Costa Rica in Central America is a beautiful, lush country with abundant rainforests and national parks inhabited by some of the world’s most stunning wildlife, so it’s safe to assume that it receives its fair share of rain, but when is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
Whether you’re a nature lover, love discovering waterfall hiking paths, or simply lounging on the beach with a good book will determine when you decide to visit Costa Rica. As the saying goes, “one man’s rain is another man’s sunshine”, so it’s all relative to each individual as to what constitutes a great time of year to visit. In our opinion, with temperatures averaging a balmy 26°C, you can’t go wrong whenever you decide to go.
There are typically defined seasons, so if you’re looking for the best months to visit Costa Rica and want a January-December itinerary to get the most out of exploring this country, here’s our quick guide to help you decide on the best time to visit this incredible destination.
Visiting Costa Rica in January
January in Costa Rica is generally a busy month, with the rainy period typically stopping in December. Those desperate for some warmth escape the colder climes and flock to Costa Rica for some New Year’s sun. If you enjoy the beach and lower humidity, this might be your month to visit. Expect highs of around 30°C with lows not dropping below 21 °C.
Towards the middle of the month, the crowds disperse and Costa Rica revels in its greenery and cascading waterfalls. January in Costa Rica brings an excellent opportunity to witness migrating birds and sea turtles nesting on the Pacific Ocean beaches. If you’re thinking of visiting in the second week of January, you can join in one of Costa Rica’s most prominent festivals: Las Fiestas Palmares, held in the small city of Palmares. There are fireworks, live music, and cowboy-hat-clad horse riders who entertain the audience in the opening horse parade. It’s one not to miss!
Visiting Costa Rica in February
Dry season is in full swing, and so is Costa Rica’s high season. Get out in the wild and experience the trails and see the iguanas, toucans, and monkeys at Manuel Antonio and Carara national parks, or kayak the calm coastal waters.
Nature is beautiful this time of year, and orchids are in full bloom. Costa Rica’s national flower is the Guaria Morada, a purple orchid, and just one of around 1,500 species of orchid that grow around the country. Head over to Jardín Botánico La Catalina, where all the colors of the rainbow are on display, with over 450 different types of orchids.
Dial up the energy mid-February and party during Mardi Gras at Esterillos, a coastal town approximately 30 minutes from Jaco Beach.
Costa Rica’s climate in March
Expect long, warm, and sunny days in Costa Rica in March, with the thermometer nudging 32 °C or higher in the afternoons. Check the region you’re going to and the activity on your to-do list, as with less rainfall, some of the waterfalls may not be as dramatic by the end of March, and the same applies to river rafting.
March is a spectacular month for an exhilarating zip line through the rainforest canopy, or perhaps some sunrise yoga, or capturing the golden hour before the sun dips into the horizon. With warm temperatures and minimal rainfall, March is a fantastic time to visit Costa Rica. However, avoid the Easter holidays if you prefer fewer people!
April: the last month of dry season in Costa Rica
April in Costa Rica approaches the start of the rainy season, marking a hot and humid month with temperatures consistently above 30°C. If you’re staying on the Caribbean coast, enjoy some tropical showers and calm waters perfect for swimming.
Check out some of the clearest waters for snorkeling and seeing the beautiful array of tropical fish at Playa Punta Uva, in the Limón Province.
Costa Rica’s temperature in May
May heralds the beginning of the rainy season and is known as the “green season”, for obvious reasons. The rainforest becomes even more lush and vibrant, with sunny mornings often tempered by afternoon showers.
River levels rise, making this the perfect time for thrilling water activities and exploring the powerful waterfalls, with some of the most picturesque being La Fortuna, Rio Celeste, and Nauyaca. Adrenaline-seeking surfers love the big swells this time of year on the Pacific Coast, with Jacó Beach and Playa Hermosa drawing a crowd with their powerful surf.
Temperature in Costa Rica in June
The rainy season enhances the vibrancy and colors of the rainforests, and it is a time to relax and marvel at the incredible array of its wildlife inhabitants. Watch the rainforest canopies flicker with the vibrant scarlet macaws, and catch a glimpse of the colorful frogs of Costa Rica, which include the iconic red-eyed tree frog and blue jeans frog.
White-faced capuchin monkeys swing through the national park forests, and turtle nesting season begins in Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast, or head to the Pacific coast and Las Baulas National Marine Park to watch the sea turtles. The Caribbean coast, minus the crowds, is a big plus for visiting Costa Rica in June, and while you can expect daily downpours, warm temperatures will hover around the 26–30°C range.
Costa Rica in July
July in Costa Rica offers a brief respite from the rain, with occasional dry spells. An excellent month for adventure activities, these few weeks are named Veranillo, meaning “little summer”. You can expect a typical tropical feel, with highs between 29°C and 32°C, high humidity, and afternoon or evening showers that break up the otherwise sunny days. The temperature cools in the evening to around 24°C.
