Locals fill the streets of San Juan during a festival. hillsn_1992/Shutterstock
The good news is there's no such thing as a bad time to visit Puerto Rico. The downside is the nation's social calendar is so stacked with delights that the options can feel overwhelming.
The average temperature in any given season is 80°F, which can go up drastically in the summer months, or dip to 60°F in the winter. While you can go to the beach at any time of the year, there’s a busy festival calendar and an equally busy hurricane season to be aware of before planning your trip.
Depending on your vibe, you can hit the carnivals in December and January, a period that comes with a hefty price hike in accommodations. Looking for a quieter getaway? April and May are optimal months for milder temperatures and emptier tourist spots. This is what you need to know about choosing the best time to visit Puerto Rico.
December to January is best for experiencing traditional Puerto Rican culture
Weather in Puerto Rico in winter: Temperatures stay at a comfortable level between 70°F and 82°F, though it can feel cool first thing in the morning and after sunset. There may be some light showers but they pass quickly.
The changing of the seasons in Puerto Rico is like nowhere else in the United States. The Atlantic hurricane season begins to wind down around early November, all but eliminating the threat of storms and ushering in a cool breeze that tempers the high fall temperatures.
Referred to as “the longest Christmas in the world,” the holidays on the island are the time when towns decorate their plazas, criollo restaurants serve up their best arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), pernil (slow-roasted, marinated pork leg) and pasteles (mashed plantain and pork), and municipalities hold carnivals for their patron saints and feature trova (traditional poetic singing) competitions, plena groups showcasing this traditional genre of music and dance, and local pop acts.
During the first two weeks of December is the Festival del Macabeo in Trujillo Alto. The show’s star is the town’s signature dish, the macabeo – a croquette-like fritter made with green plantain prepared two ways: boiled and mashed, and raw and grated. Filled with ground meat and seasoned with spices, this hard-to-find delicacy generates lines around the block.
In the northern part of the island, the town of Hatillo has celebrated Festival de las Máscaras since 1823, when settlers from the Canary Islands began the tradition of dressing up as old ladies and demons to prank their neighbors on December 28, the Day of the Holy Innocents.
It’s a raucous party that townspeople take seriously, with floats, traditional vejigante masks (colorful papier-mâché masks depicting characters from African and European mythology) and tricks beginning around 6am and lasting throughout the day.
The mountain town of San Sebastián celebrates the Festival de la Novilla, a harvest celebration with singing competitions, food, performances of folkloric music and a parade with an artfully decorated heifer as its honoree.
But the crown jewel of Puerto Rico’s holiday festivities arrives after Three Kings Day on January 6th. After that date, the island enters Las Octavitas (“The Octaves”), a celebration that culminates in the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián in Old San Juan, a massive three-day carnival with big-name performers, artisans selling traditional woodwork saints and crafts, and lots of drinking.
Puerto Rico’s high season generally runs from December to April, so the winter holidays mark the start of the peak tourist period. While you’ll pay top dollar for flights, hotels and more, this is a wonderful time of year to experience the island and all its culture on full display.
February to May is the best time for road-tripping across the island
Weather in Puerto Rico in spring: The average temperature hovers around 78°F but only goes up when May rolls around. The spring brings with it sparse rain showers and excellent weather for beach days, breezy hikes in the Central Mountains, and humpback whale watching around the northwest coast of Puerto Rico, with Isabela, Rincón, and Aguadilla offering the best views.
Both the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea are calm this time of year, so take advantage of the waning high-season crowds to relax in the sun. This period also overlaps with Puerto Rico’s shoulder season (from April to June), so you've a better chance of getting great weather at a lower price. Though most of the island has no formal dry season, the best chance of sunny days is in February and March. If you don't mind the odd rain shower, airfare and hotel prices make bigger drops from their peak season rates later in the spring.
The Carnaval Ponceño in February is an excellent way to get acquainted with the city of Ponce and it's also the perfect base for visiting the best parts of the southwestern region, like the fishing village of La Parguera in Lajas; Yaucromatic, the outdoor urban art project in Yauco; and the beautiful lighthouse Faro de los Morillos in Cabo Rojo.
