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Mexico Pacific Coast Mexico

What to Pack for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

From Zona Romantica brunches to Los Muertos Beach mornings to humpback whale watching in winter, here is everything that earns its place in your bag.

4 seasons covered
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On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Overview
  3. Winter Dry Season (Nov-Apr)
  4. Spring Shoulder (Apr-May)
  5. Summer Rainy Season (Jun-Aug)
  6. Fall Hurricane Season (Sep-Oct)
  7. Packing Tips
  8. FAQ

Quick answer

Pack for Puerto Vallarta with reef-safe mineral sunscreen (required at Los Arcos Marine Park), lightweight breathable beach clothing, a swimsuit and rash guard for sun protection, water shoes for some Bay of Banderas beaches with rocky entries, a light cardigan for AC interiors, modest cover-ups for restaurants, and packable rain gear if visiting May through October. No power adapter is needed for US/Canadian travelers (Type A/B at 127V/60Hz).

Seasons

4 seasons covered

Region

Pacific Coast Mexico

Temp range

63-91°F

Country

Mexico

Pack for Puerto Vallarta with reef-safe mineral sunscreen (required at Los Arcos Marine Park), lightweight breathable beach clothing, a swimsuit and rash guard for sun protection, water shoes for some Bay of Banderas beaches with rocky entries, a light cardigan for AC interiors, modest cover-ups for restaurants, and packable rain gear if visiting May through October. No power adapter is needed for US/Canadian travelers (Type A/B at 127V/60Hz). USD is widely accepted but pesos get better exchange rates; carry both. Tipping runs US-style at 15-20 percent.

Packing for Puerto Vallarta means packing for a Pacific-coast Mexican beach town that runs hot year-round with a clear divide between dry season (November-April, the peak tourist months) and wet season (May-October, with hurricane risk peaking August-September). PV sits in the Bay of Banderas, the largest natural bay in Mexico, with the Sierra Madre mountains rising directly from the coast. The town is small and walkable (the Malecon boardwalk is 12 blocks long) but resort areas extend north (Marina Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta) and south (Mismaloya, Boca de Tomatlan).

Reef-safe sunscreen is required at Los Arcos Marine Park (the snorkel-and-dive site just south of town) and increasingly encouraged across the Bay of Banderas. Bring mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide; avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate. Bring at least one full bottle from home; resort gift shops sell reef-safe at 3-4x mainland prices.

Mexico uses Type A and Type B outlets at 127V/60Hz (essentially identical to US household power). US and Canadian travelers do not need an adapter. The Mexican peso is the local currency; USD is widely accepted but you get worse exchange rates than paying in pesos. Carry both for flexibility. Tipping in PV is more US-style than mainland Mexico (15-20 percent at restaurants is normal; many establishments add automatic service charges for foreign cards).

Temperature: 63-82°F MAY 26 Peak tourist time. Daytime highs 26-28 C with lows around 17-19 C. Trade winds keep humidity moderate. Water temperature 23-26 C, comfortable for swimming. November to early March is humpback whale watching season; tours run from Marina Vallarta and the Malecon. Skies mostly clear.

👕Clothing

Essentials

  • Lightweight breathable t-shirts and tank tops x5
  • Light shorts and skirts x3
  • One light long-sleeve UPF shirt (Boat day sun protection)
  • Light cardigan (Cool evenings and restaurant AC)
  • Casual dinner outfit (sundress, collared shirt) (Zona Romantica restaurants enforce cover-ups)
  • Underwear and socks x7

👡Footwear

Essentials

  • Water shoes (Some Bay of Banderas beaches are rocky or shell-strewn)
  • Flip-flops or pool slides

Nice to Have

  • Casual walking sandals (For Malecon walks and Zona Romantica)
  • Casual sneakers

🧴Toiletries & Health

Essentials

  • Travel-size shampoo, conditioner, body wash
  • Reef-safe mineral sunscreen SPF 50+ x2 (Required at Los Arcos; gift shop prices 3-4x mainland)
  • Aloe vera or after-sun
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Prescription medications
  • Imodium and oral rehydration salts

Nice to Have

  • Insect repellent (Mosquitoes manageable in dry season)

🔌Electronics & Gear

Essentials

  • Portable power bank
  • Phone charging cable
  • Waterproof phone pouch (Whale watching, snorkel trips, beach days)

Nice to Have

  • US chargers (no adapter needed for North Americans) (127V/60Hz)
  • Underwater camera or GoPro

💳Documents & Money

Essentials

  • Passport
  • Travel insurance card
  • Two credit cards x2
  • Mexican pesos for small purchases (1500-3000 MXN; USD also accepted at worse rates)

Nice to Have

  • Some USD in small bills ($50-100 USD for tipping at all-inclusive resorts)

🤿Beach & Snorkel Gear

Essentials

  • Swimsuit x2
  • UPF rash guard
  • Quick-dry beach towel
  • Dry bag (10-20L) (Whale watching and Los Arcos boat trips)

