Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – On Friday, June 20, 2025, at 7:42 pm CST, the Northern Hemisphere officially welcomes the start of summer with the arrival of the summer solstice. This astronomical event marks the longest day – and shortest night – of the year, thanks to Earth’s unique tilt toward the Sun.
Each year, the June solstice occurs when the Sun travels its northernmost path in the sky. At this moment, the North Pole is tilted about 23.5 degrees toward the Sun, allowing sunlight to strike the Northern Hemisphere at its most direct angle. As a result, we enjoy the highest Sun of the year and the most daylight hours on the calendar.
The word “solstice” comes from Latin – sol meaning “sun” and sistere meaning “to stand still.” That’s because, during the solstice, the Sun’s movement northward seems to pause before it gradually shifts south again. If you were to observe the Sun at the same time every day, you’d see its path create a slow, looping figure in the sky called an “analemma.”
In Puerto Vallarta, the solstice marks the beginning of a season filled with golden sunsets, balmy evenings, and lush tropical greenery refreshed by warm summer rains. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the natural beauty of the Sierra Madre and the Pacific Ocean during this time, often finding cooler moments by the sea or exploring shaded jungle trails. It’s also a season of renewal, as longer days encourage more time outdoors, whether strolling the Malecón, enjoying fresh mangoes and chilled aguas frescas, or watching the sky light up with dramatic thunderclouds.
While we in the north celebrate summer’s arrival, the June solstice marks the beginning of winter for those in the Southern Hemisphere, where the Sun sits at its lowest point in the sky.
Interestingly, the solstice doesn’t always land on the same calendar date. It can fall on June 20, 21, or 22 depending on Earth’s position in its orbit. But regardless of the date, this special moment reminds us of the cosmic dance that shapes our seasons – and gives us a reason to step outside and soak up the sunshine.
Whether you’re watching the sunset or simply enjoying a warm breeze, the summer solstice is a powerful reminder of nature’s rhythms and the light that connects us all.
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