Dec → Feb
24 to 26°
nights 16°
- 7 rainy days · 47 mm
- 10.7 h of sun
- sea 31°
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
In short: Mid-December to April, during the dry season: Guanacaste and the Pacific coast enjoy their sunniest months, and San José gets only 13 mm of rain in February. On the Caribbean side, the calendar is partly reversed: September and October are among the least rainy months there, while the Pacific gets its heaviest rain.
- Guanacaste beaches: From December to April, the dry season on the northern Pacific; March is the driest and hottest month in the country.
- Humpback whales: Those from the North Pacific arrive in late December, those from the southern hemisphere in July, visible notably in Marino Ballena National Park, on the Pacific coast.
- Turtles at Tortuguero: During the green season, from May to November, sea turtles come to lay their eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park, on the Caribbean coast.
- The Caribbean coast: February, March, September and October are the driest windows in Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, a coast with no real dry season; December is its wettest month.
- July's little summer: In July and August, the veranillo (little summer) brings a lull in the rain on the Pacific side, in the middle of the green season.
- Green-season bargains: From September to November, lower prices and few visitors; some hotels in the south close and the Caribbean coast becomes the best option.
Best avoided: September and October on the Pacific side: these are the rainiest months (560 mm in October in San José, over 29 days), some hotels in the south close and the tracks to the Osa Peninsula turn muddy.
Sources: visitcostarica.com, visitcostarica.com
- Jan25°recommended
- Feb26°recommended
- Mar27°recommended
- Apr27°recommended
- May26°fair
- Jun24°fair
- Jul25°fair
- Aug25°fair
- Sep25°not recommended
- Oct24°not recommended
- Nov23°fair
- Dec24°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Costa Rica, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25° | 16° | 10.7 h | 29 mm | 6 d | 31° | ✓ |
| February | 26° | 16° | 11.3 h | 13 mm | 4 d | 31° | ✓ |
| March | 27° | 16° | 11.2 h | 45 mm | 9 d | 32° | ✓ |
| April | 27° | 16° | 10.4 h | 150 mm | 17 d | 32° | ✓ |
| May | 26° | 17° | 8.5 h | 335 mm | 25 d | 32° | |
| June | 24° | 17° | 8.1 h | 436 mm | 28 d | 31° | |
| July | 25° | 17° | 8.3 h | 358 mm | 25 d | 31° | |
| August | 25° | 16° | 8.5 h | 527 mm | 28 d | 31° | |
| September | 25° | 16° | 8.2 h | 479 mm | 29 d | 32° | |
| October | 24° | 16° | 7.8 h | 560 mm | 29 d | 31° | |
| November | 23° | 16° | 8.1 h | 416 mm | 26 d | 30° | |
| December | 24° | 16° | 10.1 h | 99 mm | 12 d | 31° | ✓ |
The four seasons in Costa Rica, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (San José) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Mar → May
26 to 27°
nights 16 to 17°
- 17 rainy days · 177 mm
- 10 h of sun
- sea 32°
Jun → Aug
24 to 25°
nights 16 to 17°
- 27 rainy days · 440 mm
- 8.3 h of sun
- sea 31°
Sep → Nov
23 to 25°
nights 16°
- 28 rainy days · 485 mm
- 8 h of sun
- sea 31°
Book early for December to April
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The selection does not depend on these links.
What to do in Costa Rica, month by month
EventsFiestas de PalmaresJanuaryTurtle nesting at TortugueroJuly to OctoberHumpback whales of the southern Pacific coastAugust to OctoberFiestas de ZapoteDecember to JanuaryDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
Beach & swimming: good conditions all twelve months.
Diving & snorkelling: good conditions all twelve months.
- Hiking: January, February, March
- Towns & culture: January, February, March, December
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Costa Rica, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- JanuaryFiestas de Palmares
For two weeks in January, the small town of Palmares lines up concerts, a horse parade and open-air bars.
- July to OctoberTurtle nesting at Tortuguero
During the rainy season, green turtles come up the Caribbean beach at night to lay their eggs, and a guide is compulsory.
- August to OctoberHumpback whales of the southern Pacific coast
Whales from the southern hemisphere come to calve off Uvita and Marino Ballena park, within reach of a boat trip.
