Traveling to Mexico During Rainy Season

The Perks of Traveling to Puerto Vallarta in Off Peak Season Between July and October

I write this as a longtime resident of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. But this holds true of most destinations on the Pacific Coast such as Mazatlán, Ixtapa and Acapulco all the way down Central America to the Panama Canal.

Summer is the time when North Americans are out of school, and Europeans take their summer break, so of course many of you are planning your vacations at that time too. But if your vacation planning typically includes checking the weather forecast, you may get frightened away from booking your vacation on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. We are here to give you several reasons why there are actually a lot of benefits to traveling to Mexico during the “rainy season”. If things like cheap lodging, no crowds, good deals on flights, and lush green jungles sound good to you, read on and let us help convince you that summer is actually a great time to travel, rains and all.

Clouds Make for Fantastic Sunsets During Rainy Season in Mexico

Ignore the Weather Apps

If you look at the quick view of the weather apps, you would probably immediately cancel your vacation, so don’t! If you look at the quick view of the apps like in the photo, it appears that there is rain and thunderstorms nearly daily in the month of July. You need to take a closer look as to WHEN it is raining. The great thing about our rainy season is that it mainly rains in the evenings and overnight, rarely during the day unless there is a tropical storm off shore. And don’t fear if it is raining early in the morning either. By the time you reach the marina the rains have typically burned off.

Rain Storms Every Day? No Way Jose!

Now do listen to the temperatures on the weather apps however. It is most definitely hot and humid during the rainy season in Mexico. You can literally see the steam rising off the streets once the sun comes out to dry up all the rain. So, the best things to do in the summertime is enjoy your pool, the rivers, the ocean, and the lush nature trails, waterfalls galore!! Quick dry clothing and dry fit towels are key at this time of year. You will find the rain refreshing and not cold at all.

Get the Best Deals on Lodging, Cruises & Airfare

Low season rates baby!! Off peak season is when you will find the best pricing on lodging anywhere including hotels, Airbnb, VRBO etc. Cruise ships offer good deals on their summer itineraries. And while summer flights to many other destinations soar, flights to Mexico drop as they are trying to fill the planes. Summer is a great time to find flight and all-inclusive packages. The RIU hotels are super popular in Mexico and there are typically great offers all summer long.

Avoid the Crowds! Off Peak Season Means Small Groups Even on the Most Popular Excursions

As this is the least popular time for travel in Mexico, you can sometimes get a private tour without even paying for a private guide! You rarely have to worry about joining a tour in the rainy season and having it at max capacity or crowded. However, we still recommend avoiding weekends when all the locals are visiting if you want to avoid large groups. But also, to make things affordable for the tour providers, there is often a minimum number of people required to operate as well. So, if there is something really special you have in mind, keep your dates flexible.

Off Peak Season is the Perfect Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta’s Hidden Beach, Playa del Amor

The Rain is Warm & Pleasant and Most Activities Run Rain or Shine

Snorkeling & boat tours typically go out at about 50% capacity or less daily during rainy season. This means very spacious deck space just for you! And not to worry, the fish could care less if it is raining. The snorkeling and diving is not so much affected if it is raining except the overflow of the muddy rivers into the ocean at the beginning of the rainy season.

El Salto Waterfall Hike Pre-Rain June vs. September

Hiking tours are best this time of year when the jungle is lush providing natural sun protection and the waterfalls are their most abundant. Actually, it is more pleasant hiking on a rainy day anyhow. Zipline tours are a blast during the rain too, but they will be canceled in case of lightning…because you are dangling off metal cables of course. However, of all the fun things to do in Mexico in the rainy season, ATV tours are THE BEST! Good old muddy fun beats out dusty sunny trails any day!

Prepare to Get MUDDY!

And if you want to cool off, take a day trip to the communities in the Sierra Madres. Even us locals love to escape to the mountains to cool off in the rainy season. There are so many historical and unique day trips to choose from and you can learn a bit more about the culture outside the beach.

Support the Local Economy When They Most Need It

Most tourist destinations survive off tourism in general of course. The off-peak season can be really rough when so many families work in the tourism industry. During rainy season, you will find your guides and servers extra happy to help you. They are not just looking for tips, they are just genuinely happy you chose to come to Mexico when we need the business most.

Go out to restaurants, book excursions, buy up souvenirs and tip well during rainy season. Those helping you will appreciate you so much more, and so will the families they support.

Before Haggling For Price, Consider the Time it Took the Artisan to Create the Art you Wish to Take Home

Get Out Your Camera & Embrace the Storm!

If you have not witnessed one of the explosive summer storms off the Pacific Coast of Mexico, you are missing out. They are almost worth a trip to Mexico by themselves. If you have a room or Villa overlooking the Pacific, have your cameras ready to capture some spectacular light shows every night. The lightning strikes nearly every evening off the coast are spectacular! The thunder is a little bit omnious, but the spectacular streaks of lightning that follow are mesmerizing.

Lightening Puts on a Spectacular Show Nightly!

