Climate of Puerto Rico

Throughout the majority of the year, Puerto Rico experiences pleasant, bright, and muggy days. However, during the summer season, there is an absence of winter, spring, or autumn. Across the entire island throughout the year, the prevailing winds blow from the east to the west. The northern region tends to have slightly higher temperatures compared to the southern part, while the central interior mountains consistently offer a cooler climate in contrast to the remaining areas of the island.

January is characterized as the chilliest month, featuring an average minimum temperature of 70 °F (21 °C) and an average maximum temperature of 83 °F (28 °C). The climate is classified as Tropical Marine, with an average temperature hovering around 80 °F (26 °C).

What to Pack

If you intend to go hiking or taking a walk, it will be necessary to have comfortable trainers. Remember to include a lightweight hoodie, waterproof coat, or outerwear for days or evenings when it rains. Don’t forget to bring a sun hat and opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics for the daytime.

Wool, bamboo, linen, and cotton are the optimal fabric choices for hot weather. When selecting light colors, it is also important to take into account their ability to deflect heat and reflect sunlight.

Whenever possible, choose mineral sunscreen for the least harmful protection to both your environment and skin, and don’t forget to pack eye protection from the sun.

Precipitation

In the southern region, precipitation is lower compared to the northern region. Pico del Este receives an average annual rainfall of 171.09 inches (4,346 mm), whereas Magueyes Island experiences a range of 29.32 inches (745 mm) of rainfall. The amount of precipitation varies significantly across the island due to its geographical features. The period from December to March is the least rainy season, while Puerto Rico experiences its rainy season from April to November. August is the month with the highest rainfall on the island, with a recorded 7 inches (18cm) of rain.

Temperatures

Throughout the year, the higher altitudes in the central region of the island encounter temperatures ranging from 61 to 80 °F (16 to 27 °C), whereas in the lower areas, temperatures vary between 70 and 90 °F (21 to 32 °C).

Humidity

During the afternoon, the relative moisture content stands at 65%, while in the morning, it typically hovers around 79%. Across all seasons, it consistently maintains a high level of approximately 80%.

March has the lowest level of humidity, with a relative humidity of 64.6%, whereas October is the most humid month, with a relative humidity of 71.6%. Additionally, the North region (San Juan) may experience slightly higher relative humidity compared to the South region (Ponce), by a few degrees.

Hurricane Season in Puerto Rico

The island is vulnerable to frequent hurricane activity due to its location in Puerto Rico. The U.S. National Weather Service designates the period from June 1 to November 30 as the hurricane season for the North Atlantic Basin, with a higher frequency of hurricanes occurring between August and October.

On August 8, 1899, San Ciriaco, which made landfall, was arguably the most devastating hurricane documented in the history of the island. Hurricane Maria in 2017 was the most recent hurricane documented in the history of the island, but numerous hurricanes have been documented.

Best Time to Visit

The best time of year to go to Puerto Rico depends on what you want to do, although the holiday seasons tend to be crowded and the summer can be quite hot and rainy.

The off-peak period from May to November presents the ideal opportunity to escape the masses. Numerous resorts, which rely on foreign visitors, experience a significant decline in prices ranging from 25% to 50% starting from April 15 and lasting until December 15. This phenomenon is primarily influenced by the weather conditions in North America rather than any other factors. Conversely, the prime time for tourism falls between December and April.

From June to April, you can enjoy a honeymoon, while the best prices are available from November to July. To avoid crowds, it is advisable to visit during the low season, which is from November to May. If you are interested in beach activities like surfing, water sports, and wind-related activities, the ideal time would be from March to December. Additionally, the period from April to December is great for enjoying festivals and holidays, which are considered the high season. From June to December, you can indulge in sightseeing and various sports activities.