Puerto Rico weather by month

When to go to Puerto Rico

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: July, August, September, October. December is the wettest month (32 mm, about 4 rainy days) and July the driest (0 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 23.4°C and coolest in February at 19.0°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA, 36 km from Puerto Rico) takes roughly 4 h 24 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Atlantic/Canary.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Puerto Rico between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.6°C on 26 August 2020; the coldest fell to 10.0°C on 30 January 2018. In August one day in ten tops 31.2°C and about 15% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 13.4°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was February 2018 with 170 mm, against a February average of 26 mm.

Winter: mild days, cooler evenings

December, January and February suit travellers who want mild weather rather than dependable heat. December averages 21°C by day, slipping to 20°C in January and February, so light daytime clothing makes sense alongside a jumper for evenings. Nights average 16°C in January and February, which can feel cool after sitting outside for a while. December has the most rain, averaging 4 rainy days, but wet weather is still a relatively small part of the month. Sunshine improves from 6 hours in December to 8 in February. The catch is swimming: the sea falls from 21°C to 19°C across winter, so comfort in the water depends on your tolerance for cooler temperatures.

Spring into June: more sunshine without peak heat

March and April are good choices if you prefer mild afternoons to summer heat. Daytime averages rise from 21°C to 22°C, but nights stay at 16°C, so keep a light layer handy after sunset. The sea remains at 19°C, making this a better period for spending time outdoors than for travellers who want warm water. May brings a useful shift: days average 23°C, nights 18°C and sunshine reaches 10 hours, with just 1 rainy day on average. June strengthens that balance with 24°C afternoons, 12 hours of sunshine and a 21°C sea. It is a strong option for sunny days without July and August's higher temperatures, though shade and sun protection still belong in your daily plans.

Summer and autumn: peak heat, then warmer-water appeal

July and August suit travellers who want the hottest, driest conditions. Daytime averages reach 27°C and 28°C respectively, with no rainy days on average, although that is not a guarantee of rain-free weather. Plan more active time away from midday and choose light clothing for evenings. September eases to 26°C while the sea holds at 23°C, making it a good alternative if swimming matters more than peak sunshine. October keeps that sea temperature with 25°C days, but its 3 rainy days and 7 sunshine hours make it less reliably sunny than summer. November is milder at 23°C, with a 22°C sea and 6 hours of sunshine. It suits a gentler pace, provided you accept shorter spells of sunshine.