On the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic is a complex puzzle of an island. The two-part nature of this island recently led the country to divide its tourism promotions into two campaigns: one for the east coast towns and one for the west. The two coasts of the DR couldn’t be more different. While both share a colonial aesthetic, where grand Spanish-style buildings are paired with colorful markets filled with locals selling local arts, foods and crafts, each coast also shares its own distinct flavor.
When you plan a vacation to Dominican Republic, it can sometimes be hard to decide when you should go. Weather, prices, and busy seasons are some of the factors that affect your trip. I have created this time guide so you will know everything you need to know about the best time to vacation in Dominican Republic. We will base our discussion today on – Best Time To Vacation In Dominican Republic. But, other resources which you can find on our website include some frequently asked questions such as: worst time to go to dominican republic and when is hurricane season in dominican republic
Well, you can engage in the local Caribbean culture year round, and you’ll get sunshine even in the winter months. But it’s worth noting that the island is at its busiest from December to April and that the rainy season arrives in June. With that in mind the best time to visit the Dominican Republic is late spring. You’ll get unbroken sunshine, more for your money and a better chance of bagging a hotel room on the spot.
Weather in the Dominican Republic
The island experiences two main weather seasons: the dry season runs from December to April and the wet season, which is also hotter and more humid, from May/June to November. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get a downpour in January or experience nothing but sunshine if you visit in the summer. Also, temperatures don’t change significantly throughout the year – the island has an average annual temperature of 25°C.
Beach backed by palm trees in the Dominican Republic © Valentin Valkov/Shutterstock
Then there’s hurricane season to add to the mix – roughly from June to November, with the stormiest months usually August and September. The Dominican Republic is in the centre of the Caribbean hurricane belt, and gets hit with a major storm every decade or so. Just to complicate things further, there are some regional differences in temperatures. So, to work out the best time to go to the Dominican Republic, consider not only the activities you might want to do, but also which part of the island you wish to visit.
When to visit the Dominican Republic in winter
Visiting the Dominican Republic in December–February
If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic to put in some time on those glorious beaches, without getting a roasting in the process, you should head during the winter season. Between December and the start of April it’s cooler than in the summer and humidity is relatively low. Sea temperatures are also wonderfully warm – ideal for swimming and snorkelling. It is peak season, however, as visitors from countries in the northern hemisphere head to the island for some guaranteed winter sun. This means you probably won’t get that white sand paradise to yourself.
That said, even in the high season you can find quiet beaches in the more remote areas of the island, such as those west of Puerto Plata in the north. There are superb scuba and snorkelling opportunities in the waters off La Isabela Histórica, and you can go manatee spotting at the Estero Hondo Marine Sanctuary. This is also the best time to travel to the Dominican Republic for whale watching. The sight of humpback whales heaving through the water as they migrate to Samaná Bay (Bahía de Samaná) each year, is a real winter showstopper. The town of Samaná is a popular viewing point.
Humpback whale off the Samaná peninsula © Jenya_TarasoF/Shutterstock
Some locations, such as the mountainous interior, particularly the Cordillera Central, are significantly cooler in winter. Temperatures on the mountain peaks have even been known to drop below zero, so bring that extra cosy layer or two if you’re planning on hiking.
There’s usually plenty of accommodation to go around, even in peak season, so finding somewhere to stay shouldn’t be a problem. If you can, go early in December before prices rocket. There are also several guesthouses and hostels available as an alternative to hotels, should you prefer a more independent vibe.
Carnival is a big deal in the Dominican Republic. Every Sunday in February is a build-up to one of the largest celebrations of the year, held on the 27th February. Festivities in La Vega are the largest, followed by Santiago. Santo Domingo and Monte Cristi are also great locations for joining in the carnival fun.
Carnival at La Vega © David Pou/Shutterstock
When to visit the Dominican Republic in spring
Visiting the Dominican Republic in March–May
March is still peak season, but by April visitors have thinned out. Savvy travellers opt to visit the Dominican Republic at this time to capitalise on the better flight prices and hotel rates and to enjoy a more peaceful island. It’s also that perfect window to enjoy days of endless sunshine before the rainy season hits and temperatures climb.
Beaches in the southeast of the islands, such as Punta Cana, are popular destinations, but if you’re banking on a bit of tranquillity during your visit, you might think twice about going when it’s Spring Break in the US (usually lasting a week and falling some time between March and mid-April). This is when college students head for the island in groups, lured by the balmy temperatures and the chance to party.
