Weather in Punta Cana in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Punta Cana and ranks 30th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Punta Cana is 18.6°C warmer by day and 21.4°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Punta Cana peaks at 26.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.0°C or more. About 91% of days top 25°C. Nights average 23.6°C; one night in ten drops to 22.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 28.3°C (2017-01-24) and the coldest night 19.9°C (2020-01-28).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 13 days with 1 mm or more, 44 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2018 with 112 mm, the driest 1991 with 19 mm. Humidity averages 77%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 26.4°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.0°C to 26.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (28.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:09 and sets about 18:16 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 33%.

Is January 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 rather than fiercely hot

January is Punta Cana's coolest month, but that is relative: daytime highs average 26°C compared with London's 7.4°C. Days reach 25°C around 91% of the time, making it a good fit if reliable warmth matters more than intense heat. Humidity of 77% can still make the air feel close, so light, loose clothing is more useful than heavy layers. Evenings stay warm too, with average lows of 23.6°C; do not expect a sharp cool-down after sunset. Plan shade breaks around midday, especially while adjusting from UK winter. This suits travellers who want to spend time outdoors without chasing the hottest conditions of the year.

Allow for rain without writing off the sunshine

Rain is the main compromise. About 13 days receive measurable rainfall, so a completely dry holiday is not something to count on. That does not mean those days are wet throughout: January still averages 7.3 hours of sunshine within 11 hours of daylight. Keep outdoor plans flexible and pack a light waterproof rather than assuming sunshine will last all day. There is ample scope for time outside, but avoid making every day depend on clear skies. If your dates are flexible, February, March and April rate better overall. January remains a reasonable choice when warm winter weather matters more to you than minimising the chance of rain.