A photographer's guide
Golden hour in Puerto Vallarta.
The bay faces west, so the sun goes down over the water all year. Here is exactly when, for any date, and when to start your session.
Pick a date. Get your light.
Times are for Puerto Vallarta, which runs on Central Time all year. Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, Punta Mita and Sayulita keep the same clock.
Sunset times, all year.
Times for the 15th of each month. Golden hour here means the sun is less than six degrees above the horizon: warm, low and soft on skin.
Five places the light does the work.
- Conchas ChinasRocky coves just south of Los Muertos, with the city behind you. Where the Nike “Find your limit” campaign was shot.
- Old Town & the MalecónCobblestones, the church crown and the seafront promenade. Best for city-meets-ocean frames.
- BuceríasA long, flat, quiet beach on the north shore of the bay. Easy for families and big groups.
- Punta MitaThe northern tip of the bay: resort beaches and open horizon.
- SayulitaSurf town color, jungle and waves, about an hour north.
Questions about the light.
When is golden hour in Puerto Vallarta?
Roughly the last half hour before sunset. Sunset moves from about 6:20 pm in late November to about 7:45 pm in July. Use the planner above for your exact date.
What time should a sunset photo session start?
About an hour before sunset. The first half uses bright, even light for group shots, and the second half catches golden hour and the sun on the water.
Can we shoot in the morning instead?
Yes. Beaches are quieter in the morning. The sun rises behind the mountains, so the light is softer and less golden than at sunset.
What if it's cloudy or raining?
The rainy season runs roughly from July to October, and storms tend to build later in the day. Send your date on WhatsApp and Alonso will suggest the best window for the forecast.
