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Weather in Monteverde, Costa Rica by Month: What to Expect
Are you wondering what the weather is like in Monteverde, Costa Rica, for your upcoming visit?
Monteverde has a different climate than most of Costa Rica. This area in the Northern Mountains region is known for its cloud forests, diverse wildlife, and cooler climate. Unlike the coastal regions, Monteverde experiences a more temperate climate with misty days and cooler temperatures year-round. The dry season runs from December to April, while the rainy season lasts from May to November.
Thomas and I visit Monteverde often, mostly as a way to escape the heat. We both grew up in colder climates with distinct seasons and although we love the heat in Costa Rica, we find that sometimes we just crave cool weather. When that happens, we love to head to Monteverde. This cloud forest town is a magical place!
We created this guide to provide you with a detailed month-by-month weather breakdown, packing tips, safety tips for the weather here, and more.
Let’s get into all things to do with Monteverde’s weather!

Monteverde Weather at a Glance
- Dry season: December to April
- Rainy season: May to November
- Heaviest rainfall: September and October, with frequent mist and rain typical of cloud forest environments
- Hottest months: March and April, with average highs around 77°F (25°C)
- Coolest months: November to January, with average highs around 68°F (20°C)
- Humidity: Consistently high year-round, especially during the rainy season, often exceeding 90%
- Average daytime highs: Range from 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) year-round
- Average nighttime lows: Typically between 57°F to 61°F (14°C to 16°C)
- Sunrise and sunset: The sun typically rises around 5:45 AM and sets around 5:30 PM throughout the year
The Forecast for the Next 7 Day Is….
MONTEVERDE WEATHERMonteverde’s Dry Season (December to April)

Monteverde’s dry season offers a unique climate experience with cool mornings, warm afternoons, and little rainfall.
The dry season is the best time to visit if you want to experience the cloud forests without the heavy rains. However, it is not nearly as lush and vibrant as the rainy season.
If you visit during this time of year we suggest booking your trip as far in advance as possible. Monteverde is a very popular tourist destination so things book out fast.
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December
December marks the beginning of the dry season. In this area, it’s still a transitional month. There might be occasional rain showers, particularly early in the month. Despite the lack of rain, the cloud forests are still lush.
Keep in mind that later in the month the winds can start to pick up. This area is notoriously very windy during the dry season.
The holiday season attracts many visitors. Monteverde is one of the most popular tourist destinations, so expect higher prices and larger crowds, especially around Christmas and New Year.
Schools in Costa Rica are closed in the second half of the month and a lot of local families will be traveling. However, there isn’t a huge increase in domestic tourism within Monteverde because most locals head to the beach towns instead.
- Weather: Average daytime temperatures are around 70°F (21°C), with cooler evenings averaging 60°F (16°C).
- Rainfall: Around 5.5 inches (14 cm), typically in short, sporadic showers.
January
January is one of the driest and sunniest months in Monteverde. It is a great time for hiking and exploring the cloud forests without worrying about rain.
The climate should remain lush and green during this time, but the winds will pick up.
This is still high season, so plan your trip early.
Local schools will be closed until the end of the month, so as with December there can be an increase in domestic tourism. However, most people usually head to the beach instead of the cloud forest.
- Weather: Average daytime highs are around 72°F (22°C), with nighttime lows around 59°F (15°C).
- Rainfall: Less than 2.4 inches (6 cm).
- Humidity: Low to moderate, around 75%.
February
February continues the trend of dry, sunny weather. It is still windy here and things start to look a bit less lush due to the lack of rain.
Tourism remains high.
- Weather: Daytime temperatures can reach up to 73°F (23°C), with evenings dropping to around 60°F (16°C).
- Rainfall: Minimal, around 1.8 inches (4.6 cm).
- Humidity: Low, around 70%.
March
March is typically the warmest month in Monteverde, though temperatures remain comfortable for hiking and exploring the outdoors.
It can still be very windy and things start to look a bit dried out (but not nearly as much as other places in the country). By the end of the month, you could experience an occasional brief rain, but it’s not too common.
The high demand continues with hotels, restaurants, and activities being full.
- Weather: Daytime temperatures average 74°F (23°C), with nighttime temperatures around 61°F (16°C).
- Rainfall: Around 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), with very rare showers.
- Humidity: Low, around 65%.
April
April marks the end of the dry season. Temperatures remain warm (by Monteverde standards) but the first rains will start, especially later in the month.
Keep in mind that the week before and after Easter are often the busiest for traveling in the whole year. Locals are also often off of work and school during the week before Easter. However, most families will head to the beaches.
If you are planning your trip during those two weeks I suggest opting to go to Monteverde between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. During those few days, the traffic is very crazy in the beach towns but should be mostly OK in Monteverde.
Then, you can go to the beaches either before or after those few days once most locals have returned home.
Find out more in our guide to Easter in Costa Rica
- Weather: Average daytime highs reach 75°F (24°C), with nighttime lows around 62°F (17°C).
- Rainfall: Rainfall begins to increase slightly, averaging 2.8 inches (7 cm).
- Humidity: Begins to rise, averaging around 70%.
Monteverde’s Rainy Season (May to November)

