Best for: Budget travelers seeking cheap flights and hotels
Weather: Hurricane season, followed by rainy fall days
Events: Culinary fest, sportfishing tournaments, and fashion week
Seasonal Favorite: Secluded beaches
June to July marks the start of hurricane season in Puerto Rico, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay home. While hurricanes are common in the tropics, your chances of experiencing one are pretty low. Before Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017, the last severe hurricane took place back in 1931. Also, hurricanes usually come with lots of warning, so you’re not too likely to get stranded. Apart from hurricane season in Puerto Rico, the weather between June and November can be rainy with plenty of sunny days as well, perfect for lounging on the beach, hiking in El Yunque Rainforest, or taking a snorkeling tour.
Another perk of traveling to Puerto Rico in the late summer to fall is that hotel and flight prices drop significantly. You can stay in a room with beach views for almost half the winter rate, and airlines drop prices in an effort to fill up their seats. If you’re a budget traveler who can overlook some rainy days, the best time to travel to Puerto Rico is during late summer to fall.
Events during the late summer and fall include the SoFo Culinary Fest in July or August, one of the most popular annual food festivals on the island; a major sportfishing tournament in August; and San Juan’s High Fashion Week in September. Don’t forget about Thanksgiving! Puerto Rico loves Thanksgiving, and the cities even start to decorate for Christmas in November.
One of the best seasonal perks of visiting Puerto Rico in the fall is that you’re likely to have the beaches all to yourself, especially if you visit some of the less-popular ones. White sand to black sand, sunbathing to cliff diving, Puerto Rico’s beaches have it all. Check out the guide to the best beaches in Puerto Rico to find your favorite.
