Weather in Jaco, Costa Rica by Month: What to Expect

Are you curious about the weather in Jaco, Costa Rica, for your travels?

Jaco is a bustling beach town on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast. It is famous for its surf-friendly waves, vibrant nightlife, and laid-back atmosphere. Jaco has a tropical climate with distinct dry and rainy seasons. The dry season (December to April) offers plenty of sun and warm temperatures, while the rainy season (May to November) brings afternoon showers and lush green landscapes.

We live in Costa Rica about 1.5 hours from Jaco, so we visit this area often. Over the years we’ve learned the ins and outs of its weather patterns.

We’ve put together this guide to give you a detailed month-by-month breakdown, tips on what to pack, and the best activities for each season.

Let’s explore Jaco’s weather!

Jaco’s Dry Season (December to April)

The dry season in Jaco is a period of warm, sunny days with minimal rainfall.

During this time, Jaco experiences higher levels of tourism, with the beaches and hotels bustling with visitors.

If you visit during the dry season we suggest booking your trip as far in advance as possible.

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The low humidity and clear skies make it an ideal time for outdoor activities like surfing, beach lounging, and exploring the town’s vibrant nightlife.

December

December marks the beginning of the dry season in Jaco. The weather is generally warm, with clear skies and a festive atmosphere.

Keep in mind that in the last week of December there can be a huge uptick in tourism. This is a mix of locals who are off for the Christmas holidays and travelers.

During Christmas day and on the week between Christmas and New Years a lot of businesses will be closed.

Also, Jaco is known for its liveley nightlife scene. This place will be very popular and busy for New Years Eve.

• Weather: Average daytime temperatures reach 86°F (30°C), with evening temperatures cooling down to around 70°F (21°C).
• Rainfall: Around 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), with brief, light showers in the beginning of the month.
• Humidity: Moderate, around 72%.

January

January is one of the driest and most popular months for tourists in Jaco. The weather is consistently sunny, with very little rain. It is the perfect time of year for beach activities.

Schools in Costa Rica don’t start up again until the second half of the month, so you can expect there will be a lot of local families here soaking up the sun on the beaches.

In other words, if you visit in January it is a good idea to book your hotels, activities, and transportation as early as possible.

In January, the climate starts drying out a bit due to lack of rain, but there is still a bit of greenery.

• Weather: Average daytime highs are around 88°F (31°C), with nighttime lows around 70°F (21°C).
• Rainfall: Less than 0.5 inches (1.3 cm).
• Humidity: Low, around 65%.

February

February continues the trend of dry, sunny weather with slightly warmer temperatures. The winds can pick up during this month, making it a great time for windsurfing and other water sports.

In February the landscape dries out even more and things start to get very brown. Tourism is still high with people from cooler countries visiting to escape the winter, but there will be fewer locals traveling because school has started up again.

• Weather: Daytime temperatures can reach up to 89°F (32°C), with evenings dropping to around 71°F (22°C).
• Rainfall: Very minimal, around 0.3 inches (0.8 cm).
• Humidity: Low, around 63%.
• Events: The dry season is in full swing, with numerous outdoor events and activities taking place.

March

March is one of the hottest months in Jaco, with temperatures frequently reaching the low 90s°F.

The clear skies and warm weather make it a popular time for beach activities, although the higher temperatures and low humidity can make it feel quite hot.

By this time of year everything is very brown and we start looking forward to the rains beginning again.

• Weather: Daytime temperatures average 90°F (32°C), while nighttime temperatures hover around 72°F (22°C).
• Rainfall: Around 0.4 inches (1 cm).
• Humidity: Low, around 60%.

April

April marks the end of the dry season, with temperatures peaking and the first signs of the rainy season appearing towards the end of the month.

Despite the increasing temperatures, April is still an excellent time to visit Jaco. If it does rain it will likely be very brief in the afternoon.

Just note that the week before Easter is often the busiest travel week of the year here. Locals are typically off of school and work. People from the city all drive to the beaches, and because Jaco is the closest beach from San Jose it gets very crowded by default.

