Looking to go out of the country soon here are some tips for the best time to travel to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is one of the numerous islands in the Caribbean, but it is also a vassal island of the United States. The famous Latino Island is a hotspot for tourists who come around to learn about South American culture if they do not want to go down south to other islands or to the continent of South America itself. The capital, San Juan, is one of the most-visited parts of the Island, with a series of festivals and carnivals celebrated by the locals. If you want to enjoy Puerto Rican culture, you need to know the best time to travel to Puerto Rico.
In this article, we will review the climate and the seasons so you know which time to travel to Puerto Rico since we don’t want you to visit at the wrong time when the weather is not conducive for outdoor activities. Here is our guide to help you out.
The Best time to arrive
The best and appropriate time to travel to Puerto Rico is between April-June. This three-month window comes after the very busy winter season and before the rainy season. Spring months are very pleasant because they are not too hot and not too cold. The weather during this time of the year is very moderate. As for the best weather, many will argue that winter is the best time of the year, which may explain why many tourists prefer to come around during this period. But as you already know, we all have our different preferences, depending on the outdoor activities we want to enjoy during our vacation. During winters, the streets of San Juan are often crowded, and food and commodity prices tend to rise significantly.
So if cost is of importance to you, winter is not the ideal time to visit. For cheap prices, the Fall is the appropriate time to travel to Puerto Rico. During Fall, you can find hotels as cheap as $70 a night, but travelers may be at risk because of Puerto Rico’s notable history of hurricanes.
We have given you a general overview of what the weather is like in Puerto Rico. In this next section, we want to review the best travel times based on key events as they unfold all year round.
December – March
Winter comes around between December and March. Hotel rooms are largely inexpensive during this time of the year, which is quite rare because, in many other Caribbean cities, this period represents peak seasons for businesses. There are more tourists on the island during this time of the year. This period is also one of the best times to learn more about Hispanic culture.
Key Events:
- January – Fiesta de Los Reyes Magos
- January – San Sebastian Street Carnival
- February – Puerto Rico Open
- February – Fiesta Del Acabe Del Cafe
- February/March – Casals Festival
- March – Ponce Carnaval
- March – Dia Nacional de las Salsas
- March – Taste of Rum
- December – Nochebuena
April – June
Spring weather occurs in April all through to June when it is largely sunny and breezy. By this time, the winter crowds would have dispersed with tourists returning to their home countries. At this time of the year, rates of hotels drop slightly due to the drop in demand. June is also one of the hottest months in Puerto Rico, so bear this in mind if you plan to travel to Puerto Rico. This period is also when several festivals are held on the Island. If you enjoy attending and participating in cultural festivals, this is the most suitable time to travel to Puerto Rico.
Key Events:
- April – Saborea
- May – Campechada
- June – Puerto Rico Restaurant Week
- June – Noche de San Juan
- June – Festival de la Pina
- June/July – Aibonito Flower Festival
July-September
July to September is one of the worst times for the average tourist. This is because temperatures rise during this period, and the Island is also susceptible to hurricanes. However, if you choose to travel to Puerto Rico during this period, you will spend less because there is always low demand for goods and services, so businesses beat down their prices. You will also enjoy more privacy at the pools and public beaches due to lower tourist populations. Furthermore, making hotel and restaurant reservations at this time of the year is also easy. As a result of the harsh climate, there are very few public events organized in the area at this time.
October – Early December
October, November, and part of December coincide with the Fall Season. The weather is temperate during this season, and room rates and airfares are reasonable. Although they are not as cheap as the period between July and September, you stand to get the best rates you can easily afford. Hotels close to the coastline can be booked as low as $150. If you don’t mind staying in the hinterland, you may be lucky to get a room for less than $100. This is the time of the year when excursions and zip line tours are organized.
Best time to visit in terms of activities
If you want to plan your travel to Puerto Rico in line with your outdoor activities, this section is for you.
December – April, and July (Best time to enjoy the beaches)
This is the best time to visit the beach. One of the numerous events held during this time of the year is the Carnaval. The peak season starts in December, so many people from America flee the continent to sunbathe on Puerto Rico’s beaches. Surfers and Scuba divers also enjoy the pristine clear waters of the Island. Thanks to the numerous carnival and events on the Island at this time of the year, except to enjoy the time of your life at any of Puerto Rico’s numerous beaches.
September- Early December & Mid-April – May (Fewer crowds)
If you don’t like crowded places, these windows are the best times to travel to Puerto Rico. Also called Shoulder Season, the hospitality industry takes a breather during this time of the year. If you arrive at this time of the year, take your time to enjoy the famous Nuestra Senora de la Monserrate festival. A visit to the Mountains will do your mind a world of good as well.
June – November (Cheap Prices)
If you want to get the most value at the least price, the low season is the best time to travel to Puerto Rico. This is the time when there are hurricane threats, so many tourists avoid coming over. However, this is the best time to enjoy the best rates. You will find discounted prices for almost every package you can think of. The Island slows down to avoid the risks of hurricanes. Suppose you are a daring traveler and choose to visit at this time of the year. In that case, we recommend that you still keep an eye on the weather and avoid making the trip altogether if weather forecasters predict terrible weather. It will also be wise to invest in getting travel insurance just in case things are worse than planned. The Puerto Rico Queer Filmfest and the Surfing Festival at Rincon are some of the events you can enjoy during this period.
Best Hiking Trails by Weather
Are you a hiking enthusiast? It will interest you to know that the Island has quite an extensive trail conducive for hiking activities. However, not all trails are safe all year round. If you want to enjoy the best hiking experience without putting yourself or your group at risk, these are the trails to visit based on the weather.
Spring
One of the best trails to visit during spring is the El Yunque National Forest. This location is a favorite of many locals and tourists. It remains the only tropical rain forest under the US National Forest Administration. The trails here are blessed with an abundance of bird species, natural pools, and pleasant views. Some other trails at El Yunque include Angelito and Puente Rote, El Yunque Peak, which is one of the highest points, and Bano Grande
Summer
Guanica Dry Forest Reserve is located on the south of the Island and opposite of El Yunque Rainforest. This dry forest is more arid, and during the summer months, its rich flora comes to life. The good thing about Guanica is that the timing trails here are very wide and easy to walk through. Fuerte Capron is one historic fort that overlooks the coast. Ballena trail will take you to the beach, while La Cueva is the home of limestone caves. There is so much to see as you walk through the dry forest.
Winter
Winter is never an ideal time to go hiking because the ground is wet and slippery, but some hikers don’t seem to mind. The town of Isabela is located in the Guajataca Forest with 27 miles of trails. The Cueva del Viento (Cave of Wind) and the Interpretive Trail are two of the most popular trails in the area.
