Punta Cana Weather in December

December weather

December is one of the best months to visit Punta Cana, and our comfort score rates the weather excellent at 8.5 out of 10. Days are warm and humid, with highs around 27°C and little difference between day and night. You'll get plenty of sunshine, though showers still pass through on some days. Rain falls far less than in November, which makes it easier to fit in beach time and boat trips.

Bávaro's long stretch of sand suits lazy swims, and a calmer spell is a good time for a catamaran trip. The humidity can make long inland walks feel sticky, so keep an eye on the sky if you plan to visit Scape Park. If a shower rolls in, be ready to switch plans. Keeping your outdoor activities flexible will save you frustration.

Holidays and crowds

Christmas and New Year bring special meals, music and celebrations at many Punta Cana resorts. You may also hear Dominican Christmas music, including merengue and bachata, around the holiday season. It's a lively time to be on the island.

That liveliness comes with a cost. December is part of the high season, so resorts and flights tend to cost more than in quieter months, and the weeks around Christmas and New Year are especially popular with families escaping winter. If you hate crowds, avoid the busiest holiday week. If you'd rather have a calmer, often better-value stay, any month from January to April falls within the same dry season, so you can keep the good weather and lose some of the rush.

Beyond the resort

Travelling with kids? The warm sea and resort pools make it easy to break up beach days with a swim and a quiet afternoon indoors if rain passes through.

For a local change of pace, visit Macao Beach, north of the main resort strip. It's a public beach, unlike many stretches beside hotels, and its open shore draws surfers when the waves are up. Go when the sea looks manageable, and ask locally about conditions before swimming. You can also try fresh fish at a beachside restaurant, though expect a more relaxed, less polished setting than at a resort.