Planning a trip to Costa Rica and wondering about the best time to go? The answer largely depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the type of vacation you desire. This a real topic and the question should really be: When is the best time for ME to visit Costa Rica? You will understand, the answer depends exactly on what YOU want. We can’t answer this question for you, so we will give you some information to help you make your decision. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you decide the best time to visit Costa Rica, considering various factors such as weather, costs, crowds, and activities.
Understanding Costa Rica's rainy and dry season
Costa Rica experiences two main seasons: the dry season (December to April) and the rainy season (May to November). Each season offers unique advantages, so your choice will depend on what you’re looking for in your trip.
Dry Season (December to April)
Weather:
This period is Costa Rica’s summer, characterized by sunny days and high temperatures. It’s the best time to visit Costa Rica if you’re looking to escape the cold winters of North America and Europe.
Tourism:
Being the high season, it’s the busiest time with many tourists flocking to the country. Consequently, it’s also the most expensive period. Popular destinations can be crowded, and it’s advisable to book accommodations, tours, and car rentals well in advance.
Activities:
Ideal for beach vacations, diving, and exploring national parks without worrying about rain. February and March are particularly hot, with temperatures soaring on the Northern Pacific coasts.
Wildlife:
This is a good time for spotting humpback whales from Alaska and California, and sea turtles like the hawksbill and olive ridley on the Pacific coast.
Rainy Season (May to November)
Weather:
Known as the green season, this period brings lush, vibrant landscapes due to regular rainfall. Mornings are usually sunny, with rains typically in the afternoons and evenings.
Tourism:
Fewer tourists visit during this time, resulting in lower prices for accommodations and tours. October is the slowest month, offering the best deals.
Activities:
Perfect for budget travelers and those looking to avoid crowds. Water activities like white water rafting and fishing are excellent during this time due to fuller rivers. However, some activities may be affected by rain, so it’s wise to have flexible plans.
Wildlife:
Rainy season is great for wildlife enthusiasts, with opportunities to see humpback whales from Antarctica, and active sea turtles like the leatherback and hawksbill on both coasts.
Want to travel during the rainy season? Discover our article "Rainy Season in Costa Rica : why visit, what to know, what to do ?"
When is the best weather to visit Costa Rica ?
The best weather depends on where as well as when. There are a number of microclimates in Costa Rica and it can be flooding in one zone but bone dry in another.
The best weather to visit Costa Rica is generally during the dry season, which runs from mid-December to April. During this time, you can expect plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures, and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for beach activities, exploring national parks, and enjoying outdoor adventures. However, this is also the peak tourist season, so popular destinations may be more crowded and prices higher.
If you prefer fewer crowds and don't mind some rain, consider visiting during the shoulder months of May, June, or November. These periods often offer a balance of good weather and fewer tourists, along with lush, green landscapes from the recent rains.
We personally have visited at every time of year and while there are advantages to the high dry season we often prefer the low rainy season (referred also to the “Green Season” from April to August).
Costa Rica weather by month : what to expect ?
January & February:
January is busy but the number of tourists for the New Year, starts to decrease a few days after the 1st. The second week to last week of January is a great time to visit since it’s great weather, hot, but not quite as hot as the following months. Prices go back to normal after the New Year, and lush landscapes from the recent rains, great time for both beaches and rain forest.
February is a busy time, in the boom of high season. If you are want to visit Costa Rica during these months, the best is to plan and book early for places like Manuel Antonio National Park.
March & April:
Warmest times of the year in most of the country. It's peak season, during spring break and Easter week, so book in advance. It is also very expensive to travel during this time. Very hot, especially in Guanacaste, the waterfalls shrink to a trickle and the rivers dry up. This is a good time for the South Pacific and the Osa Peninsula. And it's Monteverde's perfect time for bird watching. It could start to rain in late April in the mountains or rainforest areas.
May:
The start of the green season in May is a well-deserved moment of coolness after the intense heat of the dry season. The landscapes begin to green up with the first rains. Temperatures are starting to drop, as are hotel prices and tourist numbers. May is a transitional month, very humid, with intermittent rain across the country, but not quite at the pace of the later months of the green season.
Costa Rica's Pacific coast experiences more swells, making May and June great months for surfers looking to catch big waves.
June:
First proper month of rainy season, as May was transition. The entire country sees more rains, with usually dry morning but cloudy and rainy afternoons, evenings and overnights. But it doesn’t rain everyday and it is mostly intermittent rain. Everything begins to look much more green and vibrant as the rain brings the rainforest to life. You’ll see a small surge in tourists as the kids get let out of school and family vacations start.
July & August:
It’s green season in Costa Rica, but a brief pocket of sunshine breaks up the rain in July in what locals call veranillo, or little summer. Common to have rainy afternoons (perfect for water activities) and typically clear mornings (perfect for morning tours). The weather is generally good, and hotel prices low. July and August are popular travel times due to less rain, summer break up in North America and Europe and mid winter break in Costa Rica. Some hotels increase their prices in these months.
September & October:
On the typically rainy southern Caribbean coast, the rain clears up in September and October, making it an ideal time to visit, it is the most popular time for Europeans.
On the Pacific Coast, it's the peak of the green season, but don't let the rain keep you away. You will have more opportunities to observe wildlife during the green season, it is an ideal time for wildlife. The surfing and rafting are fantastic. Hotel availability, prices and service are optimal as these are the lowest months of the year for tourism. You may even find that you have the beach all to yourself, laid-back city centers, and limited nightlife in October.
November:
Early November doesn't have many tourists, it's the end of November that marks the start of the busy season in Costa Rica, as vacations and cold weather are a great excuse to get away. A good time to visit before the crowds arrive in December.
It's still raining but starting to let up a little. This is the best time to observe the turtle nesting season, especially olive ridley turtles during arribadas (mass arrivals) at Osional Wildlife Refuge.
December
The beginning of December is less crowded, with unpredictable weather. The rain is starting to ease, but you may still get random short showers. You can experience great days at the beach on the Pacific coast. In Guanacaste, the driest region of the country, the foliage begins to turn golden. Peak season generally starts around mid-December for the winter holidays. With this, hotel prices are increasing. We recommend booking your travel well in advance to secure the best hotel rooms and take advantage of early bird specials.
Conclusion : when is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
As you can imagine, we are not meteorologists and it is difficult to predict exactly what the weather will be like during your visit. This blog is above all a general idea with some information to help you choose your travel dates.
Choosing the best time to visit Costa Rica depends on YOUR preferences:
Dry season : for those looking to avoid rain and enjoy sunny days at the beach, December to April for most of the country, October for the Caribbean.
Rainy season : for budget travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, and those who don’t mind afternoon showers: May, June and November.
No matter when you visit, Costa Rica’s natural beauty and diverse activities offer a memorable experience. Whether you’re exploring lush rainforests, relaxing on pristine beaches, or spotting exotic wildlife, Costa Rica has something for everyone, year-round.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Costa Rica?
Remember, it depends of what YOU want. But the best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest, but it's also the most touristy period. We'd also recommend traveling in Costa Rica during green season, from May to June : the seasons is in transition, and the national parks are quieter.
What is the cheapest month to go to Costa Rica?
What is the rainy season in Costa Rica?
How many days in Costa Rica is enough?
Should I visit Costa Rica during the rainy season?
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