As December settles over Puerto Vallarta and before peak holiday crowds flood in, you'll find a coastal paradise in its most festive and authentic state. The city pulses with Christmas energy, with comfortable temperatures and crystal-clear skies.
December brings some of the year's best weather, with warm, sunny days that ease into cool, breezy evenings. The Pacific settles into a welcoming turquoise calm, ideal for long swims, snorkeling, and sunset sails. From migrating humpback whales to jungle canopies and candlelit dinners by the sea, here are 20 experiences that make December the perfect time to discover Puerto Vallarta.
1. Witness Humpback Whales in Banderas Bay
Banderas Bay hosts one of Mexico's most spectacular wildlife events as humpback whales arrive for breeding season. These magnificent creatures migrate up to 5,000 miles from North Pacific feeding grounds, making Puerto Vallarta one of the world's premier whale watching destinations. The calm waters provide perfect visibility for spotting breaches, tail slaps, and mother-calf interactions.
Get eye-level with 40-foot humpbacks on the Whale Watching Photo Safari, where onboard hydrophones let you listen to their songs and expert marine guides share insight into their behaviors and conservation.
2. Explore Las Caletas
Escape to this secluded paradise accessible only by boat, where pristine beaches meet lush tropical jungle. December's perfect weather makes this remote location ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and hiking nature trails without the intense summer heat.
The protected cove offers calm waters perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding, while the beach provides excellent opportunities for relaxation and wildlife spotting. Sway in the iconic hammocks suspended over the waves, spot macaws and squirrel monkeys, and share a beachside buffet lunch under the palms with Las Caletas Beach & Adventure Park, a full-day escape with round-trip boat, meals, and open bar included.
3. Ring in the New Year at Beach Celebrations
Experience New Year's Eve Mexican-style with beachfront celebrations featuring live music, traditional fireworks, and authentic cultural festivities under December's perfect skies. The Malecón boardwalk hosts the main public celebration with multiple stages, local bands, and food vendors serving traditional holiday treats.
For a barefoot-in-the-sand kind of night, Playa Los Muertos in the Zona Romántica is the classic pick, with its pier lit up and the fireworks reflecting off the water. Playa Camarones near downtown draws a slightly quieter crowd, and up in Bucerías, the long stretch of beach in front of the town square fills with families, live music, and hotel countdowns.
The celebrations continue past sunrise, easing into the new year as local traditions and international travelers share the same stretch of sand.
4. Experience a Night of Music, Dinner, and Performance by the Sea
Journey to a magical jungle amphitheater for an enchanting evening of Prehispanic culture and contemporary performance art. December's comfortable temperatures make the outdoor venue perfect for enjoying this unique cultural experience, combining ancient traditions with modern theatrical elements.
The adventure begins with a scenic boat ride across Banderas Bay, followed by a candlelit dinner by the ocean and a world-class show with scenography by Oscar winner Eugenio Caballero, featuring acrobats, dancers, and live music. ALMA, Rhythms of the Night offers a special New Year's Eve edition with the added excitement of watching Puerto Vallarta's fireworks from your return boat journey.
5. Soar Through Sierra Madre Canopies
Fly over the jungle canopy on the Extreme Adventure, Suspension Bridge, ATV & Ziplines, where multiple platforms and Superman, Mexico's longest zipline, offer breathtaking views of tropical jungle and distant ocean vistas. The dry weather ensures optimal conditions with minimal delays and perfect visibility for capturing your adventure on camera.
The circuit includes crossing a suspension bridge on a Polaris RZR, a 30-foot pendulum free-fall jump, rappelling from towering platforms, and a hillside water slide. Professional guides provide thorough safety instruction and share fascinating insights about the surrounding ecosystem.
6. Wander the Historic Malecón Boardwalk
Stroll along Puerto Vallarta's famous oceanfront promenade, where December evenings come alive with street performers, art vendors, and festive holiday decorations. The approximately one-kilometer walkway features bronze sculptures, outdoor galleries, and panoramic ocean views perfect for sunset watching. December's comfortable temperatures make evening walks particularly enjoyable, while the holiday season brings special events and live entertainment.
