When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The best time to visit Costa Rica is from January to April for sunshine, a lively beach scene, good visibility for wildlife viewing and easy travel on roads of all sizes. September and October make for good weather on the Caribbean coast.
The ideal time for levels of surfing ability to catch waves varies depending on the season. Beginner and intermediate surfers are likely to find consistent swell from December to April on the north Pacific coast due to the regular Papaguayo winds during that timespan. Advanced surfers seeking larger waves with fewer fellow surfers may prefer the wet season spanning May to November, when the Pacific coast particularly experiences September and October can provide sizable surf. On the Caribbean coast, the areas of Limon and Puerto Viejo see their biggest surf between December and March.
The finest season for angling: The best time to fish from the Northern Pacific ports of Tamarindo and Nosaro is from June through August. At that time there is a peak possibility of catching marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dolphinfish. The best time to catch those identical fish from central Pacific ports, such as Jaco, is in January and February. If you are going from southern Pacific ports, such as Drake Bay or the Osa Peninsula, peak times are December and January. On the Caribbean coast, the best times to catch tarpon and snook are from in September and October and from February to May.
Ideal time to view forest wildlife: If you have been dreaming of spotting squirrel monkeys and silky anteaters in the Costa Rican woods, the best time to visit is during the dry season, from December to April, when sunny conditions provide good visibility, comfortable times outdoors, and easy travel on back roads.
The ideal time to view sea turtles in the wild: Along the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park is the premier location for watching Atlantic Green sea turtles nesting on the shore, with the optimal period being official evening excursions from July through October. On the Pacific Coast, Playa del Ostional on the Nicoya Peninsula hosts a significant Olive Ridley turtle nesting ground. If witnessing crowds of nesting turtles arriving on the beach is the goal, plan a visit during the nights around the new moon from August to November for the best chances.
Prime Birdwatching Timeframe: Costa Rica is home to more than 900 types of birds and its ornithological lodges and tours attract people globally. The most opportune timing depends on specific feathered creatures sought. The finest timeframe to glimpse a resplendent quetzal at San Gerardo de Dota spans from December through April. To absorb the full bounty of migratory and resident birds populating the wetlands at Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge, the prime timing falls between December and mid-February, when conditions are generally sunny yet marshes remain moist. If visiting Cano in September and October, larger standing water areas allow potentially exploring more region by watercraft, possibly enabling sightings of additional birds.
The optimal times for hiking in Costa Rica coincide with the drier parts of the year to avoid muddy trails: December through April along the Pacific Coast and in the Central Valley region, and February, March, September and October along the Caribbean Coast. The Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve experiences its driest conditions from January to May. Corcovado National Park is comparatively arid from December into May.
Best time for deals: The best time for affordable travel to Costa Rica is during the rainy season, from May through November. You are particularly likely to find deals in September and October.
Costa Rica Travel Seasons
The mid-December through April timeframe signifies Costa Rica`s high season, when sunshine prevails and full hotels and flights can be expected. Be certain to book well ahead of time. Daytime highs average around 27 degrees Celsius.
The period from May to July and November to mid-December offers chances for sun during shoulder season on the Pacific Coast. The rains increase gradually, allowing sunnier mornings and afternoons in May and June when landscapes appear lush and green. In the northern part of the Pacific Coast and Central Valley, rains lessen altogether for a pair of to three weeks in July. The wet season`s end comes to the North Pacific Coast in November, while drenching downpours persist on the Caribbean Coast until December.
The period between August and October in Costa Rica is known as the low season as it coincides with the peak of the rainy season across much of the country. However, the Caribbean Coast tends to receive more sunshine in September and October. In some particularly rainy areas of the mountains and southern Pacific Coast, accommodations and businesses close temporarily during this time. If open, good rates can be found.
Costa Rica Weather by Month
Costa Rica has two weather periods: the dry season from Mid-November to April, which locals call “summer,” and the rainy season from May to mid-November, which locals call “winter.” Both have temperatures that are about the same: averaging about 27 degrees C in the day and about 18 degrees C at night, but the wet season has much more rainfall. When the rainy season begins depends on location. For example, in the northwest corner of the country, rains may not get going until June, while much of the Caribbean Coast has sunny weather in September.
High temperatures in degrees c
January 27
February 27
March 28
April 28
May 27
June 27
July 27
August 27
September 26
October 26
November 26
December 26
Low temperatures in degrees c
January 17
February 18
March 18
April 18
May 18
June 18
July 18
August 18
September 17
October 18
November 18
December 18
Monthly rainfall millimeters
January 6.3
February 10.2
March 13.8
April 79.9
May 267.6
June 280.1
July 181.5
August 276.9
September 355.1
October 330.6
November 135.5
December 33.5
The weather in Costa Rica during January: For most of the country, conditions are dry and sunny. Strong winds along the north Pacific Coast make for excellent surfing situations. Much of the Caribbean Coast can be fairly wet.
The weather in Costa Rica during February is in the middle of the dry season, and it`s often sunny. The northern Pacific Coast experiences strong winds and large ocean swells.
March weather in Costa Rica: At the height of the dry season, the wettest regions of the country, the mountains, are about as dry as they get, while in the driest area, the north Pacific Coast, many trees drop their leaves to conserve water.
April climate in Costa Rica: The dry time of year persists on the north Pacific shore, but in the mountains and on the Caribbean Coast, the rains start to return.
In May in Costa Rica, much of the country begins dry but heavy rains typically fall in the afternoons by the end of the month.
