Dominican Republic in January

Dry in the south; showers on the north coast; whales arrive in Samaná mid-month.

• South and east coasts · Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Bayahibe, La Romanabest weather

  Hot all year (29–32 °C); rainy spells May–June and September–November; hurricane risk peaks August–October. Sargassum seaweed can foul east-coast beaches in summer (check).

• North coast and Samaná · Puerto Plata, Cabarete, Las Terrenas, Samanárainy

  Trade-wind showers make November–January the wettest months here, unlike the south. Whales in Samaná Bay mid-January to March.

• Cordillera Central · Jarabacoa, Constanza, Pico Duartecool

  Mountain air, 15–25 °C by day; Constanza can reach near freezing on winter nights.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• New Year's Day

  1 Jan

  Closures.

• Epiphany (Día de Reyes)

  6 Jan

  Holiday; may move to Monday.

• Our Lady of Altagracia

  21 Jan

  Pilgrimage to Higüey basilica.

• Duarte Day

  26 Jan

  Holiday; may move.

Crowds · Dominican Republic

High

Prices · Dominican Republic

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• South and east coasts

  Best weather of the year (Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Bayahibe, La Romana)

• Santo Domingo

  Dry and warm; the best months.