Costa Rica in June: Weather, What to Expect, Areas to Avoid

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Are you visiting Costa Rica in June? It is a great time of year for enjoying what is known as the green season. Yes, you may have to contend with an afternoon rain storm, but usually, they don’t last long and you can enjoy great weather for the rest of the day.

We created this guide to help you decide if visiting Costa Rica in June is right for you, give you great activity ideas, tell you some safety tips, what to pack, areas to avoid, and more!

Should You Travel to Costa Rica in June?

We think yes! Definitely! In our opinion, it’s a great time to visit.

Pros

Prices start to go down a bit.

Everything is green again

The temperatures are still nice and warm in the beach towns

There are fewer tourists

Cons

You will have afternoon rain storms

Prices usually go down but aren’t super low

Towards the end of the month, things can fill up again as summer vacation starts for schools

Costa Rica Weather in June

In June, the rainy season is just ramping up. Let’s go through every area of the country to give you a better idea of what to expect.

Guanacaste

In Guanacaste, you can expect dry hot days and the occasional afternoon rain storm which will last about an hour. It hardly ever rains here as much as in the rest of the country. That is nice, but it also means things aren’t usually as green as the rest of the country.

Nicoya Peninsula

The Nicoya Peninsula is usually a bit rainier than Guanacaste, but not too bad. You can expect a brief afternoon rainstorm and consistently warm weather. 

Central & South Pacific

The Central and South Pacific are known for hot days and warm evenings. In the afternoon you may have rain for an hour or two.

We like to get up early, enjoy the day, take a little afternoon siesta during the rain, and head back out for the epic Pacific coast sunset views. 

Keep in mind that the mosquitos tend to be bad here once the sun sets. 

Central Valley

The Central Valley area consists of the capital city, San Jose, and the surrounding hills and valleys. This area tends to always be a bit cooler than the coastal towns. Usually, you can expect daytime temperatures in the mid to high 70s °F and evening temperatures in the mid-sixties. 

Usually, the rain will roll in around 2 pm and last for an hour or two. Sometimes these are torrential rain storms with thunder and lightning (but not usually at this time of year) and sometimes these are just steady rains. 

Northern Mountains

In La Fortuna, you will likely have sunny days and good Arenal Volcano views (especially in the morning). In the afternoon or early evening, you might experience a rainstorm for an hour or two.

In Monteverde, you can expect that there will probably be a constant drizzle of rain. I feel like this is part of the charm of this area though. Just bring plenty of rainproofing gear!

Caribbean Coast

The Caribbean coast is hard to predict. Last time we were on the Caribbean in June it rained every night but the days were nice. But, the time before that when we visited in June we had some really bad rain storms. 

It’s definitely not the best time of year for the Caribbean, but if you want lower prices this is usually a good area to head to.

What to Pack

Rain Jacket: I have had the Northface Venture 2 rain jacket for four years now and it is still going strong. I chose it for Costa Rica because it is made with a waterproof and breathable material that repels rain while allowing moisture to escape.

Insect Repellant

Waterproof Backpack: This is one of those things that I’m like “why did I not buy a waterproof backpack years ago?” If you are traveling during the rainy season or plan on spending time near water, a waterproof day bag is essential. We mostly use our dry bag for hiking or longer day trips in which we have a lot of stuff with us.

A good sun-blocking hat: I have the Columbia Bora Bora hat and I really like it. It’s a bit nerdy, but the material is very breathable, it folds up small for your luggage, and it provides good sun coverage.

A glasses strap to keep your sunglasses secure

A filtered water bottle just to block out any additional bacteria. We suggest Lifestraw for extra safety.

Motion sickness pills (for boats and for curvy drives)

Sunscreen

The Best Places to Visit / Places to Avoid

There is no place that you should necessarily avoid. But just note that certain areas will come with their own weather issues. 

For example, I love Monteverde at this time of year because it really feels like the cloud forest it is meant to be. It just has such a jungle vibe. But, it sometimes drizzles non-stop during the month of June. 

Fun Activities at this Time of Year

June is a great month to enjoy being above the trees. We love ziplining, hiking on hanging bridges, and rappelling at this time of year because everything is green and lush again.

It is also a good time to visit waterfalls (especially towards the beginning of the month) because although the rainy season has begun, usually the water hasn’t turned brown yet from sediment.

National parks are also nice during this time of year. 

At this time of year, it is usually not necessary to book activities for your trip to Costa Rica far in advance. 

Booking Transportation

We always suggest renting a car for your travels in Costa Rica because it will give you the most flexibility for getting around. 

If visiting Costa Rica in June, it is a good idea to rent a 4×4 vehicle. This especially applies to if you are staying in Monteverde, Nosara area, any other remote town, or in an accommodation on a steep hill. 

The reason I say this is because the roads aren’t always the best in certain parts of the country. During the rainy season, dirt roads can become more difficult to navigate. 

Also, keep in mind that certain areas involve river crossings. For example, near Nosara, near Puerto Jimenez, and on the back road between Mal Pais and Montezuma there are river crossings. 

During the dry season, this usually isn’t too much of a problem because the water level is low enough, but during the rainy season the water level can get high.

We always suggest renting your car with our favorite local rental car company, Adobe. 

In June, rental cars tend to be way cheaper than they are during the high season. Plus, we have a 10% discount plus other great perks for you!

Booking Hotels

Booking accommodations in Jujne means you can enjoy mid-season prices. That means, usually rates aren’t as low as they are in the autumn, but they are much lower than they are in the high season. 

To get the best rates possible we suggest booking as early as possible. 

For hotels, we like Booking.com. Many of the listings offer free cancellations up to a certain date. This will allow you to book early and cancel if your plans change. Just keep track of the cancellation deadline!

We also really like VRBO when booking condos, houses, and villas. This is nice because you can rent a place with a kitchen if you plan on cooking some of your own meals. VRBO also has some listings with free cancellation. 

Holiday & Festivals

Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June in Costa Rica. You can expect to see big groups of families enjoying picnics or barbecues on the beaches on this day.

Also, if you are traveling at the end of the month and into July, keep in mind that a lot of schools throughout the country are closed for summer vacation in July. The beaches tend to be somewhat busy (but usually not too crazy). 

Travel Tips for Visiting in June

Please keep an eye out for flash flooding. It, unfortunately, does happen and can be really scary. If you notice a stream or river instantly turn muddy, that means it’s time to get out ASAP because a flash flood is coming. 

Also, keep in mind that things can be slippery after a rainstorm. Typically, places don’t have the same security levels that you might be used to in your home country. It is up to you to use your discretion. 

For example, at waterfalls, there is often not any fencing around the base or top of the falls. In the past, people have gotten killed and seriously injured by getting too close to the edge and slipping.

These issues are really rare, but still a good idea to keep an eye on it and be cautious.

FAQ: Costa Rica in June

Conclusion: Costa Rica in June

So, what do you think? Are you ready to visit beautiful Costa Rica in June? Hopefully, you now have a better idea of the weather, great places to visit, things to avoid, and what to pack.

If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below. We are always happy to help you out!

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