Costa Rica
The best time to visit
When to go to Costa Rica
Go in the dry season, December to April, for the sunniest weather and easiest travel. The green season, May to November, brings warm afternoon rains, cheaper stays and dripping, vivid forests. The Caribbean coast runs to its own rhythm.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for San Jose. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jan.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
The year at a glance
Costa Rica keeps it simple with a dry season and a green one. San Jose, in the central highlands, anchors the ratings, where the dry months from December to April bring sunshine and the easiest conditions, and the rains return as afternoon storms from May.
The green season is not a washout: mornings are often clear, the rain comes later in the day, prices drop and the rainforest hums with wildlife. The one local twist is the Caribbean coast around Tortuguero, which is wetter in the middle of the year and drier around September and October.
Month by month
Costa Rica month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for San Jose.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C / 79°F | 15°C / 59°F | 6 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. San Jose hotels in January |
| February | 27°C / 81°F | 15°C / 59°F | 10 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. San Jose hotels in February |
| March | 28°C / 82°F | 16°C / 61°F | 14 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. San Jose hotels in March |
| April | 28°C / 82°F | 17°C / 63°F | 80 mm | Ideal 86 | Warm with a little rain. |
| May | 27°C / 81°F | 17°C / 63°F | 230 mm | Good 47 | Warm and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | 17°C / 63°F | 280 mm | Fair 40 | Warm and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| July | 26°C / 79°F | 16°C / 61°F | 200 mm | Good 51 | Warm and wet. |
| August | 26°C / 79°F | 16°C / 61°F | 240 mm | Good 46 | Warm and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 16°C / 61°F | 355 mm | Fair 29 | Warm and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| October | 26°C / 79°F | 16°C / 61°F | 300 mm | Fair 37 | Warm and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| November | 26°C / 79°F | 16°C / 61°F | 140 mm | Great 62 | Warm and wet. |
| December | 26°C / 79°F | 15°C / 59°F | 40 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
The Pacific coast and Guanacaste
The driest, sunniest region, best from December to April for the beaches and the dry tropical forest.
Monteverde and the highlands
Cool cloud forest, misty much of the year, with the clearest views in the dry season.
The Caribbean and Tortuguero
Wetter through much of the year, with a drier, calmer window around September and October.
Go for
Best time to visit Costa Rica for
Beaches and surfing
December to April on the Pacific for sunny, dry days, with the green season bringing bigger surf and fewer crowds.
Wildlife and rainforest
The green season, when the forests are dense and alive with wildlife, or the dry season for easier access and clearer trails.
Turtle nesting
July to October at Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast, when green turtles come ashore.
Low season
May, June and the green season for better rates, fewer crowds and vivid, green landscapes.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Turtle nesting, July to Oct
Green turtles nest on the Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero through the late summer.
Dry-season beaches, Dec to Apr
The Pacific coast is at its sunniest and driest, prime time for the beaches.
Rainy season
May to Nov.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Costa Rica
Compare hotels and rentals around San Jose, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
Good to know
What is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
Is the green season a bad time to visit?
When is the best time for the Caribbean coast?
Where else, and when
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