Month guide · San Juan · Puerto Rico
San Juan in January
What January is really like in San Juan: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Brad Clinesmith from Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit San Juan. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 11.1 hours of daylight. Warm, breezy and dry by Caribbean standards; peak season with Christmas celebrations running into mid-month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 26°C (79°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in San Juan: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 30°C (86°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with December (29°C (84°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:59
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:08
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F)
Autumn (September–November). Peak hurricane risk and frequent rain in September and October, then improving weather and the start of Christmas in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Three Kings Day (6 January)
- Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián — street festival in Old San Juan (usually mid-to-late January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Old San Juan
Cathedral of San Juan Bautista
Dress modestly with covered shoulders, and visit outside Mass times.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Old San Juan
Museo de las Américas
Housed in the Cuartel de Ballajá, a large 19th-century Spanish military barracks around a courtyard near El Morro, the museum covers folk art, the African heritage of the Americas and the Taíno and Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Gallery · Santurce
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
Follow it with lunch around La Placita de Santurce, a short ride away.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Experience · Cataño
Casa Bacardí
Across the bay from Old San Juan in Cataño, the Bacardí distillery's visitor centre offers tours on the history of the company and rum, with tastings and cocktail classes.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Couples
- Rainy day
The sea averages 26°C (79°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near San Juan.
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 22°C and 11 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit San Juan?
One of the best months to visit San Juan, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are February–April and December. Compare every month.
San Juan in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit San Juan?
It is one of the best months to visit San Juan. Warm, breezy and dry by Caribbean standards; peak season with Christmas celebrations running into mid-month.
+How warm is San Juan in January?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Juan in January?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.