Best Time To Visit Puerto Rico: Weather, Season, Temperature 2022

Best Time To Visit Puerto Rico: Weather, Season, Temperature 2022

This vacation destination has much to offer travelers throughout the year, both in high and low seasons, so there is no single season when it is best to visit Puerto Rico – but there are some guidelines and suggestions that can help you decide when to visit.

When planning a trip, the best time of year to visit depends on your preferences. Are you looking to escape to this tropical paradise during the winter, or would you prefer to visit during the summer? Are you traveling on a budget and looking for the lowest prices?

Do you mind seasonal activities like watching sea turtles build their nests? Check out this guide to the best and worst seasons to travel to Puerto Rico, and get ready to book your trip!

Geographic situation of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an island state in the Caribbean, comprised of the main island of Puerto Rico, several smaller islands, and the Spanish Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated

The territory of the US does not form its federal state nor is it part of any other US state. However, the inhabitants, who call themselves Puerto Ricans, have US citizenship, and the government administers all foreign policy in Washington. The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico is one of the Greater Antilles and is located between Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti) and the British Virgin Islands.

The island’s relief is quite uneven, and the Cerro La Punta mountain represents the highest point at 1338 meters. The Río de la Plata is with 97 kilometers the longest river in Puerto Rico.

About 3.8 million people live in an area of 8,959 square kilometers. The capital San Juan is located on the north coast and is a metropolitan region with about 2.5 million inhabitants.

Weather in Puerto Rico

Best Time To Visit Puerto Rico: Weather, Season, Temperature

Puerto Rico has a tropical climate, with the south of the island state remaining very dry. The maximum temperatures are around 32 °C from June to October. From November to May, temperatures can drop to 28 °C. At night the values range between 21 °C to 25 °C, so it remains very warm throughout the year. At the higher altitudes of the island, it is generally around four °C to 5°C cooler.

Puerto Rico can rain all year long. Although there is no classic rainy season(months with more than 175 mm) from a meteorological point of view, the period from April to November is described as a wet period. It can be called a rainy season in colloquial terms. Especially in the north, among other places also in the capital San Juan, heavy rains occur during this travel season.

Puerto Rico is a potential hurricane hazard area, with around twenty hurricanes crossing the island in the last 150 years. The highest risk is in August and September; officially, the hurricane season lasts from early June to November.

Best Time To Visit Puerto Rico

December – Mid April

This year’s season is the busiest in Puerto Rico, with thousands of travelers planning their visits during the holidays and fleeing the winter where they live. The weather on the island during these months includes endless sunny days, warm but not too hot temperatures, and little rain.

If you don’t mind the crowds, you can enjoy the island’s perfect weather and party fun. Starting after Thanksgiving, you can enjoy the lights of the town of Belén, the White Christmas festival in Old San Juan, the religious procession of Las Mañanitas, and more. The Festival of the Three Kings and the Festival of San Sebastian come in January.

Another reason to visit Puerto Rico between mid-December and mid-April is to take a kayak or boat tour in one of the island’s three bioluminescent bays, secluded inlets where the water glows to the touch thanks to millions of microorganisms known as dinoflagellates.

To see the bays when they are brightest, tour operators recommend visiting during a new moon, when the moon is darkest in the sky, as too much moonlight can obscure the effect of bioluminescence. Another suggestion is to do the tour when there hasn’t been much rain, which can make the water cloudy. Plan your visit between December and April — the driest months — to see the bays when they’re brightest. You can still visit the bays throughout the year.

Travel tip: Remember that many schools go on vacation in March, which means that many families with children (and even university students) arrive in Puerto Rico in the middle of the month. Consider visiting in February or April to avoid the crowds (and the high prices that go with them).

Best for: Travelers looking for the perfect weather in Puerto Rico (and escape the cold)
Weather: Sunny, hot, with little rain. High temperatures are around 26 degrees.
Events: Festivals during festive dates
A favorite activity of the season: Tours of the bioluminescent bays

Mid-April – June

The winter crowds have gone home, and the weather is still lovely. Hotel prices have dropped, and although the rainy season is coming (expect to see rain in May), it rarely rains on the whole island simultaneously, so you can pack your things when you see the clouds and go to another part of the island. If you came to enjoy a real dose of sun and heat, the month of June is usually the hottest on the island, perfect for working on your tan.

Featured events during these months include Saborea in April, an entire weekend dedicated to typical Puerto Rican food; Dance in May, a festival that celebrates the dance that originated in Ponce; and a casual summer fair in June at Crash Boat Beach to welcome summer.

One of the most special seasons in Puerto Rico is the season when sea turtles make their nests. The island has become a refuge for green sea turtles, leatherback turtles, and hawksbill turtles, which make their nests on the beaches of Culebra and Mora Islands off the west coast of Puerto Rico. The turtles come from cold Canadian waters to breed and lay their eggs.