Street food vendors offer authentic Mexican snacks like elotes (grilled corn) and fresh fruit with chili seasoning. The Malecón connects to the historic downtown area, making it easy to explore art galleries, souvenir shops, and traditional restaurants. Don't miss the iconic seahorse sculpture and rotating dance performances in the main plaza.
7. Dive into the Beauty of Marietas Islands
The Marieta Islands National Park is a protected marine sanctuary known for crystal-clear waters, volcanic caves, and abundant sea life. December offers mild weather and generally good visibility, making it a great time to snorkel among colorful fish, rays, and even sea turtles. By early December, lucky travelers might also spot the first humpback whales returning to Banderas Bay.
Snorkel through the park's rock archways, look out for the rare blue-footed booby, and finish the day with a freshly grilled BBQ lunch on the sand at Majahuitas Beach with Marietas Islands & Beach BBQ.
8. Explore San Sebastián del Oeste
Step back in time on the San Sebastian del Oeste day trip, where more than 400 years of Mexican history come alive through cobblestone streets and preserved colonial architecture. The comfortable mountain drive takes you to a cooler altitude, offering a refreshing change from coastal humidity. This Pueblo Mágico reveals centuries of culture through its historic churches, traditional haciendas, and local artisan workshops.
Sip tequila straight from the agave fields, taste coffee at an organic farm, and visit a family-owned silversmith workshop before sitting down to a traditional three-course Mexican lunch with wine and beer.
9. Sail Through Banderas Bay at Sunset
December evenings provide the perfect backdrop for a Luxury Sailing, Adults-Only cruise across Banderas Bay. Gentle trade winds and mild temperatures create ideal sailing conditions, while clear skies offer unobstructed sunset views over the Pacific.
Glide past the coastline aboard elegant French-made Leopard catamarans or Beneteau sailboats, with premium open bar, gourmet appetizers, and chances to snorkel, paddleboard, or spot dolphins and seasonal whales along the way.
10. Hunt for Treasures in Zona Romántica
Explore Puerto Vallarta's vibrant arts district, where December brings special holiday markets, gallery openings, and cultural events perfect for discovering unique Mexican crafts. The cobblestone streets of Old Town feature authentic galleries, boutique shops, and artist studios showcasing local talent. December's comfortable weather makes walking tours especially enjoyable, while the South Side Shuffle street parties (held biweekly) create a festive evening atmosphere.
Local artisans sell handcrafted jewelry, pottery, textiles, and folk art at prices significantly lower than resort shops. The area also offers excellent restaurants serving traditional Mexican cuisine, rooftop bars with ocean views, and coffee shops perfect for people-watching. Don't miss the weekly farmers market featuring organic produce and artisanal foods.
11. Savor Traditional Holiday Cuisine
December in Puerto Vallarta offers unique opportunities to experience authentic Mexican Christmas cuisine, with special dishes like bacalao a la vizcaína, seasonal tamales, and festive ponche navideño. Street vendors along pilgrimage routes serve traditional holiday foods, while local restaurants offer special Christmas menus featuring both Mexican and international favorites.
The central plaza and Mercado Municipal provide the most authentic dining experiences, with family-run stalls serving pozole, buñuelos, and ensalada de Noche Buena. Evening walks through decorated downtown streets reveal numerous food vendors offering authentic seasonal specialties like traditional tamales and warm punch drinks.
12. Snorkel at Los Arcos Marine Reserve
Plunge into a protected marine area with Los Arcos Scuba Diving, where calm waters and excellent visibility create perfect conditions for underwater exploration. This iconic rock formation shelters manta rays, sea turtles, octopuses, eels, and radiant tropical fish, along with the brilliantly colored nudibranchs it's famous for. PADI professionals guide small groups, making it accessible for beginners while offering deeper sites for certified divers.
The boat journey to Los Arcos often includes dolphin sightings and whale watching opportunities when migration season starts. Gentle currents and clear waters create ideal conditions for underwater photography and marine life observation.
