Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Month-by-Month Guide
The best time to visit Costa Rica is the dry season, from December to April, when the Pacific coast, Central Valley, and cloud forests get the most sunshine. January to March is the most reliable stretch. The exception is the Caribbean coast, which is often driest in September and October, exactly when the Pacific is at its wettest.
Costa Rica Seasons at a Glance
Dry season: December to April on the Pacific side and in the Central Valley
Green (rainy) season: May to November, wettest in September and October
Best overall months: January to March
Best value months: May to August, plus September and October on the Caribbean coast
Busiest and most expensive: Christmas to New Year and Holy Week (Semana Santa)
Hardest months for a Pacific trip: September and October
This guide shows which activities work in which month and which region to book your hotel in.
Costa Rica is small, but a chain of volcanoes and mountains splits it into very different weather zones. When one side of the country is drenched in rain, another is often basking in sunshine, so with proper planning you can find good weather in any month.
Dry Season vs Green Season
Costa Rica has two seasons rather than four. The dry season, known locally as verano (summer), runs from December to April, with warm winds, clear skies, and thirsty forests.
The green season runs from May to November. Mornings are often sunny, with rain building in the afternoon, and the rainforests are at their greenest.
For luxury travelers, the trade-off is clear. Dry season resorts book out months ahead and charge peak rates, while green season brings lower prices, quieter properties, and the best whale and turtle watching.
Costa Rica Weather by Region
- Guanacaste and the North Pacific: The driest and hottest region, with the most reliable dry season.
- Central Pacific (Jacó, Manuel Antonio): Sunny in the dry season, with heavier rain from September to November.
- South Pacific and the Osa Peninsula: The wettest region, and September and October can bring flooded roads and closed lodges.
- Central Valley (San José): Spring-like and noticeably cooler than the coasts year round.
- Arenal and Monteverde: Cooler and cloudier, with rain possible in any month.
- Caribbean coast (Tortuguero, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo): Its own pattern, often driest in February to April and September to October.
Month-by-Month Overview
| Month | Pacific and Central | Caribbean | Crowds and prices | Wildlife highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Dry | Showers | Very high | Northern humpback whales |
| February | Dry | Drier | High | Northern humpback whales |
| March | Dry, hottest | Drier | High, peak at Holy Week | Leatherback turtles (Caribbean) |
| April | Dry, hot | Drier | High, peak at Holy Week | Leatherback turtles (Caribbean) |
| May | Rain begins | Showers | Low | Birds and forest life |
| June | Afternoon rain | Showers | Low | Rivers and waterfalls full |
| July | Rain, with a midsummer lull | Wetter | Moderate | Southern humpbacks, green turtles |
| August | Afternoon rain | Showers | Moderate | Peak whales, turtle arribadas |
| September | Very wet | Driest | Lowest | Whales, green turtles, arribadas |
| October | Wettest | Driest | Lowest | Turtle arribadas |
| November | Rain easing | Wetter | Low | Turtle arribadas |
| December | Dry season starts | Wetter | Very high from mid-month | Northern humpbacks return |
Temperatures below are approximate highs and lows for the Pacific lowlands. The Central Valley is several degrees cooler, and the cloud forests cooler still.
Costa Rica weather in January
Climate: The dry season is in full effect on the Pacific side and in the Central Valley.
Temperature: Average high around 31°C (88°F), low around 21°C (70°F).
January is one of the best months to visit Costa Rica, and everyone seems to know it. The first week is still part of the holiday peak, and prices stay high all month, so book resorts and tours well ahead.
You’ll find the best January weather on the Pacific coast, in Guanacaste, Jacó, and Manuel Antonio, which see plenty of sun and very little rain. It’s also a good month to hike in the mountains.
Northern Hemisphere humpback whales are in the South Pacific around Uvita. On the Caribbean side, showers continue, but the surf is good.
Costa Rica weather in February
Climate: It is the dry season in the Central Valley and on the Pacific coast, and the Caribbean starts to dry out too.
