Suppose you want to travel to any isolated or rural areas. . Costa Rica is driest and sunniest late December-April, but clouds lift . But there are certainly bonuses to traveling here during the low season. Unlike Limon, Puntarenas has much more distinct dry and rainy seasons. You can expect to see drier weather as you head north, and wetter weather as you head south. The best time to visit Costa Rica depends a lot on what you want to do. Costa Rica has a tropical climate with two seasons: dry season and rainy (or, "green," as locals may call it) season. But times change. Tortuguero is the home of those who love turtles. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 73 F. There are less than 3 days of rain, with less than an inch of rain falling. If you are not a fan of the heavy rains, do not travel to the South Pacific because the rains here are heavy by the second week of May. Prices and crowds are at their peak, making this the most expensive and crowded time to visit. Bolivia doesn't quite have the family appeal of Costa Rica or Cancun, say - but those thinking of traveling in Bolivia with kids shouldn't be deterred. This is a good time to travel - as long as you have packed well. Tamarindo has dry periods in January, February and March. It is so bad that hotels and businesses are closed on the South Pacific coast. With fewer demand for airfare, accommodations, and rentals, prices are also cheaper during the low season. Knowing which months are dry or green seasons in the country is crucial as it will help you choose the best place and time to visit. This is your favorite month for those who want to enjoy the weather transition. We'll go over the best (and worst) times to visit Costa Rica based on weather, peak travel times, cost, and more in this article. Dry and Rainy Seasons Costa Rica has two distinct seasons. Packing insect repellent is also vital because rainy weather increases mosquito infestations. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 90 F and average low is 72 F. This is a very dry month, with usually only a day of rain. If we link to any product, you should assume that we'll receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. Rainfall is a possibility, especially around the beginning of November, but light rain showers, are enjoyable, especially while swimming in waterfalls. April to June and September to November is the rainy season in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is, hands down, a fun vacation destination You have volcanoes rainforests gorgeous Pacific and Caribbean beaches exciting wildlife encounters and adventure activities. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. November is the transition month from rainy to dry season. At this time, you also have several festive celebrations, such as the Festival de la Luz in San Jose, which is held in the second week of the month. . In this article, we shall guide you to know the best and the worst times you should visit Costa Rica. Arenal and its surroundings make a . Worst Weather The rainy season in Costa Rica, which lasts from May to November, is usually considered the worst time to travel there since the rains frequently cause widespread flooding and mudslides, making travel activities hazardous and difficult. The weather is generally good, and hotel prices low. First things first, there are two tropical seasons in Costa Rica: dry season and green season. There are less tourists, particularly during the months of September-early November, and prices are thus also lower during these times. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. Costa Rica rarely experiences the direct impact of a hurricane on the Caribbean or Pacific coasts. As Costa Rica is only 10 degrees above the equator, the temperature doesnt fluctuate very much throughout the year. Costa Rica is a lot more expensive than it's neighbouring countries. Travellers Worldwide is reader-supported. Scarcely populated, Norrland winter's sub-zero temperatures last for several months. Natural Science Museum La Salle Courtesy of phaitoon - Fotolia.com If you want to surf, then it depends on the region. The average rainfall jumps to eight inches or more from May through October and reaches a high point of about 12 inches in September. This is a mixed blessing as you wont burn as easily, but it can inhibit views sometimes. With less rain, there ismore uninterrupted pool time. The best time to visit Costa Rica is between the months of December and April. The rainiest months in Costa Rica are September and October. The best time to visit Costa Rica for surfing depends a little bit on what coast youre on. Stunningly blue water and sandy shores of all different colors even a famous black sand beach draw tons of tourists here each year. You can see sea turtles at different times throughout the year, but the most famous spot to see them is in Tortuguero National Park on the north Caribbean coast, and July-October is the best time to see them nesting here. Rainy days and cloudy skies continue throughout the country. Passports, electronics, money, and even sunglasses and shoes are easy targets and highly sought after by thieves. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts should also consider visiting during the dry season. Most Pacific Coast and the Central Mountains receive a lot of sunshine during these warmer months. This is how we keep the lights on (i.e. The tradeoff is that there are higher numbers of tourists, and prices on hotels are higher (and they also fill up faster). These numbers dont guarantee the best months to visit Costa Rica because the weather does vary some from year to year. Dry Seasons February, March, April, August (2nd half), September, October These months are the driest of the year with occasional rain usually occurring at night or early in the morning. Many beaches are poorly lit, which creates a prime avenue for criminal activities. It is in the nation's northern region and towers above the lush surroundings, where the best coffee globally is grown on plantations. September to November sees the lowest crowds in Costa Rica, as this is the height of the rainy season. 