Best time to visit Punta Cana
The best time to visit Punta Cana is usually January, February and March, when a typical day grades B-, C+ and C+. July and August are the weakest (C- and C-). Seaweed is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in November and December. The quietest months are September and October, and storm risk peaks in September.
Pick a month
Punta Cana month by month
| Month | Typical day | High | Water | Rain chance | Seaweed | Crowds | Storm risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | B- | 81°F | 81°F | 55% | High | Very busy | Very low |
| February | C+ | 81°F | 80°F | 64% | High | Very busy | Very low |
| March | C+ | 82°F | 80°F | 61% | High | Packed | Very low |
| April | C | 83°F | 81°F | 64% | Very high | Busy | Very low |
| May | C | 85°F | 82°F | 67% | Very high | Busy | Very low |
| June | C | 86°F | 83°F | 68% | Very high | Busy | Very low |
| July | C- | 86°F | 83°F | 76% | Very high | Busy | Very low |
| August | C- | 87°F | 84°F | 79% | Very high | Busy | Moderate |
| September | C- | 87°F | 85°F | 69% | Very high | Moderate | High |
| October | C- | 86°F | 86°F | 68% | Very high | Moderate | Low |
| November | C- | 84°F | 84°F | 74% | Very high | Busy | Very low |
| December | C- | 82°F | 83°F | 61% | Very high | Very busy | Very low |
Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 63 resorts here (median resort). Grades weigh seaweed, temperature, rain, sun, water, waves, wind, UV, crowds, storm risk and travel safety.
Best beaches in Punta Cana
Resorts with the best typical January, and their grades for the next few days.
- Villa Baya Jan BSatDSunD+MonDTueD+WedC-
- Majestic Colonial Hotel Jan BSatC+SunCMonC+TueB-WedB
- Casa de Campo Resort & Villas Jan BSatFSunD+MonD-TueFWedD-
- Dreams Dominicus La Romana Jan BSatFSunC-MonDTueC-WedC-
- Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus Jan BSatFSunC-MonDTueC-WedC-
- Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus Jan BSatD-SunC-MonD+TueC-WedC
- Catalonia Royal La Romana Jan BSatD-SunC-MonD+TueC-WedC-
- Sunscapes Dominicus La Romana Jan BSatD-SunC-MonD+TueC-WedC-
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Questions
- When is the best time to visit Punta Cana?
- The best time to visit Punta Cana is usually January, February and March, when a typical day grades B-, C+ and C+. July and August are the weakest (C- and C-). Seaweed is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in November and December. The quietest months are September and October, and storm risk peaks in September.
- When is sargassum season in Punta Cana?
- In a typical year seaweed is heaviest in October, November and December and lightest in January and February. The Atlantic sargassum belt varies a lot from year to year; Veabird's weekly sargassum report tracks the current season.
- When is the cheapest and least crowded time to visit Punta Cana?
- Crowds are usually lightest in September and October and heaviest in January and March (College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter). Quieter months usually mean lower hotel rates.
- When is hurricane season in Punta Cana?
- Storm risk runs from about August to October and peaks in September.
- When is the water warmest in Punta Cana?
- The sea is warmest in September and October (about 86°F) and coolest in February and March (about 80°F).