Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos in March?
On climate data, Los Cabos comes out ahead overall in March. See the per-criterion details below.
Puerto VallartaPhoto: Another Believer · CC BY-SA 3.0
Los CabosPhoto: Kirt Edblom from Kihei, Hi, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0Key figures in March
| Criterion | Puerto Vallarta | Los Cabos |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 30 °C | 25 °C |
| Average daily low | 16 °C | 18 °C |
| Sea | 24 °C ★ | 22 °C |
| Rainy days | 1 rainy day (est.) | 0 rainy days (est.) ★ |
| Sun | 9 h/day ★ | 8 h/day |
| Humidity | 50 % | 61 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Puerto Vallarta is about 5 °C warmer by day.
- The sea at Puerto Vallarta is about 2 °C warmer.
Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos in March: the short answer
In March, Los Cabos comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Puerto Vallarta 86/100 vs Los Cabos 92/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on March as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Puerto Vallarta averages a climate score of 75/100, Los Cabos 86/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in March, side by side
The average daily high is about 30 °C in Puerto Vallarta and 25 °C in Los Cabos — warmer in Puerto Vallarta. Average daily lows are around 16 °C versus 18 °C.
On rain, Puerto Vallarta sees about 1 rainy days in March and Los Cabos about 0 — drier in Los Cabos. Puerto Vallarta gets more sunshine (9 vs 8 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In March the water is about 24 °C at Puerto Vallarta and 22 °C at Los Cabos — warmer for swimming at Puerto Vallarta. Over the year, Puerto Vallarta is comfortable for swimming (from ~21 °C) in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, Los Cabos in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Peak sea warmth is August for Puerto Vallarta and October for Los Cabos.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Puerto Vallarta records roughly 125 rainy days and Los Cabos about 33 — the drier of the two overall is Los Cabos. At their sunniest, Puerto Vallarta reaches about 9 hours of sun a day (April) and Los Cabos about 9 (May). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Puerto Vallarta is at its best in January, February, November and December, while Los Cabos peaks in January, February, March and December. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the March scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Puerto Vallarta scores higher in March (Puerto Vallarta 96 vs Los Cabos 92).
City breaks: Los Cabos scores higher in March (Puerto Vallarta 78 vs Los Cabos 95).
Active & hiking: Los Cabos scores higher in March (Puerto Vallarta 70 vs Los Cabos 87).
Family: Los Cabos scores higher in March (Puerto Vallarta 91 vs Los Cabos 95).
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For March specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Los Cabos carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Puerto Vallarta if its strong months and profile match your plan, Los Cabos if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.