Knowing the best time to travel to Costa Rica is essential when planning your trip. If your calendar is wide open, I recommend choosing the months of the year that have the ideal conditions for the activities you want to do in Costa Rica. On the other hand, if you have fixed dates, it helps to know about the weather in Costa Rica so you can better organize your itinerary.
Essentially, Costa Rica has two seasons: the dry season, which runs from December to April, and the green or rainy season, which runs from May to November. However, there are many microclimates throughout Costa Rica that don’t entirely adhere to these seasons. This is why there is so much biodiversity in this country. The wealth of species and stunning landscapes make for a unique trip, but you should still put some thought into the planning process.
Best time to travel to Costa Rica – Weather in Costa Rica
To be fair, you can visit many attractions in Costa Rica year-round, but it’s not always comfortable touring the country during bad weather. Costa Rica is definitely one of those places where the weather can completely change your experience. For example, we have some friends who went during the rainy season and could hardly leave the hotel. On the other hand, we once visited in October, which is by no means the best month to travel to Costa Rica, and we had pretty good luck with the weather.
At the end of the day, it’s important to be aware of the climate. In this guide, I’ll help you choose the best time to travel to Costa Rica by sharing insights and tips on weather conditions and the peak times to visit for certain activities.
Before we begin, I have to ask, do you have travel insurance for Costa Rica? This country is full of volcanoes, waterfalls, and other beautiful places that require you to travel along rocky roads and by boat. It’s not hard to imagine potential injuries or accidents. For peace of mind, I recommend Heymondo insurance, which is the company we use whenever we travel. You can use our Heymondo discount code if you decide to buy a policy from them, too.
Best time to travel to Costa Rica
As I mentioned, Costa Rica has two seasons but many microclimates where the weather can vary throughout the year. Costa Rica’s dry season runs from December to April, and the green season, which is when the heavy rains fall, runs from May to November.
If you’re deciding when to go to Costa Rica, the best time to travel will depend on which places you want to visit. Or maybe it’s the other way around: you have fixed vacation dates and you want to know where to go and what to do during that time of year.
Best time to travel to Costa Rica
Of course, weather can be unpredictable sometimes, so remember that you can’t guarantee you’ll have ideal conditions, no matter how much planning you do. While basking in the sun on a Caribbean beach in October, the rest of the country could be drenched in rain. One thing I can tell you, though, is that you won’t be cold, as Costa Rica is close to the equator, where winter is virtually nonexistent.
Weather in Costa Rica – What is the climate like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has 13 different regional climate zones, each with a unique microclimate. The country also has coastlines along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while inland, there are mountain ranges full of volcanoes. All these factors influence Costa Rica’s climate.
When trying to figure out the best time of year to travel to Costa Rica, keep in mind that it’s cooler and rainier in the mountains and sunnier closer to sea level. Below, I’ll give you some general information about the rainfall and temperature in Costa Rica.
Average temperature in Costa Rica
Since the country has so many different climate zones, calculating the average temperature of Costa Rica can be complicated. However, they each have an average temperature index, so we can separate them: coastal areas and low-altitude regions, and mountainous areas.
The coastal/low-altitude areas have an average temperature of 27°C (81°F), while the mountainous regions have an average temperature of 12°C (54°F).
Average temperature in Costa Rica
During the dry season, the average temperature jumps to 25°C (77°F), but it gets even warmer in the coastal zones. Therefore, the best time of year to travel to Costa Rica if you want to visit both the Caribbean and Pacific beaches is between February and March.
Average rainfall in Costa Rica
Just like the average temperature, the average annual rainfall in Costa Rica depends on where you’re looking. Of course, most of the precipitation occurs during the green (rainy) season.
Average rainfall in Costa Rica
If we talk about Costa Rica in general, there are usually scattered showers between May and November. The exceptions are September and October, which typically get a lot of rain all over the country (23 days per month of intense rain, on average). From December to April, there is very little rainfall, with some parts of the country getting no rain at all.
