When is the best time to visit Costa Rica? Here’s your season-by-season guide
The first step to planning a Costa Rica trip is deciding when you want to go. The dry season draws more tourists, but our hot take is to not discount the rainy months.
While a trip to Costa Rica promises lush landscapes year-round, some of the bucket list activities this stunning destination is known for are better suited for different seasons. To help guide your travel planning, here’s our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Costa Rica based on what you want to do when you get there.
The best weather in Costa Rica by month
Costa Rica’s location between two different bodies of water, help create four unique regions: the Pacific coast, the Caribbean coast, the Central Highlands, and the Central Valley.
The tropical Pacific coast is home to Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste. This region splits the year between a rainy season and a dry season. The more humid weather on the Caribbean coast—where you’ll find Tortuguero—means more frequent rain showers throughout the year. The temperate Central Valley, where San Jose is located, sits within the Central Highlands. Places in the Highlands, like Arenal and the cloud forests, tend to be even cooler than those in the Valley due to the higher altitude.
Dry season in Costa Rica
Go for beach days, great hiking weather, and water activities
For many travelers, the dry season, which stretches from December to April, is the best time of year to go to Costa Rica, especially if spending a lot of time outdoors is high on your list of priorities. This is typically when weather in Costa Rica is at its warmest, driest, and most consistent.
The dry season is also Costa Rica’s busiest tourism period, especially in January and February, when the sunny, hot conditions make a Costa Rica tour particularly attractive for those who want to escape chilly winter climates. If you’d prefer to visit during this stretch but want to avoid massive crowds, book a trip in April during the shoulder season.
Weather in Costa Rica in December, January, February, March, and April
During Costa Rica’s dry season, you’ll enjoy warm, sunny days with average temperatures ranging from 75 F to 94 F. Plus, the humidity tends to be lower than in the wet season. The mornings are usually clear and bright, with occasional brief afternoon showers. Take in all that sunshine and warm weather on our Costa Rica tours while enjoying immersive activities, no matter which month you travel.
December
Relax on the beach. December kicks off the dry season, so you can expect clear, blue skies wherever you go. It’s the perfect time to enjoy Costa Rica’s outdoor vibes, especially if you’re headed to the beach. Two of our favorite spots? The sandy shores on the Guanacaste Coast and the white sands at Manuel Antonio National Park, both of which you visit on our Costa Rica trips.
January
Join in on a bounty of seasonal experiences. January is one of the busiest tourism months in Costa Rica, so expect more crowds. But if whale watching is on your list, it’s a great time to visit—humpback whales are migrating along the Pacific coast. If you decide to add the Manuel Antonio extension on our Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife tour, be sure to take the catamaran excursion—you might even spot a humpback whale! January also brings one of the country’s biggest events, the Palmares Fiestas, which spotlights the country’s rural cultural heritage. This two-week celebration includes rodeos, marimba dance parties, carnival-inspired parades, and a soccer tournament.
February
See volcano peaks in full view. You’re in the heart of dry season in Costa Rica now! With plenty of sunshine, it’s the best time to catch stunning views of the country’s volcanoes—in other months they’re more likely to be shrouded in mist. In the Arenal area, you’ll find the famous Arenal Volcano. We love highlighting Arenal Volcano National Park in our Costa Rica guides thanks to its natural beauty, but we also visit Irazu Volcano National Park, home to Costa Rica’s tallest volcano. February’s perfect weather makes this the ideal time to explore both volcanoes.
March
Get out on the water. This month is usually the driest of the year in Costa Rica, which makes getting out on the water a must. On our Costa Rica for Solo Travelers: Volcanoes, Jungles & Beaches tour, cruise on the Tarcoles River where you may see crocodiles lurking. Then, visit the Pacific coast to help with a mangrove reforestation project. Playa Palo Seco has one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in Central America, and this reforestation effort is a critical part of Costa Rica’s vast sustainability initiatives.
April
Ascend into the misty heights of a cloud forest. These tropical areas are filled with low-hanging clouds, giving them a magical, mysterious vibe. Since cloud forests only exist at high elevations, they’re cooler and damper, making April a perfect time to visit and escape the heat at sea level. Plus, since it’s the end of the dry season, the trails are usually clear and easy to hike. On our Highlights of Central America: Costa Rica & Panama tour, you’ll hike around Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, where birders will get their fill of toucans, hummingbirds, quetzals, and more.