13. Experience Majahuitas Music Festival
Join the Majahuitas Beach Party, a beachside music event accessible only by boat where electronic beats meet pristine natural settings under December's perfect skies. The secluded beach location provides an intimate festival atmosphere with crystal-clear waters for swimming and sandy areas for dancing. December's ideal weather reduces rain concerns while providing comfortable temperatures for all-day outdoor events.
The event features world-class DJs from Tomorrowland, Burning Man, and Mayan Warrior, laser lights over the jungle canopy, and gourmet Mediterranean-Mexican cuisine with tropical mixology. The New Year's Eve edition transforms the beach into Puerto Vallarta's most spectacular celebration, with extended hours past midnight, special performances, and unforgettable beach festivities. Ring in the new year in paradise as you dance barefoot in the sand under starlit skies with the sounds of waves mixing with music.
Boat transportation adds to the adventure while ensuring an exclusive experience away from mainstream tourist crowds. We provide round-trip boat service, making this hidden celebration accessible without the hassle of figuring out complicated logistics.
14. Bike Through Coastal Villages
Grab a bike and explore charming beach towns near Puerto Vallarta like Bucerías and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, where December's perfect weather makes cycling comfortable and enjoyable. The flat coastal roads make pedaling easy, with stunning ocean views and chances to stop at authentic seafood restaurants and local markets.
December's dry season ensures dust-free riding conditions with minimal traffic on back roads. The coastal route offers numerous beach access points for swimming breaks and photography opportunities.
15. Rappel Down Tropical Waterfalls
Challenge yourself with waterfall rappelling adventures in the Sierra Madre, where December's dry season reveals the most spectacular cascades and safest climbing conditions. Professional adventure guides provide all technical equipment and safety instruction, making this extreme sport accessible to beginners with proper fitness levels.
Descend alongside a thundering waterfall into a natural river pool with Outdoor Adventure, Ziplines & Waterfall, which combines rappelling with a zipline circuit, mule rides, and Mexico's highest waterslide drop. December's comfortable temperatures make the physical exertion more enjoyable, while clear weather ensures optimal safety conditions.
16. Browse Mercado Municipal
Step into Puerto Vallarta's vibrant market scene that begins in November and thrives through December. The region hosts weekly farmers' markets where locals and visitors gather to browse fresh produce, artisanal foods, and handcrafted goods. These markets have become popular family activities where the community comes together to celebrate local culture.
The markets feature dozens of stalls selling fresh produce, artisanal foods, organic fruits and vegetables, handmade jewelry, clothing, and prepared foods at reasonable prices. December's festive atmosphere brings special holiday items, seasonal flowers, traditional Christmas ingredients, and unique artisan gifts, making it perfect for authentic souvenirs.
17. Ride Horses Along Pristine Beaches
Experience the freedom of horseback riding along Puerto Vallarta's coastline with Sea Safari: Horses, Quimixto Waterfall & Beach BBQ. Ride along a lush river valley in Yelapa surrounded by pelicans, herons, and exotic wildlife, with the Sierra Madre mountains as your backdrop, blending ocean and jungle scenery that showcases the region's natural beauty.
This experience welcomes all skill levels, from beginners to experienced riders. Professional wranglers match you with the right animal and provide thorough instruction. The relaxed pace lets you absorb the coastal scenery, then finish with a beachside BBQ and open bar at the remote fishing village of Pizota.
18. Celebrate Fiestas Guadalupanas
Immerse yourself in Mexico's most cherished religious celebration as Puerto Vallarta honors the Virgin of Guadalupe from December 1-12. This state-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage of Jalisco event features over 400 processions filled with traditional dances, mariachi music, and elaborate floats winding through downtown streets. December 12th brings the grand finale with up to 20,000 participants joining the Pilgrimage of the Favored.
Street vendors offer authentic holiday foods like tamales, pozole, and ponche navideño, while artisan markets display religious crafts and traditional artwork. The celebration culminates each evening with fireworks and night processions. Join the festivities by following processions from the Woolworth department store to the iconic Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
19. Shop for Authentic Mexican Crafts
December in Puerto Vallarta brings special artisan markets and holiday craft fairs featuring authentic Mexican folk art, textiles, and handcrafted gifts. Local artisans offer Talavera pottery, Oaxacan textiles, silver jewelry from Taxco, and hand-carved wooden items at significantly lower prices than resort shops. The holiday season provides the best selection of traditional Christmas decorations and seasonal crafts made by local artists.
