Costa Rica in December: Weather, Events and Travel Tips

Costa Rica in December is the start of the dry season, and in my opinion it’s one of the nicest months to visit if you book early and pick the right regions. The Pacific coast dries out, everything is still green from the rainy season, and the whole country is in holiday mode.

We’re Sarah and Thomas, a couple who has lived in Costa Rica since 2016, just outside San José. We see the switch from rainy to dry season every year, so we know which regions dry out first and which ones stay wet.

This guide covers December weather by region, the holidays and events happening in December 2026, wildlife, where to go, prices and crowds, what to pack and what I would do if I were visiting.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Costa Rica?

Yes, for most travelers. December is when the dry season starts on the Pacific side, so beach days get sunnier and more reliable as the month goes on.

The catch is the holidays. From about December 20 through the first days of January, Costa Rica has its highest prices and biggest crowds of the whole year.

Who Will Love December

• Beach lovers heading to Guanacaste, the Nicoya Peninsula and Manuel Antonio
• Families who can only travel over the winter school break
• Travelers who want green scenery with drier weather
• Anyone who wants to see Costa Rican holiday traditions up close

Who Might Prefer Another Month

• Budget travelers who can’t move their dates off the holiday weeks
• Anyone focused on the Caribbean coast, since December is one of the rainier months there
• Last minute planners, because hotels and rental cars sell out around Christmas

If you can travel in the first two weeks of December, you get most of the dry season perks at shoulder season prices. That’s the sweet spot.

Costa Rica Weather in December by Region

Costa Rica is small, but the weather changes a lot from one region to the next. In December the Pacific side dries out, while the Caribbean coast and the northern mountains often stay showery.

Here’s a quick overview, and then I’ll go region by region.

Region	December Weather	Typical Highs	Rain
Guanacaste and Nicoya	Sunny, dry and windy	88 to 93°F (31 to 34°C)	Very little
Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Jacó)	Mostly sunny, a few showers early in the month	86 to 90°F (30 to 32°C)	Low and dropping
South Pacific (Uvita, Osa)	Drying out, afternoon showers early in the month	86 to 90°F (30 to 32°C)	Moderate
Caribbean (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero)	Humid with rainy spells	82 to 85°F (28 to 29°C)	High
Arenal and La Fortuna	Warm with frequent showers and wind	80 to 84°F (27 to 29°C)	High
Monteverde	Cool, windy and misty	68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C)	Moderate, often drizzle
Central Valley (San José)	Sunny and breezy with cool nights	75 to 77°F (24 to 25°C)	Very little

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

This is your safest bet for sunshine in December. Beach towns like Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, Sámara and Nosara get very little rain, and mornings are usually the calmest time to be in the water.

The Papagayo winds pick up in December, especially in the far north around Playas del Coco. They keep things from feeling too hot, but boat tours can get choppy. Read more in our Tamarindo weather guide and our Guanacaste guide.

Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio and Jacó)

The Central Pacific usually dries out in early December. You might still get a few afternoon or evening showers in the first week or two, but most days are sunny and hot.

It’s a great month for Manuel Antonio. The national park is closed on Tuesdays, and you need to buy park tickets online for a set entry time, which fill up fast over the holidays. Here’s more on Manuel Antonio weather.

South Pacific (Uvita, Dominical and the Osa Peninsula)

The South Pacific is the wettest part of the Pacific coast, so it takes a little longer to dry out. Early December can still bring afternoon downpours, but mornings are often clear and the rain eases toward the end of the month.

The upside is very green jungle, full waterfalls and the first humpback whales of the smaller North Pacific season. Check out our Uvita guide and Uvita weather guide.

Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Tortuguero)

The Caribbean has its own weather pattern. December is one of its rainier months, and cold fronts from the north can bring a few gray, wet days in a row.

You can still have a great trip to Puerto Viejo or Tortuguero, just pack a rain jacket and keep your plans flexible. If the Caribbean is your main goal, September and October are usually its driest months.

