Best Time to Visit Puerto Rico: Discover the Perfect Time To Travel

Key takeaways

• Puerto Rico experiences warm, dry weather from December to April, so this is when the beaches around the island are busiest.
• The best months to save money on a trip to Puerto Rico are from August to November. This, unfortunately, also aligns with hurricane season in the Caribbean. 
• Shoulder seasons are a great time to visit Puerto Rico to avoid crowds and high prices, but you will likely still have nice weather. 
• Book flights and accommodations far in advance if you plan to visit Puerto Rico during the busy season (December–April). To avoid overpaying for flights, download the Going app, sign up for a Premium or Elite membership, and set a price alert to get real-time alerts when prices drop on flights to Puerto Rico.

Timing is key for your Puerto Rico vacation 

While there are good reasons to visit Puerto Rico year-round, you have to be strategic and know your priorities when planning a trip. Winter is the busiest—and, therefore, most expensive—time to visit. This is also when Puerto Rico has the best beach weather, so if that’s your priority the tradeoff could be worth it. 

Late summer and fall are the cheapest but wettest times to visit. If you hope to hike, visit in the winter or spring, when it’s still dry and not too hot. If you want to see the bioluminescence in Vieques and elsewhere, don’t visit Puerto Rico during the rainy season (April–November). 

Overview of Puerto Rico’s tropical climate

Puerto Rico’s tropical climate means it has warm weather year-round, though some months are rainier than others. Temperatures range from 70–90 degrees Fahrenheit, with the hottest months in June and July and the coldest (still around 75 degrees most days) in January. 

Puerto Rico’s rainy season technically runs from April to November, but it’s wettest in October and November, when there are sometimes also hurricanes. The north of the island has more rain than the south. 

If you’re visiting Puerto Rico for cities and beaches, the weather won’t impact your trip too much. Even in the rainy season, showers typically occur in the afternoon and last a few hours, so you can still get some beach time during the morning.

However, if you’re hoping to hike in El Yunque National Forest or visit the bioluminescent bay in Vieques, it’s better to visit during the dry season when there’s more visibility and less mud. 

So, when is the best time to travel to Puerto Rico? Let’s dig into the high and low seasons.

High and low seasons explained

The high season in Puerto Rico runs from mid-December to mid-April, when the island sees tons of visitors thanks to the dry, hot weather. It’s cold in much of the US during these months, and people have off work and school for winter holiday and spring breaks. This is one of the best times to visit weather-wise, but it’s also the most crowded and expensive.

The low season in Puerto Rico is in the fall, from September–November, which is also the rainy season. This is the cheapest time to visit, and there’s still plenty to do indoors during the afternoon showers. Just be aware that your trip could be cancelled at the last minute if there’s risk of a hurricane. 

The shoulder seasons are a great time to visit. That’s just before and after the busy season, such as May–June and early December. You’ll typically have better weather than in the low season but cheaper prices than in the high season. 

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Best time to visit Puerto Rico by season

Puerto Rico can be a year-round destination thanks to its consistently warm weather. However, some activities are better during the dry season. Alternatively, if you’re traveling on a budget, low season or the shoulder seasons might be best for you. At the end of the day, the best time of year to travel to Puerto Rico depends on your priorities. 

Winter in Puerto Rico (December to February)

Winter in Puerto Rico is the high season for a reason. You can expect warm, dry weather almost every day. Temperatures are typically around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, though coastal areas like San Juan can be hotter and the mountains can be cooler. 

Sunny beaches and perfect temperatures

Winter is the prime beach season in Puerto Rico. Visit the island’s gorgeous Blue Flag beaches, such as Luquillo Beach east of San Juan or Boqueron Beach in Cabo Rojo. On the small island of Vieques, you can kayak through the bioluminescent bay. You can do this year-round, but visibility is best during the dry season. In January, San Juan hosts the San Sebastián Street Festival, a huge street festival that closes out the holiday season. 

Spring in Puerto Rico (March to May)

Spring is a great time to visit for milder weather and fewer crowds than high season. The temperatures are a bit cooler, usually in the mid-70s to low 80s (Fahrenheit). The coast is warm, while inland you can expect slightly cooler evenings. 

Festivals, nature, and comfortable weather

Spring is a beautiful time to hike in the El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest throughout the US and US territories. It’s not as hot as the dry season, and you’ll see waterfalls in full force. Spring is also festival season, starting with Carnaval Ponceño, the annual festival leading up to Ash Wednesday. The date changes each year but is often in early March. In May, San Juan hosts a theater festival, and La Parguera holds a festival celebrating local pineapples. 

Summer in Puerto Rico (June to August)

Summer in Puerto Rico means muggy weather and the start of the rainy season, as well as cheaper prices and fewer tourists. Average temperatures are in the high 80s and low 90s, though you can catch a breeze if you stay in coastal regions. Luckily, in Puerto Rico you can spend a lot of time cooling down in the ocean.

Warm days and lively cultural events

Hot, humid weather doesn’t keep Puerto Ricans from having a good time. Noche de San Juan on June 23 draws hundreds of people to San Juan to celebrate John the Baptist by jumping backwards into the ocean seven times at midnight. Towns around Puerto Rico also host salsa nights, food festivals, street fairs, and other celebrations throughout the summer. 

Autumn in Puerto Rico (September to November)

Autumn is the best season to visit Puerto Rico to save money. Unfortunately, it is hurricane season, but it’s also when most people go back to school and work after summer vacation. That means you’ll get beaches and museums to yourself (or at least without as many crowds). Temperatures hover around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can expect humidity and afternoon rains. Still, there are typically at least a few hours a day without rain. 

