Costa Rica Weather: Best Time to Visit by Month & Region

The weather in Costa Rica can be wildly different from one region to the next. Plus, every month brings its own vibe. This guide breaks it all down so you can plan your trip around the kind of weather you’ll love most.

Costa Rica Weather at a Glance

Average temps: 75°F–95°F (24°C–35°C) depending on region
Sunrise: 5:15–5:45 am | Sunset: 5:30–6:00 pm

Costa Rica doesn’t observe daylight saving time, which makes things simple. Check out our quick Costa Rica Time Zone guide to know what time it is right now.

10-Day Forecast: Check live weather before your trip
→ San José · Guanacaste · Manuel Antonio · Puerto Viejo

💡 Tip: If your weather app says “rain all day,” don’t panic! In the rainy season, storms usually roll through in the afternoon, not all day. I swear they just stop making accurate forecasts in rainy season.

Surf & Ocean Conditions: View tides, wind, and swell reports for Costa Rica’s top beaches. Surf Forecast →

Travel Preparedness: Costa Rica rarely faces major natural disasters, but heavy rains, flooding, or small quakes can happen.
Register your trip with the STEP program for real-time alerts, and get travel insurance that covers weather-related delays or trip interruptions.

Pro Tip: The sun is strong! Pack SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, and a long-sleeve swim shirt for beach or boat days. Read more on Costa Rica sun protection →

Costa Rica Climate by Region

Costa Rica may be small, but it packs seven unique climate zones. Here’s what to expect in each area.

Guanacaste Province (Pacific Northwest)

Hot, sunny, and dry for most of the year. It’s perfect for beach time. Rainy season (May–Oct) brings short afternoon storms that cool everything down.

Nicoya Peninsula (Nosara, Santa Teresa, Samara)

Tropical beach weather with a long, dry season and a lush, green rainy season. December–April is hot and dusty; September–October can bring heavy downpours.

Central Pacific (Jaco, Manuel Antonio)

Warm and humid in the dry season (December-April). Expect sunny mornings and afternoon showers from May to August. The rest of the year can be wetter and unpredictable.

Central Valley (San José, Heredia, Alajuela)

Mild “eternal spring” climate year-round. Rainy May–Nov, dry Dec–Apr. Nights are cooler. Pack a light sweater.

Guide to Weather in San Jose →

Northern Mountains (Arenal, Monteverde)

Cooler and mistier. Even in the dry season, you might experience brief showers.

Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero)

Opposite weather from the Pacific! Best months are Aug–Oct and Apr–May; rainier Dec–Jan.

Bonus: The Caribbean faces east, so mornings are magical here. Don’t miss our guide to the best sunrise viewpoints in Costa Rica.

Osa Peninsula (Corcovado, Drake Bay)

True rainforest climate. It is hot, humid, and very green. September–October can bring intense rain.

Guide to Weather in Uvita →

Costa Rica Weather by Month

Every month has its own personality. Here’s a quick summary. Click for full details.

January	Dry and sunny almost everywhere. Peak tourist season. January Guide →
February	Hot, dry, great beach weather. February Guide →
March	Still dry, with rising temps. March Guide →
April	End of dry season; possible early showers. April Guide →
May	Green season begins. Sunny mornings, afternoon rain. May Guide →
June	Hot and humid, short daily showers. June Guide →
July	“Little summer” with a short break from rain. July Guide →
August	Wetter, but great for Caribbean travel & turtle nesting. August Guide →
September	Rainy on the Pacific; Caribbean is usually dry. September Guide →
October	Wettest Pacific month; Caribbean dry & sunny. October Guide →
November	Transition month; unpredictable but lush. November Guide →
December	Dry season returns. It’s hot, festive, busy! December Guide →

Dry Season vs. Rainy Season

Here’s the difference at a glance

Dry Season (Dec–Apr)

✅ Endless sunshine: Nearly every day is warm and clear, especially on the Pacific coast and in the Central Valley.
✅ Ideal travel conditions: Rivers are low, roads are dry, and it’s the easiest time to explore without worrying about mud or flooding.
✅ Perfect winter escape: This is the best time to trade snow and gray skies in the northern hemisphere for tropical sunshine and ocean breezes.

Thinking about visiting during the holidays? Check out our guide to Christmas in Costa Rica. Find out what the weather’s like, how locals celebrate, and why it might just be the most festive (and sunniest) time to visit.

🚫 Everything turns brown: In Guanacaste and other dry-forest areas, hillsides lose their green and look brown by March.
🚫 Higher prices: This is peak tourist season, so hotels, tours, and rental cars sell out fast and cost more.
🚫 More crowds: Expect busier beaches and longer lines at popular parks like Manuel Antonio and Arenal.
🚫 Lower waterfall flow: By March–April, some rivers slow down, and smaller waterfalls may nearly disappear.

Check out our complete guide to dry season in Costa Rica →

Rainy / Green Season (May – November)

✅ Lush, vibrant scenery: The entire country turns green and the jungles come alive, rivers swell, and waterfalls are spectacular.
✅ Fewer tourists & better prices: Accommodation, rental car, and tour rates drop, and you’ll often have beaches and trails to yourself.
✅ Wildlife thrives: Frogs, birds, and monkeys are more active; it’s also turtle-nesting season on both coasts.
✅ Authentic local vibe: With fewer visitors around, this is when you’ll see more everyday Costa Rican life and a slower travel pace.
🚫 Afternoon downpours: Most Pacific regions get daily rain between 2 – 4 pm.
🚫 Heavier rains Sept–Oct: Sometimes you might experience multi-day storms.
🚫 Muddier roads: Rural or unpaved routes can become slick or occasionally impassable. A 4×4 is often a must.
🚫 More mosquitos: Humidity brings bugs, especially near water and at dusk. Pack repellent and light long sleeves; here’s how to stay protected from mosquitos in Costa Rica →
🚫 Less predictable flights & ferries: Heavy rain or wind can cause occasional delays.

Check out our complete guide to rainy season in Costa Rica →

Natural Events in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is generally safe from major natural disasters, but earthquakes, heavy rains, or localized flooding can happen, especially during the green season.

Wondering about hurricanes? Don’t worry, they’re rare here, but we break it all down in our guide to Costa Rica’s hurricane season.

To stay prepared:

Register with the STEP program if you’re a U.S. citizen. You’ll get alerts about natural events or emergencies.
Purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for weather-related flight cancellations or delays.

Read our full guide to natural disasters in Costa Rica