And if you happen to get stuck somewhere in a rain storm during the day, embrace that too. Over my years in Mexico (and other countries in Latin America with the same weather patterns), some of my best afternoons were getting stuck somewhere with several others in the same position. Roads fill with water, you cannot walk from the beach to a car without getting drenched, or you could even be huddled in a small shelter in the woods. Every time has turned into a great memory and in some cases a new friend or two. Just roll with it and I promise you will bring home some great rainy day vacation memories too.

How to Pack for Traveling in the Rainy Season in Mexico

If we have encouraged you to come visit us during rainy season, great. Now it is important you come prepared too. So just a couple of things that are essential to rainy season you will want to pack with you.

A Few Extra Things to Consider Packing When Traveling During Rainy Season

Quick Dry Clothing!

Even though rains typically come in the afternoons, it is best to prepare to get wet. Quick dry clothing is the best thing you can pack for nearly every day. Shorts, tanks, pants, whatever quick dry material you have you will find it to be your most used here during the summer. In a pinch, rain ponchos are great to keep on hand in your day pack just in case.

Don’t Pack for a Fancy Night Out on the Town. Pack For a Fancy Night at the Beach.

The beauty of living on the beach, even a fancy night out on the town is pretty casual. Guys, you all have the amphibious board shorts these days that are perfect for the beach and a night out both. I highly recommend a couple of pairs at least in neutral colors you can mix and match with your favorite tees. Better yet, pick up a traditional Guayabera shirt from Mexico for your nights out. Guayaberas are also a great souvenir you can use back home at your next summer BBQ.

Amphibious Board Shorts Are a Must When Traveling to Beach Destinations in Mexico any Time of the Year.

Ladies, even on a dinner out, you can get caught in a few minutes’ downpour ruining your fancy summer dress. Consider quick dry synthetics for your night out. And if you need an excuse to shop, there are always several dress shops here with economical pricing on cute sun dresses. And forget the heels, sandals are best. Especially in Puerto Vallarta where the streets are all cobblestone. Walking in heels here is a serious hazard in general unless you grew up here as a child. I have seen young girls navigating the cobblestones in heels as skilled as a mountain goat leaping from peak to peak. I did not grow up here. I have sprained my ankle 3 times in 18 years trying to look good for an event. Combine that with cobblestone and heels can be a serious threat to your well-being. And take advantage of the fact that flip flops are considered appropriate footwear for dinner out in a beach town.

Side not on this though. There are dress codes at some of the clubs that will require men to wear button up shirts and pants rather than shorts. So if clubbing is your thing, you may want to verify if there is a dress code at the club you plan to hit. But as the years have gone by, I have noted they are less and less strict on those policies. Especially for tourists.

Secure Shoes That Can Get Wet

Speaking of shoes, in general secure sandals are where it is at in rainy season. Shoes that you can hike and walk in, but still dry fast are one of the most valuable things you can bring with you. Flip flops are perfect for most day trips to the beach here. But if you are into any sort of adventurous activities such as hiking, ziplines ATVs or the like…. you are going to want secure shoes that dry fast.

Oh…and if you end up in the city when the rains are at their height…you WILL lose your flip flops down the “impromptu street rivers” if you are not careful. Secure shoes that can dry out without stinking up your hotel room are clutch. Secure sport sandals are perfect in Mexico during the rainy season. Or at least flip flops with a back strap like Havaianas makes that I buy in bulk here.

Back Straps are a Girls’ Best Friend

Ziplocks Bags Can Save Your Life

Ok maybe not your life. But the way we store our lives on our phones, and a Ziplock bag can save your phone from water damage…. well, you see where we were going with this. Ziplock bags are cheap and easy to pack and perfect in a pinch. The waterproof covers that they sell for activities like snorkeling are great too if you have one or plan on doing activities that may require one. But walking around town, you probably do not want to store your phone in one. So just pack a couple of Ziplocks in your pocket or purse and you will be well prepared.

Quick Dry Beach Towels

If You Forget Yours, You Can Can Take a Quick Dry Towel Home as a Souvenir Instead #LosMuertosBeachClothing

You are probably sensing a theme here regarding quick dry anything here in Mexico. Of course, your hotel will have beach towels, but they get soggy when wet. If you have one, quick dry towels are a great idea during any time of the year really. Rain or shine, a quick dry towel is much lighter and easier to pack. And of course, as the name says, they dry fast. I have been traveling with mine now for about 10 years and cannot imagine traveling without one.

A Good Positive Attitude

Most important thing to bring with you when traveling to Mexico during the rainy season is a good attitude. Just go with the flow and we are sure you will have a good time on your vacation rain or shine. You may get stuck in a storm, but it is a storm in paradise after all. Just order another margarita and wait for the storm to pass.

Be Prepared. But if You Get Stuck in the Rain, Just Embrace it!

We hope this helps convince you to go ahead and book your Mexico vacation this summer. We hope you too find that the perks far outweigh the deterrents to traveling in rainy season.  Let us help you plan your fun things to do in Mexico, Costa Rica or Panama this rainy season.