Packing Tips for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

  1. 1 Mexico uses Type A and Type B outlets (US-style flat blade) at 127V/60Hz. US and Canadian travelers do not need a power adapter. European, UK, and Australian travelers need a US-style adapter.
  2. 2 Reef-safe mineral sunscreen is required at Los Arcos Marine Park and increasingly encouraged across the Bay of Banderas. Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide; avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate.
  3. 3 USD is widely accepted in Puerto Vallarta (more than other parts of Mexico) but you get worse exchange rates than paying in pesos. Carry both; use pesos at smaller restaurants and shops.
  4. 4 Tap water is not safe to drink in PV. Bottled water is cheap (20-30 MXN for 1.5L). All-inclusive resorts and most restaurants serve purified water and ice. Avoid raw vegetables at unfamiliar street-food spots.
  5. 5 Tipping in PV runs higher than mainland Mexico (US influence). 15-20 percent at restaurants, $5-10 USD per dive tank or fishing trip, $2-5 USD per day for housekeeping, and 10-15 percent for taxis if you negotiated a fixed fare upfront.
  6. 6 The Quintana Roo Visitax does NOT apply to PV (PV is in Jalisco state). No special tourist tax beyond standard hotel taxes.
  7. 7 Uber works in Puerto Vallarta and is significantly cheaper than airport taxis. The Uber app may not work in some resort zones, so download in advance and order from outside the property.
  8. 8 Hurricane season runs June through November with peak risk August-September. Travel insurance with hurricane coverage is recommended for fall trips. PV is somewhat protected by the Bay of Banderas geography but direct hits do occur.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a power adapter for Puerto Vallarta?
Not if you are from the US or Canada. Mexico uses Type A and Type B outlets (US-style flat blades) at 127V/60Hz, essentially identical to US household power. Your US chargers plug in directly. European, UK, and Australian travelers need a US-style adapter. All voltages from US devices (laptops, phones, hair tools) work without conversion.
What is reef-safe sunscreen and why does it matter in Puerto Vallarta?
Reef-safe sunscreen uses mineral active ingredients (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) instead of chemical filters like oxybenzone and octinoxate. Reef-safe is required at Los Arcos Marine Park (the snorkel-and-dive site just south of town) and increasingly encouraged across the Bay of Banderas. The Bay of Banderas hosts diverse marine life including humpback whales in winter. Resort gift shops sell reef-safe at 3-4x mainland prices; bring at least one full bottle from home.
Should I bring US dollars or Mexican pesos to PV?
Bring both. USD is widely accepted in Puerto Vallarta (more than other parts of Mexico) but you get worse exchange rates than paying in pesos. Carry $50-100 USD in small bills for resort tipping and shore excursion fees, plus 1500-3000 MXN (about $80-160 USD) in pesos for taxis, smaller restaurants, and markets. Use ATMs at Mexican banks (Banamex, HSBC, Santander Mexico) rather than airport currency exchanges. Decline DCC at terminals and ATMs.
Do I need a visa to visit Puerto Vallarta?
US, Canadian, and EU citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 180 days in Mexico. A valid passport is required (6+ months beyond departure date). Cruise passengers on closed-loop sailings from US ports can technically enter with a birth certificate and government ID, but a passport is strongly recommended. The Quintana Roo Visitax does NOT apply to PV (PV is in Jalisco state). No special tourist tax beyond standard hotel taxes.
What should I pack for whale watching in PV?
Humpback whale watching season runs November to early March. Pack layered clothing (mornings on the water are cool even when shore temps are warm), a windproof light jacket or long-sleeve UPF shirt, a wide-brim hat with a strap (chin-strap to keep it from blowing off), polarized sunglasses, a waterproof phone pouch, a dry bag for camera and wallet, reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+, motion sickness medication if you are prone, and binoculars if you have them. Tours run from Marina Vallarta and the Malecon; expect 3-4 hours on the water.
Can I drink tap water in Puerto Vallarta?
No. Do not drink tap water in PV. Bottled water is cheap (20-30 MXN for 1.5L from any tienda or supermarket). All-inclusive resorts and most restaurants serve purified water and use purified water for ice. Brush teeth with bottled water if sensitive. Avoid raw vegetables (salads, salsa fresca) at unfamiliar street-food spots; cooked is safer for new arrivals.
What should I pack for the rainy season in PV?
Pack a quick-dry rain jacket or poncho (afternoon thunderstorms reliable June-October), quick-drying sandals for wet streets in town, strong insect repellent with DEET 25%+ or picaridin 20%+ (mosquito risk peaks in rainy season; dengue is present in the area), an extra change of clothes in a dry bag, and travel insurance with hurricane coverage if visiting August through October. Storms typically move through in 30-90 minutes; planning indoor activities like cooking classes or art tours for late afternoon helps.
How much should I tip in Puerto Vallarta?
Tipping in PV runs US-style (higher than mainland Mexico). Restaurants: 15-20 percent if not included (many add automatic service charges; check the bill). Bartenders: $1-2 USD or 20-40 MXN per drink. Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 USD or 40-100 MXN per day. Dive masters: $10-20 USD per tank. Taxi drivers: 10-15 percent if you negotiated a fixed fare. Tour guides: 10-15 percent. USD and MXN are both accepted; pesos preferred for higher amounts.

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