Punta Mita in December: Weather, Whales, and Where to Stay
December is Punta Mita's quiet peak: reliable sun, warm water, and humpback season opening on Banderas Bay, just before the holiday crowds arrive. This guide covers when to go, what to do, and where to stay before you book.
Alta Mexico Editorial Team
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Is Punta Mita good in December?
Yes. December is one of the driest, sunniest stretches of the year on this part of the Pacific coast, hurricane season is over, and humpback whale season opens on Banderas Bay. The one thing to plan around is price: rates rise from mid-December into the Christmas and New Year peak, so the timing of your dates matters as much as the month itself.
Punta Mita sits on a private peninsula at the northern tip of Banderas Bay, about 45 minutes to just over an hour north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). In December it trades the humidity of early fall for warm days, cooler evenings, and calm, mostly clear skies. This guide covers what the weather actually delivers, whether you can swim, the whale and Marietas Islands outings that define the month, how the holiday pricing works, and which luxury resorts suit which kind of traveler.
TLDR:
Weather: dry, warm, sunny days with cooler evenings, little rain.
Whales: humpback season opens on Banderas Bay in December, building toward the January to February peak.
Value window: December 1 to 18. Holiday peak: December 19 to January 3.
Best all-round stay: Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Best adults-only: Naviva.
Fly into Puerto Vallarta (PVR); book holiday dates and festive dinners months ahead.
Punta Mita in December in 30 seconds
Question | Short answer |
Is December worth it? | Yes, for dry weather and the start of whale season. |
Biggest upside | Reliable sun, low rain, humpbacks arriving. |
Biggest downside | Holiday-week prices and minimum stays after December 18. |
Best value dates | December 1 to 18. |
Best trip length | Four to six nights. |
Best for | Beach and golf trips, couples, families, whale watching. |
Poor fit | Travelers on a tight budget over Christmas and New Year. |
What this guide covers
This is a seasonal guide, not a ranking. It draws on Riviera Nayarit climate patterns, Banderas Bay whale-season timing, and how the area's luxury resorts and pricing behave across the month. Every recommendation below is filed under the part of the trip it affects.
Topic | What it covers |
Weather & season | What a December day feels like, rainfall, humidity, and why the month sits after hurricane season. |
Sea & swimming | Ocean conditions and which beaches stay calmest for swimming. |
Whales & wildlife | The opening of humpback season on Banderas Bay and the Marietas Islands outing. |
Crowds & pricing | The early-December value window and the Christmas to New Year peak. |
Where to stay | The luxury resorts on the peninsula and who each one suits. |
Punta Mita weather in December
December is one of the driest, most settled months on the Riviera Nayarit coast. Expect warm, sunny days, noticeably cooler evenings, and little rain. The table below covers what each factor means for the trip. For packing, plan for hot, sunny days and bring one light layer for the evening.
December factor | What it means in Punta Mita |
Days | Warm and sunny, comfortable for the beach, golf, and boat tours. |
Evenings | Cooler after sunset, when a light layer is useful. |
Rain | Minimal. December is one of the driest months of the year here. |
Ocean | Warm enough for swimming, with conditions that vary beach by beach. |
Humidity | Much more comfortable than the September to October window. |
Hurricane risk | Effectively none. The Pacific hurricane season closes at the end of November. |
Can you swim in Punta Mita in December?
Yes. The Pacific here stays warm enough to swim through December. Conditions change beach by beach with the swell, so the calmest swimming is usually on the sheltered, resort-side beaches of the peninsula, while more exposed stretches draw surfers. The simplest approach is to ask your hotel which of its beaches is calmest on the day, since the same resort can have flat water on one beach and surf on another.
Whale watching in Punta Mita in December
December marks the opening of humpback whale season on Banderas Bay, one of Mexico's main humpback nurseries, as the whales arrive from the north to breed and calve. December is early season, so sightings build through the month toward the January and February peak. You can still expect good outings, and the water is calmer than it looks from a winter beach.
Tours depart from Punta de Mita, Nuevo Vallarta, and Puerto Vallarta, and the larger marinas toward Puerto Vallarta run the widest choice of boats. Whales are sometimes visible from shore and from ocean-facing resorts on the peninsula. Most Punta Mita resorts arrange guided outings through their concierge, which is the easiest way to get out early before the day warms up.
The Marietas Islands in December
The Marietas Islands, a protected marine reserve off the peninsula, are one of the best December outings because the dry-season sea is calmer and clearer than during the summer rains. Boats reach the islands more quickly from Punta de Mita than from Puerto Vallarta. Access to the famous Hidden Beach, Playa del Amor, is permit-controlled and limited to a set number of visitors a day, so book ahead and confirm the current access rules with your operator or hotel before you plan the day around it.
Where to stay in Punta Mita in December
Punta Mita is a gated peninsula of individual luxury resorts, so the choice is less about location and more about the kind of trip you want. The named picks below cover families, couples, and design-led stays, with the December angle noted for each.