Spring is a great time to explore the rest of the island, and if you’re looking for outdoor adventures, there are infinite opportunities within its five mountain ranges. The largest, the Cordillera Central is a prime location for trekking and the resort town of Jarabacoa the centre for kayaking and whitewater rafting. If you want to go mountain biking there are trails galore.
Kayaking near Jarabacoa © Batechenkoff/Shutterstock
When to visit the Dominican Republic in summer
Visiting the Dominican Republic in June–August
You’ll have to factor in rain if you take your holiday from June, although this early in the wet season there’s less likelihood of a serious downpour. Sun worshippers will love basking on the beaches in the 30°C heat, although at an average 32°C in the capital Santo Domingo it’s too hot for serious sightseeing. After sundown, however, temperatures gradually drop to around 22°C, making for a pleasant evening out.
Between June and August the island is at its hottest and you’re bound to get some heavy rainfall. But it doesn’t mean the island will be hit with torrential rain on a daily basis. Rather heavy downpours may suddenly appear, but are just as likely to be followed by sunny spells. If you’re planning on trekking in mountainous areas, such as in the Cordillera Central, bear in mind your adventures could be scuppered by heavy rains.
National Palace in Santo Domingo © Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock
Rainy days are ideal for dipping into the city of Santo Domingo, the oldest colonial city in the Americas, in particular the Zona Colonial, with its delightful old buildings and pretty squares for whiling away an hour or two over lunch. Or duck out of the rain and discover the city’s biggest museums in Gazcue.
If you’re in the city in the last week of July you can’t fail to notice the bursts of merengue music playing along the waterfront, accompanied by couples twirling to the energetic rhythms. The Merengue festival is a close second to Carnival when it comes to exuberant celebration, so this is perhaps the best month to visit the Dominican Republic for all night music and dancing.
Playing merengue music © aleksandr paraev/Shutterstock
Note that hurricane season runs from June to November, with the stormiest months often being August and September. Tourists shouldn’t be overly concerned, however, as major hurricanes only occur every decade or so.
When to visit the Dominican Republic in autumn
Visiting the Dominican Republic in September–November
If you’re looking to make your money stretch, think about heading to the Dominican Republic in the autumn. As in spring you’ll find better deals on accommodation and you can afford to be more spontaneous.
As autumn comes around, temperatures drop, although they vary across regions. For example, the average temperature in Constanza in September is 20°C, while in Puerto Plata it’s more likely 27°C. Punta Cana has a similar climate to Puerto Plata and has an average temperature of 28°C in September. Late autumn sees the average temperature across the island fall, but only by a degree or two.
Mountains around Constanza © Ben McGarry/Shutterstock
Come November, it starts to heat up again and the rain begins to tail off. This is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic for a combination of warm, dryish weather and bargain prices.
When is the best time to visit Punta Cana?
Punta Cana is hugely popular with tourists from the US, looking to banish the winter blues back home. So, when Punta Cana gets its best weather, between November and February, unsurprisingly this is also when it is busiest. If you can, you’re better off going during the shoulder season between March and May. As long as you avoid coinciding with Spring Break the majority of crowds have dispersed and the water is still warm.
Bavaro, Punta Cana © Valentin Valkov/Shutterstock
When to go to the Dominican Republic for festivals
The Dominican Republic has a bewildering barrage of festivals. On every day of the year, there seems to be some kind of celebration somewhere and these traditional fiestas are one of the great pleasures of a trip to the Dominican Republic.
The majority are the regional fiestas patronales, festivals celebrating the patron saint of a town, which vary across the island. Remote areas lean towards traditional religious ceremonies, featuring large processions and folk songs accompanied by enormous palos drums fashioned from tree trunks. Major towns and cities tend to hold lively outdoor parties with a lot of drinking and a few traditional contests, such as a race to climb up a greased pole. And the southeast goes in for cattle festivals, with processions of cattle and cowboys. In addition to the actual saint’s day, there will often be a nine-night celebration, called a novena, leading up to it. Regardless of how they’re celebrated, the festivals are invariably lively affairs and well worth seeking out.
The accordian is a typical instrument used to play merengue music © aleksandr paraev/Shutterstock
So, if you want to know the best time to visit the Dominican Republic for its festivals, check out our calendar of events.
Holidays and festivals in the Dominican Republic by month
January – February
Santo Cristo de Bayaguana (Jan 1 ). A major procession of local bulls to the church in Bayaguana, where some are given to a local priest as a sign of devotion and thanksgiving.
