Costa Rica is a country with many micro-climates. In a matter of minutes, the weather can change dramatically as you travel from one place to another. You may experience torrential rain in the middle of the dry season or get nice sunny days during the rainy season. Getting confused? Don’t! You can plan your perfect Costa Rica holiday based on the most probable weather conditions. Just be ready for any kind of weather and do not let it come in the way of enjoying your holidays. To help you plan, here is our guide about the best time to visit Costa Rica and what to expect in different seasons.
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Check out our packing guide (with a FREE checklist!) to be ready for any activity or any weather condition in Costa Rica.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: The Weather Guide
The best time to visit most parts of Costa Rica in terms of weather is the dry season between December and April. There is another short dry window in July, which we call the “mini summer”. These months have mostly sunny days and lower chances of rainfall. This makes it the best time to enjoy the beaches, easier to hike and spot animals and birds in the wild.
However, the best weather on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is in September and October or February and March, as this part of the country experiences more rainfall than others in the other months.
The questions that you need to ask while planning the Costa Rica itinerary are:
How much rain is going to affect my Costa Rica vacation experience?
- Dry Season (Most Parts of Costa Rica):
- Mid-December to April
- Mini-dry season in July on the Pacific Coast
- February and March are the driest months
- Wet Season or Green Season (Most Parts of Costa Rica):
- May, June, August to mid-December
- Caribbean coast has its driest months in
- September-October and February-March
How are the temperatures in various parts of Costa Rica?
The temperatures vary by regions – Central Valley, mountains or the coastal regions (Pacific and Caribbean). The dry seasons have hotter days than the wet season.
The Central Valley, including the capital San Jose, has year round moderate temperatures ranging between 15-28 degrees Celsius (59-82 degrees Fahrenheit).
The coastal regions are dry and hot with day temperatures above 30 C (86 F) and can vary across the north Guanacaste region, Nicoya, Central Pacific and South Pacific. The North and Central Pacific Coast of Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces have the driest and hottest climates compared to the South Pacific region.
The Central Highlands and the Cordillera de Talamanca mountain regions can be cold with temperatures dropping below 10 C (50 F) depending on the altitude.
Tourist Seasons of Costa Rica – When are the visitors coming?
Most visitors prefer the sunny weather, the highlight of the dry season months, making the period the busiest among all. It is evident that the same months will be heavier on the travel budget.
Based on the data from Costa Rica Tourism Board, we created this infographic to help you get an overview of the tourist footfall in Costa Rica over different months of the year.
Peak Season – Busiest Tourist Time and Highest Prices
No surprise there! The holiday peak season (Christmas and New Year) is the period when Costa Rica gets the most visitors and the locals also travel in large numbers.
The Easter week in April, locally known as Semana Santa, is busy as the locals utilize the extra long weekend for some sun and sand.
High Tourist Season – Busy Tourist Time and High Prices
Otherwise the dry season (mid-December to April) months are the most visited apart from the mini-summer in July (Summer holiday in North America, Europe and mini summer in Costa Rica).
Low Season – Less Crowd and Low Prices
If you want some tranquility and low prices, May-June or mid-August to November are the best months. Although these months face rains, Costa Rica wears her lushest green in the rainy season. In most spots, you will probably get the entire place to yourself or with little crowd. Just remember to bring a good rain poncho and a waterproof backpack for hiking in rain!
Rainy season, between the months of May and November, is also a good time for advanced level scuba diving in Costa Rica. August onwards, until November, it is a good time for beginner level divers in Costa Rica.
Our Favorite – The Shoulder Season in Costa Rica
The shoulder season of end-November to mid-December is our favorite as the landscapes are still afresh from the rains but the high season has not yet set foot in the country. Unless you have specific season-dependent activities in mind, try the shoulder season.
Experiences by Month Clusters – Activities & Tips by Month
Costa Rica has various experiences to offer and visitors can plan their tours based on their interests. Some of the activities or places are seasonal or best experienced in certain weather conditions, so create your bucket-list to know what to expect in different seasons. Here is a guide by different months to build your plan based on your time of travel.
We created this infographic below as your go-to reference material for planning Costa Rica activities by time of the year. Save it or pin it for later!
Read our Costa Rica activities guide and pick your favorites to include in the itinerary!
Costa Rica between Mid-December to April
The beaches are at their best during this season. So if you are looking for beautiful tropical sun and clear ocean water, this is the right time. The forest ecosystem looks drier during the middle of the season, however, the hiking trails are easier to walk on. Just need to be cautious with the heat and the humidity! The chances of watching wild animals and birds are higher as they do not need to hide from the rain.
Tips
- Avoid the beginning of January if you want to keep away from ‘Christmas / New Year’ crowd and the peak season prices.
- March and April are slightly better in terms of visitors and budget. However, the Easter week (locally called Semana Santa) is usually very busy.
- February and March are the driest months in most parts of Costa Rica including the Caribbean coast.
Reasons for traveling to Costa Rica during Mid-December to April
Beach Time | Wildlife | Birding | Hiking | Volcanoes | Snorkeling | Kayaking.
Check out some tour options for Mid-December to April
Costa Rica in May-June
These 2 months fall in the low season as the monsoon starts from May. You will find less crowds and low prices.
Tips
- Plan your activities in the mornings as the rain generally occurs in the afternoon.
- Look for special discounts on the hotel and tour prices.
- Driving can be difficult during rainy season in Costa Rica. If you plan to self-drive, get a 4X4.
Reasons for traveling to Costa Rica during May-June
Waterfalls | Watching Resplendent Quetzals | Start of Surfing season
Check out some tour options for May-June
Costa Rica in July
Costa Rica has a mini-summer or a short dry season in July. You can plan a similar itinerary as in Mid-December to April. The other highlight of July is the onset of the whale-watching season on the Pacific Coast.
Tip
- The times that coincides with holidays in the United States. It is also the school holidays in Costa Rica. So, this month can be slightly busier.
Reasons to travel to Costa Rica in July
Mini Dry Season | Whale Season | Waterfalls | Pacific Coast Beaches
Check out some tour options for July
Costa Rica in August-October
If you wish to have most of the places to yourself, these are the best months. The waterfalls come alive and are gushing during these months. Many of them might not be suitable to swim during this time but the views are the best.
On the Caribbean coast, September and October are the dry months when the beautiful beaches are at their absolute best.
Tip
- Check for the low season prices.
Reasons to travel to Costa Rica in August-October
Caribbean Coast Beaches | Turtle Nesting | Waterfalls | Scuba Diving
Check out some tour options for August-October
Costa Rica in November to Mid-December
If you are open to take calculated risk and are not bothered by chances of rain, this shoulder season is the perfect time to visit Costa Rica. This is towards the end of the wet season when Costa Rica still retains its green but the high tourist season has not arrived yet. Plan your hikes and activities in the morning when the chances of rain are lower.
Tips
- Find the best prices before peak season pricing strikes.
Reasons to travel to Costa Rica in November to Mid-December
Shoulder Season | Sunny Mornings | Waterfalls | Scuba Diving | Rafting
Reasons to travel to Costa Rica in November to Mid-December
Final Thoughts
Irrespective of the time of the year, you can find plenty of activities to fill your days. That is why we always say that you can visit Costa Rica any time of the year and have a great time! While we enjoy the dry season beach time, we also love the gushing waterfalls in the rain. If you know what you want to do, pick the season accordingly for your Costa Rica vacation. Pura vida!
Looking for more information for planning your perfect Costa Rica vacation? Start here.
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