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Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic Weather in January: Rain, Temperatures

Punta Cana weather in January
Average high temperature and rainfall for Punta Cana in January. © Scott S. Bateman

Dominican Republic weather in January is mild, breezy and mostly sunny.

The beginning of the New Year is an ideal time to visit the Dominican Republic, if not only for the climate.

Located in the northern Caribbean, the temperature in the Dominican Republic is a bit cooler in January than other islands. But it remains a warm and tropical environment for anyone visiting from farther north.

Dominican Republic is one of the most popular all-inclusive resort destinations in the Caribbean, especially at Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. Visitors spend plenty of time on beaches and enjoying water activities, so temperatures are an important consideration in when to go.

Temperatures in January

The average high temperature for Punta Cana and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic in January is 83 degrees Fahrenheit or 28 Celsius, according to the country’s National Office of Meteorology.

In Punta Cana, the average high temperature in January is 82 degrees Fahrenheit or 28 Celsius. The average low is 71 Fahrenheit or 22 Celsius.

In Puerto Plata, the average high temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit or 29 Celsius. The average low is 63 Fahrenheit or 17 Celsius. Puerto Plata has warmer days and cooler nights than Punta Cana.

Although daytime temperatures are warm in both locations, the cool nighttime temperatures may make seawater chilly for swimmers, especially in Puerto Plata and during the mornings.

Rainfall in January

Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June to November. It is advisable to check the weather before traveling to the Dominican Republic during these months.

In January, there is virtually no threat of hurricanes or tropical storms, making it an appealing month to visit the island. January is also one of the dry months for Punta Cana but it is a rainy month for Puerto Plata.

Rainfall averages less than three inches in Punta Cana and more than seven inches in Puerto Plata, according to the National Office of Meteorology.

On average, it rains no more than four days out of a week, and rain showers rarely last more than five minutes at a time.

Wind Levels

High winds are expected in the Dominican Republic during annual hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

Visitors to the Dominican Republic in January can expect a constant, refreshing breeze, which rarely escalates over 15 miles per hour. Generally, visitors welcome the wind as a relief from the heat.

Should I Visit the Dominican Republic in January?

The January weather alone is enough to convince almost any traveler to visit the Dominican Republic, moreso Punta Cana than Puerto Plata.

January weather in the Dominican Republic is warm without being too hot, calm, but with a gentle breeze and prone to only enough rain to make the air feel fresh.

While it is hard to find a truly bad month to visit the Dominican Republic, there is no doubt that January falls into a month marked by consistently good weather for Punta Cana and less so for Puerto Plata.

• Dominican Republic weather in: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera.
December 26, 2023

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