Puerto Vallarta in October: Weather, Events, and Things to Do

Wondering about visiting Puerto Vallarta in October? You’re in the right place! In this post, I will share all you should know about the weather in Puerto Vallarta in October, events, and things to do.

The ever-stunning town of Puerto Vallarta is perfect for a visit any time of year but is October the month you should visit?

Well, you can decide after I tell you all about Puerto Vallarta weather in October in this post, along with the pros and cons of visiting in October, the month’s events and things to do, and some helpful tips. Let’s get started!

Puerto Vallarta Weather in October – At a Glance

🌡 The Temperature in Puerto Vallarta in October

October in Puerto Vallarta starts with similar temperatures as September – meaning some more hot and humid days.

But it’s not all that, the weather starts changing halfway through it, and for the better!

The average temperatures come down by a few degrees, from highs of 90°F (32°C) to 89°F (31.6°C) and lows of 76°F (24.5°C) to 72°F (22°C).

Not that much of a change in the heat and humidity of the day, so light clothing is a must to enjoy the sunny weather; but nights might feel a little chilly, so it’s good to bring along some warm clothes for those.

From here onwards, the weather starts shifting towards the perfect temperatures of Puerto Vallarta’s high season – but the crowds and peak prices aren’t around yet.

That’s why October is considered one of the best months to visit PV for a vacation with no crowds, pocket-friendly rates, and decent temperatures (as long as you don’t forget your sunscreen).

🌧 Precipitation in Puerto Vallarta in October

The slight decrease in temperatures isn’t the only pleasant thing that comes with October.

Puerto Vallarta skies also clear up halfway through this month and chances of rain showers go down as well.

In fact, fewer chances of rain are what set October apart from the previous months. The chance of precipitation takes a steep drop from 53% to 15% in October.

Overall, the month averages only about 117mm (4.6 inches) of rain over 5 days. Cloud cover also decreases throughout the month.

What this means for your October vacation in Puerto Vallarta is that it’s perfect for planning tons of outdoor adventures and exploring the stunning attractions of the town. 

☀️ Sunshine in Puerto Vallarta in October

Days get shorter as October brings Puerto Vallarta one step closer to winter, but with clearer skies and less cloud cover comes more sunshine, so it balances out.

The average is about 7 and a half hours of sunshine every day.

I know that doesn’t sound like a lot of sunshine hours, but you can fit in all your beach evenings, excursions, and exploration in those – especially because you mostly won’t have to worry about rain showers spoiling the plans.

Just make sure to check the weather forecast for the day and you should be good to go.

Also, despite the seemingly fewer sunshine hours, UV rays can get intense during October.

This makes applying sunscreen and wearing protective clothing – like wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses – an absolute must.

🌊 Puerto Vallarta Sea Water Temperature in October

With a steady average of around 85°F (29.5°C), the sea water temperature in Puerto Vallarta remains the same as the previous month during October.

Yup, that means more of the warm and cozy water for you to enjoy all the beach activities and water sports.

The month is considered one of the best times to visit Puerto Vallarta for families and kids visiting Puerto Vallarta to enjoy its stunning coastline.

What’s more, underwater visibility is at its clearest in the month of October – making it ideal for those of you looking to visit Puerto Vallarta for its snorkeling and diving scene.

Sargassum Seaweed in Puerto Vallarta in October

If you’ve heard of the infamous sargassum seaweed spoiling beach fun in Mexico with its presence and stench, May through October is the season for it.

But you can rest assured – there’s none of it in Puerto Vallarta no matter the time of year.

The seaweed is only an issue on the Caribbean (eastern) coast of the country – in places like Tulum and Cancun – when it’s sargassum season.

The Pacific (western) coast of Mexico has no sargassum and it includes Puerto Vallarta.

So, with no sargassum to worry about, you can include as many beach days and water activities on your to-do list as you like here regardless of when you’re planning to visit.

Events in Puerto Vallarta in October

🎊 Nayarit Vallarta Gastronómica

Nayarit Vallarta Gastronómica is one of the biggest Puerto Vallarta events in October, and a heaven for food lovers from around the world.

The event features workshops, exclusive bayside dinners, wine tastings, and some of the world’s best chefs and mixologists come together to make all that happen!

