When is the best time to visit Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is the perfect getaway spot for all kinds of travelers. Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, the stunning archipelago offers a unique blend of Spanish, Taíno, and African cultures, amazing Puerto Rican food and some of the most pristine beaches on Earth.

Are you wondering when the best time to visit Puerto Rico is? You should know that the Caribbean archipelago is characterized by a tropical climate, which means you will almost always find warm, sunny, and humid weather with temperatures ranging from 70ºF to 90 °F (21ºC to 32 °C).

The hottest months are between May and October, while the coolest months are from December to March. Also, keep in mind that temperatures in the south of the island tend to be slightly higher than in the north and mountainous areas. Additionally, the northern region experiences more rainfall compared to the southern part of the island.

Apply for your ESTA for Puerto Rico, pack your travel items and travel to Puerto Rico during the best time to visit Puerto Rico. Let’s dive in the details about the weather in Puerto Rico.

Monthly weather in Puerto Rico

You can divide Puerto Rico’s weather by its seasons: 

• Rainy Season: April - November
• Dry Season: December - March

Weather in Puerto Rico December-March: Dry season

The weather in Puerto Rico during those months is the most pleasant since you will be able to enjoy warm temperatures with less rainfall and without so much humidity. There can be some showers, but they are not intense.

From December to March there is the dry season or winter in Puerto Rico, although March sees a slight increase in rainfall.

The average temperatures during December to March is: 

• Highs: 77°F to 85°F (25°C to 29°C)
• Lows: 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C)

During the dry season, you will experience lower humidity. March is the least humid month, with a relative humidity of 64%, compared to October, which is the most humid month, with 71.6%.

December is one of the most popular months to visit Puerto Rico since you will be able to enjoy different holiday celebrations, parades, and events. Christmas and New Year's are particularly vibrant and lively times to experience the local culture. These events make December peak season for tourism.

Weather in Puerto Rico April-November: Rainy months

The weather in Puerto Rico from April to November is relatively warm and comfortable. These months are the rainy season, with rainfall becoming increasingly frequent from April through November. Showers tend to be short and intense.

Some of the temperatures you can expect: 

• The average high temperature during the day of around 85°F (29°C)
• The average low temperature at night of around 75°F (24°C).  

During Spring traveling to Puerto Rico is a popular destination due to the pleasant weather and spring break season. While it might not be as crowded as the peak winter months, there are crowds. 

While April and May may see some showers, June, July, and August are the peak months of the rainy season in Puerto Rico. During these months, you should prepare for warm and humid days. The average high temperature during the day can reach around 88°F to 90°F (31°C to 32°C), and about 76°F to 78°F (24°C to 26°C) at night. August is typically the hottest month on the island with temperatures in the high 80°F to low 90°F (30°C to 34°C), and it is also the wettest month.

Nevertheless, despite higher temperatures, more rainfall, and some probability of bad weather, July and August are also popular tourist months. You will be able to enjoy the beaches and some water sports, see lush landscapes, and experience vibrant local events.

Within the rainy season falls the hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, bringing storms and the potential for hurricanes. Due to the increased probability of bad weather, especially from August to October, this period is considered the off-peak tourist season for visiting Puerto Rico.

October and November are transitional months from the rainy season to the drier season. Temperatures during the day are around 85°F (29°C), while the average low temperature at night is about 76°F (24°C). Rains will be present but with less intensity and frequency than those in August and September.

When is the hurricane season in Puerto Rico?

The hurricane season of Puerto Rico usually spans from June to November. Even though there's a chance of encountering a storm during this time, it's also the cheapest time to travel in Puerto Rico. You will find cheaper hotels, flights, car rentals and other services.

It’s also one of the best times to go to the beach, according to Puerto Ricans, because of the very warm temperatures and fewer crowds. If you’re not into beaches, this season is also great for exploring the lush vegetation that Puerto Rico has to offer.

It's worth noting that hurricanes do not occur every year.

Best month to visit Puerto Rico

The best time of year to visit Puerto Rico highly depends on the activities you want to carry out in the country. Puerto Rico is a year-round destination, since it has different events, festivals and things to do each month. Here are some of the highlights of Puerto Rico depending on the months you travel there:

December to March/April

During this season, skies are usually blue, the sun is shining and the temperatures are pleasant. That’s what makes it one of the best times to visit Puerto Rico, driving the prices up at the same time. You will find that praces can average $330 per night. 

These are the months to go hiking, horseback riding, ziplining, wind and water surfing, exploring caves, discovering El Yunque National Forest, kayaking, or taking a boat tour in one of the island’s three bioluminescent bays.

Be aware that there can be intermittent rainfalls that cause undercurrents, high tides, and big waves, so swimming at some of Puerto Rico’s beaches should be done with caution.

Visiting Puerto Rico during the Christmas festivities is one of the most popular times to do so, if not the most popular. You will be able to enjoy Nochebuena, the Fiesta de los Reyes Magos, and the San Sebastián Street Festival.

You will also find the Festival del Macabeo in Trujillo Alto in December; the Fiesta del Acabe del Café, the Puerto Rico Open and the Ponce Carnival in February and the Día Nacional de la Zalsa, and Taste of Rum in March.

