The best time to visit Puerto Rico is during winter and spring. The sunny days and mild temperatures create perfect weather for sunning, swimming, and strolling historic areas.
Despite higher temperatures and more rainfall, July and August are also popular months. Cool off at the beach and visit museums and other indoor attractions if the rains come.
In this article:
Visiting Puerto Rico by Season
When is Rainy Season?
When is High Season?
When is Shoulder Season?
When is Low Season?
Visiting Puerto Rico by Season
Isla Verde Beach
Summer
Summer in Puerto Rico brings a lush landscape. Fiery red flowers bejewel flamboyant trees, and orange-red dahlias pop into thick blooms.
During the summer months, be prepared for warm and humid days. June through August temperatures average 76℉ ( 24℃) to 89℉ (32℃) and may peak at more than 95℉ (35℃).
Wear a sun hat and carry water. To stay cool, splash in the ocean and explore the centuries-old forts. Their thick stone walls keep the interior temperature lower than the outdoor heat.
Fall
Less hot than in summer, average temperatures in September, October, and November hover around 81℉ ( 27℃ ). In October, the most humid month, Puerto Rico’s humidity peaks at an average of 77 percent.
Winter
Winter is regarded as the best time to go to Puerto Rico. Temperatures in January, Puerto Rico’s “coldest” month, range from a pleasant 70℉ (21℃) to 83℉ (28℃).
December through March, considered winter, or dry season, in Puerto Rico, are the most pleasant months. December brings just under five inches (119.38mm) of rain, dropping to three inches (76mm) in January and even less in February and March.
El Yunque National Forest
Spring
Spring—late March, April, and May—is another wonderful time to visit Puerto Rico. Spring is warmer and wetter than winter, with daytime temperatures hovering around 86℉ (30℃). Rains peak in May, averaging 5.9 inches (151mm).
With an average humidity of 71 percent, March is Puerto Rico’s least humid month. The mild temperatures and low rainfall make it perfect for exploring art districts, caves, and El Yunque National Forest, home to some of the best hikes in Puerto Rico, and for browsing shops and street markets.
In spring, the island blooms with copious flowers, and the tree frogs trill loudly in hopes of attracting mates. The chorus starts in April and continues on into summer, from dawn to dusk.
As in winter, spring is a time to enjoy the outdoors. Go hiking, horseback riding, ziplining, and swimming at Isla Verde and other Puerto Rican beaches that do not have strong currents.
Read: Best Spots for Surfing in Puerto Rico
When is Rainy Season?
Puerto Rico’s rainy season bridges spring through fall, lasting from April through November. August is typically the wettest month, averaging seven inches (178 mm) of rain. The island’s north experiences more rainfall than the south.
A low elevation and ocean winds make the island’s northeastern coast near Fajardo among Puerto Rico’s driest areas.
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.
Often, short, sharp showers occur in the afternoon and don’t last long. This is typical of the tropics. Carry an umbrella and plan afternoon indoor activities such as browsing museums and galleries, snacking at a restaurant, or enjoying an afternoon siesta. More often than not, the rain passes quickly and you can enjoy a glorious sunset.
When is High Season?
High season, one of the best times to visit Puerto Rico, runs from mid-December through mid-April. These are the months with the least amount of rainfall and the mildest temperatures.
Take advantage of the lovely weather to meander the hilly streets of the Old San Juan Historic District, browse shops for souvenirs, cruise San Juan harbor, and explore caves, museums, and the rainforest.
When is Shoulder Season?
July, part of Puerto Rico’s rainy period, may be considered the shoulder season. Although temperatures and rainfall rise, they don’t reach August highs.
When is Low Season?
August brings the most rainfall, and September can bring storms, although these don’t come every year. Try to work around the rainfall by exploring outdoors on clear mornings, and be indoors by mid to late afternoon when rains are likely to occur.
You’ll never be cold, in any case—this is the tropics and a rainshower can often be refreshing.
Campo Rico
Interested in visiting Puerto Rico? Browse Celebrity’s cruises to San Juan and book your Caribbean escape.
Candyce H. Stapen
Candyce H. Stapen is an award-winning travel journalist, author, and family travel expert. As USA TODAY’s travel editor/producer, Candyce launched the company’s digital travel sites. Her work appears in Frommers.com, the Washington Post, and is syndicated to millions of readers, Candyce lives in Washington, D.C., and travels with her family whenever she can.
