Punta Cana weather by month

When to go to Punta Cana

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. September is the wettest month (129 mm, about 19 rainy days) and February the driest (36 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 28.8°C and coolest in February at 26.1°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ, 4 km from Punta Cana) takes roughly 9 h 24 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: America/Santo Domingo.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Punta Cana between 1991 and 2020 reached 31.3°C on 3 July 2020; the coldest fell to 19.5°C on 2 April 2020. In August one day in ten tops 29.7°C and about 6% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 22.5°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was September 2008 with 435 mm, against a September average of 129 mm.

December to April: the best balance for outdoor days

February and March offer the strongest combination of relatively few rain days and generous sunshine, making them sensible choices if you want to spend much of your holiday outdoors. January is similarly warm by day, though slightly rainier and less sunny. April brings a small rise in temperature, but remains a good compromise before rain becomes more frequent in May. December also fits this gentler pattern, with warm evenings and sea temperatures comfortable for swimming. Pack light clothes and sun protection, but keep a rain layer handy. This is the more forgiving period if you find hotter weather tiring, rather than a guarantee of dry days.

May to August: hotter days and more rain to work around

May marks a less favourable turn for sunshine-led holidays: rain becomes more frequent and sunshine drops to 5 hours a day on average. June improves on both measures, although daytime temperatures rise to 29°C and nights stay warm at 26°C. July and August keep that heat, with rain days becoming more frequent again. These months suit travellers who enjoy warmer swimming water and can keep outdoor plans flexible. Choose breathable clothing, make shade breaks part of your day and avoid relying on evenings to cool you down much. August is the hottest month, but the rounded daytime averages show little difference across this period.

September to November: warm seas, with a wetter trade-off

September and October are weaker choices if your priority is dependable outdoor weather, despite offering the warmest sea averages at 29°C. September is the wettest month overall, while October has the most rain days, so the drawback is not identical. October's 22 rain days make flexibility especially useful when arranging time outside. November brings an improvement: rain days ease, sunshine increases and daytime temperatures settle at 27°C. It is a reasonable compromise if you want warm swimming conditions without the strongest daytime heat, though it remains rainier than the early-year favourites. Keep a light rain layer accessible and leave room to rearrange your plans.