The Best Time To Visit Costa Rica

With the average temperature around 26℃, there's really no bad time to visit Costa Rica. 

But, when’s the best time to visit Costa Rica? Well, that’s entirely up to you. 

Are you after glorious sunshine? 

Fewer crowds?

To see migrating whales?

This article will aim to explain what you need to know about choosing the best time to visit Costa Rica. 

Take it from me, I’ve lived in Costa Rica for 5 years. I’ve seen it all. ​

What Is The Weather Like In Costa Rica?

A beach in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica in Dry Season

Ah, the weather. The talk of the town. The topic on everybody's mind. 

The weather massively influences our holiday choices. In the U.K, we’re accustomed to gloomy skies and damp drizzle for what, 364 days of the year? Sounds about right. 

But what is the weather like in Costa Rica? Is it hot? Is it sunny? What about the rain? Do you need to take a rain jacket?

Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. The weather really depends on the region you are visiting. 

What’s more, with so many microclimates within Costa Rica, knowing exactly what to expect can be a challenge. 

I’m based in Guanacaste, one of the driest regions of Costa Rica. Right now in Guanacaste, the weather is stiflingly hot and dry. 

But I’ve just travelled a couple of hours inland, to Monteverde, and it’s a completely different story. As I’m writing this, the clouds have gathered, the winds have picked up and there’s rain in the air. 

To help you decide when and where to travel to in Costa Rica, it may be beneficial to speak to one of our team members. Visit our Contact Us page for more information. 

The easiest way to look at the weather in Costa Rica is by splitting the country into two separate sides: Pacific Costa Rica and Caribbean Costa Rica.

Weather on the Pacific Slope of Costa Rica

Most evenings offer beautiful sunsets in the Dry Season on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast

Looking at a map, the Pacific side of Costa Rica is to the West. Here, we have two well-defined seasons: the dry season and the wet season. 

From January to March, Pacific Costa Rica is flooded with lots of sunlight and very little rain. Temperatures soar, reaching well into the high 30’s.

December and April are transition months. The trade winds shift and the climate starts to change. 

May to November is the wet season, with October being the wettest months. Many companies and hotels shut for a few weeks. Some regions, such La Fortuna, Monteverde and San Gerardo, can receive nearly 700 mm of rain in a single month. A raincoat is certainly advised. 

​But hey, don't let all this talk of rain put you off. It is the rainforest after all. Besides, some of the greatest natural spectacles occur in these months. But more on that later.

June and July are slight anomalies. Although these months technically fall under the rainy season, they undergo Veranillo de San Juan, or Little Summer. During this time, some regions throughout the Pacific side receive a short period of warm and dry weather. 

Weather on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica

Although lacking distinct seasons, the Caribbean Coast does offer periods of dry spells

Venturing to the East, we have the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. 

Separated by the Talamanca mountains, the climate here is noticeably different. 

Unlike Pacific Costa Rica, there are less defined seasons. Weather on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica is humid and rainy year-round.

And it can get wet. Very wet. 

The Limon Province alone can receive over 3,000mm of rain annually. 

But there's solace. 

Temperatures remain pretty consistent year-round, with average daytime highs in the low 30s and night time lows at a tolerable 25℃.

Despite the high precipitation, there are periods of drier spells. February, March, September and October are typically the driest; the latter coinciding with the wettest period over on the Pacific side.
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Hey, if the animals can manage, so can you. 

Costa Rica’s Rainy Season

In the rainy season, waterfalls are full and vegetation is lush. Don't be put off by the rain, all you need is a good raincoat

Sure, we all love a bit of sunshine. 

But hear us out. 

The rainy season, also known as the green season (or “winter” to Tico’s), is a great time to visit Costa Rica. 

In fact, ask any Tico - check out our Guide to Tico Spanish to learn more about what a Tico is - and there’s a high likelihood they’ll tell you that the rainy season is their favourite. It’s certainly my partner's favourite time in Costa Rica.  

The scenery is lush, the weather is refreshing, wildlife flourishes, and many flowers and trees are in bloom. 

There are also fewer crowds. And, perhaps even more importantly to some, September marks the start of the coffee harvesting season. 

But you’re still not convinced? You want sunshine.

Well, here’s a little secret.

Rainy season isn’t all rain. 

Despite the doom-scrolling on weather forecasting apps, which predicts non-stop rain for days, or weeks, at a time, the truth is, you’re probably only going to see rain for a couple of hours in the afternoon. 