Arenal and La Fortuna

La Fortuna sits on the Caribbean slope, so December often brings showers, wind and clouds hiding the volcano. It’s rarely a full washout, though.

Rainy afternoons are perfect for the hot springs, so I wouldn’t skip La Fortuna. Plan hikes for the morning, when it’s usually clearer. More details are in our La Fortuna weather guide.

Monteverde

Monteverde is cool and breezy in December, with mist and light drizzle blowing through the cloud forest. Nights can drop to around 58°F (14°C), so bring a warm layer. See our Monteverde weather guide for more. If I were visiting in December, I would go to Monteverde. It is a totally different environment than in the rainy season and feels really different.

Central Valley (San José)

We live just outside San José, and December is actually my least favorite time in the Central Valley. This is when it starts getting really windy, and everyone calls it “Christmas weather.” The rain stops and the skies turn blue, but the wind can be a lot. That’s just me, though! Here’s our full guide to San José weather.

December Holidays and Events in Costa Rica

December is the most festive month of the year here. Many Costa Ricans get their aguinaldo (a Christmas bonus), schools are out for the long summer break and families hit the road.

Here are the dates to know for December 2026. You can find every public holiday in our guide to Costa Rica holidays.

Date	Event	Where
Early to mid December	School year ends and the long school break begins	Nationwide
Saturday, December 12, 2026	Festival de la Luz parade	San José
Around December 12	Fiesta de la Yeguita	Nicoya
Thursday, December 24, 2026	Christmas Eve (Nochebuena)	Nationwide
Friday, December 25, 2026	Christmas Day (national holiday)	Nationwide
Late December to early January	Fiestas de Zapote	Zapote, San José
Thursday, December 31, 2026	New Year’s Eve	Nationwide
Friday, January 1, 2027	New Year’s Day (national holiday)	Nationwide

Festival de la Luz (December 12, 2026)

The Festival of Light is San José’s big holiday parade, with floats covered in lights, marching bands and fireworks. In 2026 it’s on Saturday, December 12, running from Plaza de la Democracia to Torre Mercedes on Paseo Colón.

Get there early for a good spot along the route and leave the car at your hotel, because streets close and traffic gets intense.

Christmas in Costa Rica

Christmas here is all about family. People set up a portal (nativity scene), make tamales together and drink rompope, a creamy eggnog style drink.

On December 24 many shops close early, and lots of businesses close on December 25. Families head to beaches and rivers on Christmas Day, so expect busy roads and packed public beaches. Read more about Christmas in Costa Rica.

Fiestas de Zapote, the Tope and Carnaval

The Fiestas de Zapote usually run from around Christmas into the first week of January. Expect Costa Rican style bullfighting (the bull isn’t hurt), carnival rides, concerts and lots of food stands.

San José used to hold the Tope Nacional horse parade on December 26 and the Carnaval on December 27. The city canceled both in 2024, so check the news before planning your trip around them.

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year in the beach towns, with fireworks, parties and live music. Our guide to New Year’s Eve in Costa Rica covers where to go and how to plan it.

Wildlife and Nature in December

• Humpback whales. December isn’t peak whale season. The big season is roughly late July to October, when humpbacks come up from Antarctica. In December, a smaller group from the North Pacific starts arriving and stays until around April, so you might see a few in Marino Ballena National Park near Uvita. Here’s our guide to whale watching in Costa Rica.
• Leatherback turtles. Nesting season at Playa Grande in Guanacaste runs roughly from October to February, although sightings are rare these days. Learn more about turtles in Costa Rica.
• Migratory birds. Lots of North American birds spend the winter here, which makes December great for birding. Here are the birds of Costa Rica to look out for.
• Sloths and monkeys. They’re around all year, and Manuel Antonio and Cahuita National Park are easy places to spot them.
• Waterfalls and rivers. Rivers and waterfalls are still full from the rainy season, but with less rain they start turning a nicer color again instead of muddy brown. The scenery is also as green as it gets.