Artisan markets in the Zona Romántica and central plaza offer opportunities to meet creators and learn about traditional crafting techniques. Many shops provide shipping services for larger purchases, while smaller items make perfect gifts or personal mementos. Bargaining is expected and culturally appropriate, creating engaging interactions with local vendors.
20. Discover Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Explore these top-rated botanical gardens, where 8 hectares (approximately 19.8 acres) of preserved Sierra Madre ecosystem showcase Mexico's incredible biodiversity. December's dry season provides perfect conditions for hiking its 8 forested hiking trails, while cooler temperatures make exploring them comfortable for a range of fitness levels. The garden features Mexico's most-visited public orchid collection, plus endangered-species conservation programs and vanilla plantations.
Why Visit Puerto Vallarta in December?
December in Puerto Vallarta feels like the coast is at its best. Warm days flow into cool evenings, the ocean settles into its calmest rhythm of the year, and the streets carry the quiet hum of holiday tradition. It's a month made for slowing down, saying yes to one more adventure, and letting the bay pull you in.
Come with a loose plan and room for surprises. When you're ready to trade the resort strip for the real thing, our full lineup of tours is waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is a year-round destination, and the answer really comes down to what you want out of the trip. If you're after dry, sunny days, calm seas, and the excitement of humpback whale season, the stretch from December through March is hard to beat. If you'd rather have lush green mountains, waterfalls at full flow, and quieter beaches, the summer and early fall months have a charm of their own.
For a first visit, we usually point people toward the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta to match the season with what they're hoping to do. Both halves of the year have something worth flying for.
How crowded does Puerto Vallarta get in December?
The first two weeks of December are actually one of the sweeter windows of the year. Beaches feel roomy, restaurants take walk-ins, and the town moves at a relaxed pace even with all the Guadalupana celebrations happening downtown. It's a good stretch for travelers who want the December weather without the December rush.
Things shift around December 20, when the Christmas-to-New-Year week fills up hotels, boats, and beachfront tables all at once. If your visit lands in that window, plan the big-ticket days early and leave the in-between days flexible for wandering, sunsets, and whatever the town happens to be celebrating that night.
Do I need to book tours ahead for a December trip?
For anything with a fixed departure or limited seats, yes. Whale watching, sunset sailings, and evening dinner shows tend to sell out several days out in December, and the closer you get to Christmas week, the tighter it gets. Booking a week or two before your trip is usually enough to lock in the dates and times you actually want.
Beach days and market strolls can stay loose. We'd rather see you commit to two or three anchor experiences and leave real space around them, than pack the calendar and end up rushing between pickups. The best December mornings are the ones you didn't plan.
Can you swim in the ocean in Puerto Vallarta in December?
Yes, and it's one of the quiet perks of visiting this time of year. The Pacific stays warm enough for long swims and snorkeling, the bay is at its calmest, and visibility around Los Arcos and the Marietas is some of the clearest you'll see all year. Kids and hesitant swimmers usually feel at ease.
That said, ocean conditions still vary from beach to beach. Coves on the south shore stay glassy, while beaches closer to town can pick up more swell. If swimming is a priority, we'd point you toward the swimmable beaches in Puerto Vallarta guide before choosing where to spend the day.
How many days should I plan for Puerto Vallarta in December?
Five to seven days tends to be the sweet spot. That gives you enough room for a whale-watching morning, a full day at a boat-access beach, an evening on the Malecón, and at least one adventure day in the Sierra Madre, without feeling like you're checking boxes. Anything shorter and something good gets cut.
If you have more time, use it. December's weather rewards slower trips, and there's real value in leaving space for a spontaneous market visit or an extra sunset. Our guide on how many days in Puerto Vallarta breaks down what fits into each trip length.
