Looking for a relaxing tourist spot full of crystal clear water and miles of white sandy beaches? Then look no further than the perfect tropical gateway that is Punta Cana. With its turquoise sea, beautiful palm trees, and luxurious all-inclusive resorts, you get the ultimate holiday experience.
But before visiting any place, it’s important to know the best time to do it. Especially if you are visiting a tropical place like Punta Cana the weather changes throughout the year. And if you want to experience the beach town in a certain weather, you have to plan your vacation accordingly.
So to make the decision easier for you, in this article we are gonna talk about the weather in Punta Cana throughout the year, when it’s sunny when the rainy season begins or the hurricane starts, and when is the best (and worst) time to visit accordingly.
When’s The Best Time To Visit Punta Cana?
The best time to visit Punta Cana weather-wise would be from December to March. But that is also the peak tourist season so the place is extremely crowded and expensive.
So if you want a quieter environment, you may visit there anytime from March to May. There is also the rainy season, and hurricane season and that’s why we are gonna talk about all the different seasons and weather in Punta Cana and what each season has to offer and you can decide for yourself.
Understanding Punta Cana & Its Weather
Punta Cana is a resort town located in the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, a country that is a part of Hispaniola Island, occupying two-thirds of the island and sharing the rest with Haiti on the western zone. It is located 100 miles to the east of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana has a tropical climate, which means it’s hot and humid most of the year. The temperature here is usually pretty constant, with the average temperature ranging between 77°F (25°C) to 82.4°F (28°C).
Temperature is highest from May to October when during daytime it might rise to 95°F (35°C). However, the temperature starts to fall from November to March and during the evening it drops to 68°F (20°C).
The seasons here are not specific and same every year. So the year is mainly divided into two seasons, the dry season and the wet season.
Visiting Between December To February
Pros
- Best Weather
Cons
- Crowded
- Expensive
Also considering the winter season in Punta Cana, this is the busiest time to visit the place. During this time, the resort town is packed with tourists from all over the world to enjoy the warm water and sandy beaches. It is the perfect place to bring kids and have a wonderful family vacation.
The average temperature ranges between 75°F to 80°F (23.8°C to 26.6°C). The weather is slightly cooler with low humidity. And the sunny days give an amazing beach experience. The gentle breeze and absence of rain make the days more fun and enjoyable.
These are some of the reasons this is the peak tourist season in the whole year. All the hotels and resorts get booked, and the airport and streets of Punta Cana get crowded with visitors. The high demand also makes accommodations extremely expensive and unavailable.
If you plan on visiting during this season, it’s best to plan your trip way early to get your favorite resort at a reasonable price. It’s important to notice that if you are going there for peace and quiet, this might not be the best season for it.
Best Activities To Do During This Season
- Sunbathing
- Island Hopping
- Saona Island Boat Tour
- Visiting Santo Domingo
- The Patron Saint Festival
- The Dominican Carnival
- Parasailing
Visiting Between March To May (Spring)
Pros
- Good weather
- Relatively Cheaper
- Quieter, less crowded
Cons
- Warmer weather
- Occasional rain
March indicates the end of the dry season and the start of the hot season when the temperature starts to rise steadily. The average temperature during this time is 77°F (25°C). The humidity also increases with the temperature. Although it is relatively dry in March, it starts to rain in May.
This is the best time to visit Punta Cana. With the lack of overcrowded tourists and drop in resort expenses, this is the ultimate time period to get a peaceful quiet beach experience.
Although there might be an increase in visitors during the spring break season from March to April, it is usually a calm and pleasant experience. One important thing to remember is to pack light. Due to the humidity in this tropical town, you want to wear light and thin clothes, like shorts and sleeveless shirts.
Best Activities To Do During This Season
- Swimming With Dolphins
- Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
- Horseback Riding
- Dune Buggies
Visiting Between June To November
Pros
- Cheapest
Cons
- Extremely hot weather
- Rainstorms
- Off-season
- Hurricane
This is the wettest season in Punta Cana. It is also the hottest time of the year. The increasing temperature and unpredictable weather make it the least visited season.
This is also the off-season in the Dominican Republic as you can’t access the beach due to heavy rainfall. The days will be cloudy, roads will be muddy. The humidity also makes it hard to do any outdoor activities.
Summer
June to September are the hottest months with temperatures rising up to 95°F (35°C). It is also the season for heavy tropical downpours. There are also rainstorms, but they are quite harmless and they clear up pretty quickly.
Autumn (Hurricane Season)
October to November is the Autumn season here in Punta Cana. It is also the hurricane season. While the chances of a hurricane are really low, it is not out of the question. The last time a hurricane hit Punta Cana was in 2017, Hurricane Maria.
But if you still want to take a chance, the airfare and resort prices are both really low in this season as tourists avoid visiting there during this time period. But do make sure to get travel insurance.
Best Activities To Do During This Season
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Festival Del Merengue
These are all the traveling seasons in Punta Cana. Some are preferable, some not so much. But overall, if you are willing to spend a lot of money and want to experience the best weather, any time between December to February is perfect for you. If you, however, want a somewhat similar but a cheaper, quieter experience, March to May is the best time. June to September is for risk-takers. It is also the cheapest.
Also Read: What Does Punta Cana Mean?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the worst time to visit Punta Cana?
June to December is probably the worst time to visit Punta Cana as this is the hottest and most humid season and there are heavy downpours so you can’t enjoy the beach at all.
Q: Why is it called Punta Cana?
Punta Cana’s previous name was “Punta Borrachón” or “Drunkards Point” and before that, “Yauya”. The former was a derogatory name and the latter was hard to pronounce, so Frank Rainieri and Theodore Kreel renamed it “Punta Cana” after the fan-shaped Cana Palm Leaves. It literally means “Tip of White Cane Palm”.
Q: What is the currency in Punta Cana?
The Dominican peso (DOP). US dollars are also acceptable here.
1 USD=56.47 DOP
Q: What do I need to know before going to Punta Cana?
Things to know about Punta Cana
- Pre-book your plane ticket, airport transportation, and resort.
- Pack lighter clothes.
- Tipping is a must.
- The town is pretty far from everything.
- Bring sunscreen.
- There is an airport visitor fee.