The Dominican North Coast in December
December is a good month for the Dominican North Coast: a typical day grades B-, the 5th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 82°F, water around 82°F and about a 52% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually high in December. Beaches are typically very busy (Christmas & holiday break).
The Dominican North Coast month by month
Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.
- JanB-81°F
- FebB-81°F
- MarC+82°F
- AprC+82°F
- MayB-85°F
- JunC+88°F
- JulC+88°F
- AugC+88°F
- SepC+89°F
- OctC+87°F
- NovB-84°F
- DecB-82°F
November: B- · December: B- · January: B-. The best months are usually January, May and November, and the weakest are August and October.
Best beaches in the Dominican North Coast in December
Resorts with the best typical December, and their grades for the next few days.
| Beach | Typical Dec | Seaweed | This week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Rucia Lodge | A- | Very low | SatCSunB-MonBTueB-WedB |
| Marriott Miches Beach, An All-Inclusive Resort | B+ | Very low | SatC+SunC+MonB-TueBWedB+ |
| Hotel Sand Bay Oceanfront | B+ | Very low | SatCSunB-MonBTueB-WedB |
| Hotel RIU Bachata | B+ | Low | SatC-SunC-MonCTueB-WedC+ |
| Hotel RIU Merengue | B+ | Low | SatC-SunC-MonCTueB-WedC+ |
| Hotel RIU Mambo | B+ | Low | SatC-SunC-MonCTueB-WedC+ |
| Hotel Luperón | B+ | Low | SatC-SunCMonC-TueCWedC+ |
| Villa Flamboyan | B+ | Very low | SatC+SunB-MonA-TueA-WedA- |
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Better beach options in December
Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Cuba's Cays (A-), Varadero & Havana (A-) and the Leeward Islands (A-) usually grade higher in December. Further afield: Huatulco (A), Puerto Vallarta (A) and Los Cabos (A). Every destination in December.
Questions
- Is December a good time to visit the Dominican North Coast?
- December is a good month for the Dominican North Coast: a typical day grades B-, the 5th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 82°F, water around 82°F and about a 52% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually high in December. Beaches are typically very busy (Christmas & holiday break).
- How warm is the Dominican North Coast in December?
- Typical highs are about 82°F and the sea is about 82°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
- Is there sargassum in the Dominican North Coast in December?
- In a typical year seaweed is high in December. It is usually lightest in July and November and heaviest in April and May. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.
- Is December hurricane season in the Dominican North Coast?
- No. Storm risk is very low in December.
- How crowded is the Dominican North Coast in December?
- Typically very busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.
Plan it
- Dominican North Coast & Samaná: this week's forecast, beach by beach
- Caribbean Beach Report: this week, updated every Monday
- Compare dates and beaches on the map
Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 45 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.