The mountain towns are breathtaking at this time of year, as the winter rains transform the vegetation into an array of bright greens that glisten under the sun and barely hide in the nighttime fog. Drive through the mountains on Hwy 52 or take one of the exits near Cayey and experience the some of the charming small towns along the way. Toward the eastern mountains, you’ll find El Yunque National Forest and its collection of hiking experiences for all levels.
In February, Mojito Fest welcomes visitors at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, bringing together more than 40 restaurants and bars for plenty of uniquely boricua flavors. In March, you can catch the Taste of Rum food and spirits festival at the Convention Center and try over 60 rums from across the Caribbean. To the west of the island, the town of Las Marías holds its Festival de la China Dulce in mid-March to celebrate the harvest of their sweet oranges with music, artisanal markets and every food you can imagine made with (you guessed it) the sweet orange.
Also, keep your eyes out for Saborea culinary celebrations in and around San Juan. Not only is Saborea the Caribbean’s largest food festival, but it’s also a prime opportunity to try traditional and contemporary takes on Puerto Rican criollo cuisine from over 60 restaurants.
June to August is the best time for beach lounging
Weather in Puerto Rico in summer: Summer is when Puerto Ricans thrive. Children are out of school in May and vacations, road trip plans and partying go into full swing – heat be damned. And it does get hot – temperatures routinely creep above 90°F.
Unlike other Caribbean destinations where the shoreline may be less crowded during the summer, Puerto Rico’s beaches are packed at this point. Yet as long as you arrive early in the morning, you’re sure to find a good spot. Most locals settle in for the whole day, so come prepared with a small cooler, plenty of water, lots of snacks and SPF. It’s legal to drink alcohol on the beach but make sure you pack up all your trash before you leave.
This season is also a great time to explore areas outside of mainland Puerto Rico, specifically the islands of Vieques and Culebra, or any of the smaller islands and cays like Palomino, Gilligan’s Island and Mata la Gata.
Noche de San Juan is a pagan celebration tied to St John. Head to the beach at midnight on June 23rd to dunk yourself in the ocean seven or 12 times (depending on whom you ask!) for good luck. Fiestas de Santiago Apostol in Loíza is the major event in late July, a vibrant homage to Puerto Rico’s African heritage through folk art (like the famous and ornate vejigante masks), traditional drum music like bomba, and colorful processions honoring James the Great, the patron saint of Loíza and neighboring town Fajardo.
August to October is the best time to save money
Weather in Puerto Rico during late summer and fall: Welcome to hurricane season. Though it officially starts in June, the period between August and November tends to see the most activity. Temperatures hover in the high 80s and rain showers are common, though they tend to pass quite quickly.
This is a good time to visit Puerto Rico if you're on a budget – the risk of hurricanes means a sharp drop in visitor numbers but also prices. To save even more money, consider staying in paradores (or independent inns and guesthouses) in the smaller cities or towns outside San Juan. Also, visit local food trucks and kioskos (family-owned food stands, such as the famed Kioskos de Luquillo) instead of the pricier restaurants in and around major resorts.
Before your trip, get travel insurance in case a storm hits the island. Once you make it to Puerto Rico, keep a close eye on the weather forecast and keep your umbrella and raincoat handy. If a tropical storm arrives, make sure to stay safe inside. Keep away from glass windows and follow the advice of local authorities.
November to February is the best time for surfing
Puerto Rico's surf scene is renowned in the community and surfers flock here from around the world. Rincón has the best collection of beaches that get hefty waves and has no shortage of crowds.
Sandy and Maria’s beaches are good for beginner surfers, while Tres Palmas and Little Malibu are perfect for more advanced surfers seeking bigger waves. If you'd like an interesting view from the water, Domes Beach is named after the nearby decommissioned nuclear power plant.
No matter where you surf, the winter season offers the best waves, but you still have a decent chance in late September and October when the North Atlantic storms start heading this way. Springtime can also work, as the vientos alisios (or offshore trade winds) usually deliver consistent swells. Don’t expect good waves during the summer season (except when hurricanes are heading to shore, but you're much safer out of the water in that instance).