Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Weather, Rainy Season & Climate Guide

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

If you want the best possible weather, put Costa Rica on your radar as a winter travel destination or spring getaway — that’s when the dry season runs.

During December through April, there’s very little rain, it’s almost continuously sunny, and temperatures hover between 75 and 86°F.

You Can Plan a Costa Rica Road Trip Any Time of Year

Like any country, Costa Rica has a high season with ideal weather and plenty of tourists.

We were in Costa Rica right in the middle of the low season — in June and July — and discovered something surprising: you can actually do a Costa Rica road trip any time of year.

That’s because the climate varies quite a bit between regions throughout much of the year.

In January, the Pacific coast and the interior enjoy sunshine with no rain, but the Caribbean coast can see rain for up to 19 days.

During high season, the Pacific is great for swimming, but the waves aren’t ideal for surfing. For that, you’ll want to head to the Caribbean coast.

When we were in Costa Rica, we did everything on our road trip: swimming, surfing, exploring national parks, and watching sea turtles and other wildlife.

For us, two more big advantages of traveling in the low season stood out. There are fewer tourists in the country, and we practically had many places to ourselves.

Accommodation in Costa Rica is also partly cheaper. You can really save money at some of the boutique hotels in Costa Rica or at the many beach hotels along Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches.

So if you don’t mind a bit of rain and can handle days when the sun isn’t shining nonstop, the low season can be a fantastic alternative for your Costa Rica trip.

Costa Rica's Climate at a Glance with Climate Chart

Costa Rica’s climate is tropical. This is due to its location between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Over the course of the year, temperatures range between 64 and 86°F. Depending on the region, there are some slight climate differences.

Inland Climate with Climate Chart for San José

Around San José, Monteverde, and Arenal Volcano, it feels like springtime all year long — just warmer than what most of us are used to back home.

This region sits at a pleasant average of 77°F, though in the mountains it can drop to around 50°F at night. On the plus side, it rains less here.

Caribbean Coast Climate with Climate Chart for Puerto Viejo

The climate on the Caribbean coast — around the beach town of Puerto Viejo and Cahuita National Park — is always a bit more humid compared to the rest of the country, and this is where it rains the most — even during the dry season.

The best weather with the most sunshine hours here falls in March and April; July tends to be the wettest month.

Because of the humidity, it doesn’t get quite as hot here as it does on the Pacific side — temperatures hover around 75°F. At night, it rarely drops below 66°F.

Pacific Coast Climate with Climate Chart for Nicoya

On the northern Pacific coast, around the Nicoya Peninsula, it gets the hottest. During the dry season, temperatures can reach up to 104°F here.

Most of the time, though, it’s around 86°F. The heaviest rain falls between June and October.

The further south you travel along the Pacific coast, the more humid and cooler it gets.

Dry Season and Rainy Season in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s climate essentially splits into two periods: the dry season and the rainy season.

During the dry season from December to April, Costa Rica is mostly dry and warm. This is also the peak tourist season.

The rainy season runs from May to November. During this time, you can expect more rain — but don’t worry. In tropical countries, it typically doesn’t rain all day. Instead, short showers pass through and can last anywhere from one to three hours.

September and October see the most rainfall.

Temperatures dip a little during the rainy season, but it rarely goes below 64°F in Costa Rica, and even then you can still expect highs around 86°F.

When Is Hurricane Season in Costa Rica?

Hurricane season in Costa Rica falls between June and October. During this time, major flooding can occur throughout the country. Roads, bridges, and national parks could be closed.

That said, major hurricanes have not been a significant issue in Costa Rica so far.

Costa Rica can also experience other natural events: minor earthquakes or volcanic activity.

A few volcanoes are still active, but they’re under constant monitoring — so when it comes to natural hazards, you don’t need to worry too much.

We were in Costa Rica right in the middle of hurricane season and had zero restrictions the entire time.

When Is the Best Time to See Sea Turtles in Costa Rica?

Technically, you can see sea turtles in Costa Rica year-round. But in some months, you really need to get lucky.

If seeing sea turtles is a priority, you need to be on the Pacific coast between May and August, or on the Caribbean coast from July to September.

On the Pacific coast, female sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches between May and August.

The best place to witness this is on a guided tour around Tamarindo or Samara.

4-Hour Sea Turtle Watching Tour

Even more famous, though, is Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. The name Tortuguero even translates to “place where the turtles come.”
Here you can watch females lay their eggs between July and September. An absolute highlight for us — one we also talk about in our Costa Rica travel guide.
Between September and November, you even have the chance to watch tiny baby sea turtles hatch.
3-Day Tour to Tortuguero with Overnight Stay

The Best Time to Visit by Activity

The Best Time to Visit National Parks

Costa Rica’s national parks, such as Corcovado or Manuel Antonio, and the reserves around Monteverde are seriously stunning during the rainy season.

If you want to experience lush green rainforests and spot lots of wildlife, visit the national parks between May and November.

The Best Time for Sightseeing and Volcanoes

For day trips to popular attractions in Costa Rica — like the waterfalls in Montezuma or the volcanoes Arenal or Poás — you’ll get the clearest skies during the dry season from December to April.

The Best Time for Swimming

On the Caribbean coast, the weather from February to April and in September and October is perfect for a beach vacation.

On the Pacific coast, conditions are great for swimming year-round. It’s most ideal, however, during the dry season between December and April.

The Best Time for Surfing

On the Caribbean coast, you’ll find the best waves between December and March.

The Pacific coast breaks down further: in the north, waves are especially good between April and August, while the Central Pacific is at its best in September and October.

School Vacations and Public Holidays in Costa Rica

In July, schoolchildren in Costa Rica have two to three weeks of vacation. The main summer break falls in December and January and lasts eight to ten weeks. During these periods, Costa Ricans themselves travel frequently and enthusiastically.

Costa Rica shares Easter, Labor Day, and Christmas as public holidays with most of the Western world.

Beyond those, several holidays feature parades and regional celebrations. On these days, it can get crowded, and there’s a good chance that shops and tourist attractions will be closed — with accommodation prices running higher.

The most important public holidays include:

• Annexation of Nicoya on July 25, especially in the Guanacaste region
• Costa Rica’s Independence Day on September 15
• the Day of the Masquerades on October 31
• the largest horse parade in San José on December 26