June is quieter for events with the hotter days, but those running display the many facets of the Dominican Republic's mixed heritage. The Mango Festival in Bani, southwest of Santo Domingo and home of the Banilejo mango, showcases the copious varieties of mangoes grown on the island alongside contests, music and dancing. Near Samana, Sanchez's village hosts a seafood festival over two days with cookery demonstrations, crafts, music, and dance. Keep an eye out for Corpus Christi day, the Cocolo festival, and food festivals across the island too.
If you’re concerned about the rising heat, but the low-season costs appeal to you, opt to stay in Punta Cana or Puerto Plata as they are a couple of degrees cooler than the Northern coast. You’ll often find incredible food festivals in these areas throughout June.
June is a wonderful month for a holiday in the Dominican Republic; you can still enjoy plenty of great weather and around 8 hours of sunshine a day. The warmer waters make June the perfect time for all sorts of watersports, including surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving. Learn to surf like a pro on one of the many exceptional surfing schools on the island or visit the untouched coral reefs of Pedernales and Barahona off the south coast.
In June, the Dominican Republic has an average temperature of 28°C, with highs of 32°C and lows of 24°C. Despite it being a wet season, the chance of rain and hurricanes is relatively low with an average of just 6 days of rain in the month.
General packing tips for June: