The best time to visit Nayarit is the dry season, from November to May: clear skies nearly every day, calm seas along the Riviera Nayarit (the state’s Pacific coast, north of Puerto Vallarta), coastal temperatures of 75-86 °F (24-30 °C) and, from December through March, humpback whales in Banderas Bay. If you want the sweet spot between weather, price and things to do, aim for November, February or March (outside of Holy Week).
That does not rule out summer. From June to October it rains, but mostly in the late afternoon or overnight; the hills turn green, the mountain waterfalls run full, sea turtles nest on the beaches and hotel rates drop by as much as 40 %. It all comes down to the kind of trip you have in mind.
Below you will find a month-by-month table with temperature, rainfall, sea conditions and what is going on, plus the best month for each type of trip: surfing, whales, budget, families or canyoning. We also cover the difference between the coast and the highlands, because Nayarit has more than one climate.
Dry season vs. rainy season in Nayarit
Dry season (November to May)
It is high season for a reason: it almost never rains, humidity drops and the ocean settles. December and January are the coolest months (nighttime lows of 61-64 °F / 16-18 °C on the coast, comfortable for sleeping without air conditioning), while April and May are the hottest and driest, with highs of 90-93 °F (32-34 °C). Snorkeling visibility at the Marietas Islands is at its best between November and April.
Rainy season (June to October)
This overlaps with the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which officially runs from May 15 to November 30 and peaks in August and September. In practice, Nayarit rarely takes a direct hit; what you get are afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity (September is the muggiest month) and highs of 88-91 °F (31-33 °C) that feel hotter. August is the wettest month in Tepic, with over 300 mm (12 in) of rain. Mornings are usually sunny and the water is warmer (82-86 °F / 28-30 °C), though with bigger swells and sometimes reduced clarity from river runoff.
Nayarit month by month: weather and seasons table
Figures are approximate averages for the coast (Riviera Nayarit and San Blas). For Tepic and the highlands, subtract 7-14 °F (4-8 °C).
| Month | Coast temp. (low/high) | Rain | Sea | What’s happening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63 / 82 °F (17 / 28 °C) | Almost none | Calm, 75 °F (24 °C) | Whales; high season; migratory birds in San Blas |
| February | 63 / 82 °F (17 / 28 °C) | Almost none | Calm, 75 °F (24 °C) | Whales with calves; best value month |
| March | 64 / 84 °F (18 / 29 °C) | Almost none | Calm, 77 °F (25 °C) | Whale season ends (around Mar 23); Feria Nayarit in Tepic; spring break |
| April | 66 / 86 °F (19 / 30 °C) | Almost none | Calm, 79 °F (26 °C) | Holy Week and the Judea in Jala (date varies; in 2026 it fell in April); packed beaches |
| May | 70 / 90 °F (21 / 32 °C) | Scarce | Calm, 81 °F (27 °C) | Clearest and hottest month; hurricane season opens on the 15th |
| June | 75 / 91 °F (24 / 33 °C) | Rains begin | Swell builds, 82 °F (28 °C) | Low season; surf; first turtle nests |
| July | 77 / 91 °F (25 / 33 °C) | High (afternoons) | Swell, 84 °F (29 °C) | Turtle releases; Mexican school holidays |
| August | 77 / 91 °F (25 / 33 °C) | Very high | Swell, 86 °F (30 °C) | Wettest month; waterfalls at full flow; peak turtle season |
| September | 75 / 90 °F (24 / 32 °C) | Very high, cyclone risk | Swell, 86 °F (30 °C) | Muggiest month; lowest prices of the year |
| October | 73 / 90 °F (23 / 32 °C) | Tapers off mid-month | Settling, 84 °F (29 °C) | Everything green; turtles; few tourists |
| November | 68 / 86 °F (20 / 30 °C) | Almost none | Calm, 81 °F (27 °C) | Day of the Dead (1-2); hurricane season ends on the 30th; best all-round month |
| December | 64 / 82 °F (18 / 28 °C) | Almost none | Calm, 77 °F (25 °C) | Whale season opens (around Dec 8); Christmas and New Year, peak prices |
The seasons that shape the calendar
- Humpback whales (December to March). Mexico’s environment ministry (SEMARNAT) sets the dates each year; the 2025-2026 season ran from December 8 to March 23. January and February bring the most sightings and the most calves. See our humpback whale watching guide.
- Sea turtles (July to December). Olive ridleys nest in summer, and sunset hatchling releases are concentrated from August to November in Nuevo Vallarta, San Pancho, Sayulita and San Blas. Details in sea turtle release season.
- Holy Week and Easter week. The two busiest weeks of the year on Mexican beaches. In the Pueblo Mágico (a government designation for towns of exceptional cultural value) of Jala, the Judea, a living Passion play more than 440 years old, is staged on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. See Nayarit during Holy Week.
- Feria Nayarit (March). The state fair in Tepic lasts about two weeks (in 2026 it ran March 7-23): cockfighting arena concerts, free stage shows, food and a livestock expo.
- Day of the Dead (November 1-2). Altars, cemetery vigils and festivals in Tepic and the towns; in the mountains, Wixárika and Cora communities hold their own ceremonies. More in Day of the Dead in Nayarit.