Quieter travel and tropical experiences

Fall is a good time to visit beaches without the crowds. Build a few extra days into your trip if you can in case you get rained out one or two days. This is also a good time to go horseback riding (typically with a guide) on one of the island’s many trails. You can also visit San Juan’s historic forts and museums. 

Top events and festivals to consider

Puerto Rico has large celebrations in almost every season. Some draw international tourists and impact flight prices, while others are more local. 

Annual events by season

The San Sebastián Street Festival that marks the end of the holiday season in January is one of Puerto Rico’s largest events, drawing huge crowds for parades, music, and food. The festival is a draw for domestic and international tourists; it also occurs during high season. If you plan to visit Puerto Rico in January you should book accommodations far in advance. Earlier in the month, on January 6, you can take part in the Fiesta de los Reyes. Later in January, the Festival de la Novilla celebrates a cow, who leads a parade through San Sebastián. 

In the late winter and early spring, Puerto Rico celebrates Mardi Gras. The largest celebration is the Ponce Carnival, which brings tourists from around the island to Ponce. Later in spring, the Festival de las Flores takes place in Aibonito. This one is more popular locally, but if you’re visiting in late May or June (the dates vary), it’s worth checking out. Depending on the year, you can take part in La Campechada, a performing arts festival, in either May or November.  

In the summer, there’s a large theater festival in the art district of San Juan. In Lajas, you can celebrate all things pineapple in May or June. On June 23, San Juan has a large festival celebrating Saint John the Baptist, and in July Loiza celebrates Saint James the Apostle. 

Fall doesn’t have many large festivals or events because it’s the rainy season. But, in November there is a celebration of the Indigenous Taíno culture in Jayuya. Also, around Christmas and New Year’s Eve you can expect small food festivals, parades, fireworks, and other celebrations. 

Planning around peak times

If you plan to visit Puerto Rico during peak season, such as winter or spring break, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

• Book your accommodations early to ensure a spot at your preferred hotel or rental. For tips on how to book the cheapest hotel room every time, read our guide.
• You might be able to save money by flying during the week and being flexible with your travel dates. Read our guide for other flight-booking hacks to score cheap flights.
• San Juan and the beaches will likely be crowded in the winter, but you can avoid large crowds if you visit smaller cities and head inland.

Regional insights: when to visit popular destinations

Puerto Rico has six regions, each with a distinct identity. Although it’s not a huge island, it has geographic diversity, from mountains to beaches and bustling cities. San Juan is in the Metro region in the north. This is where almost all tourists fly into. It’s also the busiest area of the island. 

Nearby, Dorado and the North Coast is home to white sand beaches that draw tourists from around the world. In the Northwest, you have Rincón, a popular surf town with a laid-back vibe. There’s also Rio Camuy Cave Park, which has excellent spelunking. And in the Northeast you’ll find the El Yunque rainforest and Fajardo, a popular golf and resort town. All of these areas see lots of visitors each year. 

The southwest is less visited but one of the prettiest parts of Puerto Rico. Visit Boqueron for gorgeous beaches and amazing bird-watching. Ponce, also in the southwest, is Puerto Rico’s second-largest city and has a cute main square, lots of preserved Colonial-era buildings, and a few museums. The southeast has rugged beaches and a slew of new resorts. Vieques and Culebra are smaller islands offshore. Vieques is popular for its bioluminescent bay, while Culebra is famous for its beaches. 

Best time to visit San Juan

The best time to travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, depends on what you want to do. If you’re here for beaches, you’ll likely want to visit from December to April. If you’re more interested in museums, architecture, and exploring the city, visit during the summer when prices are much lower. The cheapest time to visit is during hurricane season, from September to November. 

Best time to explore El Yunque National Forest

The best time to visit the El Yunque National Forest is during shoulder season, from mid-April to early June. The weather is best in the winter, but it can be very crowded. Spring has fewer crowds, plus you’ll be there before the wet, muggy summer. During this time, the waterfalls are also in full force. 

When to enjoy Puerto Rico’s beaches

Puerto Rico has perfect beach weather from December to April. It’s also the most crowded and expensive to visit during this time. It gets hotter from April to August—but also cheaper. If you don’t mind warm weather and plan to spend most of your beach time in the water, consider visiting in late spring to save money and avoid the masses. 

Tips for planning your trip to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has pros and cons year-round. When planning your trip, look at your budget, the activities you hope to take part in, and how important nice weather is to you. If budget travel is your main goal, you can visit during the summer or early fall. However, if your heart is set on a sunny beach vacation, you should probably visit during the winter. 

Budget-friendly months to travel

The best months to save money in Puerto Rico are September to November, during the rainy season. Prices are significantly cheaper than during the high season (December to April). Keep in mind that this is hurricane season, so your trip may be impacted—including canceled—at the last minute. If you’re willing to roll the dice, you can find amazing deals. Plus, it’s still sunny much of the day, even during the rainy season.  

Avoiding crowds while maximizing fun

Another budget-friendly time to travel is during the shoulder seasons, the times just before and after the high season. You’ll get better weather than in the low season but also lower prices. Puerto Rico is warm year-round, so you can hit the beaches throughout the shoulder seasons (May–June and late November–early December). Plus, May is a great time to visit El Yunque National Forest before it’s too hot. 

Conclusion

Puerto Rico has warm, tropical weather year-round, but it does have a rainy and dry season. The best time to travel to Puerto Rico depends on your preferences and budget. Summer and fall are best for saving money, while winter and spring offer prime beach weather. 

Going can help you take the guesswork out of planning your trip to Puerto Rico. Download the Going app, sign up for a Premium or Elite membership, and set a price alert to get real-time alerts when our Travel Experts find cheap flights to Puerto Rico.