More than 60,000 turtles hatch on the beaches of Puerto Rico each year, and seeing the mothers build their nests on the island’s beaches is an experience not to be missed. Tour operators know how to make each visit as environmentally friendly as possible and minimize the human impact on turtle nests. If you’re visiting in the spring or summer, you can’t miss a tour to see this phenomenon for yourself!

Best for: Travelers who want to avoid the winter crowds and enjoy the warm weather
Weather: Sunny and breezy. June is the hottest month on the island, with temperatures around 30 degrees.
Events: Food, dance, and music festivals
A favorite activity of the season: Watching the turtles build their nests

June – November

June and July mark the beginning of hurricane season in Puerto Rico, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay home. Although hurricanes are common in the tropics, the chance of seeing one is low. Before Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017, the least severe hurricane was in 1931.

Hurricanes tend to come with advance notice, so you’re not likely to be caught by surprise. Aside from the hurricane season in Puerto Rico, the weather between June and November can be rainy with plenty of sunny days, perfect for relaxing on the beach, taking a tour of El Yunque, or going on a snorkeling tour.

Another benefit of traveling to Puerto Rico in late summer and early fall is that hotel and flight prices are greatly reduced. You can stay in a room with an ocean view for almost half the price it would in the winter, and airlines lower their prices to fill seats. If you’re traveling on a budget and a few rainy days don’t bother you, this is the best season to travel to Puerto Rico.

Events during late summer and early fall include the SoFo Food Festival in July or August, one of the island’s most popular annual food festivals; a fishing tournament in August; and San Juan Fashion Week in September. Don’t forget Thanksgiving! This holiday is popular in Puerto Rico, and cities start decorating Christmas in November.

One of the best benefits of visiting Puerto Rico in the fall is that you will probably have the beaches to yourself, especially if you visit the more secluded ones. From white sand to black sand, from sunbathing to cliff jumping, Puerto Rico’s beaches have everything you’re looking for. Please read our guide to the best beaches in Puerto Rico to find your favorite.

Best for Budget travelers looking for cheap flights and hotels
Weather: Hurricane season, followed by rainy fall days
Events: Food festival, fishing tournaments, and Fashion Week
The favorite activity of the season: Secluded beaches

Puerto Rico Weather, Climate, and Hurricane Season

Puerto Rico sports warm and humid tropical weather. The average annual temperature is between the mid 80’s and 90s degrees Fahrenheit, but humidity affects the overall heat sensation.

It rains yearly, but the driest months are between December and March.

Like other Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico is affected by the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June to November, when tropical storms and hurricanes risk the island. Read my full guide to hurricane season in Puerto Rico if visiting during this time.

Hurricane season is just a Puerto Rico fact of life. But, it doesn’t mean hurricanes will affect the island yearly. And, if you pay attention to the NOAA’s hurricane center, you will know with enough time to take precautions.

As always, it’s helpful to get travel insurance covering Puerto Rico. Travel Lemming loves World Nomads because they are one of the most trusted insurers globally, but be sure to compare policies.

When Is Hurricane Season In Puerto Rico?

As with every Caribbean destination, tourists frequently ask: when is the hurricane the season for Puerto Rico? It is important to consider since hurricanes can significantly influence your trip plans.

It is believed that the Puerto Rico hurricane season 2022 is in line with that of most Caribbean islands and falls within the formal Atlantic hurricane season that runs from June 1st to November 30th.
The most active months for Puerto Rico’s tropical storms and storms of the 21st century were September, August, and October. Therefore extra awareness should be a part of your travel plan during those months.

Also called typhoons and tropical cyclones, hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico can pack a devastating punch, with powerful winds, flooding in the inland storm surges, tornadoes, and even dangerous water currents that can be dangerous for boaters and swimmers.

Prepare for minor and major inconveniences. be prepared for the worst, like power outages and damaged structures, the discontinuation of transportation services, and shuttered businesses.

Be aware of the changing weather conditions. be aware of hurricanes’ warnings and evacuation procedures when you visit Puerto Rico.

As cruises and flights can be delayed or canceled, you must prepare to weather the storm. Make sure you have a bag filled with first-aid kits, medications, a flashlight, local currency, and radio and clock powered by batteries.

Electricity and cell phone coverage can be interrupted; therefore, carry a portable powered device. Save printed contacts and directions inside your purse.

Traveling To Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico hosts several airports; however, most major airlines utilize Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, also known informally as San Juan International Airport. The closest airport to you for those who reside in the city is the capital San Juan.

It provides year-round competitive rates and frequent, nonstop flights to major U.S. cities, such as Miami, New York, Dallas and Atlanta, and other major cities across the globe.

Before the COVID-19 epidemic, millions of tourists traveled to Puerto Rico by cruise each year, mostly as a stopover in their travels to other destinations worldwide. Cruises are returning slowly following the introduction of widespread vaccination.

But, determining the right time to travel into Puerto Rico by cruise ship is dependent on the current Puerto Rico travel restrictions and the risk you’re willing to take.