Resort | Best for | December note |
Families and golfers; the most complete all-round stay | Two swimmable beaches, two Jack Nicklaus golf courses, and humpbacks visible off the beach as season opens. | |
Adults-only couples seeking seclusion | Fifteen all-inclusive tented bungalows with plunge pools; personalized whale-watching outings on the bay. | |
Butler-service classic luxury; families | Beachfront setting with signature St. Regis butler service; concierge-arranged whale and Marietas trips. | |
Design-forward travelers who want a livelier scene | Bold design and a social pool and beach; a younger, higher-energy option on the coast. | |
Family luxury and value within the peninsula | A newer beachfront resort with multiple pools and family programming; strong value against its neighbors. | |
Modern beachfront boutique near the village | Contemporary beachfront design close to Punta de Mita town, with easy access to the Marietas boats. |
Whichever you choose, the peninsula's beaches vary in swimmability, so confirm the calmest beach and pool setup with the resort when you book.
Christmas and New Year's in Punta Mita
December behaves like two seasons. From December 1 to 18, the weather is already at its best and rates sit in the pre-holiday range, which is the value window. From December 19 to January 3, Punta Mita moves into its winter peak: rates climb, most resorts set holiday minimum-stay requirements, and restaurants book out well in advance.
If the holiday atmosphere is the point, reserve early. Luxury inventory over Christmas and New Year is limited and goes months ahead, and festive dinners and New Year's events at the resorts fill quickly, so lock in Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve dining when you book the room. Pre-arrange airport transfers too, since the holiday weeks are the busiest of the year at PVR. If value matters more than the holiday scene, early December delivers the same weather for less.
Best things to do in Punta Mita in December
Take a Marietas Islands tour. The calmer dry-season water makes December one of the better months for the boat trip, the snorkeling, and the Hidden Beach, subject to the daily permit limit.
Go whale watching. With humpback season opening on the bay, a morning boat outing is the signature December activity. Book through your resort or a licensed Punta de Mita operator.
Play golf. December's dry, mild mornings are ideal for early tee times, including the Jack Nicklaus courses on the peninsula and their oceanfront holes.
Build a slow beach-and-spa day. The reliable sun rewards doing less: a beach club, a spa afternoon, and dinner. December is a month to go slower and do it well.
Day-trip to Sayulita or San Pancho. The nearby surf towns are an easy contrast to the polished peninsula, with December weather at its best for walking and beach time.
Punta Mita in December vs November vs January
Factor | November | December | January |
Weather | Dry, warm, the humidity easing | Dry, warm, one of the sunniest months | Dry, warm days, the coolest evenings |
Crowds | Lower, shoulder season | Low early, then holiday peak | Busy early, easing after New Year |
Prices | Lower | Value early, peak after Dec 18 | High over New Year, then softening |
Whales | Just starting, occasional | Season opening, building | Approaching peak sightings |
Best for | Value and quiet | Sun plus the start of whale season | Peak whale watching |
Who should visit Punta Mita in December?
Strong fit for:
Couples and families who want reliable sun and warm water
Whale watchers happy to catch the early part of the season
Golfers and beach travelers who prefer dry, mild mornings
Holiday travelers who book early and want festive atmosphere
Weaker fit for:
Budget-focused travelers over Christmas and New Year
Anyone wanting peak whale numbers, which come in January and February
Travelers who dislike minimum-stay requirements and booked-out restaurants
Final take
December is one of the best months to be in Punta Mita: dry, warm, and sunny, with humpback season opening on Banderas Bay and the Marietas Islands at their calmest. The decision that shapes the trip is timing. Travel December 1 to 18 for the same weather at pre-holiday rates, or commit early to the December 19 to January 3 peak if the holiday atmosphere is what you are after. Either way, book the resort, the festive dinners, and the whale outing ahead of time.
Frequently asked questions
Is Punta Mita good in December?
Yes. December is one of the driest, sunniest months on this part of the Pacific coast, hurricane season is over, humidity is lower than in early fall, and humpback whale season opens on Banderas Bay. The one catch is price, which rises from mid-December into the holiday peak.
What is the weather like in Punta Mita in December?
Warm, sunny days and cooler evenings, with little rain. December is one of the driest months on the Riviera Nayarit coast, the ocean stays warm enough for swimming, and humidity is far more comfortable than in September or October.
Can you swim in Punta Mita in December?
Yes. The Pacific stays warm enough to swim. Conditions vary beach by beach with the swell, so the calmest swimming is on the sheltered, resort-side beaches of the peninsula. Ask your hotel which of its beaches is calmest on the day.
Can you see whales in Punta Mita in December?
Yes. Humpback season opens on Banderas Bay in December as the whales arrive to breed and calve. December is early season, so sightings build through the month toward the January and February peak. Tours depart from Punta de Mita, Nuevo Vallarta, and Puerto Vallarta.
Is Punta Mita crowded or expensive in December?
It depends on the dates. December 1 to 18 is the value window, with strong weather and pre-holiday rates. December 19 to January 3 is the winter peak, with higher rates, minimum stays, and booked-out restaurants. Reserve months ahead for the holiday weeks.
Where should you stay in Punta Mita in December?
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita suits families and golfers and has whales off the beach in season; Naviva, its adults-only tented sister, suits couples seeking seclusion; The St. Regis Punta Mita and Conrad Punta de Mita are strong family-luxury options; W Punta de Mita is the design-forward, livelier choice; and Susurros del Corazón is the modern beachfront boutique near the village.
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