Jalisco is Mexico's cultural heartland, birthplace of tequila, mariachi music, and the Mexican hat dance. Home to the vibrant metropolis of Guadalajara and the Pacific resort city of Puerto Vallarta, it offers a stunning blend of colonial heritage, indigenous traditions, and natural beauty.
Jalisco has two distinct climate zones: the highland interior (including Guadalajara at 1,566m elevation) has a mild subtropical highland climate with warm days, cool nights, and a pronounced rainy season from June to October. The Pacific coast (Puerto Vallarta) has a tropical wet-dry climate with year-round warmth, hot humid summers, and a drier, sunnier winter season. Lake Chapala's basin has one of Mexico's most pleasant microclimates, sometimes called the 'Land of Eternal Spring.'
Best time to visit
Best: November to April
Best Reason: Dry season brings clear skies, warm temperatures, and low humidity across Jalisco. Puerto Vallarta is at its finest with whale watching (Nov-Mar) and perfect beach weather. Guadalajara is pleasantly warm and comfortable for sightseeing.
Peak Season: December to February (winter tourists) and July to August (Mexican domestic tourism)
Avoid: June to October
Avoid Reason: Rainy season brings daily afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, and occasional tropical cyclones affecting Puerto Vallarta. September is the wettest month with heavy flooding possible. Guadalajara's highland climate moderates the rain but humidity rises significantly.
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
Guadalajara 22°C/72°F (high), 10°C/50°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 28°C/82°F (high), 18°C/64°F (low)
Peak tourist season in Puerto Vallarta. Beautiful dry weather statewide. Whale watching at its best in Bay of Banderas. Guadalajara evenings can be chilly.
February
Guadalajara 24°C/75°F (high), 11°C/52°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 29°C/84°F (high), 19°C/66°F (low)
Excellent conditions across Jalisco. Zero rainfall. Valentine's Day brings romantic packages to Puerto Vallarta. Whale watching season peaks. Carnival celebrations in some towns.
March
Guadalajara 26°C/79°F (high), 13°C/55°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 30°C/86°F (high), 20°C/68°F (low)
Dry and warm. Spring breakers arrive at Puerto Vallarta. Semana Santa (Holy Week) in late March/April brings Mexican domestic tourists. Good conditions for all activities.
April
Guadalajara 28°C/82°F (high), 15°C/59°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 31°C/88°F (high), 22°C/72°F (low)
Pre-rainy season — still dry but temperatures rise. Easter week (Semana Santa) can be very crowded. Best month for exploring Jalisco's highland towns before summer heat.
May
Guadalajara 30°C/86°F (high), 17°C/63°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 32°C/90°F (high), 24°C/75°F (low)
Getting hot. Occasional early storms at end of month. Lower tourist numbers and prices. Puerto Vallarta starts to get humid. Excellent for budget travelers who don't mind heat.
June
Guadalajara 26°C/79°F (high), 17°C/63°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 32°C/90°F (high), 26°C/79°F (low)
Rainy season begins. Daily afternoon showers in Guadalajara (mornings still clear). Puerto Vallarta gets hot and humid with evening rains. Green landscapes emerge after dry months.
July
Guadalajara 24°C/75°F (high), 16°C/61°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 32°C/90°F (high), 26°C/79°F (low)
Mexican school holidays bring domestic tourists. Hot and humid on the coast. Guadalajara afternoons see heavy rain but mornings are clear. Rainy season at its height.
August
Guadalajara 24°C/75°F (high), 16°C/61°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 31°C/88°F (high), 26°C/79°F (low)
Busiest month for domestic tourism. Heavy rains in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta afternoons. Hot and humid coast. Guadalajara is at its greenest and most lush.
September
Guadalajara 23°C/73°F (high), 15°C/59°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 31°C/88°F (high), 26°C/79°F (low)
Wettest month of the year. Tropical storm risk for Pacific coast. Guadalajara can see flooding. Lowest tourist numbers and hotel prices. Independence Day celebrations September 15-16.
October
Guadalajara 24°C/75°F (high), 14°C/57°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 30°C/86°F (high), 24°C/73°F (low)
Rains begin to ease in second half of month. Excellent value for money as tourist numbers are low. Day of the Dead preparations throughout Jalisco. Beautiful green landscapes.
November
Guadalajara 24°C/75°F (high), 12°C/54°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 29°C/84°F (high), 22°C/72°F (low)
Dry season returns. Humpback whales arrive in Bay of Banderas. Día de los Muertos (Nov 1-2) celebrations. Excellent weather begins. Fewer tourists than December peak.
December
Guadalajara 22°C/72°F (high), 11°C/52°F (low); Puerto Vallarta 28°C/82°F (high), 20°C/68°F (low)
Peak tourist season. Excellent weather, Christmas and New Year celebrations, elaborate light displays in Guadalajara's historic center. Holiday crowds and prices are highest now.
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Dry season ending in Guadalajara with warming temperatures and occasional fog. Puerto Vallarta is warm with very low rainfall and calm seas. Lake Chapala blooms with wildflowers. The best shoulder-season time to visit.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Rainy season arrives with afternoon thunderstorms throughout Jalisco. Guadalajara enjoys lush green landscapes after months of drought. Puerto Vallarta gets hot and humid with heavy rain. Mexican families vacation in August creating crowded conditions.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
September is Jalisco's wettest month and can see remnant tropical storm impacts on Puerto Vallarta. By October the rains ease and November sees the return of beautiful dry weather. Humpback whales begin arriving in the Bay of Banderas in November.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Jalisco's peak tourist season brings warm sunny days to Puerto Vallarta (25-29°C) and pleasant days in Guadalajara (22-26°C) with cool evenings. Zero rainfall, excellent whale watching, and festive Christmas/New Year celebrations.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- December to February (international winter tourists), July to August (Mexican domestic summer holidays)
- Shoulder Season
- March to May, October to November (best combination of good weather and manageable crowds)
- Low Season
- June to September (rainy season; Puerto Vallarta sees significant tourist drop)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Fiestas de la Candelaria
Religious festivals celebrating Candlemas throughout Jalisco with music, food, and traditional dances
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Elaborate Easter processions, especially in Guadalajara and Teuchitlán. Massive domestic tourist movement.
Mexican Independence Day
Enormous celebrations in Guadalajara's Plaza de la Liberación with fireworks, music, and the presidential 'Grito de Independencia' reenactment
Festival de la Virgen de Zapopan
Millions participate in Guadalajara's most important religious celebration, transporting the Virgin's image through the city
Día de los Muertos
Day of the Dead celebrations with elaborate ofrendas (altars), marigold displays, and cemetery vigils throughout Jalisco
Humpback Whale Season
Whale watching tours from Puerto Vallarta as humpback whales migrate to the warm Bay of Banderas
Festival Internacional del Cine de Guadalajara
One of Latin America's most important film festivals held in Guadalajara in late November/early December
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Mexico's most important religious holiday with massive pilgrimages, music, and celebration throughout Jalisco