The Hidden Cost of Living on Mexico’s Pacific Coast: What Nobody Tells You.
- Paul Desmond
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Thinking about moving to Puerto Vallarta, Bucerías, or somewhere else along Mexico’s Pacific coast? The beaches, sunsets, and relaxed lifestyle are incredible, but there are a few things every homeowner and seasonal resident should know before the rainy season arrives.
When people imagine living on Mexico’s Pacific coast, they usually picture palm trees, beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, and spectacular sunsets.
And to be fair…
That’s exactly what life is like much of the year.
But every summer, the Pacific coast enters a completely different season. The weather changes, the landscape transforms, and life slows down in ways many newcomers don’t expect.
The rainy season isn’t something to fear. Once you understand it and know how to prepare, it simply becomes another part of living in paradise.
Here are some of the biggest things we’ve learned after living in Bucerías.
1. Hurricane Season Deserves Your Attention
Each year, hurricane season runs from May through November.
Most storms never make landfall near Puerto Vallarta or Bucerías, but every season brings periods of heavy rain, strong winds, and occasional tropical storms.
Before the rainy season begins, it’s worth checking:
Roof condition
Gutters and drains
Patio furniture
Emergency supplies
Flashlights and backup power
Being prepared makes a huge difference.
Just to give you an idea of what the hurricane season can bring. Here is a video I made in the aftermath of Lidia that hit our area in 2024.
2. Prepare Your Home Before You Leave
Many homeowners spend the winter in Mexico and return north during the summer.
If that’s you, spend an afternoon preparing your home before locking the door.
We recommend:
Bringing patio furniture indoors
Storing cushions and umbrellas
Removing decorative items that could blow away
Having someone inspect the property after major storms
A trusted property manager can prevent small problems from becoming expensive repairs.
3. Mosquitoes Are Part of Summer
The rainy season means standing water.
Standing water means mosquitoes.
Wear bug spray, especially around sunrise and sunset, eliminate standing water around your home whenever possible, and keep an electric mosquito racket nearby.
Ours gets plenty of use during the summer.
More importantly, take dengue seriously.
A couple of years ago, Daniela and I both got dengue at the same time, and it was an absolute nightmare. We were completely wiped out. The body aches, fever, headaches, and exhaustion were unlike anything we’ve experienced before.
For us, it wasn’t something that lasted a few days. It took about a month before we finally started feeling like ourselves again.
If you do get dengue, follow your healthcare provider’s advice, stay hydrated, try to keep eating when you can, and give your body the rest it needs. Recovery can take time.
So now I have a simple policy when it comes to mosquitoes…
Kill them.
No remorse.
Every mosquito you swat is one less mosquito that could potentially spread dengue.
4. Wildlife Becomes More Active
Heavy rains affect more than people.
They also affect wildlife.
Crocodiles live naturally throughout the estuaries, rivers, and mangroves surrounding Banderas Bay. As water levels rise during the rainy season, they can sometimes end up in places where people don’t expect to see them.
Recently, a tragic crocodile attack near Marina Vallarta claimed the life of a tourist. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.
Incidents like this are thankfully very rare, but they’re an important reminder that we share this beautiful coastline with wildlife.
If you’re visiting or living here, avoid swimming near river mouths and estuaries, especially after heavy rains. Pay attention to warning signs and always follow the advice of lifeguards and Civil Protection.
One thing I’ve noticed is that most locals don’t react by saying, “Get rid of the crocodiles.” Instead, they remind people that this is the crocodiles’ habitat, and it’s our responsibility to respect it.
Living in paradise also means respecting the wildlife that calls it home.
5. Waterproof Your Roof Before It Leaks
One of the most common rainy-season headaches is discovering a roof leak during the first major storm.
If your roof hasn’t been sealed in several years, consider waterproofing it before summer arrives.
In Mexico, products like Comex Top are commonly used to protect flat concrete roofs from water intrusion.
Preventative maintenance almost always costs less than repairing water damage.
6. Humidity Is No Joke!
Rain isn’t the only challenge.
Humidity can be relentless.
Homes that remain closed for weeks or months often develop mold, especially inside closets, bathrooms, and storage areas.
If you’re leaving Mexico for the summer, it’s a good idea to have your property manager visit at least once a month. They can open the windows, air out the house, flush the toilets, run the faucets, check for leaks, and inspect for any signs of mold. A little preventative maintenance can save you from some unpleasant surprises when you return.
One thing we’ve also started doing is installing ceiling fans in our bathrooms. They help keep the air moving, reduce moisture, and make it harder for mold to take hold.
And here’s a little bonus that anyone who’s lived through a summer here will appreciate…
When you step out of the shower, you actually feel like you can dry off.
If you’ve experienced a Mexican summer, you know exactly what I mean. Sometimes the air is so humid that it feels like you’re drying yourself off with a wet towel. Having that extra airflow makes a surprisingly big difference.
7. Expect Higher Electricity Bills
Air conditioning becomes essential for many families during the summer.
In our home, we have twelve solar panels, but because we’re home most of the time and typically run one or two mini-splits nearly around the clock, we still receive electric bills of around 5,000 pesos every two months.
Some retirees or seasonal residents may choose to use much less air conditioning.
For our family, it’s simply worth the cost.
8. Prepare for Power Outages
Power outages are another thing to be prepared for during the rainy season. They’re not an everyday occurrence, but strong storms and hurricanes can occasionally knock out the power for a while.
I still remember one hurricane where the storm had already passed, but the electricity was still out. What caught me off guard wasn’t the darkness—it was how incredibly humid and still the air became. There wasn’t even the slightest breeze outside. Without the air conditioning or ceiling fans running, we started sweating almost immediately. It made for a pretty uncomfortable night, and when the sun came up the next morning, it only got hotter.
I remember thinking, I never want to go through that again… especially with my kids.
That’s what led me to buy a few of these rechargeable fans. They actually move a
surprising amount of air and make a huge difference when you’re trying to stay comfortable. They also have a built-in flashlight, which is really handy when the power is out at night.
Now, whenever a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching, one of the first things we do is make sure all of the fans are fully charged. It’s such a simple thing, but if the power goes out, you’ll be glad you have them.
If you want to take it a step further, we also invested in a portable power station. It lets us recharge the fans, keep our phones charged, and power a few small electronics until the electricity comes back. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but having it gives us a lot of peace of mind.
9. Don’t Forget Your Vehicle
If you’re leaving Mexico for several months, consider removing your vehicle’s battery and storing it indoors.
The combination of summer heat and inactivity can shorten battery life and leave you with an unpleasant surprise when you return.
10. Prepare Yourself, Too
One thing people rarely talk about is the emotional side of summer.
After the busy winter season, many restaurants reduce hours, some businesses close temporarily, and there are fewer visitors around town.
For some people, that can feel lonely.
We recommend:
Planning regular coffee meetups with friends.
Taking early morning or sunset walks.
Scheduling a short trip somewhere inland to escape the humidity for a few days.
Interestingly, we actually look forward to this time of year.
After a busy high season, the slower pace, lighter traffic, and quieter beaches are a welcome change.
By November… We’re usually ready for sunshine again.
Final Thoughts
The rainy season is simply part of life on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Yes, there are storms.
Yes, there are mosquitoes.
Yes, there are things you need to prepare for.
But none of those are reasons not to live here.
They’re simply part of understanding the rhythm of life in this beautiful corner of Mexico.
If you’re prepared, you’ll spend less time worrying about the rainy season, and more time enjoying everything else that makes this place so special.
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