Best Time to Visit San Juan

December to April: the dry, easy months

This is the season most people come for, and it's easy to see why. Days reach the high 20s°C, nights stay mild, and the rain is short and patchy. January to March rate Excellent, with February the driest at 40 mm. December and April are still Good, though April starts to get showery.

Days in Old San Juan feel just right for walking the blue cobblestones, climbing the walls of El Morro fort and eating mofongo (mashed fried plantain) in a café on Calle Fortaleza. Beaches like Condado and Isla Verde are pleasant all day. This is high season, so flights and hotels cost more, and the cruise ships fill the old town on many days. If you hate crowds, aim for early March or the first half of December.

Events fill the calendar. Three Kings Day on 6 January is a big family holiday. In mid-January the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián turn Old San Juan into a huge street party with music, crafts and food. It's loud and packed, so book a bed well ahead if you want to be there.

May to July: hot and showery

Warmth builds in May, and rain shows up on most days. May has 124 mm over 22 days, and sun drops to under four hours a day. June is a little drier at 91 mm, but still wet on 21 days.

The showers are usually quick, so you can still plan around them. Spend mornings at the beach or in the El Yunque rainforest, then duck into the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico when the sky opens. Late June brings the Noche de San Juan on the night of 23 June, when locals walk backwards into the sea at midnight for luck. It's a fun one if you're on a budget, as this is low season.

August to November: the wettest stretch

October is the wettest month at 169 mm, with September close behind at 157 mm. Rain falls on 24 to 26 days in August, September and October. It's also the heart of hurricane season, so buy travel insurance that covers storms and watch the forecast.

The upside is cheap rooms and quiet streets. Humidity hits 80% in October and November, so afternoons feel sticky. Travelling with kids? Skip these months. If you're flexible and just want a cheap city break with museums and long lunches, late November is the easiest of the bunch.