Visiting in July, you might be lucky enough to spot humpback whales, migrating south from the colder waters of Antarctica. From arts festivals to mango festivals and Guancaste Day, a national holiday on July 25th, this month is a fun time to explore Costa Rican culture. Beaches are busier, children have two weeks off school, and the atmosphere this month is definitely one of fun and celebration!
Things to do in Costa Rica in August
The weather in Costa Rica in August continues where it left off in July. Afternoon showers, hot days, and balmy evenings do mean the country is at its greenest, making it a photographer’s delight. But don’t let it stop you from exploring the expansive national parks and soaking in the hot springs around Arenal. Just pop a light rain jacket in your bag before you head out.
If surfing, river rafting, and zip-lining are not your thing, take a trip to the Jade Museum in Costa Rica’s capital city of San José. Enjoy the bustling Central Market and sample some of the delicious local coffee, or relax in the many beautiful parks.
Costa Rica weather in September
Costa Rica borders the Caribbean Sea on the northeast, and Nicaragua to the north. Panama borders the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean is to the southwest, resulting in a diverse range of weather and climate across this Central American country. If you’re on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, you expect September to be one of the wettest months in Costa Rica, but if you’re on the Caribbean side, you’ll be strolling in the sunshine down to the beach, as here it’s dry season!
Tamarindo and the Northern Nicoya Peninsula tend to get less rain than the southern Pacific. This is the time of year when you can kick back and feel the Costa Rican laid-back vibe, without the crowds.
What is Costa Rica like in October?
More sun on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica in October invites a chance to slow down, like the local sloths you might have the luck of spotting! Traveling to Costa Rica in October, you can expect a mixed bag of weather, depending on which location you visit.
Wet season on the Pacific coast means thundering waterfalls and exhilarating adventures, whereas dry days and warm, pleasant nights on the Caribbean coast invite lazy afternoons and beachside dining.
What is Costa Rica like in November?
November is an excellent month for hiking in Costa Rica, as it marks the last month of the rainy season, with the approaching dry season gradually taking hold. Smell the earthy rainforests and enjoy the tropical atmosphere with morning hikes and average temperatures of 17°C to 26 °C.
With mixed weather and scattered rainfall, November in Costa Rica offers dramatically beautiful scenery and bright mornings, making it perfect for exploration.
Is Costa Rica warm in December?
Costa Rica is warm most of the year, to be fair, but December sees an influx of visitors seeking the warmth of this Central American country.
From now until April is the ideal time to visit one of the world’s most biodiverse places. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, situated in the Puntarenas province, is home to hundreds of mammal species, thousands of bird species, and numerous plant species.
Visitors can walk the hanging canopy bridges, 15,000 feet above the moss-covered rainforest floor below, and get close to the cloud forest inhabitants. Look out for the exquisite hummingbirds that live in the Monteverde Cloud Forests (over 52 species!), and the resplendent quetzal with its striking iridescent plumage.
Costa Rica FAQs
What is the best time to visit Costa Rica for wildlife?
All year round is the simple answer! With Costa Rica’s wondrous array of mammals and birds, you are spoilt for choice throughout the year. From brightly-colored birds like the resplendent quetzals, toucans, and scarlet macaws, to monkeys, iguanas, and nesting turtles, and migrating humpback whales, there is an incredible abundance of wildlife to see throughout the year in Costa Rica.
When is the dry season in Costa Rica?
The summer season in Costa Rica (Verano) is regarded as the dry season and runs from December through April. That’s not to say that no rain falls during these months, but it will be very low with just 5-50mm and a pleasant temperature of between 24-27 °C, and an excellent time for visiting the beaches. So, pick these months if you’re a beach lover or want to photograph the wildlife, minus the rain.
What is the overall best season in Costa Rica?
If it’s your first time visiting Costa Rica, or you want a weather-consistent time to visit (obviously, with climate change, this can never be 100% certain), then probably the dry season is generally regarded as the optimum season to visit Costa Rica. While the best time to visit depends on your personal preferences, beach lovers and those preferring to make the most of outdoor activities when it’s not raining can take advantage of visiting during the dry season.
When is Costa Rica’s low season?
From September to October, the months with the most rainfall on the Pacific side fall into the low season category. However, as mentioned in the article, due to Costa Rica’s diverse microclimates, visiting the Caribbean coast during these months can yield sunnier weather with less rainfall. Flights can be cheaper during the low green season.
When is Costa Rica’s peak season?
The drier summer season, which runs from December to April, marks the peak season in Costa Rica. Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter holidays fall into this time of year, so expect high-season prices for accommodations and flights.