The rainy season in Monteverde is characterized by frequent afternoon showers, lush green landscapes, and a quieter tourist season.
Mornings are typically clear in the first half of the season (well as clear as you can get in a cloud forest), with the rain rolling in in the afternoon.
May
May marks the beginning of the rainy season, with the landscape becoming increasingly green and lush.
Typically the rain won’t start until the afternoon and will only last for a few hours. However, because this is a cloud forest the climate starts to turn increasingly cloudy throughout the entire day.
Tourism starts to decrease slightly and prices go down a bit.
Roads can become slippery and challenging, especially the unpaved sections.
I think its the perfect time of year to visit to experience the charm of this place.
- Weather: Daytime temperatures average 72°F (22°C), with nighttime lows around 61°F (16°C).
- Rainfall: Increases significantly to around 8 inches (20 cm).
- Humidity: High, around 85%.
June
June continues with regular afternoon rains and cloud forest scenery. I love this time of year here and I bet you will as well. Just be prepared for cooler temperatures and rains.
- Weather: Daytime highs are around 71°F (21°C), with evening temperatures cooling to 60°F (16°C).
- Rainfall: Around 10 inches (25 cm) of rain, mostly in the afternoons.
- Humidity: High, around 88%.
July
July is known for the “veranillo” or “little summer.” This is a brief period during which the rains temporarily subside.
In Monteverde, this isn’t usually as intense as in other areas and it is also very hard to predict when this will actually happen.
I think that if you visit Monteverde in July you should still plan on very cloudy days and heavy afternoon rain showers.
Keep in mind that a lot of local schools have a break for a few weeks in July. There could be an increase in domestic tourism here, but most people actually head to the beaches.
- Weather: Average daytime temperatures are around 71°F (21°C), with nighttime lows near 60°F (16°C).
- Rainfall: Slightly lower at around 7 inches (18 cm).
- Humidity: High, around 87%.
August
August sees the return of heavier rains, with frequent and intense afternoon showers.
The mornings typically remain cool and clear, but you might also experience some complete wash out days.
Tourism really starts to wind down in August so prices for hotels, car rentals, and activities are much lower.
- Weather: Daytime temperatures average 70°F (21°C), with nighttime lows around 59°F (15°C).
- Rainfall: Increases to around 11 inches (28 cm).
- Humidity: Very high, around 89%.
September
September is one of the wettest and coolest months in Monteverde. There are frequent, heavy rains that can last well into the night.
It’s not the ideal time to visit, but it is very peaceful and cozy here at this time of year.
- Weather: Average daytime temperatures are around 69°F (21°C), with nighttime lows around 59°F (15°C).
- Rainfall: Peaks at around 13 inches (33 cm), making it one of the wettest months of the year.
- Humidity: Extremely high, around 90%.
October
October continues to see heavy rainfall. It is the peak of the rainy season in Monteverde. The rains are intense but, they also bring a mystical atmosphere to the cloud forests.
Tourism remains at its lowest. It is a peaceful time to visit but some attractions and trails may be inaccessible due to the weather. Also, some local businesses such as hotels and restaurants close during this month due to a lack of demand.
- Weather: Daytime temperatures are around 68°F (20°C), with nighttime lows around 58°F (14°C).
- Rainfall: The highest of the year, averaging 15 inches (38 cm).
- Humidity: Very high, around 92%.
November
November is a transitional month as the rainy season begins to taper off towards the end of the month. While heavy rains are still common, there is a noticeable shift as the dry season approaches.
Tourism starts to pick up slightly as the dry season nears, but it remains relatively quiet.
- Weather: Average daytime temperatures are around 70°F (21°C), with nighttime lows around 59°F (15°C).
- Rainfall: Decreases to around 9 inches (23 cm), though still substantial.
- Humidity: Remains high, around 88%.
Packing for Monteverde
Here are some must-have essentials when visiting this place throughout the year. Keep in mind that Monteverde is always a bit more chilly than the rest of the country. I suggest focussing on layers when here.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pocket Binoculars: Great for spotting animals and birds that are hiding among the trees.
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 the rainy season. Zip locks are great for separating 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.
- Headlamp: Again, useful all year round since the sun sets by 6PM. Also great to have if the power goes out.
Safety from Monteverde Weather
- Cloudy but High UV: The cloud cover can be deceptive. It is so easy to underestimate the sun’s strength on cloudy days, but it is still possible to get a sunburn here. Load up on the SPF!
- Staying Hydrated: The combination of altitude and moderate temperatures can lead to dehydration. Even if you don’t feel hot, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Electrolyte drinks like Gatorade or Powerade are usually available at local stores. I find they really help me maintain my energy levels.
- Altitude Effects: Monteverde’s elevation (around 4,600 feet or 1,400 meters) can cause mild altitude sickness, especially if you’re not accustomed to higher elevations. Symptoms might include headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Take it easy when hiking and listen to your body.
- Slippery Trails: Trails in Monteverde can be wet and slippery, particularly in the rainy season. Proper hiking shoes with good grip are essential to prevent falls.
- Heavy Rain and Landslides: Monteverde’s rainy season (May to November) can bring heavy downpours and occasional landslides. Avoid hiking during or immediately after heavy rains to reduce the risk of encountering unstable ground or flash floods.
- Driving Conditions: Roads to and within Monteverde can become muddy and slick during the rainy season, especially if they are unpaved. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended if you’re planning to drive in the area during this time.
- Slippery Rocks: Waterfalls in and around Monteverde are beautiful but can be dangerous, especially during the rainy season when rocks are wet and slippery. There are often no safety barriers. Be very cautious near the edges.
- Mosquitoes and Insect Protection: In Monteverde, you actually don’t really need to worry about mosquitos. The high altitude keeps them mostly at bay. However, it doesn’t hurt to have insect repellent with you just in case. Mosquitoes in Costa Rica can carry diseases like Dengue and Zika.
- Dense Fog: Monteverde is known for its frequent and thick fog, which can reduce visibility on roads and trails. When driving, slow down, use your headlights, and be extra cautious. I suggest not driving at night if you can avoid it.
- Cold Nights: The temperature in Monteverde can drop significantly at night, even during the warmer months. Be prepared with layers and warm clothing, particularly if you’re staying in a less insulated or unheated accommodation.
Our Opinion on Visiting Monteverde

