Winter in puerto rico: Puerto Rico’s Climate and Average Temperatures

Puerto Rico’s Climate and Average Temperatures

Average Climate

Puerto Rico enjoys warm, sunny and humid days most of the year. There is no winter, spring or fall, only summertime.
The winds move from the east to west across the island year-round. The temperature in the south is usually a few degrees
higher than the north and
temperatures in the central interior mountains are always cooler than the rest of the island.

The climate is Tropical Marine with an average temperature of 80 °F (26 °C). The coldest month is
January with an average low of 70 °F (21 °C) and an average high of 83 °F (28 °C).

Temperatures

Temperatures range from 70 to 90 °F (21 to 32 °C) in the lower elevations, while
higher elevations in the central part of the island experience temperatures between 61 and 80
°F (16 and 27 °C) year-round.

Precipitation

The island wettest month is August with 7 inches (18cm) of rain. Puerto Rico’s rainy season
lasts from April to November and the driest season is December to March. Because of the island’s
topography, rainfall varies greatly across the island, average ranges from 29.32 inches (745 mm)
in Magueyes Island to 171.09 inches (4,346 mm) in Pico del Este averages of rainfall a year.
There is more rain in the north than in the south.

Humidity

The relative humidity is high, about 80% throughout the year, with an average of 79% in the morning and 65% in the afternoon.

The least humid month is March with 64.6% relative humidity, and the most humid month is October with 71.6%.
In addition, relative humidity can be few degrees higher in the North region (San Juan)
vs the South region (Ponce).

Hurricane Season in Puerto Rico

Because of Puerto Rico’s location, the island is expose to frequent hurricane activity. Hurricanes frequently occur
between August and October, although the U.S. National Weather Service considers the hurricane season for the North
Atlantic Basin to run from June 1 to November 30.

Dozens of hurricanes have been recorded in the island’s history, but probably the most destructive was San Ciriaco,
which struck on August 8, 1899, and most recently Hurricane Maria on 2017.

Month	Average high	Average low	Warmest ever	Coldest ever	Average dew point	Average precipitation
JANUARY	83	70	92	61	67	3.0
FEBRUARY	84	70	96	62	67	2.2
MARCH	85	71	96	60	67	2. 3
APRIL	86	73	97	64	69	3.7
MAY	87	74	96	66	71	6.1
JUNE	89	76	97	69	73	4.4
JULY	88	76	95	69	73	4. 5
AUGUST	89	76	97	70	74	5.3
SEPTEMBER	89	76	97	69	73	5.3
OCTOBER	88	75	98	67	73	5.5
NOVEMBER	86	74	96	66	71	5. 8
DECEMBER	84	72	94	63	69	4.7

These figures are averages.

Best Time to Visit

The best time of year to go to Puerto Rico depends on what you want to do while you are there. Although holiday seasons
tend to be crowded and the summer can be quite hot and receive more rain.

The peak tourist season is between December and April, but this has more to do with the climate in North America than
anything else. Rates drop by 25% to 50% from April 15 to December 15 at many of the resorts that depend on international
tourists. The best time to avoid the crowds is the low season between May and November.

Keep in mind that studies have shown that the period between August and September as the riskiest period for hurricanes.

What to Pack

Choose light and airy materials for the day and bring a sun hat. Pack a light sweatshirt, raincoat or jacket for the rainy days or evenings.
If you plan to go hiking or walking, you’ll need some comfy sneakers.

Best clothing materials for warm climates include wool, bamboo, linen, and cotton. Also consider choosing light colors as they will reflect the sun and divert heat.

Don’t forget to pack eye and sun protection, whenever possible opt for mineral sunscreen as is the least harmful to your skin and the environment.

10 Reasons to See Puerto Rico in the Winter

Seen as the gateway to the Caribbean, Puerto Rico’s rich heritage blending Spanish and African cultures gives the island a personality unlike anywhere else. The cruise destination continues to entice travelers into staying longer to soak up more of the island’s white-sand beaches and thriving food scene, whose claim to fame includes founding the piña colada. While the destination is a year-round one, you can skip the heat (and crowds) by taking your winter getaway to this tiny island no larger than the state of Connecticut. It’s teeming with everything from rainforests with waterfalls to beaches boasting perfect surf sites. Here are 10 reasons to jet off to Puerto Rico for the holidays–no passport required.

Take advantage of winter weather on the streets of Old San Juan — Photo courtesy of Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Winter weather 

While Puerto Rico’s weather is warm year-round, you’ll skip a lot of the rain and humidity during the winter months from November through April. Temperatures aren’t as high, but the sun is still out so a tan is guaranteed. Caribbean nights also get a bit cooler, dropping into the 70s on the coast and 50s in the mountains, making al fresco dining much more appealing.

