Punta Mita, located on a private 1,500-acre peninsula in Nayarit, Mexico, occupies a unique geographic position where the Sierra Madre Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. This location creates a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen Aw) that is remarkably stable, though it experiences a dramatic shift in humidity and precipitation between its two primary seasons.
Typical Weather Patterns
The year is defined by a distinct binary: the Dry Season (November to May) and the Rainy Season (June to October). During the dry season, the peninsula enjoys nearly constant sunshine and low humidity, with clear blue skies being the default state. The rainy season characterizes the tropical summer, bringing higher temperatures, significant humidity, and spectacular late-afternoon thunderstorms.
Daily Climate Progression
- Mornings: Regardless of the season, mornings are typically calm and clear. In winter, they can be remarkably crisp, with temperatures dropping into the low 60s°F (16-18°C), necessitating a light layer before the sun fully rises.
- Afternoons: As the day progresses, sea breezes pick up, especially on the northern side of the peninsula. In the summer, clouds begin to build over the Sierra Madre peaks to the east by mid-afternoon.
- Evenings: During the rainy season, the "daily wash" occurs—powerful but brief rainstorms usually strike between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. These storms are efficient at cooling the air, dropping the temperature for a comfortable, though humid, night.
Seasonal Trends
- Winter (December – March): This is the "Goldilocks" period. Daytime highs hover around 78°F to 84°F (25-29°C). The humidity is at its annual low (around 65%), making the air feel light and dry. This is also the peak of the North Pacific swell, drawing surfers to the breaks at El Anclote and La Lancha.
- Spring (April – May): The transition months. Temperatures begin to climb toward the high 80s°F (around 31°C). April is historically the driest month of the year, often recording zero precipitation.
- Summer (June – August): The heat intensifies, peaking in August with highs of 88°F to 92°F (31-33°C). Humidity often exceeds 80%, creating a high "real feel" index. This is the green season, where the surrounding jungle transforms into a vibrant, lush emerald.
- Autumn (September – October): September is the wettest month, averaging nearly 11 inches of rain. While the risk of hurricanes exists, the peninsula’s position within Banderas Bay provides a natural shield, making direct hits rare compared to the open Pacific coast.
Microclimates and Variations
Punta Mita’s peninsula shape creates a specific microclimate that differs from nearby Puerto Vallarta. Because it is surrounded on three sides by water, it experiences constant sea breezes that keep it 5°F to 10°F cooler and significantly less humid than the city of Puerto Vallarta, which is tucked deeper into the bay and hemmed in by mountains.
The Ocean Environment
The Pacific waters here are consistently warm but show seasonal variance:
- Warmest Water: August and September (86°F / 30°C).
- Coolest Water: February and March (75°F / 24°C).
Even at its coolest, the water remains comfortable for swimming, though surfers often wear thin spring suits in late winter when the deeper, cooler currents rise during upwelling events.
Specific Weather Phenomena
- The Sierra Madre Storms: Locals watch the mountain peaks to predict the evening rain. If the clouds "cap" the mountains by 2:00 PM, a storm on the peninsula is almost guaranteed by sunset.
- Whale Watching Winds: From December to March, the arrival of Humpback whales coincides with the "Tehuantepecer" style wind patterns—cool northerly breezes that can create choppy conditions in the open channel but keep the air refreshing on land.
What the Weather "Feels Like"
In the winter, the weather feels like a perpetual Mediterranean spring—dry, sun-drenched, and invigorating. In the summer, the weather is "viscous"; the humidity is palpable, and the air feels heavy until the afternoon rain breaks the tension. Locals adapt by shifting most physical activity to the early morning hours, retreating to shaded palapas or air-conditioning during the canícula (the mid-summer heat peak).