Weather in Punta Cana in December

How December compares

December is the 9th warmest month of the year in Punta Cana and ranks 30th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Punta Cana is 18.9°C warmer by day and 21.5°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Punta Cana peaks at 26.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.6°C or more. About 96% of days top 25°C. Nights average 24.2°C; one night in ten drops to 23.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 29.4°C (2019-12-03) and the coldest night 21.1°C (2018-12-19).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 14 days with 1 mm or more, 57 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2001 with 137 mm, the driest 1997 with 18 mm. Humidity averages 77%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 27.2°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.6°C to 27.7°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (28.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:58 and sets about 17:59 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 38%.

Is December a good time to visit Punta Cana?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Punta Cana on our scoring are March, February, April; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Warm days without extreme heat

Punta Cana feels substantially warmer than home in December: its average daytime high is 18.9°C above London's 7.7°C. Days reach 25°C around 96% of the time, making warmth a dependable reason to travel. This is not the month to choose for intense heat, though, with average highs below 30°C. Humidity of 77% can still make being active feel sticky, so favour loose, breathable clothing and take breaks from the midday sun. Evenings offer little cooling compared with the daytime, so do not expect a distinctly crisp finish to the day. Light evening clothes are a more useful starting point than heavy layers.

Allow for rain, not a washout

Rain is the main compromise in December. About 14 rainy days means you should plan for some wet weather rather than assume every day will be dry. That figure does not tell you how long the rain will last or when it will arrive, so it is not a reason to write off whole days either. There are about 6.8 hours of sunshine within 10.9 hours of daylight, leaving scope for time outdoors without promising uninterrupted sun. Pack a light waterproof and keep weather-dependent plans flexible. December suits travellers who can adjust their day more comfortably than those whose enjoyment depends on consistently clear skies.

The sea is a strong reason to go

At 27.2°C, the sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming and is a clear advantage of travelling in December. Its year-to-year range of 27°C to 28°C also suggests little variation in that warmth. If your priority is spending time in the water rather than seeking the hottest possible air temperatures, the month makes sense. Warm water does not, however, establish how calm the sea will be, so follow local advice before swimming. Overall, December offers a useful balance of warm days, warm nights and welcoming water temperatures, but you need to accept rain as part of the holiday rather than an unlikely interruption.