April to November

During the rainy season, you can find higher temperatures, with June, July, and August being the hottest and rainiest months. Although July and August can be considered peak tourism season, the crowds are not as large as those during Christmastime. Consequently, except for those summer months, prices will be lower and decrease further as you get closer to hurricane season.

Although you might experience occasional bad or very hot weather, you will still be able to enjoy some of Puerto Rico’s main attractions and festivals. You shouldn't miss the Noche de San Juan and the Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol in Loíza in June, Saborea Puerto Rico in April, the Festival Nacional del Plátano in August, San Juan's High Fashion Week in September, and Thanksgiving and the Festival Nacional Indígena de Jayuya in November.

Explore historical sites, parks such as El Yunque National Forest, and natural wonders like the bioluminescent bays. Additionally, since crowds tend to be smaller than in previous months, you will have some of the most wonderful and well-known beaches all to yourself.

If you are an animal lover, you will be delighted to witness the sea turtle nesting season from March to August. During this time, the island becomes a haven for various species of turtles, including green sea turtles, leatherback turtles, and hawksbill turtles, which particularly make their nests on the beaches of Culebra and Mona Island.

In November, humpback whales return to these waters, and many migratory bird species, such as the Puerto Rican parrot and the yellow-shouldered blackbird, flock to the island.

As you can see there is always a good reason to travel to Puerto Rico, although some might argue that the ultimate best time to visit Puerto Rico is during winter and spring.

Puerto Rico events

Puerto Rico is a lively place, so there is always a good reason to celebrate and enjoy a festival or event. Here are the main ones: 

• San Sebastián Street Festival: Held in January in the capital city of San Juan, the San Sebastián Street Festival is an institution on the island and is often referred to as the party of the year by the locals! The festival is held as a celebration of Puerto Rican culture and traditions and includes food stands, live music, dance performances and cultural events.
• Feria de Artesanías de Ponce: This authentic craft fair takes place in the city of Ponce in April every year over the course of three days. The popular event features local artists and artisans selling their handcrafted wares, including jewelry, pottery and textiles. It’s the perfect spot for curious travellers looking for authentic souvenirs to bring back home or simply wanting to learn more about Puerto Rican craft.
• Noche de San Juan: The 23rd of June is a very special day for Puerto Ricans. Every year, locals celebrate la Noche de San Juan, a summer solstice event featuring bonfires, live music, and local food generally enjoyed on one of the beaches in Puerto Rico. The tradition sees locals taking at least three backward plunges at the stroke of midnight. It is a popular event across the island and one we would highly recommend if you happen to be in Puerto Rico in June!
• Festival de las Máscaras de Hatillo: Also known as El Día de Los Santos Inocentes, this colorful festival has been celebrated since 1823. It is derived from settlers from the Canary Islands and inspired by a biblical story. According to the bible, when he found out about baby Jesus, King Herodes ordered his guards to kill all the children under 3. So, every year, on the 28th of December, locals in Hatillo dress up as vejigantes, a Puerto Rican character representing the guards coming to take the children. This colorful and lively parade is worth seeing if you’re in the area! 
• Carnaval Ponceño: The carnival takes place in the historic center of Ponce in February where you'll see colorful parades, costumes, floats, traditional masks, musical activities, and more. As you can see, it’s an event you can’t miss, and it’s free!
• Nochebuena: Christmas Eve takes place on the night of December 24th, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to try traditional Puerto Rican dishes such as lechón asado, arroz con gandules and ensalada de papa. It’s also the perfect occasion to immerse yourself in local traditions by attending the "Misa de Gallo," a special Mass held on the night of December 24th to commemorate the birth of Jesus. Dance to traditional music and sing aguinaldos (traditional Christmas carols).
• Fiesta de los Reyes Magos: The Feast of the Three Kings is a must-see in Puerto Rico as it commemorates the visit of the Three Kings to the baby Jesus, according to Christian tradition. On January 6th, you can see colorful parades in many cities across Puerto Rico, where people dressed as the Three Kings throw candies and small gifts to children. On this day, children receive toys and families gather together and eat "Rosca de Reyes," a sweet ring-shaped bread decorated with candied fruit.
• Día Nacional de la Zalsa: this festival is for all salsa lovers. The 30th March this festival that’s been going on for more than 40 years features salsa stars from all over Latin America. 

Travel and weather tips for Puerto Rico

There are multiple useful travel tips for Puerto Rico, here are some of them:

• Sun protection: Puerto Rico is a tropical island, and the sun can be harsh. So, bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
• Pack light and breathable clothing (wool, bamboo, linen, and cotton are good materials) as well as swimwear for the beach.
• Footwear: If you’re planning to explore the mountains or the rainforest, make sure to bring a pair of lightweight and comfortable shoes.
• Bring a light jumper, raincoat or jacket in case there are some light showers. Think about taking an umbrella.
• Drink lots of water, specially during the hottest months.
• El Yunque National Forest, a tropical rainforest in the northeast, experiences the island’s highest rainfalls, with yearly totals between 140 to 240 inches (3,556 to 6,096 mm). Any time of year when visiting El Yunque, bring a rain jacket as you’re likely to get wet. That said, there’s something special about hiking verdant forest trails in a warm drizzle.