Winter
Dec → Feb28 to 29°
nights 21°
- 11 rainy days · 53 mm
- 10.6 h of sun
- sea 27°
When is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic?
In short: December to April, during the dry season, with the driest weather from December to March: 28 to 29 °C in the afternoon in Santo Domingo and 35 to 78 mm of rain a month. From January to March, the best compromise adds the humpback whales of Samaná Bay and, in February, Carnival.
- Humpback whales of Samaná: From January to March, they come to Samaná Bay to breed, and whale-watching trips leave from the peninsula.
- Beaches: From December to March, the driest months and a sea at 27 or 28 °C; July and August form a second, wetter high season.
- Carnival: In February, Carnival, one of the most popular celebrations in the country along with Christmas, brings masks and costumes parading through the towns.
- The rainy season: From May to November, 19 to 24 rainy days a month in Santo Domingo; during heavy rain, roads flood very quickly.
Best avoided: August and September: this is the heart of the hurricane season (from June to November) and August is the wettest month in Santo Domingo, with 200 mm over 24 days.
Sources: godominicanrepublic.com, godominicanrepublic.com, diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Jan28°recommended
- Feb29°recommended
- Mar29°recommended
- Apr29°recommended
- May29°fair
- Jun30°fair
- Jul31°fair
- Aug31°not recommended
- Sep31°not recommended
- Oct30°fair
- Nov29°fair
- Dec29°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in the Dominican Republic, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28° | 21° | 10.4 h | 35 mm | 10 d | 27° | ✓ |
| February | 29° | 21° | 10.9 h | 46 mm | 11 d | 27° | ✓ |
| March | 29° | 21° | 11.3 h | 72 mm | 15 d | 27° | ✓ |
| April | 29° | 22° | 11.3 h | 106 mm | 18 d | 28° | ✓ |
| May | 29° | 23° | 11.4 h | 125 mm | 21 d | 29° | |
| June | 30° | 24° | 11.6 h | 115 mm | 23 d | 30° | |
| July | 31° | 24° | 11.3 h | 172 mm | 24 d | 30° | |
| August | 31° | 24° | 10.8 h | 200 mm | 24 d | 30° | |
| September | 31° | 24° | 10.3 h | 146 mm | 23 d | 30° | |
| October | 30° | 23° | 9.9 h | 138 mm | 20 d | 30° | |
| November | 29° | 22° | 9.8 h | 148 mm | 19 d | 29° | |
| December | 29° | 21° | 10.6 h | 78 mm | 12 d | 28° | ✓ |
The four seasons in the Dominican Republic, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Santo Domingo) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May29°
nights 21 to 23°
- 18 rainy days · 101 mm
- 11.3 h of sun
- sea 28°
Summer
Jun → Aug30 to 31°
nights 24°
- 24 rainy days · 162 mm
- 11.2 h of sun
- sea 30°
Autumn
Sep → Nov29 to 31°
nights 22 to 24°
- 21 rainy days · 144 mm
- 10 h of sun
- sea 30°
Book early for December to April
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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What to do in the Dominican Republic, month by month
EventsSamaná humpback whalesJanuary to MarchLa Vega CarnivalFebruaryNational Carnival ParadeMarchDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
Beach & swimming: good conditions all twelve months.
Diving & snorkelling: good conditions all twelve months.
- Towns & culture: January, February, December
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in the Dominican Republic, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- January to MarchSamaná humpback whales
Humpback whales come to calve in Samaná Bay from mid-January to mid-March, with boat trips every morning.
- FebruaryLa Vega Carnival
La Vega brings out its masked diablos cojuelos every Sunday in February, inflated bladders in hand to strike passers-by.
- MarchNational Carnival Parade
The great national parade closes the season on the Malecón in Santo Domingo, in early March, with troupes from all over the country.
Travelling off-peak
Month by month, in detail
January
Recommended28°21° at night
- 35 mm · 10 d
- 10.4 h
- sea 27°
High season, book early
February
Recommended29°21° at night
- 46 mm · 11 d
- 10.9 h
- sea 27°
High season, book early
March
Recommended29°21° at night
- 72 mm · 15 d
- 11.3 h
- sea 27°
Busy, without the crush
April
Recommended29°22° at night
- 106 mm · 18 d
- 11.3 h
- sea 28°
Busy, without the crush
May
Fair29°23° at night
- 125 mm · 21 d
- 11.4 h
- sea 29°
Low season, lower prices
June
Fair30°24° at night
- 115 mm · 23 d
- 11.6 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
July
Fair31°24° at night
- 172 mm · 24 d
- 11.3 h
- sea 30°
Busy, without the crush
August
Not recommended31°24° at night
- 200 mm · 24 d
- 10.8 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
September
Not recommended31°24° at night
- 146 mm · 23 d
- 10.3 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
October
Fair30°23° at night
- 138 mm · 20 d
- 9.9 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
November
Fair29°22° at night
- 148 mm · 19 d
- 9.8 h
- sea 29°
Low season, lower prices
December
Recommended29°21° at night
- 78 mm · 12 d
- 10.6 h
- sea 28°
High season, book early
Read the twelve months in detail
January. 28 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (35 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
February. 29 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (46 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.9 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
March. 29 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Frequent but light showers: 72 mm over 15 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
April. 29 °C in the afternoon and 22 °C at night. Frequent rain: 106 mm over 18 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
May. 29 °C in the afternoon and 23 °C at night. Frequent rain: 125 mm over 21 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 29 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
June. 30 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 115 mm over 23 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.6 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
July. 31 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 172 mm over 24 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
August. 31 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. A very wet month, 200 mm of rain over 24 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.8 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
September. 31 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. A very wet month, 146 mm of rain over 23 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
October. 30 °C in the afternoon and 23 °C at night. Frequent rain: 138 mm over 20 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.9 h a day on average. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. 29 °C in the afternoon and 22 °C at night. Frequent rain: 148 mm over 19 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.8 h a day on average. The sea is at 29 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. 29 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (78 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.6 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic?
December to April, during the dry season, with the driest weather from December to March: 28 to 29 °C in the afternoon in Santo Domingo and 35 to 78 mm of rain a month. From January to March, the best compromise adds the humpback whales of Samaná Bay and, in February, Carnival.
Which month should you avoid in the Dominican Republic?
August and September: this is the heart of the hurricane season (from June to November) and August is the wettest month in Santo Domingo, with 200 mm over 24 days.
What is the hottest month in the Dominican Republic?
July, with 31 °C on average in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Santo Domingo).
What is the coldest month in the Dominican Republic?
January, with 28 °C at best during the day and 21 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Santo Domingo).
What is the driest month in the Dominican Republic?
January: 35 mm over 10 days of rain, against 200 mm in August, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in the Dominican Republic?
June, with 11.6 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in the Dominican Republic?
The water never drops below 22 °C: from 27 to 30 °C depending on the month (warmest in June), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Santo Domingo).
Plan this trip
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🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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Photos: C&P Guezennec / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · Jean & Nathalie / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · Ollie Craig / Pexels · Julia Volk / Pexels