Cancún vs Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta usually grades better in every month; Cancún never beats it by a clear margin. In winter (December to February) Puerto Vallarta is the stronger pick (A vs B). Seaweed: Cancún peaks high in August, Puerto Vallarta rarely sees any.
Month by month
A typical day in each month (median resort). Bold: better by a clear margin.
| Month | Cancún | Puerto Vallarta | Water | Rain chance | Seaweed | Crowds | Storm risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | B | A | 80°F / 75°F | 45% / 7% | Moderate / Rare | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
| February | B | A | 80°F / 73°F | 38% / 4% | Moderate / Rare | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
| March | B | A- | 80°F / 74°F | 37% / 2% | Moderate / Rare | Packed / Packed | Very low / Very low |
| April | B | A | 81°F / 76°F | 28% / 1% | Moderate / Rare | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
| May | B | A | 82°F / 79°F | 43% / 6% | High / Rare | Busy / Moderate | Very low / Very low |
| June | B- | A- | 83°F / 82°F | 70% / 31% | High / Rare | Busy / Moderate | Very low / Very low |
| July | C+ | A- | 84°F / 84°F | 61% / 56% | High / Rare | Very busy / Busy | Low / Low |
| August | C | B+ | 85°F / 86°F | 67% / 62% | High / Rare | Busy / Busy | Moderate / Moderate |
| September | C | B+ | 85°F / 86°F | 76% / 56% | High / Rare | Moderate / Moderate | High / High |
| October | B- | A | 85°F / 84°F | 67% / 24% | High / Rare | Moderate / Moderate | Low / Low |
| November | B- | A | 84°F / 81°F | 54% / 8% | High / Rare | Busy / Busy | Very low / Very low |
| December | B | A | 82°F / 77°F | 48% / 6% | Moderate / Rare | Very busy / Very busy | Very low / Very low |
Pairs of values read Cancún / Puerto Vallarta. From Veabird's year-ahead outlook: climate normals, the seasonal seaweed pattern, holiday crowds and storm history.
This week
Grades for the next few days at the resorts that usually do best this month.
Cancún
- Holbox Island HotelsSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
- Villas FlamingosSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
- Villas DelphinesSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
- Xaloc ResortSatC+SunC+MonC-TueCWedC
Puerto Vallarta
- Iberostar Selection Playa MitaSatB-SunCMonC-TueCWedC+
- Hotel Distrito 88SatBSunCMonCTueCWedC+
- Hotel Riu Palace PacificoSatC+SunCMonCTueCWedC-
- Hotel Riu FlamingosSatC+SunCMonCTueCWedC-
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Cancún & Isla Mujeres forecast · Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit forecast
Questions
- Is Cancún or Puerto Vallarta better?
- Puerto Vallarta usually grades better in every month; Cancún never beats it by a clear margin. In winter (December to February) Puerto Vallarta is the stronger pick (A vs B). Seaweed: Cancún peaks high in August, Puerto Vallarta rarely sees any.
- Which has warmer water, Cancún or Puerto Vallarta?
- Cancún averages 83°F over the year and Puerto Vallarta 80°F. In January it is 80°F vs 75°F; in July 84°F vs 84°F.
- Which is less crowded?
- Cancún is quietest in September and October; Puerto Vallarta in September and October.
- Which has less sargassum?
- Over a typical year, seaweed averages high in Cancún and very low in Puerto Vallarta. Cancún is lightest in January and December; Puerto Vallarta in January and February.