Guloya Festival (Jan 1 ). The famous mummers of San Pedro de Macorís run a morning procession through the streets of San Pedro’s Miramar barrio. A great opportunity to see this unique sub culture’s music, costumes and mini dance dramas.
Three Kings’ Day (Jan 5–6). The major gift-giving day of the Dominican year, which carries as much importance as Christmas. Many adults are given time off work to celebrate Three Kings’ Day. So, if you visit the Dominican Republic during this time, be aware that some businesses and attractions may be closed.
Virgen de Altagracia (Jan 21). By far the most important religious day on the Dominican calendar, a prayer-of-intercession day to the country’s patron and a massive gathering of celebrants in Higüey.
Duarte Day. (Jan 26). Holiday in honour of the Father of the Country, with public fiestas in all major towns, biggest in Santiago and La Vega.
Carnival. February is the best month to travel to the Dominican Republic to join in with one of the largest celebrations of the year. Every Sunday in February is a build-up to the big one, on 27th February. Festivities in La Vega are the largest, followed by Santiago. Santo Domingo and Monte Cristi are also great locations for joining in the carnival fun.
Feb 2 Virgen de Candelaria (Feb 2). A religious procession in the capital’s barrio San Carlos, in honour of this aspect of the Virgin.
Independence Day (Feb 27). Celebration of independence from Haiti and the culmination of the Dominican Carnival. Battle reenactments in Santo Domingo and major parties in other big Carnival towns.
March–May
March 19 de Marzo. The major fiesta in Azua, in honour of the battle in which the Haitians were defeated here, ensuring Dominican independence.
Semana Santa (Variable, usually early to mid-April). The Christian Holy Week is also the most important week of Haitian and Dominican Vodú. Traditional gagá festivals take place in the Haitian bateyes. Meanwhile, the town of Cabral holds its famous Carnival Cimarrón, in which townspeople adorned with demon masks descend on the city from the lagoon and castigate passers-by with whips.
Santa Cruz (May 2–3). A popular nine-night celebration in El Seibo, with a cattle procession to the sixteenth-century church on the final day and a very different spring festival in Azua and Baní, where all of the crosses in the area are covered with bright-coloured paper.
San Felipe (May 3 – Seven weeks after Semana Santa). A huge cultural celebration on Puerto Plata’s Malecón, with lots of live music.
Espíritu Santo (May 3). In honour of the Holy Spirit, syncretized to the Congo region’s supreme deity Kalunda. Best in Santo Domingo’s Villa Mella barrio.
June–July
San Antonio (June 3). Great, authentic celebration in the town of Yamasá, two hours north of Santo Domingo.
San Juan Bautista (June 17–24). A religious festival in San Juan de la Maguana in honour of John the Baptist and his African counterpart Chango, plus a smaller fiesta in Baní that features a distinctive style of music called sarandunga, a rapid-fire African drum-and-chorus rhythm that’s beaten out in drum circles.
San Pedro Apóstol (June 29). A magnificent Cocolo festival in San Pedro de Macorís, with roving bands of guloyas performing dance dramas on the street.
Santiago Apóstol (July 24–26). Celebrating Santiago, the warrior patron saint of the Christian armies that conquered Moorish Spain. A large civic festival in Santiago with a lot of requisite partying around the Monument.
Merengue Festival (end of July/Aug). If you want to know when to go to the Dominican Republic to hear traditional merengue music, Santo Domingo has one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Head for the Malecón and around.
August–September
Festival of the Bulls (Aug 14). This is quite a spectacle, involving cattle, cowboys and women carrying icons of the Virgin Mary whilst singing rosarios, which are similar to hymns. There is another Festival of the Bulls held on December 28th if you miss this one.
Restoration Day (Aug 16). Nationwide celebration of independence from Spain, with large parties in Santiago around the Monument and around Plaza España in Santo Domingo.
Virgen de la Merced (Sept 24). A traditional fiesta patronal in the small Santo Domingo barrio Mata Los Indios, beginning mid-month, plus nationwide festivities.
San Miguel (Sept 29). This saint’s also known as Belíe Belcán and is honoured with major festivals taking place in the capital’s Villa Mella and barrio San Miguel, Haina and across the country. Look for the green-and-white-frosted cakes consumed on this day.
October – December
Santa Teresa de Ávila (Oct 14–15). The patron saint of Elias Piña, where you’ll see a wonderful syncretic celebration using palos drums, rosario processions and gagá, plus a less traditional merengue party around the Parque Central.