It’s set to begin at the end of September this year, from the 29th of the month all the way to the first 7 days of October.

So, if you’re visiting during the first week of the month, you will have plenty of time to enjoy all the incredible delights of Nayarit Vallarta Gastronómica.

🎊 Historic Center Art Walk

Art lovers visiting Puerto Vallarta in October will have the time of their lives because the month marks the beginning of the Historic Center Art Walk.

That’s when over 15 of the town’s top art galleries open their gates to collectors as well as anyone with an interest in art.

Both international and Mexican pieces are featured in all these galleries, and you can meet the original artists as well.

Admission is free and some galleries even offer complimentary wine to go along with your art explorations.

🎊 Halloween

Though not as much of an event as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations, Halloween is still celebrated in Puerto Vallarta.

You will mostly find themed parties and costume contests at restaurants and bars around town. Kids also dress up and go around trick or treating.

Pros of Visiting Puerto Vallarta in October

👍🏼 Excellent underwater visibility: October features the year’s best undersea visibility along with its warm ocean temperatures.

This is why the month is super popular among snorkelers and divers, and perfect for your vacation if you want to include lots of water activities on your to-do list.

👍🏼 Sunny days: October is one of those months when cloud cover is minimal, but the length of the day is still not as short compared to winters.

This means more than 7 hours of sunshine for you to enjoy the warm, sunny weather of PV.

👍🏼 Pocket-friendly rates: Since the month of October is part of the shoulder season of tourism in Puerto Vallarta, everything from flights to rooms and tours are relatively cheap during it.

Plus, you can get some of the best deals and discounts on those if you dig a little deeper!

👍🏼 Less rain: As I mentioned earlier, the chances of rainfall decrease significantly halfway through October because that’s when the rainy season in Puerto Vallarta comes to an end.

And less rain means more enjoyment opportunities. So plan some adventures!

👍🏼 Fewer crowds: Again, shoulder season. If you’re visiting in October, the crowds won’t have arrived in Puerto Vallarta yet because the start of high season is still a couple of months away.

That makes this month a great time for families with kids as well as those of you who prefer a quieter and more intimate vacation in PV.

👍🏼 Lots of festivals: October marks the beginning of many things in Puerto Vallarta, and its festival season is one of them as well.

This is when fests like the Art Walk, Day of the Dead celebrations, and many others are starting – and you get to enjoy them with fewer crowds!

Cons of Visiting Puerto Vallarta in October

👎🏼 Heat and humidity: Since it’s still not winter in Puerto Vallarta, the temperatures can go up to 89°F (31.6°C) during the daytime.

Humidity is also usually above 90%, which makes it feel even muggier.

👎🏼 No whale watching: One of the biggest draws of Puerto Vallarta is its whale-watching excursions.

If you plan on going on those in October, I have bad news for you.

Whale season starts in November and ends by early April at most, so you won’t get the chance to spot them in October.

Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta in October

✔️ Try Your Hand at Snorkeling and Diving

Puerto Vallarta is one of the world’s premier destinations for water sports like snorkeling and diving.

There’s an abundance of marine life right off the coast, and plenty of diving sites suitable for pros and first-timers alike.

The warm sea temperature of 85°F combined with the year’s best underwater visibility makes October the perfect month for you to experience these thrilling water activities.

Snorkeling tours include swimming with exotic marine life like wild dolphins and manta rays, while diving takes you even deeper into the mesmerizing blue of the Pacific to see its thriving reefs and the undersea creatures up close.

What’s more, it’s the shoulder season in October so there are many tours available at budget-friendly rates.

All in all, you won’t find a better time to go diving and snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta than this – so now is your chance if you want to make some unforgettable memories.

✔️ Participate in a Sea Turtle Releasing Ceremony

October may not be part of whale watching season, but it’s got something equally as memorable on offer.

The beaches of Puerto Vallarta are a haven for sea turtles that show up here every year to lay their eggs. These eggs hatch between August and December.

There’s a preservation program for these hatchlings, and they set up camps where you can participate in helping these precious baby sea turtles take their very first steps into the ocean.

It’s a perfectly family-friendly activity and truly heartwarming, so I highly recommend participating in one of these turtle-releasing ceremonies when you’re here.

