Perhaps the biggest weather concern is hurricane season, which typically begins in June and continues through late-November. Historically, however, there’s little if any hurricane activity until August or September, when the big storms tend to come through. Recently, hurricane activity in the Caribbean has become more prevalent, so you can usually count on at least one major storm making landfall each year. Hurricane season (at least late summer) remains a peak travel period here despite September 1998’s monster storm, Hurricane Georges, which tore through the island causing more than a billion dollars in damage – completely washing away one village and taking nearly 300 lives along with it. (See page 29 for more on hurricanes.)
The summer months also tend to bring on late afternoon thunderstorms that seem to appear out of nowhere and last only for short periods of time. During November, especially, rainfall can be heavy and can sometimes last for several days.
You can expect year-round warm temperatures to hover around 85°F (29°C) and to be able to swim any time of year in marvelously temperate Caribbean waters. (Atlantic Ocean waters along the north coast can be cooler, especially in winter, although many North American and European visitors find them perfectly comfortable for swimming in all four seasons.) Daytime temperatures in summer, however, can soar to the mid-90s (around 35°C), with sun rays so intense you may feel as if you’re being fried alive. Even sunset brings little relief. Summer nights are balmy and, without air-conditioning, sleep is sweat-filled. (Take note when booking a hotel room.) You’ll probably want to change clothes at least once or more in daytime when visiting the DR during the summer months.
Winter, on the other hand, is more forgiving, bringing slightly cooler temperatures during the day and blissfully breezy nights.
In the Cordillera Central mountain range, temperatures are always a few degrees cooler, and below-freezing temperatures are not unheard of (many homes and the few hotels in the area come complete with fireplaces). If you’re visiting the Dominican Alps, as this area is known, you’ll want to pack a light sweater – and if you want to do some mountain climbing, be sure to include a coat, gloves, and hat among your gear.
