When is the best time to visit the Riviera Nayarit?
This is not an easy question to answer!
I think two essentials factors come into play when determining when is the best time of the year to visit the Riviera Nayarit:
The weather in the Riviera Nayarit (of course)
The weather where you live (I’m going to assume the US and Canada for this post)
The winner is: November! Why? Because the temperatures have come down, as well as the humidity. But the air and ocean are still quite warm. While the rains have stopped, everything is still very green from the summer monsoons. This is precisely why the owners of the villas in Playa Las Tortugas hold their annual meeting in November. If you know, you know. Also, the turtles are still nesting, so you may get to witness that special event. And the whales may start to appear during the latter half of November. So, you sort of get the best of summer and the best of winter together at once!
What is the worst time to visit the Riviera Nayarit? August. Why? Because it’s very hot and humid, and it’s hurricane season. So, depending on your luck, a hurricane out at sea may push clouds your way, or pump up the surf up beyond your level of comfort. The odds of a hurricane actually affecting your trip are quite low. But, it’s possible. However, we still visit every August because it’s so so very “tropical”. Everything comes alive. You can almost see the plants growing. The vibrant green dominates - everywhere. You just wear a bathing suit at all times, no shoes, and you jump in the pool or ocean without a thought because everything is 85 degrees. The turtles are nesting by the dozens every night, particularly in Santuario Platanitos. Thunderstorms roll down from the Sierra Madre some evenings and put on an incredible lightening storm with occasional huge downpours. The swells for surfing come from the south and have more power to them than in the winter. It’s a special time. Just make sure you have air conditioning where you stay!
The months of September and July are very similar to August. October and December are similar to November.
I would say January through May is it’s own special, and possibly the best season. This is beacuse the weather is so darn perfect, right at the moment the weather in the US and Canada is at it’s worst. It doesn’t rain. Ever. It’s sunny 90% of the time. The temperatures are cool in the evening (upper 60s) and warm in the day (lower 80s). All the while the humidity is low. It’s hard to beat!
Having said all that. I have never visited the Riviera Nayarit and been disappointed.