✔️ Spend an Afternoon on the Beach

One of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta is to plan for your October Puerto Vallarta vacation by taking in the town’s serene beauty – and what better way to do that than spending time on one of its pristine beaches?

Los Muertos Beach is a good place to start.

It’s super popular, but you won’t have to worry about crowds in October.

You can also combine your beach trip with a leisurely walk along the famous Malecon promenade of the town, where you can admire sculptures and art, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy some delicious Mexican food.

You also get to see the breathtaking sunset paint the sky orange and pink here.

✔️ Take a Trip to the Marietas Islands

Speaking of pristine beaches, there’s also a hidden one at Islas Marietas but this place is much more than that.

It’s a group of small islands that form a national park just a few miles off the coast, where you can admire the untouched natural beauty of Puerto Vallarta.

The Marieta Islands National Park is just a boat ride away so visiting here is fairly easy.

Plus, there are full-day catamaran tours that you can take to thoroughly explore the islands while enjoying water activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and much more.

One thing to keep in mind, the hidden beach of Islas Marietas (called Playa del Amor) is super popular.

So, to prevent too many people from visiting it at the same time and harming the corals here, there is a mandatory permit requirement for the beach only.

Make sure to get one if you want to visit the beach.

Preferably, get the permit at least a few weeks prior to your visit because, as I said, a lot of people want to visit the beach so availability can be an issue. You can still visit the rest of the islands without a permit, though.

✔️ Sample the Local Cuisine

The variety of mouthwatering traditional cuisine in Puerto Vallarta is incredible.

Trying the food here is like going on a gastronomic adventure full of delights, and there are tons of restaurants as well as food stalls to make that happen.

You will get plenty of chances to savor the delicious local cuisine of PV during your explorations of the town.

The Malecon is lined with top-notch restaurants and street vendors, the downtown also has some of the best eateries in town, and then there are the hidden gems in neighborhoods like the Zona Romantica.

There are also organized food tours in Puerto Vallarta that will take you around town to taste the best of both the popular eateries and less-known food spots for a more authentic and thorough experience.

They’re a unique and fun way to explore the town as long as you have a big appetite.

Tips for Visiting Puerto Vallarta in October

📌 Bring sunscreen: I have already mentioned it earlier, but I’m saying it again because bringing sunscreen is important.

With less cloud cover, days in Puerto Vallarta can get pretty hot and sunny. So make sure you wear sunscreen at all times to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

📌 Drink lots of water: Another thing to be mindful of when out exploring the charming Puerto Vallarta and its surroundings is to hydrate often.

Since it’s a sub-tropical destination, dehydration can be a risk no matter the time of year. Just carry an insulated bottle of water and you should be good.

Click on one of the below water bottles to purchase your favorite one ⤵️

📌 Pack light clothes, but also bring something warm: Puerto Vallarta weather in October is generally warm, but some nights do feel chilly.

Bring a light jacket or sweater along with your shorts, swimsuits, and flip-flops.

📌 Carry local cash: Because it’s a popular tourist destination, credit cards work at most hotels, restaurants, and tourist spots in Puerto Vallarta.

But I still recommend carrying pesos on you, just enough to cover the day’s expenses and some extra.

📌 Learn some basic Spanish: English is not rare in Puerto Vallarta, especially in touristy spots of town, but knowing a few phrases of the local language will go a long way.

So it would be a good idea to brush up on some basic Spanish before your October trip to PV.

📌 Follow common safety rules: Last, but by no means least, is to keep the common sense safety measures in mind.

Puerto Vallarta is a very safe destination for tourists, but you should still keep an eye on your stuff, avoid going to deserted parts of town at night, and generally stay alert of your surroundings just like you would anywhere else in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Puerto Vallarta in October

Now that you know everything about October weather in Puerto Vallarta, you can pack your bags and get ready for a fun, crowd-free vacation here.

It’s true that the temperatures get a little hot during the day, but the overall weather is still pretty decent.

Then there is the impeccable underwater visibility and incredible water activities on offer.

Prices are also very pocket-friendly and there are many discounts on rooms and tours.

So, if you’re up for an adventure in Puerto Vallarta, the month of October has lots on offer.