Take these Costa Rica trips in the dry season
Wet season in Costa Rica
Go for turtle sightings, lush landscapes, and travel deals
If you want fewer crowds and more favorable off-season rates, then take a Costa Rica tour in the wet season—aka May through November. While most of the year is technically part of Costa Rica’s wet (or green) season, the rain rarely lasts all day.
May, June, and November look a lot like the dry season with some spurts of rain thrown in. September and October are when the best travel deals roll in—and if a heavier rain shower does too, dip into a workshop for a chocolate making class or a farm for a coffee tasting.
Weather in Costa Rica in May, June, July, August, September, October, and November
During Costa Rica’s wet season, expect warm temperatures averaging between 77 F and 93 F, with higher humidity than in the dry season. Short bursts of rain showers are more frequent in the afternoons and evenings, but mornings often remain sunny and clear. Each month of the green season boasts a unique reason to come to Costa Rica. Here are some of our favorites, all of which you’ll do on our Costa Rica tours.
May
Have more elbow room at bucket list places. May is one of the best times to visit Costa Rica, because it’s not peak travel season anymore but it’s not that rainy yet. This means the country’s most famous landmarks won’t be that crowded, but you can still expect some good weather. With fewer crowds to deal with, bucket list activities—wildlife spotting at Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, soaking in the hot springs by the Arenal Volcano, and relaxing on Guanacaste’s most sought-after beaches—become a lot more enjoyable.
June
Visit national parks when they’re at their lushest. The rain helps the country stay green, and in June you’ll still get plenty of sunny days—just with the occasional afternoon shower. You’re in the rainforest after all! Costa Rica ranks high on our list of favorite places to visit in June thanks to the tourism slowdown that makes it easier to access the country’s national parks. With fewer crowds on trails, it’ll be easier to spot monkeys and sloths. On our Grand Tour of Costa Rica: From the Caribbean to the Pacific, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for quetzals in Monteverde; June is one of the final months of their breeding season.
July
Watch turtles lay their eggs. This month is extra special for spotting sea turtles along the Caribbean coast. Tortuguero National Park is home to one of the world’s largest nesting populations of green sea turtles, with around 30,000 females arriving each season. On our Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife tour, you can join your Tour Director on a nighttime excursion to watch them lay their eggs on the beach.
August
Catch the tail end of pineapple harvest season. This is one of the sweetest times to visit Costa Rica if we do say so ourselves. While in the Sarapiqui region on our Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife tour, learn how the farmers grow pineapples using eco-friendly methods, like compost fertilization and crop rotation, and why they use natural herbicides to protect their harvest. Then, nibble on freshly sliced pineapple and sip fresh juice or a homemade pina colada.
September
Find the best travel deals. While September is known for bringing some of the heaviest rainfall of the year, it’s still a great time to plan a Costa Rica tour, especially if you’re looking for great deals and almost zero crowds. Plus, traveling at off-peak times is one way to support Costa Rica’s sustainability initiatives. The lower volume of tourists helps reduce the environmental impact of over-tourism, making your visit more eco-friendly.
October
Chase thundering waterfalls. Don’t let the name fool you, rainy season doesn’t mean grey days and gloomy views. Quite the opposite, actually! Thanks to the increased rainfall, the end of rainy season is when Costa Rica’s waterfalls are at their most powerful. See for yourself in Tenorio Volcano National Park on our Grand Tour of Costa Rica: From the Caribbean to the Pacific. You’ll trek along the milky blue Rio Celeste to view the famous—and powerful—Rio Celeste waterfall from above or walk down a series of 125 stairs for a closer look from a dedicated viewpoint.
November
Take advantage of shoulder-season perks. Like May, November is a great time to visit Costa Rica. It’s still part of the green season, but think of it as a shoulder month, with a mix of wet and dry weather. Expect less rain and humidity, especially toward the end of the month, and the bonus of fewer tourists. Since prices haven’t bounced back to dry season highs, you’ll have money left in your pocket to put toward booking bonus experiences—like our Turrialba Chocolate Workshop & Lunch or Arenal Rainforest Skywalk excursions.
