exciting night market so special is its collection of over 200 exhibitors offering 100% local products at reasonable price points, including traditional handcrafts, home décor, locally produced spirits (including wine and tequilas raicilla), textiles, and organic produce and international cuisines. Starting at 6 PM and ending at 10 PM along a full mile of the boardwalk, this impressive market founded by Nelly Wulff in 2012 has become one of the most highly anticipated seasonal events of the year.
Another beloved long-running market is the Olas Altas Farmers’ Market at Lázaro Cárdenas Park. It entered its 17th season just this November, with 100 producers gathering to sell their goods directly to the public every Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM until April 4, 2026. Founded by Alberta-born businesswoman and renowned chocolatier Charlotte “Xocodiva” Semple, slow food remains an core value at this weekly event, with organic, international, vegan, and pet options alongside Mexican handicrafts, textiles, fashion, and artwork, all by local artisans.
Smaller, more casual and relaxed Three Hens and a Rooster also does bustling business on Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, but in Cuale Island’s downtown. Look here for handmade soaps and cosmetics, locally designed clothing, and more homemade-style food.
Finally, the latest opener (November 21 this year), the South Side Shuffle in Puerto Vallarta’s old town Romantic Zone. This is more of an open house, with 22 art galleries, jewelry stores, and boutiques on Basilio Badillo St. opening up for art, music, and merrymaking every other Friday from 6 PM to 6 PM.
For all, admission is free and open to the public, providing plenty of ways to immerse oneself in local life with events only available winter to spring for those in the know.
Outdoors
There are a few obvious ways to add “great” to outdoors in Puerto Vallarta. Of course, there are the beaches (more on those below!). Then there’s the vibrant and iconic Malecon, the long boardwalk that lines the beachfront with sculptures, arts and craft galleries, shops, restaurants, and people from near and far gathering to take a breather along Banderas Bay.
But even more than that, there are attractions such as the impressive Vallarta Botanical Garden, which takes full advantage of its geography to showcase the diversity and tropical forests that make Puerto Vallarta as stunning inland as it is closer to the coast. There’s a cactus garden, tropical fruit orchard, conservatory of orchids and native plants that showcase almost 300 Mexico-endemic species, a hanging garden that leads to mature trees of the forest, a shoppable nursery, and a renowned restaurant with Sierra Madre views. This winter is a perfect time to visit and score commemorative items from the souvenir shop as it’s celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
There are also open-air performances and artistic expressions at Los Arcos amphitheater to take in, which are especially magical when the sun sets around the stage, or from the surrounding local and international restaurants to enjoy before and after the show.
Warm Weather Beaches
We can’t talk about Puerto Vallarta in the winter without mentioning the gorgeous beaches that allow for water sports and swimming all year round. The sands are golden here, glowing under an average of 360 sunny days per year.
A favorite is Playa de Oro, which is Blue Flag certified for its excellence in service, safety, environmental management, and quality. Its waves are known to be gentle and its location in the North Hotel Zone is prime placement. Similarly, Playa Palmares was the first beach in the state of Jalisco to have earned that certification, and a long ramp with easy access to the beach is perfect for multigenerational vacationers whose family might include those who might have mobility restrictions. Plus, on-site chair and gear rentals mean no hauling for ultimate convenience.
However, the most “traditional” beach and the most frequented of the “Vallartenses” that call this destination home is Los Muertos, which is over the pedestrian bridge over the Cuale River, just off the Malecon. The pier just recently underwent a renovation and refurbishment, and offers slices of life … and slices mangos and cucumbers from vendors, as well as grilled fish, shrimp, and Tehua oysters for afternoon bites. Visiting after the Olas Altas Farmer’s Market is a wonderful family activity, and the LGBTQ+ clubs on the southern end are a must for those looking for lively nightlife.
On the other hand, those sunbathers who want seclusion, consider the littlest beach in Mexico, Colomitos. It’s a five-minute panga ride from Boca del Tomatlan, but all-inclusive day tours that stop here on the way to other Southern beaches depart daily from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port. Similarly, for more authentic, off-the-beaten-bath vibes, there’s Yelapa, a peaceful fishing village and home of the Yelapa Museum of Art, History and Culture that’s accessible only by boat.
The Bottom Line
While all of Mexico is a haven for those fleeing the cold of winter in the United States, Puerto Vallarta is particularly well suited for winter travel. Between the year-round beaches, the seasonal markets, the outdoor attractions, lively boardwalk, festive season events, whale watching, and family- and LGBTQ+ friendly community, this destination recommendation is one that can easily be customized to all types of travelers.