I actually prefer to visit Monteverde during the rainy season instead of in the dry season. I think that a big part of the charm here is the misty cloud forest atmosphere. I also really dislike the strong winds in the dry season.
For me, May-July are the ideal months to be in Monteverde. During those months the rain isn’t too intense yet, but you can still enjoy the moody cloud forest vibes.
I think you just need to go into visiting Monteverde with the mindset that it will be cooler than most other towns in Costa Rica and that there will be rain. It’s all part of the charm!
Conclusion: Monteverde Weather
To conclude, Monteverde’s weather consists of a dry season and rainy season, but it is a bit different than the rest of the country. Whether you’re drawn to the cooler, drier days or the misty, mystical ambiance of the rainy season, knowing what to expect will help you plan an unforgettable trip.
If you have any questions or need specific advice, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments. We’re always here to help!
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🗣️What is the main language in Costa Rica?
The main language in Costa Rica is Spanish. Most people working in tourism speak at least some English.
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Hi! We’re Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er)
We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and since 2016 we have lived in sunny Costa Rica.
It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision!
Now we spend our days roaming the country to bring you the very best in Costa Rica travel here on Costa Rica Vibes.
Sarah is the writer. Thomas is the one keeping it all together.
Want the whole crazy story?

Sarah McArthur
Sarah McArthur is the co-founder and main writer of Costa Rica Vibes.
She is originally from the United States but has lived in sunny San Jose, Costa Rica since 2016.
She has traveled all over the country and now considers herself a self-proclaimed Costa Rica travel expert.
Want the whole crazy story?