Merengue Festival, Puerto Plata(usually third week of October). Sister festival to the one held in the capital in the summer, and a major music event, with major acts playing all over town; lots of partying on the seafront.
San Rafael (October 24). If you enjoy a procession followed by a party, the San Rafael festival in Samaná should be on your to-do list. The event ends in a huge party and features a bambulá dance battle.
Todo los Santos (Nov 1). A major Vodú festival in the San Juan de la Maguana and southern border region, especially in nearby pueblo Maguana Arriba, where locals proceed to the cemetery to ask for the release of their relatives for the day.
Fiesta patronal, Santa Bárbara de Samaná(Dec 4). Fans of bambulá music will enjoy the procession featuring the music of the queen of the bambulá, Doña Bertilia.
Festival of the Bulls (Dec 28). Traditional cattle festival in Bayaguana, featuring unique traditional “cattle songs” that are sung to the bulls in order to bless them and prepare them for the January 1 procession to the local church.
Hurricane season in the Dominican Republic 2022
Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Hispaniola (Haiti on our maps) is the perfect beach destination. The Dominican Republic, which occupies two-thirds of its area, is one of the most popular tourist destinations. You can relax here at any time of the year, and even during the hurricane season.
What is the current situation in the Dominican Republic after hurricane Fiona swept through the country
In brief, on September 18-19, 2022, Hurricane Fiona passed through the Dominican Republic. And since September 20, it no longer poses any threat to residents and tourists in the Dominican Republic. You have an opportunity to watch the actual situation in the Dominican Republic movement live (based on information from windy.com)
If you are wondering how to plan a vacation and where better to go, we recommend you check the weather in advance and you can do the following:
- Get all the weather information on the internet by yourself – on websites like windy.com. This website provides such features as: simultaneously predict the weather, watch hurricanes live, monitor the level of atmospheric pressure, and check wind speed and direction. This is an excellent tool for analyzing the weather before you go on vacation. You can pinpoint any location on the map and get a weather forecast for the parameters that you have set. This website provides the ability to track a large amount of weather information in real-time.
- Another option is to contact us directly and get all the information about current situation in Punta Cana and all possible factors that can directly or indirectly affect the safety and comfort of your vacation in the DR. Feel free to ask our assistants about the current weather situation in Punta Cana or about any other information that you need before your trip to the Dominican Republic.
Did Punta Cana get hit by Hurricane Fiona?
On September 19, 2022, Hurricane Fiona transformed from a tropical storm to a category one hurricane. According to the Saffir-Simpson Scale, hurricanes are classified as categories 1 to 5, based on a hurricane’s maximum sustained wind speed, where 5 consists of storms with winds of 157 mph (252 km/hr) or higher.
On the territory of the Dominican Republic, the wind reached 89 mph (144 km/h). On Wednesday, September 21 Fiona strengthened to a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph (209 km/h) and reached the Bermudas. On Saturday, September 24, Fiona hit the east coast of Canada, bringing winds of 90 mph (145 km/h) and heavy rains, based on the data provided by the windy.com interactive map.
Two days of strong winds and heavy rain are in the past, and now hotel workers are repairing the storm’s damage to the beach umbrellas and removing fallen trees and shrubs. The hurricane also brought a lot of seaweed to the beaches, so it requires a few days to clean everything up. The hurricane affected the infrastructure nearby the sea, such as restaurants, hotel rooms facing the sea, kiosks, and umbrellas on the beaches and docks.
If you plan to visit the Dominican Republic during periods of hurricanes it can be wiser to choose private apartments or a villa. All the territories a bit far from the coastline are safer because there are not so many objects of infrastructure that can be damaged.
Besides, if you decide to use our accommodation services, you can always ask us to send you actual pictures or videos of the apartments and nearby areas. There is one more benefit of visiting Punta Cana during low season – you can save money. Usually, all services are 30% cheaper than during the busy months of the high season.
How Hurricane Fiona affected the entire Dominican Republic?
- The most damage was caused to the eastern regions, where The Dominican Republic government declared a state of emergency in eight provinces. About 2,000 shelters were prepared in the DR on the eve of the storm.
- Warnings about impending weather were sent to all residents and guests of the country. People were informed that it is important to remove things and furniture from the terraces and balconies, as well as check whether the gutters are not full.
- Unfortunately, two human lives were lost. One 72 year-old man was killed by a fallen tree and an 18 year-old lady was struck by an electric pole that fell because of strong winds. About 400 houses were damaged. The Punta Cana International Airport stopped its operations for one day. On 19 September it resumed its work.
