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Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic Monthly Weather Averages

Punta Cana beach
Punta Cana beaches usually have the clearest skies from February through April. Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons license

Dominican Republic’s monthly weather is warm throughout the year, but the rainfall varies quite a bit from one location to another.

This small country shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean to visit because of its beautiful beaches and all-inclusive resorts.

Two of the most popular resort enclaves are located at Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. Their average monthly weather varies even though they are on the same island because of their different locations.

Punta Cana Monthly Temperatures

Punta Cana on the western tip of the island is the most well-known tourism destination in Dominican Republic.

Punta Cana’s monthly temperatures range between 82 degrees Fahrenheit in January and February to a high of about 87 degrees in June through October, according to Dominican Republic’s National Office of Meteorology.

The average low temperatures, which take place mainly at night, range from about 71 degrees in January through March to 76 degrees in the summer months.

Punta Cana Rain

Dominican Republic Climate Chart
MonthMean TemperatureoFMean Total Rainfall (mm) Mean Number of Rain Days
Daily
Minimum
Daily
Maximum
Jan 71.4 81.9 66.4 10.0
Feb71.2 81.7 54.2 6.8
Mar 71.6 82.6 54.2 6.7
Apr72.5 83.7 69.2 6.6
May 73.8 85.3 124.4 10.1
Jun75.4 86.5 103.9 9.2
Jul 76.3 86.9 78.3 9.1
Aug76.6 87.3 103.1 10.0
Sep 75.9 87.6 101.7 10.4
Oct74.5 86.9 152.1 11.4
Nov 73.8 84.9 116.6 11.5
Dec72.1 82.6 78.5 11.0

Rainfall varies depending on the season. Total rainfall reaches a low point of about two to three inches from January through April.

Like many other Caribbean destinations, Punta Cana has a brief rainy season in May when total rainfall reaches about five inches. June is only slightly better.

It takes a brief break in July and then starts to climb with the peak months of the Caribbean hurricane season, especially in October when total rainfall is highest at an average of six inches.

The total number of days it rains each month is lower than many other destinations.

It is common for rain days to reach 15 or sometimes even 20 days per month for many islands.

Punta Cana averages about 10 to 11 rain days a month from August through January and again in May.

It reaches a low point of less than seven days from February through April.

Puerto Plata Monthly Temperatures

Puerto Plata on the northern coast is both warmer and wetter than Punta Cana.

Puerto Plata’s monthly temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher from June through October. They drop to a low of about 84 degrees from December through March.

The average low temperatures are lower every month than Punta Cana.

They range in the low 60s from December through March to the high 60s for the remainder of the year.

Puerto Plata Rainfall

Puerto Plata average monthly rainfall
Puerto Plata average monthly rainfall. © 2022 Scott S. Bateman

Punta Cana gets the most rain in the late summer through fall. Puerto Plata gets a break from rain from June through September with totals averaging two to three inches.

The rest of the year isn’t so lucky.

Rainfall spikes to nine inches in November and December, nearly eight inches in January and about five inches or more from February through May.

It rains about seven or eight days a month in June through September and goes as high as 15 days in December.

When to Go

It’s clear that both destinations have different months for the best time to go.

Punta Cana is best in July followed by June for a combination of warm temperatures and low risk of rain. It should be avoided in May and October.

Puerto Plata is best from June through September. It should be avoided November through January.

• 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.
February 07, 2022

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