The goal of every vacation is to make time stand still & memories to last a lifetime – difficult things to achieve you left without planning to lose or gain an hour or two. That’s where this quick guide to time in Puerto Vallarta comes in handy.

Plan Your Getaway with Our Puerto Vallarta Time Zone Guide

One of the most confusing things about international travel, understanding the time zone you’re headed into is an invaluable. It helps you plan your sleep schedule to adjust for any jet lag before your trip, while keeping you aware of timely commitments back home, as well as the schedules of family and friends you may want to share details about your journey with along the way. So what is the time zone in Puerto Vallarta? The answer is Zona Centro, same as Central Time in the U.S.

Don’t Let the Maps Fool You

Online time zone maps can be deceiving, as the Mexican states of Jalisco (where Puerto Vallarta is located) and our northern neighbor Nayarit (home to local destinations like Nuevo Vallarta, Sayulita, and San Pancho) are technically in different time zones. Imagine how confusing it would be if you scheduled a tour ten minutes away, and it was actually an hour earlier when you got there. To avoid this, all of Banderas Bay switched to Zona Centro in 2010, from Puerto Vallarta to Lo de Marcos.

What Time is It Back Home?

If you live in places like Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Winnipeg, or most of Mexico, it’s the same time in PV as it is back home. Travelers coming from Mountain Time (Zona Pacifico) in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will lose one hour, while those from states / provinces in Pacific Time (Zona Noroeste), such as California, Oregon, and British Columbia, stand to lose two hours. Only the Mexican state of Quintana Roo shares Eastern Time (Zona Sureste) with major cities like NYC, Toronto, Boston, and Miami – meaning PV vacationers hailing from here get an extra hour in paradise.

When Does Daylight Savings Start & End?

Unlike the U.S. and Canada, daylight savings time in Puerto Vallarta lasts from 2am on the first Sunday of April until the last Sunday of October.