Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

Monthly climate averages for the Dominican Republic, temperatures, rainfall and the best time to visit.

Climate overview of the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has to a large extent a tropical savanna climate. The northeast of the country has a tropical rainforest climate due to the high amounts of rainfall throughout the year. May to November is the rainy season in the south. Temperatures during the day are between 28°C (82°F) and 33°C (91°F) throughout the year, and at night, the temperature rarely drops below 20°C (68°F), except in higher areas.

Weather in Popular Tourist Areas

The most popular hotels and resorts in the Dominican Republic are located in areas that receive slightly less rainfall than other parts of the country. Hotels in Punta Cana and Bávaro, in the east, are especially known for their clear skies, while inland, impressive clouds often contrast with the blue horizon.

Regional Climate Differences

The climate on the north coast of the Dominican Republic differs from other regions in this tropical country. Puerto Plata, located on the so-called Amber Coast, experiences a drier season from June to September. This makes the European summer an ideal time for a vacation in this part of the Dominican Republic. Further east, the Samaná Peninsula is significantly wetter. The best time to visit Samaná is from mid-February to the end of April, though you should still expect heavy showers, especially later in the day.

Hurricane Season

The hurricane season lasts from early June to early December. While hurricanes don’t hit the country every year, the chances of unsettled weather during this period are higher. For more reliable sunny days, it's better to visit between December and April. During this time, the clouds are often less threatening, and any showers usually don’t last long.

Explore the Dominican Republic by month

Popular cities by month

Compare cities per month. Toggle cities on/off.

Punta Cana Santo Domingo Sosúa Bayahibe Santiago de los Caballeros Jarabacoa
Day temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Monthly sunshine (hours)

Climate map

Average daily temperature, monthly rainfall & sunshine hours across cities.

Avg day temp (°C)
32°

Regional climate differences

Explore the climate diversity across the Dominican Republic.

Compare popular cities

Average daytime and nighttime temperatures, yearly rainfall and sunshine.

Punta Cana 27°C (81°F) 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 26°C (79°F) 1063 mm (42 in) 3,038 hours
Santo Domingo 29°C (84°F) 31°C (88°F) 21°C (70°F) 25°C (77°F) 1178 mm (46 in) 2,785 hours
Sosúa 27°C (81°F) 30°C (86°F) 22°C (72°F) 25°C (77°F) 954 mm (38 in)
Bayahibe 29°C (84°F) 32°C (90°F) 23°C (73°F) 26°C (79°F) 852 mm (34 in) 3,047 hours
Santiago de los Caballeros 28°C (82°F) 33°C (91°F) 18°C (64°F) 22°C (72°F) 883 mm (35 in) 2,811 hours
Jarabacoa 25°C (77°F) 29°C (84°F) 16°C (61°F) 19°C (66°F) 1394 mm (55 in) 2,531 hours

FAQ

What is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic?

The warmest month in Punta Rucia is August, with daytime highs of 34°C (93°F). Barahona is the sunniest destination, with 291 hours of sunshine in July. The Dominican Republic has a distinct dry season from June to August. Explore The Dominican Republic weather by month for a detailed breakdown.

What temperatures can I expect in the Dominican Republic?

Punta Rucia is the warmest destination, reaching 34°C (93°F) in August with nights around 26°C (79°F). Constanza is the coolest, with January daytime highs of just 23°C (73°F) and nights dropping to 14°C (57°F). Temperatures are relatively stable throughout the year. See the city comparison for a full overview.

How much rain does the Dominican Republic get?

Rainfall varies across the Dominican Republic. Constanza is the wettest, receiving 1628 mm (64 in) per year, with May the wettest month at 257 mm (10 in). San Fernando de Monte Cristi is the driest at 495 mm (19 in) per year. Use the climate map to explore rainfall patterns across regions.

How sunny is the Dominican Republic?

Barahona is the sunniest destination in the Dominican Republic, enjoying 3,220 hours of sunshine per year, with July the brightest month at 291 hours. Overall, the Dominican Republic enjoys abundant sunshine year-round. Compare sunshine across cities in the charts above.

What is the climate like across the Dominican Republic?

Punta Cana has very warm summers reaching 30°C (86°F) in September and warm winters dropping to 27°C (81°F), with 3,038 hours of sunshine and 1063 mm (42 in) of rain per year. Santo Domingo has very warm summers reaching 31°C (88°F) in August and warm winters dropping to 29°C (84°F), with 2,785 hours of sunshine and 1178 mm (46 in) of rain per year. Sosúa has very warm summers reaching 30°C (86°F) in September and warm winters dropping to 27°C (81°F), with 0 hours of sunshine and 954 mm (38 in) of rain per year. Explore the climate charts and comparison table for more cities.

Places in the Dominican Republic

Select a city to see its average temperature, precipitation and hours of sunshine over the year.

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Travel inspiration

Must-visit destinations and experiences across the Dominican Republic.