Samara, Costa Rica Weather Guide: What to Expect Every Month

Samara, Costa Rica weather follows the same two-season pattern as the rest of the Nicoya Peninsula. It is hot and dry from December to April, then rainy from May to November, with each season giving a completely different feel.

We’re Sarah and Thomas, and we’ve lived in Costa Rica since 2016 with plenty of trips to Samara along the way, so we know this coastline in both its dry season glory and its lush, rainy green season.

Below we break down what to expect every month, what to pack, and when to book so you’re not caught off guard.

Dry Season (December to April)

This time of year i hot, sunny, and there is close to zero rain. This is peak season for beach days, calm ocean swims, and reliable water sports conditions.

Month	Daytime High	Rainfall	What to Know
December	89°F / 32°C	~1.5 in	Festive and crowded, especially Christmas through New Year’s
January	91°F / 33°C	<0.4 in	Peak season, dry and sunny, book ahead
February	92°F / 33°C	~0.3 in	Consistent dry heat, ocean calm and great for snorkeling
March	93°F / 34°C	~0.2 in	Hottest, driest month, best for surfers and sun seekers
April	94°F / 34°C	~1 in	First hints of rain by month’s end, surf gets less predictable

Heads up for Semana Santa: The week before and after Easter gets wild here. Costa Ricans are off work and everyone heads to the beach, so expect crowds. Book as far ahead as you can if your trip lands here.

We’ve got a full guide to Easter in Costa Rica if you’re planning around it.

By late dry season, things get crispy. By March and April, the landscape has gone months without rain, so expect dry, brown hills inland instead of the lush green you see in photos.

It’s also fire season in this part of the Nicoya Peninsula, brush fires do happen in drier, windier stretches, so don’t be surprised if you catch some haze or smoke smell during a particularly dry spell.

Rainy Season (May to November)

Don’t let the name “rainy season” scare you off. Early in the season, this really does just mean sunny mornings with an afternoon shower that clears out fast.

This is also when the crowds thin out, prices drop, and the whole area turns a deep, jungly green.

Month	Daytime High	Rainfall	What to Know
May	89°F / 32°C	~4 in	Rain picks up, waves get rougher, fewer tourists
June	87°F / 31°C	~6 in	Regular afternoon showers, good surf, quieter town
July	86°F / 30°C	~5 in	“Veranillo,” a short dry break, calmer ocean, slight tourist bump
August	86°F / 30°C	~7 in	Heavier rain returns, rougher water for swimmers
September	84°F / 29°C	~9 in	One of the wettest months, low season, best deals starting
October	83°F / 28°C	~10 in	Peak rainfall, roughest ocean, lowest tourism
November	84°F / 29°C	~6 in	Rain tapers off, ocean conditions start improving

That pattern shifts as the season goes on, though. By September and October, it’s not just an afternoon sprinkle anymore, you can get full days of steady rain, and storms roll in outside the usual afternoon window too.

If you’re set on that classic sunny morning, quick afternoon rain experience, aim for May, June, or early July.

If you’re coming in the back half of the season, pack for the possibility of a full rainy day, and know the ocean gets rougher with bigger waves and stronger currents.

What to Pack

Everyday essentials

• A backpack over a suitcase if you can swing it. We use the Osprey Fairview 55L for carry-on trips (unclip the daypack for under the seat and bigger part in overhead) and the Osprey 75L when we’re checking a bag
• Sun Bum SPF 50, reef-safe and strong enough for how intense the sun gets here
• Teva Voya flip flops for men and women, waterproof with real grip
• Columbia Bora Bora sun hat, packs small and actually blocks sun
• Sun Bum Cool Down aloe lotion for when the SPF doesn’t save you
• Microfiber towel for the beach, hotels rarely provide one
• LifeStraw Go water bottle for peace of mind, though tap water here is safe
• Insect repellent, mosquitos show up once the sun goes down year-round

Rainy season add-ons

• Anker power bank for outages
• Large ziplock bags, nothing dries in rainy season and these keep damp clothes contained
• Rain jacket, lightweight and breathable
• Waterproof backpack, good for boat trips and beach days too
• Motion sickness pills, helpful for winding roads and choppier boat rides
• Headlamp, useful year-round since the sun sets by 6pm

Safety Notes by Season

• Mosquitos are worse in rainy season and can carry dengue or zika, don’t skip the bug spray
• The sun here is no joke. Wear SPF 50+, throw on a long sleeve swim shirt in the water, and stay in the shade when you can
• Dehydration sneaks up fast. Drink water and grab a Gatorade or Powerade when you feel off
• Heat makes hikes and activities more tiring than you’re probably used to, pace yourself
• Rainy season brings stronger rip currents and bigger waves, pay attention to posted signs
• Waterfalls here often have no barriers, and rocks get slick in the rain. People have died from slipping, so use caution

Our Take

Samara is a great pick no matter what time of year you go. It’s popular, but even in dry season it doesn’t feel overrun the way some other beach towns do.

If you want our honest favorite window, we love May through July because the prices drop, the scenery turns lush and green, crowds thin out, and there’s something kind of nice about a predictable afternoon rain shower breaking up the heat of the day.

Ready to Plan Your Trip to Samara?

Here’s where to start:

• Decide which airport to fly into. Samara is about 2 to 2.5 hours from Liberia (LIR), which is the shorter and easier option. Flying into San José (SJO) means closer to 4 to 5 hours on the road. If you have the choice, Liberia is worth it. 🚗 Liberia to Samara: Best Ways to Get There 🚗 San José to Samara: Transport Options
• Where to stay. We’ve put together our favorite properties in and around downtown Samara for every budget. 🏨 Best Hotels in Samara
• Where to eat. Samara has a surprisingly good food scene for a beach town this size, from beachfront spots to a great falafel lunch stop. 🍽️ Best Restaurants in Samara
• What to do while you’re there. Surf lessons, kayaking to Chora Island, beach yoga, and more, we cover our favorites. 🌴 19 Best Things to Do in Samara
• Use Samara as your home base. It’s an easy day trip down to Nosara, about 30 minutes away, if you want to see a different side of the Nicoya Peninsula’s surf and wellness scene. 🚗 Day trip to Nosara

You might also be interested in:

• 10 Samara Hotels That Make This Nicoya Peninsula Beach Town Even Better
• The 12 Best Restaurants in Samara, Costa Rica for Every Craving and Budget
• Nosara, Costa Rica Weather by Month: When to Visit and What to Expect Every Season
• The 22 Best Things to Do in Nosara, Costa Rica for Surfers, Yogis, and Nature Lovers
• Costa Rica Rainy Season: What to Expect + Best Time to Visit (2026 Guide)