That is, until September and October, where the heavens really do open. 

When Is The Best Time To See Whales In Costa Rica?

Responsible boat tours are a great way of seeing migrating humpback whales

Whales have captivated us for centuries. 

Once, we relied heavily on whale hunting for a range of purposes - food, fuel, medicine and tools. We exploited these magnificent giants to near extinction. 

Today, however, many whale species are protected and it is prohibited to hunt them. 

More than 30 species of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) pass through Costa Rica's waters, though you're most likely to see humpback whales and Bryde's whales.

Costa Rica is one of the best places to see humpback whales. This, in part, is due to the fact that Costa Rica has the longest humpback whale season anywhere in the world. 

The Northern humpback whales can be sighted along the Pacific coast from December to early April. Southern humpback whales arrive around July until November. That’s 10 months of potential whale sightings!

The Caribbean side is slightly different. Consider visiting Tortuguero between December and March to spot the Northern humpback.

Many of our sample itineraries, such as our Most Loved Itinerary, include whale watching tours. These are a great way to see whales up close and personal. 

​Best Time To Visit Costa Rica: The months

As we said, there really isn't a bad time to visit Costa Rica. 
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However, some months are better than others if you’re after a particular activity. If you want to get some ideas about the kind of activities you can do in Costa Rica, check out our guide of Best Things to do in Costa Rica.

Below, we’ll be breaking the months, and sharing the highlights of what can be expected. 

December - April: Beach/Wildlife

A seclude beach in Costa Rica's Puntarenas Province

High season in Costa Rica is between the months of December and April. 

During this time, especially on the Pacific side, the days are hot and sunny, making it the perfect time to visit one of the many beaches around the country. 

This is also a great time to see wildlife. 

The dry season is considered the best time to go birding in Costa Rica. During this period, you'll encounter a higher number of resident and migratory species. Inland, in places such as Monteverde, March is the breeding season for the stunning resplendent quetzal. We have dedicated an itinerary for birds, which you can check out here. 

However, there is a catch. With outstanding wildlife and glorious weather, these months mark the busiest time to visit Costa Rica. 

To avoid the biggest crowds, opt to avoid highly touristic areas. Instead, choose regions that are off the beaten path. Our team can help discuss this with you.

May - June: Green Season

Rain and sunshine sees the jungle come alive. Trees flower, attracting a range of animals from all over

If you want to escape the crowds, but still want some decent weather, May and June are generally considered the best months. 

These months are at the start of the “Green Season” in Costa Rica. 

These months are also great if you want to try white water rafting. As May is the start of the rainy seasons, the river levels should be high enough to get some great rapids, whilst still being beginner-friendly. ​

July - August: Wildlife

Quetzals can still be seen in July feeding on wild avocados in cloud forests

July and August are some of the best months to see wildlife - both terrestrial and marine.

For any scuba divers, these months offer some of the best visibility, warmest temperatures and the most marine life. This does include bull sharks and manta rays!

Southern Humpback Whales, migrating from Antarctica, pass through Costa Rica in July and August (and can stay until November). 

July is the best time to observe nesting green sea turtles in Tortuguero National Park. There are very strict protocols in place to see turtles in Tortuguero, but certainly well recommended.

September - November: Turtles

Olive-ridley turtles on Playa Ostinal

September and October are the height of the rainy season, with October generally considered the rainiest month in Costa Rica.

Sure, not ideal months if you’re after a beach holiday. 

Or is it?

During the last quarter of the moon, thousands upon thousands of olive-ridley sea turtles nest on the shores of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. The mass arrival of so many turtles is called an arribada, and it is a rare natural spectacle. 

Costa Rica is home to 5 species of sea turtle. You can read all about them in our Sea Turtles of Costa Rica article. 

Generally, these months produce fewer crowds. So there is a high likelihood you’ll have entire beaches or rainforest trails to yourself.

Final Thoughts

There really isn't a bad time to visit Costa Rica. 

No matter what time of year you choose to visit, you’ll most likely be guaranteed to see some wildlife and incredible scenery. 

However, different months bring exciting opportunities.

Costa Rica’s dry season offers predictable hot weather and plenty of wildlife opportunities. 

The rainy season in Costa Rica allows you to witness incredible wildlife spectacles, such as turtle arribadas, and fewer crowds. 

To help you start planning your amazing adventure, contact our team today. ​