Perch up poolside at the InterContinental San Juan on Isla Verde Beach — Photo courtesy of InterContinental San Juan

Caribbean resort getaway

Don’t expect to find all-inclusive hotels on this island like you would throughout other parts of the Caribbean. Instead, Puerto Rico is home to a number of options from luxury to budget-friendly getaways, local inns and campsites. Isla Verde is the resort-heavy part of Puerto Rico, just 10 minutes from the airport and 20 from Old San Juan. Wrapping up a $22 million renovation, the 397-room InterContinental San Juan is sitting on one of the area’s best white-sand stretches. This is the spot where lounging all day–whether in a beachfront chair or from an oceanview room–is encouraged, where island time sets in as soon as you sip a piña colada by the pool, and continues long after with evening drinks around the firepit. Don’t miss Akua bar’s award-winning Coqui nightcap, named after the island’s tiny indigenous tree frog, that blends the best elements of an old fashioned and piña colada.

Longest Christmas celebrations in the world

Brace yourself for a holiday seasons that starts after Thanksgiving and continues through January, three weeks past New Year’s Day. Puerto Rican holiday festivities blend traditions from Spain and Africa, with customs like parrandas, a Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling and the eight-day octavitas celebration, which follows the Epiphany on January 6.

Puerto Rican Mardi Gras

Christmas officially ends with the San Sebastián Street Festival on the third weekend of January. Essentially Puerto Rico’s version of Mardi Gras, San Sebastián Street in Old San Juan shuts down for four days of music, parades and religious processions for the ultimate street party that originally began over 40 years ago to honor Saint Sebastian. 

You can always find specialties like the fried plantain-filled mofongo (pictured here), but Puerto Rico also has holiday favorites around Christmas — Photo courtesy of Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Holiday Feasts

If you happen to be in Puerto Rico around Christmas, you’ll have the chance to sample local specialties like lechón asado (roasted pork), pollo guisado (chicken stew with potatoes and green olives) and pasteles (mashed green bananas stuffed with meat and wrapped in banana leaves). You can also try the coconut-based coquito, the Puerto Rican version of eggnog, at almost any bar you visit.

Kayak in one of Puerto Rico’s three bio bays — Photo courtesy of Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Best time for bio bays

There are only five bioluminescent bays on the globe and Puerto Rico is home to three of them. One of the easiest to reach from San Juan is Laguna Grande in Las Croabas, Fajardo, about an hour away by car. Lit up by large amounts of dinoflagellates each time you paddle or touch the water, the bay glows brighter on moonless nights, especially if it hasn’t rained in a while.  

Hike the Rain Forest

Since the sun isn’t blaring quite as strong as in summer, it’s the perfect time to take nature hikes through El Yunque. The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, El Yunque is home to 26 animal species you won’t find anywhere else in the world, as well as the picture-perfect La Mina waterfalls, easily accessible by a light 30-minute hike on paved paths.

Kayak in Dewey on Culebra, just 17 miles off mainland Puerto Rico — Photo courtesy of Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Easy island hopping

While winter may be high season, you can escape the crowds island hopping off the east coast of Puerto Rico to the Spanish Virgin Islands of Culebra and Vieques. Catch a ferry and visit Flamenco Beach on Culebra or head to Mosquito Bay on Vieques where you can kayak through the brightest bio bay on the globe.

More direct flights

Since snowbirds are fleeing the cold, direct flights to San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport more than double in winter. You can find affordable last-minute daily flights on over 12 airlines from destinations like Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., with flight times under four hours.

Start your Caribbean cruise from the Old San Juan port — Photo courtesy of Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Easy Caribbean cruise access

With the second-largest cruise port in the Western Hemisphere, Puerto Rico is known as the cruise capital of the Caribbean. Instead of spending two days at sea when coming from Florida, fly to San Juan and start the trip there so you can pack more destinations and sightseeing into your Caribbean getaway (plus tack on some time before or after to explore San Juan).  

90,000 weather in Puerto Rico in winter / Water temperature in the sea / Weather map

Mirapuerto-Rico resorts

Puerto Rico on the Weather map

Weather

Water temperature

Now

February

March

April

June

July

August

September

October

November

This weather map is completely interactive. You can switch months, as well as zoom and move the visible area of ​​the map to view other resorts.

Where is the best place to relax in Puerto Rico in winter?

This table will help you determine which resorts in Puerto Rico are warmest in winter, find out where there is less rain and more clear days.
Do you want to know where is the warmest sea? We also provide information about the water temperature in seaside resorts.

