Dominican Republic - Anyone give me some advice on weather?

[Pulse]

Thinking of going to 'Playa Dorada' in Dom Rep after seeing a place that has got really good reviews. Only problem is, the holiday is in May, and rainfall is 160mm in just one month. Twice the amount of rain in the rainiest month in England.

Does anyone have any experience of holidaying there in May, and would the rain be really annoying? If the rain is bursts of 5 minutes downpour for a few times a day, that's OK, but wouldn't want it to rain for days on end.

Thanks all.

[hollowpockets]

From my experience it was always mad downpours in the evening, thunder and lightening would roll in from the sea and the heavans would open for an hour or two, was fine during the day other than the one day out of 10

[john_p]

Went in Feb and it was similar, I guess that's why it's green grass and big trees everywhere! Was always hot though, so even if it rained halfway through the day it was infrequent and dried out quick.

[Gold]

hollowpockets said:

From my experience it was always mad downpours in the evening, thunder and lightening would roll in from the sea and the heavans would open for an hour or two, was fine during the day other than the one day out of 10

Not been to the Dominican Republic but been close and this is spot on, but to add it always rains at almost the same time everyday like clockwork so you can plan when not to be out.

[Simpo Two]

At least it's not Deep Cove in NZ - annual rainfall 8m!

I went there and yes, it was raining

[Pulse]

Thanks for replying. We have the choice of the very start of May, or the very end of May. When is it likely to be nicer? I'm getting conflicting climate reports from the internet (would you believe it)...

[northwest monkey]

Pulse said:

Thanks for replying. We have the choice of the very start of May, or the very end of May. When is it likely to be nicer? I'm getting conflicting climate reports from the internet (would you believe it)...

At the risk of getting splinters up my arse from the fence I'm sitting on, I'd say book the time that suits you. Trying to second guess any Caribbean weather is really difficult at the best of times but on the plus side May isn't hurricane season One thing though, when it rains, it really really rains - hence some outrageous rainfall measurements. It's not like over here though where it rains for what seems like ever & it's still warm. Try sitting in the sea when it's hammering down - freaky experience! The RIU hotels are nice - nowhere near the chavvy place either;)

[Pulse]

northwest monkey said:

Pulse said:

Thanks for replying. We have the choice of the very start of May, or the very end of May. When is it likely to be nicer? I'm getting conflicting climate reports from the internet (would you believe it)...

At the risk of getting splinters up my arse from the fence I'm sitting on, I'd say book the time that suits you. Trying to second guess any Caribbean weather is really difficult at the best of times but on the plus side May isn't hurricane season One thing though, when it rains, it really really rains - hence some outrageous rainfall measurements. It's not like over here though where it rains for what seems like ever & it's still warm. Try sitting in the sea when it's hammering down - freaky experience! The RIU hotels are nice - nowhere near the chavvy place either;)

Haha, thanks for sitting on the fence

What are RIU hotels? And what is the 'chavvy' place?

[northwest monkey]

Pulse said:

northwest monkey said:

Pulse said:

Thanks for replying. We have the choice of the very start of May, or the very end of May. When is it likely to be nicer? I'm getting conflicting climate reports from the internet (would you believe it)...

At the risk of getting splinters up my arse from the fence I'm sitting on, I'd say book the time that suits you. Trying to second guess any Caribbean weather is really difficult at the best of times but on the plus side May isn't hurricane season One thing though, when it rains, it really really rains - hence some outrageous rainfall measurements. It's not like over here though where it rains for what seems like ever & it's still warm. Try sitting in the sea when it's hammering down - freaky experience! The RIU hotels are nice - nowhere near the chavvy place either;)

Haha, thanks for sitting on the fence

What are RIU hotels? And what is the 'chavvy' place?

Chavvy place is Playa Dorada - very popular with stag/hen/chav weddings etc etc.

The RIU Hotels are a chain of hotels but at a place called Bahia Maimon - there is the RIU Merengue, RIU Bachata & RIU Mambo. Lovely hotels & you can use all the facilities at each hotel (restaurants/bars etc). Some folk get very snobby about DR, but I've been twice & enjoyed it

[Pulse]

Ah, I didn't realise Playa Dorada was chavvy. I'll get back on the lookout then! Thanks.

[Planet Claire]

I went in late March and bar a couple of heavy 10 minute downpours in the morning (but within minutes it's blazing sunshine again and everything has dried out) the weather was beautiful.