Temperature: Average high around 31°C (88°F), low around 21°C (70°F).
February offers some of the most dependable weather of the year, which makes it ideal for beach days and water activities. It’s still high season, so expect peak rates and book early.
Many animals are easier to spot in the dry forest, and northern humpback whales are still in the South Pacific. Leatherback turtles begin arriving to nest on the Caribbean coast.
Beaches can be busy early in the month, as Costa Rican families make the most of the end of school summer vacation.
Costa Rica weather in March
Climate: It is the dry season across most of Costa Rica.
Temperature: Average high around 32°C (90°F), low around 22°C (72°F).
March starts the hottest stretch of the year. Head up to the highlands of Monteverde or San Gerardo de Dota (Savegre) for cooler air, since rain is rare across most of the country.
The Caribbean is often fairly dry too, with only occasional showers. Birdwatching and wildlife tours are excellent, and you’ll find good surf on both coasts.
Holy Week (Semana Santa) sometimes falls in March, as it does in 2027, when Easter is on March 28. It is the busiest week of the year for domestic travel, so book early.
Costa Rica weather in April
Climate: It is the end of the dry season.
Temperature: Average high around 32°C (90°F), low around 23°C (73°F).
The heat continues as the dry season winds down, and Guanacaste can be dusty and brown. When Holy Week falls in April, resorts and tours sell out quickly and rates rise, so plan ahead.
Leatherback turtles are nesting on the Caribbean coast, so a trip there can combine surf with this natural spectacle. The northern humpback whale season tails off this month.
Costa Rica weather in May
Climate: The green season starts this month.
Temperature: Average high around 32°C (90°F), low around 24°C (75°F).
Expect rain to arrive gradually, building toward the end of the month, usually as afternoon showers after sunny mornings. Fewer people travel to Costa Rica in May, so rates drop noticeably and crowds thin out.
Plan outdoor activities for the morning and leave room in your itinerary for weather changes. The Pacific surf starts to pick up.
Costa Rica weather in June
Climate: It is the green season, and regular rain is watering Costa Rica’s rainforests.
Temperature: Average high around 31°C (88°F), low around 24°C (75°F).
Jungles thrive, waterfalls fill up, and rivers rise, which makes June a good month for white-water rafting. The Pacific swells get bigger, drawing experienced surfers.
Bookings are easy and rates are favorable, as fewer international visitors arrive.
Costa Rica weather in July
Climate: The green season continues, often with a drier spell.
Temperature: Average high around 31°C (88°F), low around 24°C (75°F).
Many years bring a short drier break in late June and July, known locally as the veranillo, or “little summer.” It’s a good window for beach hopping on the Pacific side.
The Caribbean is usually wetter in July, so take care with water activities there, and watch for flash floods after heavy rain. Waves suit experienced surfers on both coasts.
Southern Hemisphere humpback whales arrive in the South Pacific, and green turtles begin nesting at Tortuguero, a season that runs from July to October.
Costa Rica weather in August
Climate: It is the green season, with sunny mornings and afternoon rain.
Temperature: Average high around 31°C (88°F), low around 24°C (75°F).
August is ideal for rainforest walks and wildlife. Some days stay dry, while others bring a downpour, so check the forecast and pack a rain jacket.
It’s peak whale watching around Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park, and olive ridley turtles start their mass nesting events, called arribadas, at Ostional. Summer vacation in North America and Europe makes it busier than other green season months.
Costa Rica weather in September
Climate: It is the green season, and one of the two rainiest months on the Pacific side.
Temperature: Average high around 30°C (86°F), low around 23°C (73°F).
Plan carefully if you travel in September. Rain is heavy across the Pacific, mountains, and Central Valley, and some businesses close for the season.
The South Pacific and the Osa Peninsula are hit hardest. Many lodges around Drake Bay close in September and October, and river crossings can make roads impassable, so confirm your lodge is open before booking.
The Caribbean side, on the other hand, enjoys some of its driest weather. Tortuguero, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo are the best September destinations, and Costa Rica’s Independence Day on September 15 brings parades nationwide.
