For most visitors, the best time to visit Yelapa is November to April, when the days are warm and dry and humpback whales spend the heart of winter in Banderas Bay. June to October is the hot, wet, green season, and it overlaps the eastern Pacific hurricane season, which runs May 15 to November 30.
Every month has something going for it, though. Use the tables below to match the weather, wildlife, and crowds to the trip you want.
What's the weather like in Yelapa each month?
The closest long-term official climate record is Mexico's national weather service (SMN, part of CONAGUA) climate normals for Puerto Vallarta, 1981 to 2010. Yelapa sits across the bay, so treat these as a close guide rather than exact village readings. Sea temperatures are monthly averages for Puerto Vallarta.
| Month | Avg high / low | Rain | Rain days | Sea temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 78 / 55°F (26 / 13°C) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 2 | 75°F (24°C) |
| February | 79 / 55°F (26 / 13°C) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 1 | 75°F (24°C) |
| March | 80 / 55°F (27 / 13°C) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 1 | 73°F (23°C) |
| April | 82 / 58°F (28 / 14°C) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 1 | 75°F (24°C) |
| May | 84 / 63°F (29 / 17°C) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 2 | 77°F (25°C) |
| June | 85 / 69°F (30 / 21°C) | 227 mm (8.9 in) | 15 | 82°F (28°C) |
| July | 86 / 69°F (30 / 21°C) | 362 mm (14.3 in) | 20 | 84°F (29°C) |
| August | 87 / 69°F (31 / 21°C) | 380 mm (14.9 in) | 21 | 86°F (30°C) |
| September | 87 / 69°F (31 / 21°C) | 429 mm (16.9 in) | 20 | 84°F (29°C) |
| October | 87 / 67°F (30 / 20°C) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 9 | 84°F (29°C) |
| November | 84 / 61°F (29 / 16°C) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 2 | 81°F (27°C) |
| December | 80 / 57°F (27 / 14°C) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 2 | 77°F (25°C) |
What's happening in Yelapa each month?
Event dates below are for the 2026 to 2027 season, from the Puerto Vallarta tourism board's events calendar and Mexico's public holiday calendar.
| Month | Wildlife | Holidays and events | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Whale season | New Year's Day, January 1 | Winter season |
| February | Whale season | Constitution Day, February 1, 2027 | Winter season |
| March | Whale season | Puerto Vallarta by UTMB trail race, March 4 to 6; Benito Juárez Day, March 15; Semana Santa, March 21 to 28, 2027 | Mexican holiday travelers fill the beaches around Semana Santa |
| April | Between seasons | Check the events calendar for spring dates | A lively spring month |
| May | Between seasons | Hurricane season opens May 15 | Quieter before summer |
| June | Between seasons | Rainy season begins | Fewer visitors |
| July | Hatchling releases (July to December) | Peak storm months begin | Fewer visitors |
| August | Hatchling releases | Peak of the rainy season | Fewer visitors |
| September | Hatchling releases | Independence Day, September 16 | The quietest month |
| October | Hatchling releases | Festival de las Almas (Day of the Dead), October 31 to November 2, 2026 | Shoulder season |
| November | Hatchling releases | Festival Gourmet International, November 12 to 22; The Gathering in Yelapa, November 20 to 22, 2026 | High season begins |
| December | Whale season begins | Fiestas Guadalupanas, December 1 to 12; Christmas; New Year's Eve | Busiest around Christmas and New Year |
Our events guide has the details for each event and how to plan around them.
When is the rainy season in Yelapa?
The rains arrive in June and taper off in October. July to September are the wettest months, and September averages the most rain of the year, about 429 mm. Showers often come in the afternoon or evening, the jungle turns deep green, and the rivers run high, which makes the river crossings on the long waterfall hike harder from June to October.
When is hurricane season in Yelapa?
The eastern Pacific hurricane season officially runs May 15 to November 30, and NOAA names July, August, and September as the peak months. A passing storm can change or pause water taxi service, so keep your plans flexible and check go2yelapa transport for current boats. Our hurricane season guide shows how to check port status before you travel.
When can you see whales and sea turtles near Yelapa?
Humpback whales visit Banderas Bay in winter to mate, give birth, and care for their calves. Mexico's federal whale-watching season ran December 1 to March 31 in the 2025 to 2026 season. Our whale season guide covers what you can see from shore and by boat.
Olive ridley, hawksbill, and leatherback turtles nest around the bay. Turtle camps and hotels in Puerto Vallarta release hatchlings from July to December, usually in the hours before sunset.
Which months are busiest in Yelapa?
Around Banderas Bay, the busiest stretches are Christmas to New Year and Semana Santa, the week before Easter, when travelers from around Mexico fill the beaches. Easter falls on March 28 in 2027, so Semana Santa runs March 21 to 28. Cola de Caballo, the waterfall closest to town, also gets busy in high season and on cruise-ship days. September is the quietest month of the year.
Casa Gratitud is open October through April, so our guests see the dry season, the whales, and the winter holidays.
FAQ
What is the cheapest time to visit Yelapa?
September is usually the quietest and lowest-priced month around Banderas Bay. Some yoga studios in Yelapa close in low season, so check before you book.
When is the water warmest in Yelapa?
August, at about 86°F (30°C). The sea stays at 81°F (27°C) or warmer from June through November.
Does it rain every day in Yelapa in summer?
No, but it rains often. July to September average about 20 rain days a month, often as afternoon or evening storms.
When is the best time to see whales in Yelapa?
December to March. The federal whale-watching season ran December 1 to March 31 in 2025 to 2026.
Checked October 14, 2026. Details change, so confirm with the sources below before you go.
Sources
- Current Results, Puerto Vallarta temperatures and rainfall averages by month (CONAGUA SMN climate normals, 1981 to 2010)
- NOAA Climate Prediction Center, Eastern Pacific hurricane outlook
- Visit Puerto Vallarta (tourism board), Events calendar
- Garza Blanca Resort, What Vallarta is like month by month (crowds and seasonal patterns)
- Azteca Jalisco, Whale watching in Puerto Vallarta: dates and recommendations
- Out and About PV, Turtle nesting season begins in Puerto Vallarta
- Weather2Travel, Puerto Vallarta climate and sea temperature by month
- Calendarific, Mexico holidays 2027
More in our Yelapa visitor guide.
Plan your stay
Casa Gratitud opens each October and welcomes guests through April, from the first dry weeks through whale season. See the house at yelapacasagratitud.com and check rates and availability for your dates.