Dry season in Costa Rica (December-April)
Overall, the best time to visit Costa Rica is from December to April. This is the dry season in Costa Rica, so you’ll have the lowest chance of rain. If you go during this time, you’ll have more flexibility with your plans, so it’s much easier.
However, you already know that the climate in this country has many particularities, so here is more info about the month-by-month changes:
Costa Rica in December
December is one of the most popular months to visit Costa Rica, so the prices during this time are usually a little more expensive due to tourist demand. This is especially apparent around Christmas and New Year’s. Most tourists come from the United States, where winter temperatures at northern states are very low, making Costa Rica the ideal vacation spot.
Moreover, availability is limited, so if you’re still deciding where to stay in Costa Rica, I recommend booking an accommodation as soon as possible.
On the other hand, December is a transition month between Costa Rica’s green season and the dry season, so the weather can be a bit unpredictable. We took our first trip to Costa Rica in December, and we had incessant rain for the first 2 weeks. That said, if we had gone to the Caribbean beaches, we would have had spectacular weather.
If you’re visiting Costa Rica in December and catch some sunny days, I recommend going to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It’ll be quite a sight since the surrounding vegetation will be bright green after the rainy season. I did this tour and absolutely loved it.
Costa Rica in January
If you’re a beach lover, January is the best month to visit Costa Rica. During the month, the beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast are ideal for swimming and sunbathing. While there is always a small chance of isolated showers – usually in the afternoon – the weather’s never bad enough to ruin a beach day.
Two places that you must visit no matter what are the beaches of Santa Teresa and the beaches of Guanacaste, two true paradises. Here, you can take advantage of the gentler waves that hit the Pacific coast after the dry season, and sign up for surf lessons. If you didn’t know, Costa Rica is one of the most famous surfing meccas in the world, so don’t miss the opportunity to get started in this sport.
If you have flexile travel dates, try to avoid the first week of the month, since there will still be a lot of tourists on winter break, and prices will be high.
Also, if you’re thinking of visiting Tortuguero, on the Caribbean side of the country, I would advise against it since this is a stormy time of year for that region. Tortuguero normally gets consecutive days of rain, so you won’t be able to fully appreciate your tour. Fortunately, you can find better conditions in the southern part of the Caribbean, such as Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo.
Costa Rica in February
February is one of the best times to travel to Costa Rica. This month has a similar climate to January, but the rains are even less frequent, and warm weather prevails in almost the entire country. If your priority is to travel cheaply, this month offers a considerable drop in prices. Plus, the December and New Year’s crowds have gone back home.
This is also a good time to spot humpback whales in Costa Rica, as there are quite a few off the Pacific coast. The first time I saw them was during this tour, and I was moved to tears. It’s one of the excursions in Costa Rica that I sign up for every time I visit the country.
February is also the ideal month to visit the best national parks in Costa Rica. You can see animals in Costa Rica year-round, but February has much less rain and pleasant temperatures, so it’s a much better experience. A good place to go wildlife viewing is the wonderful Manuel Antonio National Park, where you can take this 3-hour excursion. It’s a fabulous tour, so I recommend it regardless of when you travel.
Costa Rica in March
March is one of the overall best months to visit Costa Rica since this is when the entire country experiences good weather. The first two weeks of March are particularly great, but if you wait a bit longer, your vacation could coincide with the Easter holiday, which means more tourists and higher prices.
Something to highlight is that Guanacaste experiences very hot temperatures during this time, with highs reaching 37ºC (99ºF). However, this cruise along the magnificent beaches of Tamarindo can help you beat the heat. It includes a snorkeling session in which you can cool off and see colorful tropical fish.
Costa Rica in April
April is the last month of the dry season in Costa Rica, so it usually starts to rain during the last couple of weeks of the month. Of course, this month is high season in many parts of the world, so many international tourists flock to the country. This means prices will be higher in April, and it’ll be harder to make last-minute plans since tours and accommodations will be filled up.
