Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island that is technically a territory of the United States. It is best known for its capital city, San Juan, and exploration opportunities. A big appeal of the island is the convenience of getting there and its unique cultural background. While its colorful neighborhoods and nightlife may steal the show at times, its lush nature is another feature that travelers enjoy. Puerto Rico’s landscape is diverse with rainforests, mountains, and even waterfalls. All of these features can be enjoyed year round but the best time to visit Puerto Rico is during the winter. Travelers may be surprised at how much there is to do and see during this season.
Average Temperature This Time of Year
- 70-85 Degrees F
Weather
The winter, between December and March, is one of the best times to visit Puerto Rico due to the weather. The pleasant climate of the ‘cold’ season is a big appeal for tourists. In Puerto Rico there is no traditional winter, so even during this time, travelers can enjoy warm temperatures. During the winter months, but more specifically at the end of November until April, there is also less rain and humidity, making it the perfect place to escape the cold.
Travel Tip: In Puerto Rico, temperatures rarely drop below 70 degrees even at night, so there’s no need to worry about enduring chilly conditions. Packing light clothing and a hat are the best options for staying cool and minimizing sun exposure.
Festival Season
Puerto Rico’s festival scene is thriving, featuring the best music, food, and art of the region. The island has many different annual festivals that travelers can enjoy during their winter visit. They are a significant part of the local culture too so travelers can witness locals unwinding and sharing authentic Puerto Rico. One of the most popular festivals is the Festival de Pascuas. This event celebrates the beginning of the Christmas season. Pascuas or Flor de Pascuas is the island’s Christmas flower so this festival is a holiday display. It usually takes place in the middle of November, when the holiday season starts. The world-famous Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián is also popular. It is held in Old San Juan during the third week of January and is a celebration of Saint Sebastian.
Travel Tip: The dates of the San Sebastian Street Festival can change each year, so travelers who do not want to miss it should check before making any travel plans.
Friendly Locals
On arrival, you will likely notice that the locals are friendly and residents of Puerto Rico are pretty laid back. This demeanor is likely to rub off on visitors, especially if their stay lasts longer than a few days. Locals may be even more cheerful during a winter visit since it is during the holiday season. Island life at this destination is nice and some people even say that Puerto Ricans are some of the happiest people in the Caribbean. Of course, since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and many people speak English, travelers will most likely not have to struggle through a language barrier. Travelers can immerse themselves in the island and get to know the locals.
Travel Tip: Greet locals with “buenos días,” “buenas noches,” or “buenas tardes.” These phrases mean good morning, good evening, and good afternoon, respectively. Visitors are more likely to be greeted by strangers in areas like Old San Juan.
Enjoy The Holiday Season In The Sun
One of the top reasons that the winter is the best time to visit Puerto Rico is due to the holiday environment and celebrations. Puerto Rico still has relatively warm temperatures during the holidays, and many people enjoy swimming on Christmas Day. With the holiday season in full swing from November to January, those who visit a little before or after Christmas can still enjoy the island’s festive energy. There may even be some decorations up ahead of and after the holiday season.
Travel Tip: Experience the thriving Boricua Christmas Spirit during a winter visit to Puerto Rico. The island has many Christmas traditions and celebrations but parrandas are family gatherings that typically occur on Christmas Eve. The island may be quieter than at other seasons of the year since locals are spending time with their families.
Seasonal Cuisine
Puerto Rico’s cuisine is known for its vibrancy and unique flavor. The holidays bring some of Puerto Rico’s best comfort foods which are a must-try. Taste dishes like arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), a hearty meal that is treasured by locals and also serves as the national dish. Puerto Rico’s desserts are worth saving room for, too. Desserts to try while in Puerto Rico include traditional tembleque, a silky coconut custard, and arroz con dulce, a creamy rice pudding topped with cinnamon.
Travel Tip: Some delicious and traditional Christmas dishes include pasteles, pernil, and Asopao de pollo.
Visit The Beach
A popular feature of Puerto Rico is the beaches. The winter is the perfect time for visitors who plan to lounge on the sand or enjoy the water. Due to the winter season, travelers are not likely to get rained out on their beach days. The temperatures during winter are also ideal. This is true throughout the whole season since January is the ‘coldest’ month of the season and usually has temperatures around 70 degrees at the lowest. Puerto Rico’s crystal clear waters are great for surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Travel Tip: Some of Puerto Rico’s most popular beaches to visit in the winter are Isla Verde and Domes Beach.
Check Out the Island’s Natural Attractions
Since Puerto Rico has thriving nature and wildlife there are many sites for travelers to visit. In the winter, nature excursions are more pleasant due to the more mild temperatures. Even if travelers decide to explore the tropical rainforest, they should be quite comfortable while they explore. One popular outdoor site that travelers should check out during their visit is El Yunque National Forest. This forest is located on the northeastern side of Puerto Rico and is a vibrant environment to explore. Travelers can walk the trails of this forest for a scenic hike.
Travel Tip: The coquí tree frogs of El Yunque National Forest are famous for their vocal stylings and are a unique feature of the area. Travelers who explore the forest in the afternoon are likely to hear the forest come alive, so they should be prepared for the symphony of wilderness sounds.
Learn More About Historic Sites
While many visitors to Puerto Rico seamlessly learn more about the local culture, history buffs in particular can enjoy Puerto Rico during a winter visit. This season allows travelers to comfortably explore on foot since the heat is more tolerable. There are countless historic sites throughout Puerto Rico that travelers can explore. Castillo San Cristóbal is a fortress that is a National Historic Site. Castillo San Felipe del Morro (known as El Morro) is one of Puerto Rico’s most distinctive landmarks so it is a popular stop for tourists. This iconic landmark preserves a rich history spanning centuries.
Travel Tip: Admission to Castillo San Cristóbal will cost travelers around $10 but the ticket grants visitors access to Castillo San Felipe del Morro as well. If travelers prefer free excursions, they can walk around the historic streets of Old San Juan, which is home to the San Juan National Historic Site.
Travelers who want to visit Puerto Rico should consider the winter for countless reasons. From pleasant weather to the variety of activities, the hardest decision you’ll have to make is finding the balance between rest and exploring. There might be slight crowds at the most popular attractions but Puerto Rico’s culture, cuisine, and community are well worth the sacrifice.