The traffic can get very bad. I do not suggest driving from San Jose to Jaco on the weekend before Easter or on the Thursday before Easter. I also do not suggest driving from Jaco back to San Jose on Easter Sunday. You can find out more about what to expect in our guide to Easter in Costa Rica.

• Weather: Average daytime highs reach 91°F (33°C), with nighttime lows around 73°F (23°C).
• Rainfall: Rainfall begins to increase, averaging 2.4 inches (6 cm).
• Humidity: Starts to rise, averaging around 65%.

Jaco’s Rainy Season (May to November)

The rainy season in Jaco is marked by frequent afternoon showers and a lush, green landscape.

The mornings are typically sunny and clear, while the afternoons bring heavy rains.

Tourism decreases during this period and prices go down.

It is still always a good idea to book your trip early, but it isn’t as essential during this part of the year.

May

May marks the beginning of the rainy season in Jaco.

The mornings remain sunny, but afternoon showers become more frequent. The landscape starts to get lush and green again.

May 1st is Labor Day in Costa Rica. Some businesses may be closed.

• Weather: Daytime temperatures average 87°F (31°C), with nighttime lows around 73°F (23°C).
• Rainfall: Increases significantly to around 8.2 inches (21 cm).

June

June continues with regular afternoon rains, often starting around mid-afternoon and lasting for an hour or two.

The vegetation becomes lush, and the town takes on a more tropical feel.

It starts to get a lot more humid now that the rainy season is in full swing. This brings about two challenges.

1. The mosquitos start to become more of a problem as there is a lot of standing water. They are typically not a problem during the day, but once the sun sets around 6pm you will need insect repellent.
2. Nothing ever dries when it is so humid. Be prepared for everything to take on a permamently damp feel. Yuck!

• Weather: Daytime highs are around 86°F (30°C), with evening temperatures cooling to 72°F (22°C).
• Rainfall: Around 10.7 inches (27.2 cm) of rain, mostly in the afternoons.
• Humidity: High, around 80%.

July

July is known for the “veranillo” or “little summer.” This is a brief period during which the rains temporarily subside, providing a break in the rainy season. This typically lasts for about two weeks, but it is so hard to predict when this will occur. So, definitely don’t try and plan your trip around it.

Otherwise, you will experience afternoon rain showers that last for a few hours.

Most schools in Costa Rica are closed for a few weeks in July, so there is an increase in domestic tourism.

• Weather: Average daytime temperatures are around 86°F (30°C), with nighttime lows near 72°F (22°C).
• Rainfall: Slightly lower at around 8.3 inches (21 cm).
• Humidity: High, around 80%.

August

August sees the return of the rainy season, with frequent, intense afternoon showers.

The mornings are still warm and sunny, making it possible to enjoy outdoor activities early in the day, but the afternoon rains can become more intense and last longer.

From August until November tourism really dies down. So, if you are looking for lower prices and fewer tourists and don’t mind rain, this might be a great time to visit.

• Weather: Daytime temperatures average 85°F (29°C), with nighttime lows around 71°F (22°C).
• Rainfall: Increases to around 9.5 inches (24 cm).
• Humidity: Very high, around 83%.

September

September is one of the wettest months in Jaco. The rains are heavier and more persistent, often lasting into the evening. There can also be some intense lightning storms.

Costa Rica’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 15th. Expect parades and local festivities. A lot of businesses will be closed on this day.

• Weather: Average daytime temperatures are around 84°F (29°C), with nighttime lows around 71°F (22°C).
• Rainfall: Peaks at around 12 inches (30.5 cm).
• Humidity: Extremely high, around 85%.

October

October is the peak of the rainy season, with the heaviest and most prolonged rains.

The town experiences frequent flash floods. I tell you this because it can be very dangerous. Be careful swimming anywhere near rivers and if the water suddenly looks brown, get out quickly.

A lot of hotels and other tourism companies close in October because there just isn’t enough demand.

• Weather: Daytime temperatures are around 83°F (28°C), with nighttime lows around 70°F (21°C).
• Rainfall: The highest of the year, averaging 13 inches (33 cm).
• Humidity: Very high, around 85%.