Typical June weather in Costa Rica includes sunny mornings and heavy afternoon rainfall in much of the country. In the northwest Pacific Coast region, foliage returns to the trees.
July weather in Costa Rica: Around the midpoint of July, the rainy season takes a interruption, and the north Pacific coast and the Central Valley obtain sunny conditions for two or three weeks, in a phenomenon locals refer to as “veranillo” or “little summer.” On the Caribbean Coast and the south Pacific Coast, the downpours remain ongoing.
August climate in Costa Rica: On the north Pacific Coast some clear skies may begin the month, but rainy season soon returns in force. Sunny mornings transition to afternoon showers across much of the country.
In September, the weather on Costa Rica`s Caribbean Coast is sunny, but for most of the country it is the rainiest period of the rainy season. In parts of the highlands and the south Pacific Coast, many businesses close down at this point.
October weather in Costa Rica: The Caribbean Coast has sunny conditions, but the rest of the country sees significant rainfall. Tourism diminishes in parts of the highlands and the South Pacific Coast.
November weather in Costa Rica: The rainy season begins to ease in the country. The north Pacific Coast sees some sunny spells this month. The Caribbean coast remains soggy.
Weather in Costa Rica during December: As the month progresses, more of the country experiences lovely sunny conditions, though rainfall can be heavy on the Caribbean Coast. Strong seasonal “Papagayo” winds develop along the north Pacific Coast, generating large surf for riders.
Costa Rica Special Events by Month
January Events
New Year`s Day – A public holiday where people recover from the celebrations on New Year`s Eve.
Fiesta de los Diablitos – A three day festival showcasing the indigenous Boruca culture, held in the village of Boruca Dec. 30 to Jan. 2, featuring dances and games using elaborate carved masks.
Hundreds of thousands of people gather in the small town of Palmares for a two-week celebration including a style of bullfighting unique to Costa Rica (occasionally called “bullrunning,” wherein unarmed individuals provoke and then evade bulls), an enormous horseback parade, concerts, attractions, and vast consumption of beer.
Dia de Santo Cristo de Esquipulas – The town of Santa Cruz honors its patron saint with a festival including music, dancing, bullfighting and bullriding.
February Events
Fiesta de los Diablitos – A three-day festival showcasing the indigenous Boruca culture, held in the village of Rey Curre the first weekend of February, featuring dances and games using elaborately carved masks.
Liberia Fiestas – Two weeks of celebration in the town of Liberia, including music, dancing, drinking and risky events involving bulls.
Even with advance and skip-the-line tickets, you will need to wait in a line to go through security screening and enter the gallery. However, the line is relatively brief compared to the intense line at the ticket office.
March Events
Dia de Boyero – On the second Sunday of March, around three hundred teams of oxen hauling exquisitely hand-painted carts parade through San Antonio de Escazu.
Feria Nacional de la Mascarada – The small rural town of Barva hosts an annual festive parade and performance featuring oversized papier-mâché masks inspired by folklore and popular culture.
April Events
Holy Week – The period ahead of Easter sees events in Costa Rica, as Catholics mark the occasion with parades especially on Good Friday, when they enact the happenings leading up to Jesus` crucifixion.
Dia de Juan Santamaria – Costa Rica commemorates the demise of an army drummer who turned into a war hero with this patriotic public holiday.
May Events
Public Holiday – May 1 honors and celebrates working individuals.
Dia de San Isidro Labrador Residents in the San Jose suburb of Escazu honor the patron saint of farmers with an oxcart parade and other festivities.
June Events
Feria de Chocolate – For a weekend at the end of June, Estadio Nacional in San Jose spotlights the delights of one of Costa Rica’s cash crops: cacao.
July Events
An annual festival in the coastal town of Puntarenas featured a parade of decorated boats as the highlight event.
Dia de Guanacaste – The July 25 annexation of the far northwest territory is enthusiastically commemorated with a public holiday.
August Events
We found ourselves discussing our travels throughout Italy with her (we spent over a month there during this latest expedition), and we connected through our shared affection for pistachios.
Mother’s Day – The day honoring mothers is Aug 15 in Costa Rica and it’s a public holiday.
September Events
El Desfile de Faroles – The evening before Costa Rican Independence Day, children carry handcrafted lanterns in parades nationwide.
Costa Rica Independence Day – A patriotic public holiday, with parades and clothing in red, white and blue.
October Events
Dia del Encuentro de las Culturas – October 12 is a public holiday, formally meant to celebrate the mix of cultures that make up Costa Rica.
Dia de la Mascarada – October 31 is a popular day for traditional Costa Rican parades featuring folks in elaborate papier mache masks.
November Events
Day of the Dead – It’s not a public holiday in Costa Rica, but many families will mark Nov. 2 by attending Mass and visiting and decorating the graves of loved ones.
Entrada de Santos y Desfile de Boyeros – Elaborately painted ox carts parade through the streets of San Jose on the last Sunday of November.
December Events
Festival of Light – A parade featuring spectacular illuminated floats, fireworks, and concerts are part of San Jose’s celebration of the Christmas season.
Around Christmas – Colourful light displays and detailed Nativity scenes are erected in public areas across Costa Rica as the holiday approaches.
Fiestas de Zapote – Starting on Christmas Day, the fairgrounds of Zapote, a small town near San Jose host two weeks of rides, concerts and other fair activities, centered around Costa Rica’s most important bull-riding contest.
A large parade of horses makes its way through San Jose on December 26.
New Year’s Eve – Fireworks on the shore, anyone? People congregate on the beaches to count down to midnight.
