What do you think about when you think of January? Many of us here think of cold and rainy or snowy, and the extreme desire to stay home under a blanket. However, Punta Cana happens to be downright wonderful in January. What better reason could you need to escape the typical droll January for a few days? Just read on if you need any more convincing!
How is the weather in Punta Cana in January?
January’s weather in Punta Cana is nothing short of dream-like. Imagine this; sitting on a white sandy beach, toes in the sand, the sound of ocean waves gently running up the beach, an umbrella propped up over you, with a nice icy drink in your hand. This is all entirely possible in January here! The average daily high temperature is 83°F, rarely falling below 80°F. January 30th is considered the coldest day of the year here and it still averages between 72°F and 83°F! Sounds like paradise, right? If you’re wondering about precipitation, there is nothing to worry about; January is considered the driest month of the year! Go on any outdoor excursion with little to no fear of getting rained on! In addition, each day in January here there is around 11 hours of sunlight. The longest day being January 31st coming in at 11 hours and 20 minutes. Nice sunny weather, that is not too hot or too cold, little to no rain, plenty of daylight – there is only one word to describe January in Punta Cana: “paradise”.
So, what can I do in January in Punta Cana?
A better question to ask would be, “What can’t you do?”. Here you can find snorkeling, horseback riding, buggy and/or ATV expeditions, sailing, shopping, whale watching, deep sea fishing, take a selfie with a squirrel monkey – the list goes on! Needless to say, there is a little something for everyone. Each of the activities we’ll cover today will have transportation also! While staying at the beach front resorts and relaxing your whole stay is far more than great, why not check out some of these activities available outside of the resorts?
Whale Watching – The opportunity to witness humpback whales in their natural habitat would be magical. This excursion cost $189 per person, and is an all day adventure. Starting in Punta Cana, Bávaro you will take rural roads via bus. You’ll get to see a few different towns and the amazing colors and exotic flora of the rain forests before arriving in Miches, 1 hour later. Here you’ll have a light breakfast before heading to the docks and departing on the boat to look for whales!
Safari Tour and Horseback Ride – This excursion includes horseback riding AND a safari tour! You get a double whammy for the low price of $99 per person! Ride through stunning scenery via horseback, learn about Dominican rum, explore cane fields, experience traditional foods, and learn how to roll a traditional Dominican cigar! This is an 8 hour excursion, so come prepared for a full day of adventure!
Monkey Land Half-Day Safari – Here you can – you guessed it! – interact with and feed squirrel monkeys! These monkeys have been trained how to interact with humans, and will come down from the trees to sit on your shoulder, eat food you can give them, and even take selfies! You can also witness amazing views of the local villages and eastern mountain range. You will learn of coffee, cacao, and coconut oil production, as well as taste local organic fruits and coffee. This excursion costs a well-worth-it $79 per person!
Full-Day Snorkeling Tour to Catalina Island – Take a catamaran to Catalina island! Enjoy refreshments and entertainment under the warm sun and on crystal waters while on your way to the island. Arrive at a private beach where you will snorkel to experience a diverse aquatic environment. Afterwards you get to enjoy unlimited drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and an authentic Dominican BBQ feast on a private white sand beach. Sounds like a dream for $85 per person.
Needless to say; there is plenty to do in the area regardless of what month it is. Don’t let January get you down, go out and explore what Punta Cana has to offer!
Local Foods in January
You really won’t want to miss the opportunity to taste the fruits here in their peak! Fruits that are at their peak in January are: pineapples, oranges, bananas, grapefruits, guava, dragon fruit, coconuts, limes, lemons, mamoncillo, passion fruit, papaya, sapote, and tamarind. While you can get most Dominican fruits all year round here (some may require some hunting), each fruit still has its own peak season in which they are cheapest.
January is also peak season for a few fish including Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Sailfish! This would be the best time to catch (and eat!) these particular fish. Fishermen gather some gear and see what you can catch!
Is January the Best Month to Visit?
We can’t say January is hands-down the best month, because really any time is a good time to visit Punta Cana! However, we will say that it is a GREAT month to visit to get away from the typical January that most of us experience. The opportunity to sip an icy drink on the beach, or go horseback riding, or visit monkeys while it’s 70°F in a month that is – in our experience – typically wintry and freezing, sounds like a dream. Pack your bags, head to Punta Cana and experience something you could normally only imagine!