How to protect yourself from hurricanes?
The best way to protect yourself – it is to check the weather in advance. But if bad weather catches you off guard, follow the standard recommendations to protect yourself during the hurricanes such as:
- Stay at home far from windows
- Use a portable battery charger, to be able to check the news
- Turn off the main water, gas, and power sources at home
- If you are not in the house or a shelter, you should stay away from floodwater and power lines
How often do hurricanes happen in the Dominican Republic?
Here you can see a list of all hurricanes that happened in the Dominican Republic.
| Name | Category | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiona | 1-2 | Sep 18, 2022 | E. Coast, Cap Cana, Punta Cana, Higuey, to Samana (N. Coast) |
| Maria | 3-1 | 19 Sep 2017 | E. Coast, Punta Cana, to the N. Coast, to Santiago & San Francisco |
| Jeanne | 1-3 | 16 Sep 2004 | East Coast, Samana and Puerto Plata |
| George | 4-3 | 22 Sep 1998 | Santo Domingo and La Romana |
| Hortense | 3-1 | 10 Sep 1996 | East coast, Punta Cana to Samana |
| Gilbert | 3 | 11 Sep 1988 | Barahona on the southwestern coast |
| Emely | 4-2 | 22 Sep 1987 | Bani on the southwestern coast |
| David | 5-4 | 31 Aug 1979 | Santo Domingo |
| Eloise | 1 | 13 Sep 1975 | Landfall on the northeast coast |
| Beulah | 4 | 10-11 Sep 1967 | Barahona on the southwestern coast |
| Inez | 4-3 | 29 Sep 1966 | Barahona on the southwestern coast |
| Edith | 2 | 26-27 Sep 1963 | La Romana on the southeastern coast |
| Katie | 1 | 16 Oct 1955 | Barahona on the southwestern coast |
| San Zenon | 4 | 3 Sep 1930 | Santo Domingo |
| Lili | 3 | 21 Sep 1894 | Santo Domingo and the southwestern coast |
When is hurricane season in the Dominican Republic?
Hurricanes are common in the Caribbean. The hurricane season in the Dominican Republic is from June to October. The strongest in recent years were Irma and Maria, which in 2017 fell on the country within one month. But if these hurricanes almost completely destroyed the neighboring islands and states, then in the DR there were no significant disasters. Here the element passed only by torrential showers and strong gusts of wind. It’s all about an extremely favorable geographical position – usually the cyclon comes from the west, so it is believed that the western part of the island, on which the state of Haiti is located, is more at risk.
As a lot of people think, that it is really worth fearing the hurricane season in the DR, or monsoon. Gusty winds begin to rage on the islands in August, and often become a real natural disaster. Thus, traveling can be not only uncomfortable, but also life-threatening. Usually, if suddenly there is some desperate traveler who wants to get to the Dominican Republic during hurricanes, any travel agency will dissuade him or her and warn about the possible consequences.
Yes, in August, September and October, sometimes it is better to skip the trip to the Dominican Republic, as it rains much more. In addition, hurricane winds come to the islands. The period from August to November is considered a real off-season here, and often brings a lot of troubles and troubles to the locals.
The peak of hurricanes occurs in August and September. In October, there are fewer of them, but this month is still considered unfavorable for visiting the resort. No one can guarantee that a strong storm or typhoon will not break out in October. In addition, the monsoon season adversely affects health due to high air humidity. During this period, the tropical heat becomes a real test for the body.
Hurricanes, cyclones and tropical storms in the DR
Caribbean hurricane season
The meteorological centers of the Caribbean and the United States track tropical cyclones from the very moment they form, which is approximately 7-10 days before they reach the Caribbean. In this case, several scenarios are possible:
- A tropical cyclone will disappear before it reaches the Caribbean – this is the most common variant. During the Atlantic hurricane season, about 10 to 15 cyclones are formed, and this is how they walk across the Atlantic and do not bring any inconvenience. Some of them even develop into tropical depressions and tropical storms, but things do not go any further and poses no danger to the Caribbean.
- A tropical cyclone turns into a hurricane and sweeps across the Caribbean. On average, approximately two tropical cyclones per season develop into the hurricane category. Hurricanes are also different, in strength from 1 to 5 points, which measure their danger to people. Hurricanes of the highest category do not happen every season.
Which Caribbean islands get hit the most with hurricanes?