November

November is a transitional month. The rain begins to taper off towards the end of the month and the dry season starts to roll in.

Tourism starts to pick up slightly as the dry season approaches, but it remains relatively quiet.

• Weather: Average daytime temperatures are around 85°F (29°C), with nighttime lows around 71°F (22°C).
• Rainfall: Decreases to around 7 inches (17.8 cm).
• Humidity: Remains high, around 80%.

Jacó Packing by Season

Here are some of the essentials you will want in your luggage for visiting Jaco in both the dry and rainy season.

Year Round Essentials

• We suggest carrying your stuff in a large backpack instead of a suitcase if possible. The Osprey 55L is great if you are only bringing a carry-on (take the small bag part off for under your seat) and the Osprey 75L is our go-to for checking in a bag.
• Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen: SPF 50 because the sun is powerful. We like Sun Bum because they are reef-safe.
• Teva Voya Flip Flops for men and for women: Waterproof and have a solid sole.
• Columbia Bora Bora Sun Hat: Slightly nerdy, but great for blocking the sun, folding up small in your luggage, and is made of breathable fabric.
• Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion: Hopefully you don’t get sunburned, but if you do, this stuff is a lifesaver.
• Hero Microfiber Towel: Most hotels will have towels for showering, but not for the beach, Microfiber towels dry quickly and can easily fit in your luggage.
• LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle: You can drink the water here, but it is safer to buy bottled water. We like LifeStraw to filter out any extra bacteria or impurities.
• Insect Repellent: Once the sun goes down the mosquitos come out in full force. It is worse during the rainy season, but you might experience them in the dry season as well.

Rainy Season Essentials

• The Anker Powerbox: A reliable battery pack to charge electronics if power goes out.
• Large Zip Lock Bags: Nothing ever dries in rainy season. Zip locks are great for seperating damp clothing in your luggage.
• Rain Jacket: I love the North Face Antora for women and the same jacket for men. Lightweight, breathable, efficient.
• Waterproof Backpack: We use ours year round because it is also great for the beach and boat trips, but especially good in rainy season for potentially wet adventures.
• Motion Sickness Pills: You might want these year round for navigating the crazy roads. However, they are especially helpful in teh rainy season if you plan to do a boat trip when waves can be bigger.
• Headlamp: Again, useful all year round since the sun sets by 6PM. Also great to have if the power goes out.

Fun Things to Do in Both Seasons

• Visit Carara National Park: Carara National Park is just a short drive from downtown Jaco. I actually prefer visiting this place in the rainy season when everything is lush and the wildlife is more active.
• Go Beach Hopping: There are tons of great beaches to explore in the area for surfing, swimming, and relaxing. Check our guide to the best Jaco beaches for more info.
• See the Crocodiles at Rio Tarcoles: Rio Tarcoles is a river filled with crocodiles near Jaco. You can view the crocs from this bridge or take a fun filled Crocodile Adventure 🐊. I suggest this at any time of year.
• Go Zip Lining:  Rainforest Adventures offers a great combination of an aerial tram and 10 zip-lining platforms. If you plan to do this in the rainy season, schedule your tour for the early morning.

Check out our guide to all the best activities in Jaco for more ideas

Should You Visit Jaco?

Jaco is not our favorite town in Costa Rica. I find it to be kind of dirty and not really my scene. I tend to like more peaceful beach towns with a focus on nature.

However, Jaco is the closest beach town from San Jose and it can be a great jumping off point for a ton of adventures.

If you visit here though, promise me you will at least go to 1 or 2 other towns in teh country to get a more varied view.

Check out our complete guide to Jaco for all the best hotels, restaurants, and more

Conclusion: Jaco Weather

In conclusion, the weather in Jaco offers a dynamic backdrop for any type of vacation. Whether you’re drawn to the sun-soaked beaches of the dry season or the refreshing rains that bring the area to life, understanding the climate will help you enjoy your stay to the fullest.

We’ve experienced Jaco’s weather year-round and are happy to share our insights. So, if you have any questions or need specific advice for your trip, feel free to reach out in the comments. We’re here to help!

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