Puerto Vallarta or Tulum in March?
On climate data, Puerto Vallarta comes out ahead overall in March. See the per-criterion details below.
Puerto VallartaPhoto: Another Believer · CC BY-SA 3.0
TulumPhoto: ironypoisoning · CC BY-SA 2.0Key figures in March
| Criterion | Puerto Vallarta | Tulum |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 30 °C | 29 °C |
| Average daily low | 16 °C | 23 °C |
| Sea | 24 °C | 27 °C ★ |
| Rainy days | 1 rainy day (est.) ★ | 6 rainy days (est.) |
| Sun | 9 h/day ★ | 7 h/day |
| Humidity | 50 % | 71 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Puerto Vallarta is drier, with about 6 fewer rainy days.
- The sea at Tulum is about 3 °C warmer.
Puerto Vallarta or Tulum in March: the short answer
In March, Puerto Vallarta comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Puerto Vallarta 86/100 vs Tulum 84/100). 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, Tulum 68/100. 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 29 °C in Tulum — warmer in Puerto Vallarta. Average daily lows are around 16 °C versus 23 °C.
On rain, Puerto Vallarta sees about 1 rainy days in March and Tulum about 6 — drier in Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta gets more sunshine (9 vs 7 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In March the water is about 24 °C at Puerto Vallarta and 27 °C at Tulum — warmer for swimming at Tulum. 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, Tulum in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Peak sea warmth is August for Puerto Vallarta and September for Tulum.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Puerto Vallarta records roughly 125 rainy days and Tulum about 169 — the drier of the two overall is Puerto Vallarta. At their sunniest, Puerto Vallarta reaches about 9 hours of sun a day (April) and Tulum about 8 (April). 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 Tulum peaks in January, February, March and April. 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 Tulum 93).
City breaks: Tulum scores higher in March (Puerto Vallarta 78 vs Tulum 79).
Active & hiking: Puerto Vallarta scores higher in March (Puerto Vallarta 70 vs Tulum 65).
Family: Puerto Vallarta scores higher in March (Puerto Vallarta 91 vs Tulum 89).
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, Puerto Vallarta carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Puerto Vallarta if its strong months and profile match your plan, Tulum if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.