- Hurricane season (May 15 to November 30). Buy travel insurance with weather coverage if you come between August and October, and check the forecast from Mexico’s National Meteorological Service a week before you fly.
Best month by type of trip
For surfing
Two distinct seasons. From May to October, south swells bring bigger, more consistent waves to Sayulita, La Lancha, Punta de Mita and Playa El Borrego in San Blas, where the famously long Stoner’s Point wave forms in summer. From November to April the ocean is gentler, ideal for learning. Full rundown in where to surf in Nayarit.
For whale watching
January and February. The bay is already full of whales, the sea is calm and the Holy Week crowds have not arrived. Book your tour at least a week ahead.
For traveling on a budget
September and October, followed by June and the first half of December. In low season, a beach hotel that costs approx. 190 USD (3,500 MXN) in March can drop to 110-135 USD (2,000-2,500 MXN) in 2026, with plenty of availability without booking months out. The trade-off is afternoon rain and a few restaurants in Sayulita or San Pancho closed for staff holidays.
For families with kids
November, February, March and the first two weeks of July (school break, before the heaviest rains). Calm water for swimming in Rincón de Guayabitos, Bucerías and Nuevo Vallarta, plus whale or turtle outings that kids love. Skip Holy Week if you prefer beaches without crowds.
For canyoning, waterfalls and hot springs
From July to October the waterfalls at El Cora (San Blas), Amatlán de Cañas and around Compostela run at full volume and canyon descents are at their most dramatic, though heavy rain can cancel departures; reputable operators check the forecast daily. For hiking without mud and with controlled flows, November and December are excellent. Browse our adventure section.
Coast vs. highlands: two climates in one state
Nayarit has 300 km (186 miles) of coastline, but its highlands change the experience entirely:
- Riviera Nayarit and Banderas Bay (sea level). Warm year-round, humid in summer. This is the baseline for the table above.
- San Blas and the northern coast. Similar, with more mangroves and wetlands; jejenes (tiny biting midges) are worst at dawn and dusk from July to October. Pack repellent. See what to do in San Blas.
- Tepic (920 m / 3,000 ft). Temperate: highs of 81-86 °F (27-30 °C) but lows of 46-54 °F (8-12 °C) from December to February. Perfect for walking the historic center without the heat. Guide to Tepic, the state’s cultural capital.
- Santa María del Oro (750 m / 2,460 ft). The crater lake sits 5-9 °F (3-5 °C) cooler than the coast. In the rainy season it shifts color (deep greens and turquoise); in the dry season the water is clearer for swimming. Explore Santa María del Oro.
- Jala and Ixtlán del Río (1,000-1,100 m / 3,300-3,600 ft). Cool nights and a mountain-town feel; ideal in April (the Judea) and in November for climbing Ceboruco volcano under clear skies.
Prices: high season vs. low season
| Period | Occupancy | Hotel rates (approx. 2026) | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas to January 6 | Peak | +50 to 80 % over base rate | Book 3 months out; minimum stays apply |
| January to March (no holidays) | High | High base rate | Book 4-6 weeks ahead |
| Holy Week and Easter week | Peak | +40 to 70 % | Book 2-3 months out; avoid highways on Good Friday |
| May to June | Medium | -20 to 30 % | Hot, warm water, no crowds |
| July (school holidays) | Medium-high | Base rate | Domestic tourism; book 2-3 weeks ahead |
| August to October | Lowest | -30 to 40 % | Best deals of the year; buy travel insurance |
| November to mid-December | Medium | -10 to 20 % | Perfect weather at a fair price |
Flights into Puerto Vallarta airport (the main gateway to the Riviera Nayarit) and Tepic follow the same logic: pricier from December to March and over Holy Week. Check your options in how to get to Nayarit and, for a December trip, our winter holidays guide.
Our verdict: when to go
- November: the most balanced month. Dry, still green, no crowds, mid-range prices and Day of the Dead.
- February: guaranteed whales, perfect weather and none of the Christmas markups.
- Early March: Feria Nayarit, the last whales, pleasant heat.
- October: for tight budgets and lovers of green landscapes; turtles and waterfalls.
- June to August: only if you are coming for surf, canyoning or turtles, and can handle humid heat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Nayarit?
November and February. Both offer dry weather, calm seas and fewer people than Christmas or Holy Week; February adds humpback whales in Banderas Bay.
When is the rainy season in Nayarit?
June to October, with August and September the wettest months. Rain usually falls in the late afternoon or at night, and mornings are sunny.
Is it safe to visit Nayarit during hurricane season?
The season runs from May 15 to November 30 and direct hits are uncommon. Between August and October, buy insurance with weather coverage and check the National Meteorological Service forecast before traveling.
When can you see whales in Nayarit?
December to March. SEMARNAT publishes the official dates each October; the 2025-2026 season ran from December 8 to March 23. January and February are the best months.
What is the cheapest time to visit Nayarit?
From August to October, hotels drop 30-40 % below high-season rates. September is usually the cheapest month, though also the most humid.
Does it get cold in Nayarit in winter?
Not on the coast: lows of 61-64 °F (16-18 °C) and highs around 82 °F (28 °C). Tepic and the highlands do cool down, with lows of 46-54 °F (8-12 °C) from December to February, so pack a light jacket.