I recommend taking advantage of the last few weeks of good weather to go hiking through the volcanoes of Costa Rica, one of the country’s greatest attractions. Personally, visiting the Poas Volcano is an incredible experience. If you want to go with a guide, I recommend this tour. The natural environment of this volcano is fascinating, and the crater itself is 300 m (985 ft) deep and 1.32 km (0.8 mi) in diameter, making it one of the largest in the world. Inside, there is a green lagoon, so the entire experience is breathtaking.
Rainy season in Costa Rica – Green Season (May-November)
The rainy season in Costa Rica begins in May and goes through December. Indeed, it rains a lot during this time, but if you travel to Costa Rica during these months, you’ll find the cheapest prices and fewer crowds at the tourist sites. If you have no other option, don’t worry. The rainy season is known as the green season for a reason: the jungles, forests, and flowers are at their peak splendor.
To give you an idea, a typical day can have many variations in weather: it starts with a bright day of sunshine and ends with heavy rain. You may also experience heavy rain for several consecutive days; it’s called the rainy season for a reason!
Costa Rica in May
May is a somewhat finnicky month during the rainy season in Costa Rica. Similar to December, May is a transition month, this time, from the dry season to the green season. As such, the weather conditions become quite unpredictable, with May getting lots more rain than at the end of the year.
If you plan your vacation for the first few weeks of May, you may have a better chance of enjoying sunny days, but conditions will progressively worsen throughout the month.
If this is your only time to visit, I recommend going to some of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica. There are a lot, so it will be difficult to choose, but you can take a look at our guide to see my favorites. I can tell you that, for me, the Río Celeste waterfall should be on any itinerary, regardless of when you travel. If you like hiking and spending time in nature, you’ll love this 4-hour excursion, which allows you to explore this green space in depth.
Costa Rica in June
June is not a good time to visit Costa Rica. Not only does it get tons of rain, but tourists rush here in droves for summer vacation.
However, there is always something to do in Costa Rica, no matter the time of year. So if you have no choice but to travel in June, you should go to Tortuguero. It will rain a lot, but you’ll also be able to see leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles nesting on its beaches. This is one of the most impressive experiences in the country, so check out this excursion, which lets you enjoy this natural spectacle to the fullest.
June is also a great month to go diving in Costa Rica since the country’s marine biodiversity flourishes during the rainy season.
If you’re lucky, you might get what they call Summer of San Juan, which lasts about a week and occurs between the second half of June and the first half of July. During this time, the summer rains let up, especially in Guanacaste, so you can enjoy the beach in the middle of the rainy season. The problem is that it is impossible to know when this phenomenon will occur, or how long it will last.
Costa Rica in July
If you have the option of choosing when to go to Costa Rica, you should avoid July. While your trip could coincide with the Summer of San Juan, it’s impossible to know ahead of time.
During this month, the mornings are clear and the afternoons may have some rain, so you could organize your itinerary so you do most of your activities in the first part of the day. It’s a good idea to stay in one of the best hotels in Costa Rica so you can comfortably rest while waiting out the rain.
Of course, the opposite happens on the Caribbean coast. If you’re vacationing here, I suggest going to Tortuguero National Park since this is when green, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles spawn.
Costa Rica in August
August is one of the best times of the year to visit Costa Rica since not many tourists come here during this month. On the other hand, August is the middle of the green season in Costa Rica, so you can expect abundant rain.
The advantage is that prices are lower than at other times of the year, so you can find luxury hotels in Costa Rica at super affordable prices. In addition, the vegetation is super lush, so you can appreciate the intense colors, smells, and sounds of the forest.
In general, it will rain steadily throughout August, but there will also be humpback whales returning to the Pacific coast. If you get a day with good weather, you must take this excursion to see these gentle giants.
Costa Rica in September
September is not a good time to visit Costa Rica since this month experiences heavy rain just about every day. This causes the roads to become blocked off, so even if you rent a car, you’ll have a lot of trouble getting around.
