Dry season on both coasts: calm seas, clear skies, and peak prices.Dry season on both coasts.Where to go
Sargassum often builds on the Caribbean side from spring into late summer.Sargassum season on the Caribbean.Today's reading
Hurricane season runs to 30 November. Quieter beaches, lower prices; watch the forecast.Hurricane season, to 30 November.When to go
Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, then the quiet coves of the Costalegre running south toward Manzanillo.
Photo: daryl_mitchell · CC BY-SA 2.0What to know
Jalisco's coast starts at Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay and runs south along the Costalegre to Barra de Navidad. Vallarta has the malecón, the cobbled old town and beaches both in town and down the coast; the Costalegre is quieter, with small coves and a few large private resorts. Guadalajara and the town of Tequila are inland, around five hours' drive from the coast.
In pictures
Photo: Melikamp · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Andy Blackledge · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The numbers
Before you go
The best time to visit Jalisco is generally November to April (the dry season). This aligns with the dry season and comfortable temperatures for beach and outdoor activities.
Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) or Guadalajara International Airport (GDL). Scenic coastal Highway 200 connects beach towns.
Jalisco has 102 beaches along its coast. Top destinations include Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Barra de Navidad.
Popular cities in Jalisco include Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Barra de Navidad, Melaque. Each offers distinct beaches, culture, and activities.
Jalisco has a Tropical Dry climate. Rainy season typically runs June to October; dry season November to May.
Jalisco, Mexico
Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) or Guadalajara International Airport (GDL). Scenic coastal Highway 200 connects beach towns.
Most reviewed
Towns and areas
City guide
Zone
The full list
92 listed, by town, most-reviewed first.
Hotel occupancy · Puerto Vallarta
DataTur hotel occupancy for Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco). DataTur reports by tourism destination, not by state: these are the figures for Puerto Vallarta.
Occupancy averages about 82% in February. Book ahead.
Occupancy averages about 53% in September, so rooms are easier to find.
In 2024: busiest February (85.6%) · quietest September (51.4%)
January 2024 to December 2024, 0–100% occupancy scale.
Source: Official hotel occupancy statistics from DataTur (SECTUR Mexico). Aggregated across registered lodging categories.
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