If you are visiting Costa Rica, you may want to consider the weather. Costa Rica is located in Central America, in the intertropical zone and enjoys a tropical climate divided into two seasons: the dry season and the wet season. The first one extends from December to April with strong heat. Temperatures regularly exceed 35°C. In short, this is the best time to visit Costa Rica. The second, called "wet season" or "green" , extends from April to November. However, it is also necessary to take into account that, according to the geographical zone and the altitude, the climate varies. So it's up to you to choose when to go to costa rica! Indeed, the climate is more temperate in the central valley with temperatures around 20°C. On the coasts, the climate becomes rather tropical and humid. The strong heats are frequent there, the mercury posting values around 30 °C. And on the heights, it can frankly be quite cold.
We also advise you to rent a car category adapted to the climate and the trip. It is the must have to do the best activities in Costa Rica.
What is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The dry season is the best time to visit Costa Rica. Indeed, temperatures are higher, it rains less, tourists flock and prices increase. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy lower prices, the wet season is also a good choice to visit Costa Rica: the mornings are very sunny and the rain comes in the afternoon. So you can decide which is the best time for you to visit Costa Rica. Some tourists prefer the dry season, others enjoy visiting Costa Rica during the rainy season. The main differences are the prices, the crowds and the rain.
What is the best weather?
Costa Rica's climate is warm year-round, so you can visit Costa Rica virtually year-round, with a few exceptions. However, the best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April. This is the dry season and there are many beautiful sunny days throughout the country.
The dry season lasts about five months in Costa Rica, from December to April. Temperatures are warm, between 30 and 35°C, and this is the best time to visit Costa Rica.
What are the hottest months in Costa Rica?
The hottest months in Costa Rica are April and May. However, it is hot all year round and even hotter between December and May. This is the best time to visit Costa Rica.
What is the rainy season in Costa Rica?
The rainy season is from May to November. There are exceptions: in September and October the weather is good on the Caribbean Coast and in July there is what the Ticos call the "veranillo de San Juan", a mini-summer that lasts about 2 weeks between July and the beginning of August especially on the Pacific side. During the rainy season, showers are frequent and it is difficult to enjoy the outdoors except in the mornings when the weather is usually good.
What is the cheapest time to go to Costa Rica?
During the rainy season, keep in mind that showers start around noon and last until early evening. The advantage of traveling during the rainy season is that in the off season you will find better prices, fewer tourists and you can enjoy the sunny mornings. The sun rises at 5:00 am, so you have at least 7 good hours to enjoy the sun.
Crowds, expenses and other variables ?
There are still differences in costs depending on the dates. For example, the peak weeks of Christmas and Easter are almost twice as expensive. If you are planning to travel during Christmas, New Year's or Easter, be aware that prices are skyrocketing and there is little room in hotels. It's best to postpone your trip to Costa Rica to save money.
Monthly summaries
January
January is in the middle of the dry season and high season. Prices are high as well as temperatures. There are quite a few celebrations such as the fiestas de Palmares, big popular parties with concerts, parades and lots of alcohol. It is one of the best months to visit Costa Rica, enjoy the national parks like Cahuita national Park, the wildlife and the beach. January is one of our favorite months!
February
This is also a hot and dry month, and prices are high. There is the carnival of Puntarenas, popular celebrations with concerts, a colorful carnival and quite a bit of partying. Visit the national parks, enjoy beaches and the wildlife. February is the perfect time to visit the Osa Peninsula and it is the beginning of the Quetzal nesting season in the cloud forests.
March and April
You are still in the dry season with all the benefits of sunny weather. Prices are quite high during this month. We are nearing the end of the dry season, but rainfall remains scarce. Watch out for Easter week, it is one of the vacation weeks for ticos and they flock to the beaches. Prices increase and the beaches are crowded.
May and June
This is the mid-season. May and June are months in the middle of the rainy season. The weather is very nice in the morning but the big showers come at noon. Prices drop in hotels because there are fewer tourists.Sea turtle nesting is in full swing on many beaches for many species in Costa Rica.
July and August
The month of July has a mini break in the showers. In fact, in the second half of the month and early August there is what the locals call "the veranillo de San Juan", a mini dry season. The days are sunny and there is less rain which is great for visiting a park during the day, especially on the Pacific coast.
August is one of the rainiest months of the year. You can enjoy a visit to Tortuguero National Park to see nesting turtles though, if you are visiting Costa Rica in that month.In general, during this period the group of humpback whales from Antarctica settles in the warm waters of the Golfo Dulce.
September and October
These are the two rainiest months of the year. Showers are daily, the wind blows hard and temperatures drop. Many parks and beaches are difficult to access because of the condition of the roads. The only exception is the Caribbean coast, which has great sunny days and is also the time of the Carnival in Limón.
November and December
November is an ideal month to visit Costa Rica. It coincides with the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season. Rainfall is much less than the previous two months, with prices still lower than in winter. The weather is good for hiking in the jungle. In December, prices start to increase, especially from December 15. It is the dry season which starts, and with it, it is also the arrival of the tourists. Enjoy also the end of the year festivities: Carnival of Lights with a parade of colorful illuminated floats.