10. The weather during this period is generally hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-80s to low 90s. They are not telling you that the rainy seasons are not over in Costa Rica now. In a nutshell, Costa Rica is a place you should never visit. Where to Stay in Cancun | Best Areas & Hotels, 15 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Ricain 2023, Where to Stay in Costa Rica | Best Areas & Hotels, 19 Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in 2023, 15 Best Things to Do in Costa Rica in 2023. Find out the best time to visit Costa Rica with details on climate, seasons and events from Audley specialists. with some heavy rain still to be expected until the end of November, but by mid-December the worst will certainly be over. Youve got the highly-developed Pacific coast on the western side and the more-affordable, culturally-driven Caribbean coast on the eastern side. According to Christa from Pura Vida Moms, the worst place to go if you want to avoid mosquitoes in Costa Rica is the Caribbean Coast (around Tortuguero National Park), Osa Penninsula . Wildlife watching: Alaska/California humpback whales; leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast inMarch; hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast, Related Article: Costa Rica Spring Break Survival Guide. Most elections are held in February. Costa Rica during the rainy season is still a beautiful time to visit. They can often reach into the mid-'30s during the dry season. There are three key factors to consider when deciding the best time to visit: the weather, the crowds, and the cost. The question should really be: When is the best time for ME to visit Costa Rica? Many of the roads in Costa Rica have potholes, lack guard rails, and high speeding youths under the influence of drugs. Many report that November and early December are the best times to go on a budget. Thinking of planning your trip somewhere tropical and not quite settled on Costa Rica? Therefore, different regions in the country have very different scenery and weather. This time of year is also a great time to visit the country because of what we refer to as the glorious awakening of nature. Similar to the beautiful green scenery you see when spring finally arrives after a long winter, everything appears to come to life during the green season. If you must travel during this time be sure to check local weather conditions and plan your route accordingly. You shall witness unmatched street parades, bull runs, dancing, and rodeos. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. About every other day will have rain (on average), with about 6 inches of rainfall during the month. December through April is the dry season. Wildlife watching: leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. Costa Rica is one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. I spent the first half of this year living in Nosara, Costa . Nature is all around you, like this small frog spotted on our journey. are many perks of traveling in rainy season, Where to Find Black Sand Beaches in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Experts Wins 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award, Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Month by Month, 8 Costa Rica Natural Mysteries You Have to See to Believe, 10 Top Costa Rica Honeymoon Bungalows & Suites, 3 Costa Rica Hotels Made The Travel & Leisure Top 100 in the World List, Costa Rica Expert Interview with Aaron Daker: top destinations, new hotels, & best months to travel. The dry season is also the high season as many snow birds make their escape to the tropics, and there is less rainfall. These months have little to no rain in most of the country. In May, the rains had started to pick up in most parts of the country, roads were still passable, and hotels were still within the price ranges of April. Unfortunately, one of the most common crimes in Costa Rica is theft. The rain brings out the best in Costa Ricas flora. 1. Plus, there are no crowds. Overall, the winter months (the driest months) and the summer months of July and August (which have a bit of a lull during the rainy season) are the best times to visit Costa Rica. October through December are the worst months to visit Aruba. Theres no bad time to go to Costa Rica. If you decide to go during July or August, youll get the best of both worlds with sunny, warm temperatures, fewer crowds, and cheaper pricing than the peak season. Hurricane season, from June 1 until Nov. 30, is a time many travelers avoid the Bahamas. Puntarenas and San Jos get rain more than 20 days a month from May through October and peak at 25-26 days in September and October. The city reaches a high point for rain in September and October thanks to the Pacific hurricane season. Credit: Wikimedia (Creative Commons license). On the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. This is the driest month of the year, with an average of 1.3 inches of rainfall, and an average of 4 rainy days per month. Traveling to new places has changed our lives, and we hope to share our experience, insight, and passion with you in order to inspire you to change yours as well! On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. It will be sunny about half of the days and rain will fall about of the days this month, with an average total of 4 inches of rain. If a rainy afternoon would ruin your vacation, visit in dry season. South Pacific | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Tourism Official website Skip to main content Its even cheaper if you visit during the low season, September through mid-December (especially November and early December). Plus, there may still bespring break travelers, so youll want to book your vacation well in advance. What is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica (And When To Go Instead). If Easter falls in April, you can expect a spike in tourist traffic over the holiday. We enter peak season for travel at the end of December around the holidays. Temperatures are much warmer than Limon with average daily highs reaching into the 90s Fahrenheit from January through August and dipping into the high 80s for the rest of the year. In addition, in November, beach activities are very low, crowds are still not picking up early, and this denies the chance to learn more about the culture of the Costa Ricans. December is the most crowded month, as the holiday crowd usually rushes in during this period. $10.5 billion. The UNESCO world heritage listed the island as among the best-inhabited places for those who love nature. The best time to visit Costa Rica is from January through February and in July. Latino U.S.A reported that during elections, there are economic tensions during the election month in Costa Rica. All Rights Reserved. Read on to find out the best time to visit Costa Rica by season and region. Arguably, this is one of the worst months you should avoid if you are visiting Costa Rica. But look out for the rest of the year. or less. February and March are the best months for the Limon cruise port while July is the worst. On the other hand, there is frequently very little rain from December to April, and there may be no rain in some places. As Costa Rica has over 20 micro-climates, day and night time temperatures and the . Costa Rica, the land of Pura Vida ("pure life"), was declared the most environmentally advanced and happiest place on earth in 2016. For instance, due to its proximity to the Caribbean Sea, Tortuguero experiences hot and humid weather with occasional rainfall. What To Do in Costa Rica When It Rains?