Now, if September is your only chance to go, I recommend vacationing on the Caribbean side. Despite being the green season in Costa Rica the Caribbean coast experiences the opposite weather conditions, so you can hang out on the beach.
I like the beaches of Manzanillo, which are picture-perfect: white sand, palm trees, and crystal-clear waters. It’s the perfect place for those who want to vacation in paradise. Another excellent option is the picturesque town of Puerto Viejo, which has some of the best beaches in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica in October
Similar to September, October is not the best time to visit Costa Rica weather-wise. The exception is if you go to the Caribbean coast. In that case, you should check out Punta Uva and Playa Cocles.
As a general rule, the rainy season isn’t a good time to take car tours or excursions that go inland. However, you may enjoy visiting some of the popular cities in Costa Rica. Most cities have a wide range of activities, many indoors, so you can make good use of your vacation.
That said, we took one of our trips during October and really lucked out with the weather. We were able to visit the entire country except for Corcovado, which was inaccessible due to the rains.
Moreover, this is one of the best months to go rafting in Costa Rica since the rivers are really flowing from the rain. Rafting is common here, so you’ll find tours for all skill levels. I did this tour on the Pacuare River, and it was one of the coolest things I did during my trip.
Costa Rica in November
Finally, November is a transitional month, as Costa Rica’s green season changes over to the dry season. This means that the weather conditions aren’t the best, but if you go to the Caribbean coast, you can enjoy some dreamy beaches and sunny days.
Plus, the prices decrease a bit during this time, so you can find a lot more budget-friendly tours and accommodation options.
When is the best time to travel to Costa Rica?
The best time of year to visit Costa Rica depends on your preferences and the places you want to visit. I can already tell you that if you want to see all the areas and experience the most popular activities, you’ll have to do so over the course of several trips. That’s what we’re doing, but we don’t mind visiting this gorgeous country multiple times.
To make it a bit easier for you, I’ll tell you the best time to go to Costa Rica for wildlife, the beach, and more.
Best time to visit the Pacific beaches of Costa Rica
The best time to visit the beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is from December to March, during the dry season.
Moreover, February and March have the cheapest prices, so it’s a good time to visit Tamarindo and other popular beaches in Guanacaste.
Best time to visit the Pacific beaches of Costa Rica
The Pacific coast gets most of its rainfall in September and October, so if you travel during these months, I recommend spending more time on the Caribbean beaches.
Best time to visit the Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica
The Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica aren’t as affected by the seasons. In fact, it can rain here any time of year, although it’s pretty rare from September to April. This is a bit odd, considering the Pacific beaches get a lot of rain in September and October. Regardless, if you want to go to Caribbean paradises like Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, the best time to go to Costa Rica is between September – April.
Best time to visit the Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica
The area of Tortuguero and the northern Caribbean is another story since it usually rains a lot throughout the year.
Best time to visit Corcovado National Park
It rains a lot all year round in Corcovado National Park, so try to plan your itinerary so you visit during the least rainy time. The best time to visit Corcovado is from December to April, during the dry season.
Best time to visit Corcovado National Park
Be aware that sometimes, this area is inaccessible due to heavy rain. This includes Drake Bay, where most Corcovado excursions, like the one we did, begin. I’m not saying you shouldn’t visit Corcovado during the rainy season, but you should make sure it’s accessible to visitors before you go.
Best time to go surfing in Costa Rica
You can enjoy surfing in Costa Rica year-round, especially on the Pacific coast.
During the rainy season (May to November), the Pacific coasts delight the most advanced surfers. In particular, the Nicoya Peninsula is one of the best places to catch some waves. Tamarindo and Santa Teresa are some fan favorites, but there are other smaller towns you can head to if you don’t like crowds.
Best time to go surfing in Costa Rica
Jacó and other areas of Puntarenas have good waves all year round, too, especially during the rainy season. If you’re a beginner, the beginning and end of the season (both rainy and dry) are good times to go surfing.