- December to JanuaryFiestas de Zapote
Between Christmas and New Year, a district of San José fills with fairground rides, food stalls and bullfights where the bull is not killed.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Costa Rica, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇷 Arenal Volcano | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ |
| 🇨🇷 Monteverde | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ |
Month by month, in detail
January
Recommended25°16° at night
- 29 mm · 6 d
- 10.7 h
- sea 31°
High season, book early
February
Recommended26°16° at night
- 13 mm · 4 d
- 11.3 h
- sea 31°
High season, book early
March
Recommended27°16° at night
- 45 mm · 9 d
- 11.2 h
- sea 32°
Busy, without the crush
April
Recommended27°16° at night
- 150 mm · 17 d
- 10.4 h
- sea 32°
Busy, without the crush
May
Fair26°17° at night
- 335 mm · 25 d
- 8.5 h
- sea 32°
Low season, lower prices
June
Fair24°17° at night
- 436 mm · 28 d
- 8.1 h
- sea 31°
Low season, lower prices
July
Fair25°17° at night
- 358 mm · 25 d
- 8.3 h
- sea 31°
Busy, without the crush
August
Fair25°16° at night
- 527 mm · 28 d
- 8.5 h
- sea 31°
Busy, without the crush
September
Not recommended25°16° at night
- 479 mm · 29 d
- 8.2 h
- sea 32°
Low season, lower prices
October
Not recommended24°16° at night
- 560 mm · 29 d
- 7.8 h
- sea 31°
Low season, lower prices
November
Fair23°16° at night
- 416 mm · 26 d
- 8.1 h
- sea 30°
Low season, lower prices
December
Recommended24°16° at night
- 99 mm · 12 d
- 10.1 h
- sea 31°
High season, book early
Read the twelve months in detail
January. 25 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C at night. Rain stays light: 29 mm over 6 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.7 h a day on average. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
February. 26 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C at night. Rain stays light: 13 mm over 4 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
March. 27 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (45 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 11.2 h a day on average. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
April. 27 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C at night. Frequent rain: 150 mm over 17 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
May. 26 °C in the afternoon and 17 °C at night. Frequent rain: 335 mm over 25 days. Expect 8.5 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
June. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 17 °C early in the morning. Frequent rain: 436 mm over 28 days. Expect 8.1 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
July. 25 °C in the afternoon and 17 °C at night. Frequent rain: 358 mm over 25 days. Expect 8.3 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
August. 25 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C at night. Frequent rain: 527 mm over 28 days. Expect 8.5 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
September. 25 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C at night. A very wet month, 479 mm of rain over 29 days. Expect 8.2 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 32 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
October. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C early in the morning. A very wet month, 560 mm of rain over 29 days. Expect 7.8 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Mild, 23 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C early in the morning. Frequent rain: 416 mm over 26 days. Expect 8.1 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 30 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C early in the morning. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (99 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.1 h a day on average. The sea is at 31 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
.jpg/960px-Saint-Pierre,_Martinique_(seen_from_the_harbor_-_2005-06-15).jpg)
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
Mid-December to April, during the dry season: Guanacaste and the Pacific coast enjoy their sunniest months, and San José gets only 13 mm of rain in February. On the Caribbean side, the calendar is partly reversed: September and October are among the least rainy months there, while the Pacific gets its heaviest rain.
Which month should you avoid in Costa Rica?
September and October on the Pacific side: these are the rainiest months (560 mm in October in San José, over 29 days), some hotels in the south close and the tracks to the Osa Peninsula turn muddy.
What is the hottest month in Costa Rica?
March, with 27 °C on average in the afternoon and 16 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (San José).
What is the coldest month in Costa Rica?
November, with 23 °C at best during the day and 16 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (San José).
What is the driest month in Costa Rica?
February: 13 mm over 4 days of rain, against 560 mm in October, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Costa Rica?
February, with 11.3 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in Costa Rica?
The water never drops below 22 °C: from 30 to 32 °C depending on the month (warmest in March), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Monteverde).
When is the best time to hike in Costa Rica?
January, February, March: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (San José), the safest windows for walking.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Costa Rica guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
Compare with other destinations
Photos: Brian Parra Artavia / Pexels · Jennifer Hernandez / Pexels · C&P Guezennec / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · Jean & Nathalie / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · descubriendoelmundo / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · Costa Rica Drone Tours / Pexels · Diego Madrigal / Pexels · Janek Breithaupt / Pexels