Costa Rica weather in October
Climate: It is the peak of the green season on the Pacific side and one of the driest months on the Caribbean coast.
Temperature: Average high around 31°C (88°F), low around 23°C (73°F).
October is the rainiest month of the year on the Pacific coast and in the mountains. The Osa Peninsula, including Drake Bay, Puerto Jiménez, and Golfito, is especially wet, and many businesses there close until the rain eases.
The Caribbean is a different story, with sunnier days and calmer seas. Focus your plans on Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, and catch the Limón Carnival, held around October 12.
Costa Rica weather in November
Climate: It is the end of the green season, and the weather is unpredictable.
Temperature: Average high around 31°C (88°F), low around 22°C (72°F).
Rain usually eases on the Pacific side as the month goes on, while the Caribbean turns wetter again. Canopy tours run rain or shine, but rafting trips can be canceled at short notice when rivers run too high.
Olive ridley arribadas continue at Ostional. Prices stay low until the holiday season, making late November good value for the Pacific coast.
Avoid long road trips after heavy rain, as mudslides and landslides can close roads. November is also the tail end of the Atlantic hurricane season, and Hurricane Otto crossed Costa Rica in November 2016.
Costa Rica weather in December
Climate: The dry season starts this month.
Temperature: Average high around 31°C (88°F), low around 21°C (70°F).
Early December can still be wet in parts of the country, and some roads may be in poor shape after the rains. By mid-month, the Pacific side settles into sunny mornings and only scattered showers.
From mid-December, visitors pour in for Christmas and New Year, the most expensive weeks of the year. Luxury resorts often require minimum stays, so book many months ahead.
Northern humpback whales return to the South Pacific, and wildlife is active in the dry forest. The Caribbean turns wetter, but its surf season begins.
FAQ: Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
What is the rainy season in Costa Rica?
The rainy season, which Costa Ricans call the green season, runs from May to November on the Pacific side and in the Central Valley. Rain usually falls in the afternoon after sunny mornings. It is heaviest in September and October. The Caribbean coast follows a different pattern and is often driest in September and October.
What is the cheapest time to go to Costa Rica?
September and October are usually the cheapest months, followed by May and June. Hotel rates drop and crowds thin out across most of the country. The trade-off is heavy rain on the Pacific side, with some businesses closing in the South Pacific. For low prices and good weather together, head to the Caribbean coast in September or October.
What month is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
For most of the country, January to March is the best time to visit, with dry, sunny weather on the Pacific coast and in the Central Valley. January and February are slightly cooler than March. For the Caribbean coast, including Tortuguero, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo, September and October are often the best months.
What is the rainiest month in Costa Rica?
October is the rainiest month on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and in the mountains, closely followed by September. The South Pacific, including the Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay, receives the heaviest rain. On the Caribbean coast, October is one of the driest months, so the answer depends on where you go.
Is there a hurricane season in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica lies south of the main Atlantic hurricane belt, so direct hits are very rare. It is not completely immune, though. Hurricane Otto in November 2016 was the first hurricane on record to cross the country. Storms passing nearby during the June to November season can also bring heavy rain and flooding.
When is whale watching season in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has two humpback whale seasons on the South Pacific coast. Southern Hemisphere whales arrive from about July to October, and Northern Hemisphere whales from about December to March. Peak sightings are around August and September. Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park are the best places to go, with boat tours leaving from the beach.
When can you see sea turtles nesting in Costa Rica?
It depends on the species and beach. Green turtles nest at Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast from July to October. Leatherbacks nest on the Caribbean coast roughly from February to June. On the Pacific, olive ridley mass nesting events, called arribadas, happen at Ostional mainly from August to December. Visits require an authorized local guide.
- About the Author
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Mareike Wielens is a highly experienced and passionate Tourism in Costa Rica expert with over 10 years of experience in the travel industry.
She is the CEO of Emotional Travel, a Costa Rica travel agency specializing in well-being and mental health vacations, but also designs tailormade roundtrips in Costa Rica.
