When is the best time to visit Puerto Rico?
December to April are the best months to visit Puerto Rico for weather, shoulder season is best for turtle watching, while off-season has the best prices.
Puerto Rico is a paradise island in the Caribbean that offers warm weather and plenty of activities all year round. Different seasons tend to offer different weather conditions and cultural events. Follow along to learn when is the best time to visit Puerto Rico for you, depending on what you expect to get out of the island.
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December to April for perfect weather
Mid-December to mid-April is the peak season in Puerto Rico. The weather is pleasantly warm without being too hot, and there’s generally very little rain on the island during this time. Most of the continental USA and Canada are frozen over during the winter months, which makes Puerto Rico one of the go-to destinations for anyone looking to avoid the cold.
The temperatures usually linger around the mid-70s °F (23-25°C), making it perfect for visiting Puerto Rico’s beaches, exploring the island, or hiking.
As is the case with most popular holiday destinations, peak season also comes with higher flight and hotel prices. If you want to save a bit of money for your trip, consider booking your accommodations and flights at least a couple of months in advance.
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June to November for a cheap holiday
What if you don’t want to pay a premium for visiting during the most popular time? Your best bet is to visit from June to November. You can expect hot weather and fewer crowds during this time. However, it’s also the rainy season, and the heat combined with the humidity can be overwhelming.
The time also correlates with the Atlantic hurricane season, which officially lasts from the 1st of June to the 30th of November. Fortunately, it isn’t as scary as it sounds, with major hurricanes being pretty rare in Puerto Rico. However, you’ll most likely see quite a lot of rain, with August and September typically being the worst weather-wise.
That said, it doesn’t mean that you won’t get any good beach days. There are 15 to 18 rainy days on average during these months, so you can still expect about half a month of good weather.
Spend the rainy days exploring Puerto Rican cuisine. If you are a foodie, visit during the SoFo Culinary Festival, which usually takes place in July or August. Make sure to remember your rain jacket when packing the bags for Puerto Rico and you should be more than fine during your stay.
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Mid-April to May for the shoulder season
If you want to avoid both the heavy rains and the peak season crowds, book your Puerto Rico trip for mid-April to May. The rainy season is starting to come in, and you’ll probably see quite a few cloudy days. However, you’re more likely to get a light drizzle than an aggressive downpour, which isn’t enough to ruin most plans.
The prices are lower than they are during the high season, and it rarely rains throughout the whole island. So if you’re renting a car, you’ll usually be able to find a place with good weather.
More notably, this marks the turtle nesting season in Puerto Rico. Several species of turtles, including green sea turtles and leatherback turtles, make their way from the icy waters in the North Atlantic down to the coast of Puerto Rico to lay their eggs. Book a nature tour during this time for the experience of a lifetime seeing these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.
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November to December to experience the culture
The weather is far from the only reason for visiting, as there are plenty of other things to do in Puerto Rico. The island has a fascinating culture and unique cuisine, both of which are best experienced in November and December.
The festive season lasts throughout these two months, with towns decorating their plazas and people decorating their homes. Celebrations get into full speed from the start of December, with fiestas held throughout the island. That said, Old San Juan is the place to be during this time, as it sees the biggest celebrations and gathers the most festive crowds.
All the festivities are sure to get you hungry, so make sure to try the local cuisine. Pernil (slow-roasted pork legs), pasteles (plantain and pork), and macabeo (a plantain croquette) are just a few of the culinary highlights here.
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Spring break for partying
If you want to enjoy great weather and have a good old-fashioned beach party, spring break is the best time to be in Puerto Rico. The flight prices are similar to those of flying out to Florida, with accommodation, food, and drinks being cheaper than in the US. This draws in college crowds from the US on their spring break to celebrate.
Spring break typically lasts from late February through to early April, as schools hold the week-long study break at different times. Therefore, the island is packed with students pretty much all throughout March.
Knowing this is also crucial if you’re looking for peace and quiet on your holiday. Skip March and consider visiting either during the winter or the summer months if you’re on a tighter budget.
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Monthly weather in Puerto Rico
Still not sure when you want to visit? Let’s take a look at the average temperature and precipitation in Puerto Rico month-by-month to make your decision a touch easier.
Month | Avg. daily high temperature | Avg. water temperature | Avg. monthly rainfall |
---|---|---|---|
January | 83°F (28.3°C) | 77°F (25°C) | 3” (76mm) |
February | 84°F (28.9°C) | 77°F (25°C) | 2.2” (55mm) |
March | 85°F (29.5°C) | 77°F (25°C) | 2.3” (58mm) |
April | 87°F (30.5°C) | 79°F (26.1°C) | 3.7” (94mm) |
May | 89°F (31.7°C) | 81°F (27.2°C) | 6.1” (155mm) |
June | 89°F (31.7°C) | 83°F (28.3°C) | 4.4” (112mm) |
July | 88°F (31.1°C) | 83°F (28.3°C) | 4.5” (114mm) |
August | 89°F (31.7°C) | 84°F (28.9°C) | 5.3” (135mm) |
September | 89°F (31.7°C) | 84°F (28.9°C) | 5.3” (135mm) |
October | 88°F (31.1°C) | 83°F (28.3°C) | 5.5” (140mm) |
November | 86°F (30.1°C) | 80°F (26.7°C) | 5.8” (147mm) |
December | 84°F (28.9°C) | 78°F (25.6°C) | 4.7” (120mm) |
Stay connected in Puerto Rico with Holafly
Having mobile internet in Puerto Rico makes your travel experience much easier. It allows you to find your way around with map apps, get a ride on Uber, or simply share your holiday snaps with friends and family back home. You can go traditional and buy a local SIM card, but getting an eSIM is the most convenient option.
Holafly’s eSIM for Puerto Rico offers unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, and up to 1 GB of data sharing daily. This ensures a non-stop connection for you while also taking care of the basic connection needs of anyone traveling with you. Get yourself a Holafly eSIM and enjoy peace of mind during your stay.