Resort name	December weather air/water temperature		Weather in January air / water temperature		February weather air/water temperature
Aguadilla	28. 3°C	27.9°C	27.6°C	27.0°C	27.6°C	26.7°C
Arecibo	28.0°C	27.7°C	27.3°C	26.9°C	27.3°C	26.5°C
Isabela	27.7°C	27.8°C	27.0°C	27.0°C	27.1°C	26.6°C
Mayaguez	28.6°C	27.9°C	27.8°C	27.1°C	27.9°C	26.7°C
San Juan	27.8°C	27.8°C	27.2°C	26.8°C	27.0°C	26.4°C

* Sundial – an indicator that displays the average number of hours per day during which direct sunlight reaches the earth’s surface. This indicator is influenced by both the length of daylight hours and cloud cover in the daytime.

Reviews of tourists about the weather in Puerto Rico in winter

In December we tasted Puerto Rico, Arecibo. In general, in this country, the weather is never cold, but in December, it is cool. The wind from the ocean is strong and cool. The sea is warm, but there are many storm situations. Every morning, the tide caresses with warm waves, and throughout the day, the waves increase, for surfers, that’s it. The sun is always, the temperature is from 19up to 27 degrees, on the warmest days. In general, for the rest of the norms of December.

View all reviews

weather and climate in Puerto Rico

CLIMATE

Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is the smallest and most eastern island of the Greater Antilles. The total area is 9104 km2. In addition to the main island, Puerto Rico includes several tiny islands. The northern and eastern shores of the country are washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the southern by the Caribbean Sea, and the western by the Mona Strait.

Puerto Rico has three main geographic regions: mountains, coastal lowlands, and karst regions. Thanks to the karst region, the country has one of the most significant cave systems and the third largest underground river, the Rio Camui. More than 60% of the island is covered by mountains. The highest point of the country is located on the Central Cordeliers – Cerro de Punta (1338 m). In the eastern part of Puerto Rico is the only tropical rainforest in the United States, which is known as El Yunque. Due to the diversity of flora and fauna, it received the status of a biosphere reserve under the auspices of the UN.

Puerto Rico has a tropical climate characterized by sunny, hot and humid weather. There is no winter, spring or autumn, only summer time. The air temperature fluctuates around +27°C…+30°C all year round. The rainy season in Puerto Rico lasts from April to November. More precipitation falls in the north than in the south. You can find out about the weather conditions in Puerto Rico in our weather calendar by months.

Weather in Puerto Rico in January

In January, the air temperature will reach +28°C during the hottest part of the day, dropping to +22°C after sunset. Sea water temperature +26°C. Precipitation level in January is 45-90 mm, which fall during 2-6 rainy days.

Weather in Puerto Rico in February

The temperature of the air masses during the daytime reaches +28°C, cooling down to +22°C at night. For 3-6 rainy February days, up to 80 mm of precipitation falls. The water temperature on the coasts of Puerto Rico is +26°C.

Weather in Puerto Rico in March

Daytime temperatures in March reach +27°C, at night the thermometer drops to +21°C. Precipitation becomes a little more abundant. For 3-5 rainy days, the level of precipitation reaches 105 mm. The water near the coast is stably warmed up to +26°C.

Weather in Puerto Rico in April

In Puerto Rico, the air warms up to +28°С during the day and cools down to +22°С at night. The level of precipitation reaches 90 mm in April. The water temperature near the coast becomes 1 degree higher and is +27°С.

Weather in Puerto Rico in May

In May, the thermometers show a temperature of +29°C during the day, dropping to +23°C at night. For a month in Puerto Rico, up to 130 mm of precipitation is expected, which will fall in 11 rainy days. It will be less rainy in the capital of San Juan, where only 60 mm of precipitation will fall in 3 days. The sun during the day warms up the water on the coast to + 28 ° С.

Weather in Puerto Rico in June

In the first summer month, the daytime temperature in the country reaches +30°С…+31°С. At night, the relative coolness brings freshness and the thermometer drops to +23°C. Up to 35 mm of precipitation falls in the capital, and up to 110 mm in the rest of Puerto Rico. The number of solar hours increases to 9 and during this time the sun warms the sea water up to +28°С.

Weather in Puerto Rico in July

In July, the air in the country warms up to +31°С during the day and +24°С at night, the water in the sea warms up to 28°С. The rainiest west this month is Mayaguez with 125 mm of precipitation. Up to 40 mm of precipitation is expected in the capital, and up to 70 mm in the rest of the country.

Weather in Puerto Rico in August

In August, the air temperature in the country fluctuates from +31°C during the day to +24°C at night, the water in the sea is warmed up to +29°C. The west is still the rainiest, with 175-205 mm of precipitation per month. Up to 90 mm of precipitation is expected in the capital, and up to 125 mm in the rest of the country.

Weather in Puerto Rico in September

°C. For a month in Puerto Rico, up to 140 mm of precipitation is expected, which will fall in 10 rainy days. It will be less rainy in the capital San Juan, where only 50 mm of rain will fall in 3 days.

Weather in Puerto Rico in October

The air temperature in the country reaches +31°C during the day and +24°C at night, the water in the sea is warmed up to +29°C.