Climate of Puerto Rico
Average Climate
Puerto Rico enjoys warm, sunny and humid days most of the year. There is no winter, spring or fall, only summertime. The winds move from the east to west across the island year-round. The temperature in the south is usually a few degrees higher than the north and temperatures in the central interior mountains are always cooler than the rest of the island.
The climate is Tropical Marine with an average temperature of 80 °F (26 °C). The coldest month is January with an average low of 70 °F (21 °C) and an average high of 83 °F (28 °C).
Temperatures
Temperatures range from 70 to 90 °F (21 to 32 °C) in the lower elevations, while higher elevations in the central part of the island experience temperatures between 61 and 80 °F (16 and 27 °C) year-round.
Precipitation
The island wettest month is August with 7 inches (18cm) of rain. Puerto Rico's rainy season lasts from April to November and the driest season is December to March. Because of the island's topography, rainfall varies greatly across the island, average ranges from 29.32 inches (745 mm) in Magueyes Island to 171.09 inches (4,346 mm) in Pico del Este averages of rainfall a year. There is more rain in the north than in the south.
Humidity
The relative humidity is high, about 80% throughout the year, with an average of 79% in the morning and 65% in the afternoon.
The least humid month is March with 64.6% relative humidity, and the most humid month is October with 71.6%. In addition, relative humidity can be few degrees higher in the North region (San Juan) vs the South region (Ponce).
Hurricane Season in Puerto Rico
Because of Puerto Rico's location, the island is expose to frequent hurricane activity. Hurricanes frequently occur between August and October, although the U.S. National Weather Service considers the hurricane season for the North Atlantic Basin to run from June 1 to November 30.
Dozens of hurricanes have been recorded in the island's history, but probably the most destructive was San Ciriaco, which struck on August 8, 1899, and most recently Hurricane Maria on 2017.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Warmest ever | Coldest ever | Average dew point | Average precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JANUARY | 83 | 70 | 92 | 61 | 67 | 3.0 |
| FEBRUARY | 84 | 70 | 96 | 62 | 67 | 2.2 |
| MARCH | 85 | 71 | 96 | 60 | 67 | 2.3 |
| APRIL | 86 | 73 | 97 | 64 | 69 | 3.7 |
| MAY | 87 | 74 | 96 | 66 | 71 | 6.1 |
| JUNE | 89 | 76 | 97 | 69 | 73 | 4.4 |
| JULY | 88 | 76 | 95 | 69 | 73 | 4.5 |
| AUGUST | 89 | 76 | 97 | 70 | 74 | 5.3 |
| SEPTEMBER | 89 | 76 | 97 | 69 | 73 | 5.3 |
| OCTOBER | 88 | 75 | 98 | 67 | 73 | 5.5 |
| NOVEMBER | 86 | 74 | 96 | 66 | 71 | 5.8 |
| DECEMBER | 84 | 72 | 94 | 63 | 69 | 4.7 |
These figures are averages.
Best Time to Visit
The best time of year to go to Puerto Rico depends on what you want to do while you are there. Although holiday seasons tend to be crowded and the summer can be quite hot and receive more rain.
The peak tourist season is between December and April, but this has more to do with the climate in North America than anything else. Rates drop by 25% to 50% from April 15 to December 15 at many of the resorts that depend on international tourists. The best time to avoid the crowds is the low season between May and November.
| April to June | Honeymoon |
| July to November | Best prices |
| May to November | Avoid crowds (low season) |
| October to December | Beach time |
| December to March | Great weather, wind and water surfing |
| December to April | Festivals and Holidays (high season) |
| December to June | Site seeing and sports |
Keep in mind that studies have shown that the period between August and September as the riskiest period for hurricanes.
What to Pack
Choose light and airy materials for the day and bring a sun hat. Pack a light sweatshirt, raincoat or jacket for the rainy days or evenings. If you plan to go hiking or walking, you'll need some comfy sneakers.
Best clothing materials for warm climates include wool, bamboo, linen, and cotton. Also consider choosing light colors as they will reflect the sun and divert heat.
Don't forget to pack eye and sun protection, whenever possible opt for mineral sunscreen as is the least harmful to your skin and the environment.
