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Best Time To Visit Puerto Rico
With such an eventful festival calendar, Puerto Rico is a fine holiday destination choice all-year-round with parties falling across every month. Make sure you are wary of the hurricane season and keep your eyes peeled for any dangerous weather warnings, but at its best Puerto Rico is unbeatable!
Average weather in Puerto Rico
- Temperature (°C)*
- Rainfall (Inches)*
Weather in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a tropical climate, where the temperatures are warm to hot year-round, with mountainous areas averaging 21 degrees and lower elevations averaging 29 degrees. The temperature and climate vary depending on where you are on the island due to its varied topography of mountains, desert, beach and lively cities.
Seasonality in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico splits into two seasons, where the tourists outnumber the locals and vice versa; this is called peak season and low season.
Peak season in Puerto Rico
The peak tourist season is from December to April, in which tourists escape their cold climates and seek the eternal sunshine that Puerto Rico promises. The weather in the peak season is not too hot, so excursions and inland activities are still fun to do. July is the high season for the locals.
Low season in Puerto Rico
The low season in Puerto Rico is from June to September with hurricane season extending from June to November. At this time of year expect to find amazing deals but make sure you check the weather forecast and take out travel insurance.
One of a kind experiencesPhoto credit: Discover Puerto Rico
Rich history and culturePhoto credit: Discover Puerto Rico
Visit El Yunque National ForestPhoto credit: Discover Puerto Rico
Food for the soulPhoto credit: Discover Puerto Rico
Soak up the sunPhoto credit: Discover Puerto Rico
Majestic mountainsPhoto credit: Discover Puerto Rico
Holidays in Puerto Rico
Part of the Greater Antilles, this warm and tropical archipelago is an impeccable holiday destination. Hike through the lush rainforest of El Yunque, visit one of the first-class beaches that circle the shores or salsa the night away in the centre of San Juan.
The best time for all things beach related is during the dry season, where the sea is calmer, and the rain will not spoil your sunbathing. Therefore, December to March is your best bet. April is also the start of the local beach season, so April to July are also great months for the beach. Avoid the hurricane season for these activities.
The best time for snorkelling and diving in Puerto Rico is during the island’s dry season which falls from December to May. Do not engage with these activities during the hurricane season, although check your weather forecast for more information as the severity of the storms can vary.
The surfing in Puerto Rico is perfect for intermediate and experienced surfers as the sea is powerful with big reefs. The best time to go is late fall, winter, and early spring.
The best time for sightseeing and outdoor activities is dependent on the location on the island, however, for sunny weather that is not too hot try May to July!
Month by month guide to visiting Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico in January
Christmas celebrations extend into January with the Fiesta de Los Reyes Magos, and the festive season culminates at the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian. The weather averages around 28 degrees and travellers flock here to escape the bitter winter cold. This is an exciting time for whale watching in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico in February
This is one of the busiest months of the year for this Caribbean Island due to the carnival season, so make sure you book excursions ahead of time. It is also the driest month with some of the best weather. Whale watching continues with the best views along the western coast.
Puerto Rico in March
In March, the weather is mild and gets cooler in the evening, so make sure you bring a light jumper to stay warm. The sun shines for eight glorious hours a day and the sea temperature an average of 19 degrees. At the beginning of March, Día Nacional de la Salsa (National Salsa Day) descends on San Juan.
Puerto Rico in April
Trade winds bring in more rain to the north coast of Puerto Rico, whilst temperatures continue to rise. Easter is a special time of year for the Boricuas, with a large Roman Catholic population.
Puerto Rico in May
In May they celebrate the arrival of Spring, where locals harvest ripe coconuts and mangoes and fish for fresh oysters and shrimp. The weather at this time of year is perfect for sightseeing as the temperatures are not too high. Enjoy nine hours of sunshine a day at this time of year!
Puerto Rico in June
Summer season! Festivals are a plenty and weather is ideal. There are bountiful festivals to keep you amused in June from Festival de la piña paradisíaca and Noche de San Juan. This is the perfect month for sunbathing on the beaches or trying a new water sport.
Puerto Rico in July
July is high season for the locals, so you can expect more authentically Puerto Rican crowds on the beaches. This is the last month before the tropical, rainy summer begins. Festival de Santiago Apóstol falls over July; a celebration of African heritage and Spanish traditions.
Puerto Rico in August
The start of the tropical storms, August gets hit by high rainfall and the highest temperatures. Remember, to avoid the heavy rainfall head to the southwest side of the island for less disruption.
Puerto Rico in September
This is the month most prone to tropical thunderstorms and hurricanes – making this the quietest month for tourism. Make sure you check the weather warnings before travelling to Puerto Rico in September.
Puerto Rico in October
Not the busiest time of year, expect quiet beaches and smaller crowds. This is a much cheaper time of year to travel, as it is just before the busy winter season. October falls in the country's hurricane season, where humidity and rainfall levels are high.
Puerto Rico in November
A huge influx of American tourists arrive as the weather in North America turns sour. If you are a keen surfer, make sure you check our Rincón Surfing Festival. This month there is also Festival Nacional Indígena and Nochebuena. The average temperature is a balmy 21 degrees, with a sea temperature of 22 degrees in the Atlantic Ocean.
Puerto Rico in December
A tropical wonderland, Puerto Rico gets dolled up for Christmas with hundreds of fairy lights – making the enchanting island even more magical. The annual festival, Festival de las Mascaras de Hatillo falls at the end of the month. The weather is very pleasant at this time of year and the rainfall is at a minimum.
Best time to visit Puerto Rico frequently asked questions
The best time to visit Puerto Rico is just after the busy winter season from mid-April to June as the crowds have lessened and the weather is slightly cooler.
The dry season in Puerto Rico is December to March.
There is no real distinct dry and wet period in Puerto Rico as showers are possible every month of the year. The rainiest months fall from May to October, with the hurricane season falling between June and November. To avoid the rain, head to the southwest corner of the island, as the north coast gets twice as much rain as the south coast.
The island is quietest during the shoulder period between September to mid-December and mid-April to May.
December to April is the peak season for Puerto Rico, in which big flocks of American’s travel to avoid their winter months.
Low season lies between June to September as hurricane season falls over August and September.