Dominican Republic
Facts and Figures
Time Zone: GMT -4hrs
Flight Time From UK: 9-11hrs Capital: Santo Domingo Main Airport: Las Américas Int (SDQ) Climate: Hot Currency: Dominican Peso Population: 10 million Native Language: Spanish Beaches: Over 100 Travel Vaccinations Needed: Not Mandatory but recommended - Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Tetanus |
Weather Statistics - Degrees Celcius
Month |
Jan - March |
Apr - June |
July - Sept |
Oct - Dec |
High |
29 |
30 |
31 |
30 |
Low |
20 |
22 |
24 |
21 |
When To Travel
The dry season runs from December to April and is the main tourist season in the Dominican Republic. The best weather usually comes early on in the dry season as that is when temperatures are at their coolest. In Bavaro and Punta Cana on the east coast, for example, the average temperature is at its lowest of 24C in January and February. With highs of 27C and lows of 22C, the temperature generally stays within a very comfortable range and sunshine is plentiful making for perfect holiday weather.
Temperature does slowly build throughout the dry season, generally rising a couple of degrees on average from January to April. Come the start of the wet season, daily highs can be in the 30s in the coastal regions.
The wet season runs from May to November. As well as seeing a lot of rain, it is very hot and humid at this time of year so conditions can become a little uncomfortable. May to September sees the most rainfall before it begins to tail off in October and November.Temperatures during the wet season are the highest of the year; August to October sees average temperatures in the upper 20s in most of the country. Daily highs are often in the 30s, and the temperature is in the low 20s or above at night. Combined with high humidity things can feel quite muggy and uncomfortable.
A major feature of the Dominican Republic’s weather is that it lies in the Caribbean hurricane belt. Official hurricane season in the region lasts from June to November, but August and September are the most likely months. Hurricanes can be deadly and destructive when they hit but they are not all that common. Records show that the country is hit by a hurricane about once every 10 years and a severe hurricane hit (category 3 or more) is even rarer. The last major hurricane to hit the country was Hurricane George in 1998.
Temperature does slowly build throughout the dry season, generally rising a couple of degrees on average from January to April. Come the start of the wet season, daily highs can be in the 30s in the coastal regions.
The wet season runs from May to November. As well as seeing a lot of rain, it is very hot and humid at this time of year so conditions can become a little uncomfortable. May to September sees the most rainfall before it begins to tail off in October and November.Temperatures during the wet season are the highest of the year; August to October sees average temperatures in the upper 20s in most of the country. Daily highs are often in the 30s, and the temperature is in the low 20s or above at night. Combined with high humidity things can feel quite muggy and uncomfortable.
A major feature of the Dominican Republic’s weather is that it lies in the Caribbean hurricane belt. Official hurricane season in the region lasts from June to November, but August and September are the most likely months. Hurricanes can be deadly and destructive when they hit but they are not all that common. Records show that the country is hit by a hurricane about once every 10 years and a severe hurricane hit (category 3 or more) is even rarer. The last major hurricane to hit the country was Hurricane George in 1998.
Things To Do
- 27 Charcos of Damajagua - The 27 waterfalls of Rio Damajagua is a must do
- Canyoning Cordillera Septentriona - climbing, jumping, swimming, rappelling, jumps at high as 48 feet canyoning includes helmets
- Zona Colonial - by far the most interesting and most historic area in all of Santo Domingo.
- Vailkay - Boca Chica Beach, Santo Domingo
- Outback Safari - a 6-hour cultural tour through the countryside of the Dominican Republic.
- Bayahibe
- Los Tres Ojos - Predating Santo Domingo by thousands of years, Los Tres Ojos are three open-air limestone sinkholes obscurely shrouded in forest across from eastern border of Parque Mirador del Este.
- Playa Dorada Golf Club - 18 holes of finely cultivated, challenging fairways, 72-par golf, the dramatic Mount Isabela looming inland just behind you, and the endless vista of the north Atlantic ahead of you.
- Playa Bavaro - With its powdery white sand and crystal blue waters, it’s no wonder why so many resorts have set up shop on Playa Bavaro. Beachgoers can choose from any number of activities here, including diving, snorkeling, fishing, windsurfing, and can even rent catamarans, jetskis, kayaks and sailboats for further ocean excursions.
Luxury Hotels - Click On The Hotel To See What The Tripadvisor Ratings Are
- Casa Veintiuno, Sosua
- Luxury Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado, Samana Province
- Hotel Atarazana, Santo Domingo
- Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel, Punta Cana
- Tortuga Bay Hotel Puntacana Resort & Club, Punta Cana
- Albachiara Hotel, Las Terrenas
- Casa Colonial Beach & Spa, Puerto Plata
- Velero Beach Resort, Cabarete
- The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana
- Casas del Mar Neptunia, Las Terrenas