Puerto Vallarta in May

In May, Puerto Vallarta averages 29°C (85°F) during the day and 21°C (70°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (10 mm total).

High season

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

May is a great month to visit Puerto Vallarta: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

29°C
Avg high
21°C
Avg low
5
Rain days
10 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Puerto Vallarta

6th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
1%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
13 h 7 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Puerto Vallarta (6th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (29°C). May runs 2°C warmer than April (28°C) and warms a further 1°C into June (30°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Puerto Vallarta

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:23 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:30 PM
Day length
13 h 7 min

Times shown for Puerto Vallarta local time (America/Mexico_City), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Puerto Vallarta — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Puerto Vallarta's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:23 AM – 6:03 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:03 AM – 7:03 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:50 PM – 7:50 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:50 PM – 8:30 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Puerto Vallarta in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (High season) and Puerto Vallarta's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
2-3 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-3 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.

Crowds & pricing — May in Puerto Vallarta

High season

This is a busy month in Puerto Vallarta — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather beach-season conditions

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Puerto Vallarta

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
13
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●○○
Moderate
Active mosquito season. DEET 25-30% repellent recommended, especially at dawn/dusk.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Puerto Vallarta — May

27.1°C (81°F)
bath-warm
tropical and comfortable for hours

Across the year Puerto Vallarta's sea swings from 24.5°C (April) to 31.6°C (September) — May sits at 27.1°C.

Puerto Vallarta in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 26°C / 79°F 18°C / 64°F 10 mm 4
February 26°C / 79°F 18°C / 64°F 24 mm 4
March 27°C / 80°F 17°C / 63°F 19 mm 3
April 28°C / 82°F 19°C / 66°F 1 mm 2
May 29°C / 85°F 21°C / 70°F 10 mm 5
June 30°C / 86°F 24°C / 75°F 146 mm 21
July 31°C / 87°F 25°C / 76°F 190 mm 28
August 30°C / 87°F 25°C / 76°F 244 mm 30
September 30°C / 86°F 24°C / 76°F 279 mm 29
October 30°C / 85°F 24°C / 75°F 151 mm 23
November 29°C / 84°F 21°C / 71°F 27 mm 8
December 27°C / 81°F 19°C / 66°F 23 mm 6

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Puerto Vallarta in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Puerto Vallarta in May?

In May, Puerto Vallarta averages a high of 29°C (85°F) and a low of 21°C (70°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Puerto Vallarta in May?

May sees occasional rain in Puerto Vallarta, with about 5 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

May is warm and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Puerto Vallarta in May?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full May packing list for Puerto Vallarta for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Puerto Vallarta on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.