Golden Hour Guide

Why the last hour of light changes everything on the Pacific coast.

Golden hour wedding portrait at sunset in Puerto Vallarta

If I could give a couple one piece of advice, it would be this: protect twenty minutes at sunset. That's where the photographs you'll frame come from.

In Short

Golden hour is the ~60 minutes before sunset when light is warm and flattering. On Banderas Bay the sun sets over the water, making it the best window for portraits. Plan a 15–20 minute couple's session at golden hour and build the ceremony time around it.

Sunset by season in Puerto Vallarta

Season	Approx. sunset	Ceremony start
Winter (Dec–Feb)	~6:00pm	4:00–4:30pm
Spring (Mar–May)	~7:00–7:30pm	5:00–5:30pm
Summer (Jun–Aug)	~8:00–8:30pm	6:00–6:30pm
Fall (Sep–Nov)	~6:00–7:00pm	4:30–5:00pm

See the full timeline guide to put this into your schedule.

Good to Know

Frequently Asked

What is golden hour and why does it matter for weddings?

Golden hour is the roughly 60 minutes before sunset when light turns warm, soft and flattering. On Banderas Bay the sun sets over the water, making it the single best window for couple's portraits — which is why photographers build timelines around it.

What time is golden hour in Puerto Vallarta?

It shifts through the year. In winter, sunset is around 6pm so golden hour runs roughly 5–6pm; in summer it's closer to 7:30–8:30pm. Tell me your date and I'll give you the exact sunset time.

How long do golden hour portraits take?

Just 15–20 minutes is enough to come away with the most striking images of the day, so it barely pulls you from your guests.

Let's Begin

Let's chase the light

Tell me your date and I'll send you the exact sunset time.

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