Where to Go in Costa Rica in December

If I were picking regions for a December trip, these would be at the top of my list.

• Guanacaste beaches for the most reliable sunshine. Here are our favorite things to do in Guanacaste.
• Manuel Antonio for beaches, wildlife and the national park in one place. See our list of things to do in Manuel Antonio.
• Uvita and Dominical for waterfalls, quiet beaches and a laid back vibe. Check out things to do in Uvita.
• La Fortuna for the volcano, waterfalls and hot springs. Here are our top La Fortuna activities.
• Monteverde for cloud forest hikes and hanging bridges. See things to do in Monteverde.

The Caribbean is the one region I’d only add if you really want to go and you’re fine with some rain. For beach ideas, see our list of beaches in Costa Rica.

Things to Do in December

• Watch the Festival de la Luz parade in San José
• Chase waterfalls around Uvita and Dominical
• Soak in the hot springs in La Fortuna on a rainy afternoon
• Hike Manuel Antonio or Rincón de la Vieja on a dry morning
• Try tamales and rompope
• Book a sunset catamaran tour in Guanacaste

Looking for more ideas? Browse all our things to do in Costa Rica.

Prices, Crowds and Booking Tips

December has two very different halves. The first two weeks are calm and still have shoulder season prices.

From around December 20 until about January 3, it’s the busiest and most expensive time of the year. Hotels, tours and rental cars all hit their highest rates.

• Expect minimum night stays at a lot of hotels between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Leave extra time for driving, because roads to the beaches get packed around the holidays.
• Travel in the first half of December if you want better prices and fewer people.

Here is when I would book everything for a December trip:

• Flights: Three to six months ahead. Holiday flights fill up and prices climb the closer you get.
• Hotels: As soon as you have flights, especially for December 20 to January 3. Many places sell out by early fall and have minimum night stays over the holidays.
• Rental car or shuttles: Right after your hotels. Cars can sell out over the holidays, even before hotels do.
• Tours and national park tickets: Two to four weeks ahead. Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero and Poás tickets sell out fast in December.
• New Year’s Eve dinners and parties: Reserve a few weeks ahead in the beach towns.

Not sure about driving? Read our guide to driving in Costa Rica and our shuttles and transfers guide. Watching your budget? These tips for traveling Costa Rica on a budget help, and traveling in the first half of December saves the most.

What to Pack for Costa Rica in December

December means sun on the coast and cool, damp air in the mountains, so pack for both.

• Light, breathable clothes and at least two swimsuits
• A light rain jacket for Arenal, Monteverde and the Caribbean
• A fleece or sweater for Monteverde and cool evenings in San José
• Reef safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, because the dry season sun is strong
• Bug spray
• Sandals plus comfortable walking shoes or hiking sandals
• A dry bag for boat tours and beach days
• An eSIM so you have data from the moment you land. We like Airalo (15% off with code NEWTOAIRALO15), and here’s more on using your phone in Costa Rica.

For the full lists, see our packing list for women and packing list for men.

If I Were Visiting Costa Rica in December

If I were visiting Costa Rica in December, I would go in the first two weeks of the month. You get the start of the dry season, green scenery and much better prices than the holiday weeks.

Thomas and I are usually away visiting family over Christmas and New Year’s, so early December is when we like to take trips around the country too.

I would start with two or three nights in La Fortuna for the volcano and hot springs, then head to Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste for the beach. With extra time, I’d add Uvita for waterfalls and quiet beaches.

If the holidays are your only option, it’s still worth it. Just book everything early and plan for crowds.

Other Months to Consider

Still deciding when to come? Read our guides to Costa Rica in November, when the rainy season is winding down, and Costa Rica in January, the heart of the dry season. Our guides to the dry season and the rainy season in Costa Rica explain how the year works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to plan? Grab our free Costa Rica trip planner, compare shuttles vs a rental car and don’t forget your 10% Adobe discount. December is a beautiful time to be here, and I hope you love it as much as we do.