This article will go through when the best time to visit puerto rico is, according to your unique travel desires. Whether that’s smaller crowds, best weather, best surfing, and more.

When is the best time to visit Puerto Rico?

1. For smaller crowds: April-May & September-November
2. Best weather: January – February
3. Nicest beach days:January – March
4. Best surfing: November – February
5. For the Bioluminescent Bays – December – February
6. Best Overall: February

Let’s get one thing straight…when it comes to Puerto Rico, there’s no bad time to visit the island, but there are better times that depend on what kind of trip you want, so let’s dive into it!

There are so many wonderful reasons people travel to Puerto Rico. Maybe you want to see the historic landmarks, the pristine beaches or the only tropical rainforest in the United States. Perhaps you want to go surfing and catch some world-renowned waves. Maybe you want to experience the colorful and lively culture and cuisine. Puerto Rico has it all, and for U.S residents who don’t need to worry about passports or visas to get in, it’s the ultimate island destination! 

For the least amount of tourists (and cheapest): September-November

Each year Puerto Rico sees about five million tourists. Over half of them arrive during the winter season (December – March) to escape the cold temperatures further north. April brings many spring breakers, and summer months see a rise in tourists as school gets out throughout the U.S.

For this reason, book your trip to Puerto Rico during the shoulder months of September-November to avoid the crowds. This way you’ll have a quiet trip where you can roam the streets without constantly bumping into others. Keep in mind that the weather will be a bit more unpredictable & rainy as this is hurricane season.

Because these months are peak hurricane season, they also tend to be the cheapest months to visit. If this is a key reason for booking your trip in these months, ensure you get good travel insurance. This prevents potential financial loss should the weather take a particularly bad turn.

Best time to visit Puerto Rico for beaches: January – March

For those looking for the best time to hit the beach, you can’t beat winter, particularly January – March. This time of year you’ll find consistent sunshine, blue skies, and warm (but not overly humid) temperatures. Perfect weather to lay out with a good book, stroll barefoot along the coast, and swim in some incredibly blue waters. 

At the same time, some might prefer to hit the beach when the sun is blaring down in June & July. Keep in mind, the beaches will be much more crowded as school is out for all of the U.S. There will also not be as many dry and sunny days. I found my beach days in February to be plenty hot, and I often needed to dip into the water to cool off. Make sure to bring some reef-safe, all natural sunscreen! (Use code: BEYONDTHESHIRE11 for 10% off!)

For the best weather: January- February

In the deep of winter, while the northern U.S hunkers down for a cold, snowy winter, those in Puerto Rico continue to enjoy swimsuit weather. Daily highs remain in the 70s to low 80s F with lows occasionally hitting the mid-60s (this is generally only at night or further up in the mountains). In addition, this is also the driest period of Puerto Rico weather, making it the perfect time to go hit the beach.

Best time to visit Puerto Rico for surfing: November – February

Generally when talking about the best surfing in the US, most people jump to Hawaii. But Puerto Rico actually boasts some of the top surfing spots and holds many high-profile surfing comps. There’s a big surf community in Puerto Rico, specifically on the west coast, and there are plenty of surf rentals, lessons, hotels and more made for those looking to catch some waves in Puerto Rico.

The best time to surf these waves for more experienced surfers is going to be late fall through early winter (November-February).  Low pressure systems of the Eastern Seaboard bring strong currents and big waves to the Caribbean, giving surfers some impressive swells and fast barrels.

If you’re a beginner looking to hit the waves, opt for spring and early summer, as the waves will be a bit more gentle and beginner-friendly.

Best time for bioluminescent bay viewing: December – February

In order to see the brightest bioluminescence, you want a dry, moonless night, hence the winter months being the best to visit. Dry weather helps the glowing algae sit undisturbed, making it easier to see when moved by your hand or paddle. The glowing moon will make it harder to see, so book your trip for the new moon if you can!

Best time to visit Puerto Rico overall: February

Personally, I feel like February hits the sweet spot for almost everyone. You’ll just miss the summer vacationers from countries whose school break falls Dec-Jan, as well as the spring breakers that tend to start mid-march. Skies will be sunny and blue, beaches will be the perfect temperature to lay out all day, and the waves will be peak quality for surfers. Plus, the bioluminescent bays will still be glowing at their brightest!

If you plan on heading to Old San Juan (highly recommended) check out this two day itinerary for Old San Juan.

Puerto Rico is a beautiful island full of rich culture and history. I hope this article has helped you discover what the best time to visit Puerto Rico is for you. Whatever time of the year you decide to go, it’s sure to be a magical experience!