🌧️ Rains, Crocs, and Things That Float: Welcome to Vallarta’s Jumanji Season

If you’ve never experienced a tropical rainy season before, you might be in for a bit of a surprise. And by “a bit,” I mean… imagine a scene from Jumanji—just with better tacos and beach views.

Puerto Vallarta in the summer is warm, lush, and wildly beautiful—but when the rains come, they come. Here's what to expect (and laugh about later) when the skies open up.

During a good downpour, the streets in town don’t drain so much as they transform. That quiet side street you strolled earlier? Yeah, it’s now a river. With an audience.

Locals handle it like champs—tourists, not so much. So unless you’re auditioning for a water safari, skip driving through big puddles. That “puddle” might be 3 feet deep and home to someone’s sandal, a wild crab, and a floating lawn chair.

Pro tip: Park your car on higher ground if there’s rain in the forecast. These floods come in fast and furious, and it’s no joke—there’s a reason some curbs in Vallarta are over two feet high!

🐊 Crocs on the Move

Heavy rains flood the rivers, which means our local American crocodiles get flushed downstream. Sometimes that leads them right into marinas, streets, or even the ocean.

It’s rare, but it happens. This is the time of year when they’re most likely to be spotted, usually just trying to get back to their freshwater comfort zone (with zero interest in you, by the way).

And yes—those “Crocodile Warning” signs? Not a joke. Respect them, keep your distance, and please don’t feed them. Crocs become way too comfortable with humans when food is involved, and that’s when problems start.

True story: Years ago, I was at the marina and thought those croc signs were just tourist scare-tactics. I let my young son play on the rocks catching crabs, until a kind local came out and warned me—very seriously—that crocodiles have been known to snatch dogs… and small children weren’t off the menu either. You can bet I got him off those rocks real quick.

🦎 Strange Creatures and Jungle Surprises

The rains don’t just wake up the plants. You’ll see a lot of wildlife suddenly show up—some of it cute, some of it what even is that??

• Giant toads the size of mangoes 🐸

• Crabs climbing stairs or hiding in drains 🦀

• Wild birds doing aerial shows in your condo courtyard

• Random lizards having a dance party on your patio furniture

It’s a little National Geographic, a little "oops I stepped on something squishy."

⚡ Nature’s Fireworks (and the Real Ones Too)

One of the best parts of rainy season? The lightning storms. They light up the entire bay like a live fireworks show, often paired with booming thunder that echoes off the mountains. (Though, to be fair, you’ll still probably hear and see actual fireworks in town—someone’s always celebrating something here.)

☀️ Still Beach Weather, Don’t Worry

The good news? The rain usually doesn’t hit until late afternoon or evening, and it rarely lasts long. Mornings and early afternoons are typically sunny, steamy, and perfect for beach time or exploring town.

So pack an umbrella, wear shoes that can get wet, and embrace the weird and wild beauty of the season.

🌴 Honestly… It’s Part of the Magic

There’s something kind of amazing about it all. The jungle comes alive, the air smells incredible, the sunsets go full technicolor, and the chaos is (usually) short-lived.

Rainstorms pass quickly, and often leave behind cooler air and a freshly rinsed paradise. It’s not quite Jumanji—but it’s definitely not boring.