As for the Caribbean beaches, the best time to visit is from January to March. During these months, the beaches of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and other areas of the Caribbean are filled with surfers.
Best time to go diving in Costa Rica
If you plan to go diving in Costa Rica, you’ll be pleased to hear that you can do it all year round. However, many people say that the rainy season in Costa Rica is the best time for diving since the waters are filled with more migratory marine species. If you want to know more, I recommend reading our guide to better delve into the topic.
Best time to go diving in Costa Rica
The most incredible places to go diving are mainly in the Pacific. Cocos Island stands out, but keep in mind that you can only reach this uninhabited island via a 10-day liveaboard. Caño Island, a protected marine park next to Corcovado, is a more accessible area, particularly for less experienced divers. If you’re interested, check out this incredible diving excursion from Drake Bay or this excursion to the Catalina Islands from Tamarindo.
Best time to see turtle nesting in Costa Rica
One of the most common questions is when is the best time to visit Costa Rica for turtles. You can watch turtles nesting and laying their eggs in Tortuguero National Park. The best time to go is during the rainy season, although you’ll see different turtle species depending on the month.
Best time to see turtle nesting in Costa Rica
Leatherback turtles come to the beaches between April and June, while green turtles prefer nesting from July to October. Hawksbill turtle nesting usually occurs between May and October, while loggerhead turtles spawn from May to September.
This means that the best time to see turtle nesting in Costa Rica is from April to October. It’s possible to spot turtles nesting outside these months, but it’s not common.
Best time to see whales in Costa Rica
Late December – early April and late July – early November are Costa Rica’s peak seasons for whale watching. These months coincide with the annual migration cycle of humpback whales.
Best time to see whales in Costa Rica
The best place to go whale-watching in Costa Rica is the Pacific, specifically from Uvita, where you can find tours to Marino Ballena National Park.
Best time to visit Tortuga Island
Tortuga Island is on the west coast of Costa Rica, so the best time to go there is between December and May. During this time, you can enjoy warm temperatures and very little chance of rain.
The best time to visit Tortuga Island
When is the cheapest time to travel to Costa Rica?
Many times, the best time to travel to Costa Rica depends not only on the weather but also on the prices. To visit this country on a budget, I recommend reading our guide on cheap flights to Costa Rica. Also, consider staying in one of the best hostels in Costa Rica, where you can save money without sacrificing comfort.
Many tourists plan their trips for the rainy season since it’s the cheapest time to travel to Costa Rica. However, they end up not enjoying their trip at all because of all the rain.
When is the cheapest time to travel to Costa Rica?
If you ask me when the best time to go to Costa Rica is, I’d say February. The weather is good, and the prices aren’t too high. March can also be a great time to go, as long as your dates don’t coincide with Easter.
Of course, if you don’t mind visiting during the rainy season, consider traveling at the end of October or November. You shouldn’t have a problem finding cheap vacation packages during this time. By November, most roads will have already reopened after the heavy rains, which is an important thing to consider if you want to rent a car in Costa Rica.
In conclusion, what’s the best time of year to visit Costa Rica?
As you’ve probably figured out by now, there is no best or worst month to travel to Costa Rica. You simply have to accept that it’s impossible to enjoy all the attractions of this beautiful country in one trip. You’ll have to plan separate vacations to experience the Pacific and Caribbean beaches, turtle nesting, national parks, and whale tours.
To wrap up, here is a chart showing which months are best for specific activities:
Dry season | Green Season | Pacific Beaches | Caribbean Beaches | Turtles | Whales | Corcovado | Cheap |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
February | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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March | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
April | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
May | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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June | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
July | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
August | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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September | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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October | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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November | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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December | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
BEST MONTHS TO VISIT COSTA RICA |
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I hope you have a better idea of the best time of year to visit Costa Rica so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Don’t hesitate to leave me a comment if you have any other questions. I’d be happy to help!
Pura Vida!