Most of the hurricanes go to the small East Caribbean islands, which are located just on their way. In 2016, small Dominica suffered a lot (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic!), The Virgin Islands suffered in the years before last, and in 2017 hurricane Irma razed the islands of St. Martin and Barbuda to the ground, more precisely flooded with water.
The problem with these islands is that there is nowhere to run away. Houses made of cardboard, a very small area – hence the great destruction and even casualties. With some kind of storm, if not a hurricane, then some of these islands are likely to be destroyed every couple of years. But serious destruction does not happen there every year. For example, destruction comparable to that of Hurricane Irma last happened in this region almost 90 years ago!
Atlantic tropical cyclones and disturbances
As you can see on the map, these hurricanes hit Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, nearby islands such as the Bahamas and hit the United States. The United States is the second most dangerous region for hurricanes after the small Caribbean islands. Regardless of their trajectory, most hurricanes end there. However, the undoubted advantages of the States – there is where to go! You can get in a car or public transport and you are already out of the zone of action of the elements, everything is very easy.
Puerto Rico is next in danger. Hurricanes, although they are already turning to the United States, can hit quite well. But the Dominican Republic and Cuba get it relatively rarely. Real hurricanes on these coasts meet on average once every 5-10 years, and destructive hurricanes are even less frequent.
Is Punta Cana a safe place during the hurricane season?
You should definitely know that the safest place in the Dominican Republic is the city of Punta Cana, protected from the ocean by a mountain ridge. So the spray of hurricane waves doesn’t reach Punta Cana, and the tourists enjoy a serene vacation. In any case, almost all hotels have secure hiding places (conference rooms and fitness centers are usually used for this purpose), and staff have clear instructions on how to act in an emergency.
During major hurricanes, usually the hovels of the poor locals are destroyed since they are very flimsy. Having visited the Dominican Republic at least once, look at ordinary villages and you will understand why there is so much destruction during hurricanes.
It is worth noting that during the rainy season in the Dominican Republic you can have a great time, especially since prices are reduced compared to the high tourist season, so a trip to this amazing place, located in a tropical climate, starting from May to November, becomes more affordable. The rainy season in the Dominican Republic is a great opportunity to spend a vacation for those who are engaged in extreme sports. The fact is that the Yaka del Norte river becomes full-flowing, and its rugged rapids are perfect for rafting and kayaking!
Is it worth going to the Caribbean during hurricane season?
Yes! Despite the fact that the hurricane season happens every six months, in most cases these are just pictures of tropical cyclones crossing the Atlantic without prejudice to your vacation. The chances of being in the Caribbean exactly at the time of a hurricane of the highest category are extremely low. Anyway, there will be plenty of time to calmly leave for a safe part of the country or leave the country altogether.
The danger of these hurricanes is mainly for local people who refuse to leave their property and move to safe areas even if a mandatory evacuation is announced. Tourists don’t have such problems. Well, for the paranoid, to be sure, you can exclude from visiting the East Caribbean Islands and the United States in September-October, that are usually the peak of hurricane activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rainy season in the Dominican Republic?
Rainy season in the Dominican Republic begins in early April. But precipitation in April and May is quite low. During these months tropical showers last no more than 30 minutes, and after them the hot sun reappears. At the same time, the air temperature is about 30 degrees, and the sea temperature is about +28C. In short, this time is quite suitable for a beach holiday, and many travelers are in no hurry to close the season. In addition, the period from April to August is the cheapest. Prices for hotels and excursions are markedly reduced compared to the tourist season.
In the Dominican Republic, any season is suitable for a beach holiday. Temperature fluctuations throughout the year are quite insignificant: from 27 to 33 degrees. The climate is mild and pleasant. The rains here are short – no more than 5-10 minutes, and after there are the bright sun shines again. The rainy season here is from May to October. But this definition is rather arbitrary. Because heavy rains are extremely rare. Usually it rains at night and does not interfere with spending the whole day on the beach. And the water in the ocean stays warm (25-30 C) all year round and is perfect for swimming.
The rainy season in the Dominican Republic does not usually deter tourists. Of course, from April to July, the beaches don’t get as crowded as during the high season. However, travelers from all over the world continue to come here to enjoy a beach holiday on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.
When was the last hurricane in the Dominican Republic?
The strongest hurricanes in recent years were Irma and Maria, which in 2017 fell on the country within one month. But if these hurricanes almost completely destroyed the neighboring islands and states, then in the Dominican Republic there were no significant disasters.