Puerto Rico Travel Restrictions

The last-minute Puerto Rico vacations used to be commonplace, particularly in the Florida flight between Florida and San Juan taking less than three hours. CoVID-related Puerto Rico travel restrictions have made things more complicated.

The possibility of boarding a flight on the same day is still feasible for fully vaccinated travelers. However, it requires more planning. This involves uploading your official vaccination records (or the negative COVID-19 antigen test result obtained within two days of the date of arrival) and an official travel Declaration Formula to the Puerto Rico Health Department web portal.

Planning the trip to Puerto Rico from another country or as a non-vaccinated domestic traveler could be more difficult. But, we’ll take you through the travel restrictions in Puerto Rico and regulations.

PRO TIP! Puerto Rico and U.S. travel restrictions can change rapidly and abruptly. International and domestic travelers can utilize this travel restrictions map provided by WorldTrips and Sherpa to learn the most current information. Select your home country’s location, destination, and your vaccination status.

Here are the current Puerto Rico travel restrictions as of the date this page was published on 03/25/2022:

Domestic Travelers

Fully vaccinated domestic travelers (which include those on flights arriving from mainland U.S. cities) → Do NOT require a negative COVID test to enter Puerto Rico.
Unvaccinated domestic travelers → Are subject to providing a valid negative COVID-19 PCR molecular or antigen test result from an authorized health provider within 48 hours before arrival. Travelers also have the option to take a COVID-19 test less than 48 hours after arrival and must quarantine while awaiting negative test results. Failure to do so could result in fines and longer quarantine periods.

International Travelers

Fully vaccinated international travelers → Must provide an original printed or electronic negative COVID-19 test result taken within one day of travel.
Unvaccinated international travelers → Are largely NOT allowed to enter Puerto Rico except for some exemptions. If you qualify for an exemption, you must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within one day of travel and quarantine for seven days.

All Travelers

Regardless of vaccination status and departing country, all travelers must provide additional documentation when traveling to Puerto Rico. Travelers must complete the travel declaration form before visiting.

Travel restrictions could impact when the best time to travel is for you. Make sure you stay up to date on current travel restrictions.

What To Do In Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is well known for its varied ecosystems, as well as its vibrant culture. Planning what you would like to experience when you visit Puerto Rico can help you decide the ideal time to go.

Nature enthusiasts can enjoy a stroll around El Yunque National Rainforest, swimming in the waterfalls, and looking for Coqui, the famous frog. The mysterious bioluminescent bays, like Mosquito Bay in Viesques, are an absolute attraction. You can take a glass-bottomed kayak or a kayak boat to cruise over fascinating glow-in-the-dark creatures.

If these breathtaking bays make your list of the top spots you can visit when visiting Puerto Rico, then make sure that you don’t visit Puerto Rico during a full moon, which reduces the bioluminescent glow of the area. Be assured that the daytime sun is always at its peak on the island’s endless array of white sand and golden beaches.

Make time for some nightlife, such as visiting legendary nightclubs, rooftop lounges, and cabaret bars. Don’t miss the fun at Las Placita de Santurce, which transforms into a rustic farmer’s market in the morning into a lively outdoor party after sunset.

Live music, salsa, and bomba y plena street dance make the night a hit, accompanied by lively restaurants and bars serving popular Puerto Rican dishes such as mofongo and Arroz con gandules.

The art and culture scene of Puerto Rico pops with brilliant colors, from street murals to art installations of the present in a myriad of museums and galleries. The city of Santurce brings art back to at least the 17th century, with classic collections at museums like the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico.

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Time To Visit Puerto Rico

What months are hurricane seasons in Puerto Rico?

It’s important to consider, as hurricanes can greatly impact your long-planned getaway. The Puerto Rico hurricane season 2022 lines up with those of most Caribbean islands and falls within the official Atlantic hurricane season of June 1 – November 30.

What is the cheapest time to go to Puerto Rico?

Book at least three weeks before departure to get a below-average price. The high season is considered to be January, November, and December. The cheapest month to fly to Puerto Rico in October.

What is the hottest month of the year in Puerto Rico?

The hottest month of the year in Puerto Rico is January, with an average high of 88°F and a low of 70°F. The cool season lasts for 2.8 months, from May 16 to August 10, with an average daily high temperature below 73°F.

Is it the rainy season in Puerto Rico?

Precipitation. The island’s wettest month is August, with 7 inches (18cm) of rain. Puerto Rico’s rainy season lasts from April to November, and the driest is from December to March.

How many days do you need in Puerto Rico?

How many days do I need in Puerto Rico? In general, travelers visiting Puerto Rico need from 7 to 10 days to cover the island’s main attractions during their trip. Still, longer times, like two weeks, are better to cover the coast, the central area of Puerto Rico, the surrounding islands, and cays.

Best Time To Visit Puerto Rico: Weather, Season, Temperature 2022