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

Dominican Republic weather in October is the worst of the entire year for Punta Cana and only OK for Puerto Plata.

Dominican Republic is on the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. It is hugely popular because of its all-inclusive resorts and beautiful beaches in two places in particular—Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. It also has several cruise ports including Punta Cana, La Romana and Amber Cove near Puerto Plata.

Heavy October rains are usually the result of the Caribbean hurricane season. It runs from June through November and reaches peak activity in September and October.

The following averages are based on 30-year statistics and will vary somewhat from year to year. But they offer patterns for what travelers can expect.

Punta Cana Rainfall and Temperatures

Punta Cana on the eastern tip of the island has unpleasant weather in October thanks to an average of about six inches of rain during the month, according to Dominican Republic’s National Office of Meteorology. It is the highest level of the year.

Although that total is moderately heavy by Caribbean standards, it also rains only 11.4 days a month.

That means the rainfall is heavy when it does rain. The odds of days without rain are nearly one in three, which is a good average for the Caribbean during October.

Anyone who plans to go in October despite the possibility of rain will find that temperatures are still comfortable. Punta Cana temperatures in October have an average high of 87 degrees Fahrenheit or 31 Celsius, according to the National Office of Meteorology.

The average low is 74 degrees Fahrenheit or 23 Celsius. Seawater almost always feels comfortable for swimming.

The average highs in Punta Cana range between the low 80s and the high 80s Fahrenheit throughout the entire year.

Puerto Plata Rainfall and Temperatures

Puerto Plata on the northern coast of the island has better weather in October because of more moderate rainfall.

It averages about 4.5 inches during the month, which makes it a better choice in October than Punta Cana.

The number of days it rains also is slightly less at 10.7 days on average.

It is worth noting that Puerto Plata rainfall more than doubles in November, so it would be wise to choose early October rather than later in the month for a vacation there.

Temperatures are slightly warmer during the day than Punta Cana with an average high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 Celsius. They are slightly cooler at night with an average low of 68 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 Celsius, according to Dominican Republic’s National Office of Meteorology.

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

Whether to Go

This is an easy choice to make. Anyone who is determined to go to Dominican Republic in October will find that the odds of good weather are more favorable for Puerto Plata than Punta Cana.

That said, weather is unpredictable and Puerto Plata could get hit harder during a particular year.

The fact that the two destinations average about 11 rain days will mean that anyone vacationing there will usually have plenty of days without it.

But given a choice of when to go, the weather for both Punta Cana and Puerto Plata is much better from February through August and possibly even September. The risk of rain then is much lower.