Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata)
Dominican Republic · North America
The best time to visit Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) is June, July, August, and September. In summer, daytime highs average 33°C (91°F), with peaks around 35°C (95°F); in winter, nights average 19°C (66°F), dropping to around 15°C (59°F) on the coldest. During the best travel months, the sun shines up to 9 hours per day — ideal for beach and outdoor activities.
Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) – What you should know
Puerto Plata sits on the Atlantic coast in the north of the Dominican Republic — the wetter side of the island. While Punta Cana in the southeast gets by with considerably less rain, around 281 mm (11.1 in) falls here in November and 200 mm (7.9 in) in December. The classic European winter travel season is therefore precisely the wettest time of year.
Temperatures, on the other hand, are constant all year: between 28°C (82°F) in January and 32°C (90°F) from June to October, never below 19°C (66°F) at night. The Caribbean Sea sits between 26°C (79°F) and 29°C (84°F) — swimming is not a problem on any day of the year. The driest month is June at 73 mm (2.9 in), followed by July and August.
For trip planning, another factor matters more than the monthly rainfall: the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June to November, peaking between August and October. In twenty-year climate averages such individual events all but disappear, but in any given year they can define a trip. February to June is the compromise between low rainfall, warm water and low storm risk.
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 29° (84°)24– (75–)31 (88) | 29° (84°)25– (77–)32 (90) | 29° (84°)24– (75–)32 (90) | 30° (86°)26– (79–)33 (91) | 31° (88°)27– (81–)34 (93) | 33° (91°)29– (84–)35 (95) | 33° (91°)28– (82–)34 (93) | 33° (91°)28– (82–)35 (95) | 33° (91°)30– (86–)35 (95) | 32° (90°)27– (81–)34 (93) | 30° (86°)25– (77–)33 (91) | 29° (84°)25– (77–)31 (88) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | 19° (66°)15– (59–)22 (72) | 20° (68°)16– (61–)22 (72) | 20° (68°)16– (61–)22 (72) | 21° (70°)17– (63–)23 (73) | 23° (73°)19– (66–)24 (75) | 23° (73°)21– (70–)25 (77) | 24° (75°)22– (72–)25 (77) | 24° (75°)21– (70–)25 (77) | 23° (73°)21– (70–)25 (77) | 23° (73°)20– (68–)24 (75) | 22° (72°)18– (64–)23 (73) | 20° (68°)17– (63–)22 (72) |
☀️Sunshine | 7h UV 6 | 8h UV 7 | 8h UV 7 | 9h UV 8 | 8h UV 8 | 9h UV 8 | 9h UV 8 | 9h UV 8 | 8h UV 8 | 8h UV 7 | 7h UV 6 | 7h UV 5 |
🌊Water Temp | 27° (81°) | 26° (79°) | 26° (79°) | 27° (81°) | 27° (81°) | 28° (82°) | 28° (82°) | 29° (84°) | 29° (84°) | 29° (84°) | 29° (84°) | 28° (82°) |
🌧Rain Days | 11d185mm (7.3") | 9d142mm (5.6") | 9d168mm (6.6") | 9d153mm (6.0") | 10d167mm (6.6") | 6d73mm (2.9") | 7d109mm (4.3") | 8d112mm (4.4") | 8d101mm (4.0") | 9d145mm (5.7") | 12d281mm (11.1") | 13d200mm (7.9") |
Best travel timeØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel Tips
April offers great weather in Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) with fewer tourists and lower prices — ideal for those who want to avoid the peak season crowds.
Events & Festivals
February
- Carnival· Sundays in February, peaking on 27 February
Every Sunday in February the comparsas parade along the Malecón of San Felipe in their devil masks. The largest procession falls on 27 February, Independence Day — here carnival and national day are one and the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to visit Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata)?
- The best time to visit Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) is June, July, August, and September. These months offer the most favourable combination of sunshine, temperatures, and low rainfall.
- How warm does it get in Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata)?
- In summer, daytime highs in Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) average 33°C (91°F), with peaks around 35°C (95°F); in winter, nights average 19°C (66°F), dropping to around 15°C (59°F) on the coldest.
- How much rain does Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) get?
- Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) has a relatively even rainfall pattern with an average of 9 rain days per month. The driest months are June, July, and September.
- How warm is the water in Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata)?
- Water temperature in Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) ranges from 26°C (79°F) (February) to 29°C (84°F) (September). During the best travel months (June, July, August, and September), the water is most pleasant for swimming.
Best Travel Time by Vacation Type
🏖️
Beach Holiday
Warm, sunny, little rain
FebMarApr
🏙️
City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot
JanFebMar
