Red eyed tree frog, Costa Rica

The best time to visit Costa Rica

The best time to visit Costa Rica is from December to mid-April. This is the driest part of the year with temperatures hovering around 28 degrees and up to 12 hours of sunshine each day. The wildlife in Costa Rica is hard to rival and is a key attraction for the majority of travellers; forests are lush as the country emerges from the wet season. You can expect to see monkeys, sloths, migrant birds from the north, humpback whales (giving birth in the warm waters) and nesting sea turtles.

Explore the best time to visit

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Visiting Costa Rica in January

medium season

January is one of the most popular times of year to visit, with spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities, jungle exploration, adventure activities and relaxation on white sand beaches. This is a wonderful time to visit the Pacific Coast, but national parks and beaches are busier. This is the first of the reliably dry months and is the heart of the high season for both international travellers and Ticos. We recommend booking well in advance as activities and accommodations fill up quickly.

Visiting Costa Rica in February

medium season

February is almost as popular as January but without the peak season prices or crowds of Christmas, New Year and Easter. The weather is hot and dry in most of the popular beach destinations and it is an excellent time for wildlife watching as monkeys hang out in the sun.

Visiting Costa Rica in March

medium season

The beginning of the fruiting season is in March making it a fantastic time for viewing the wonderfully colourful and unusual looking birds that fill the trees in droves. Many Costa Ricans will be on holiday the week before Easter and later in March Spring Break travel may reduce availability and raise prices. March through to April is the hottest weather of the year on the Pacific side.

Visiting Costa Rica in April

high season

April is the end of the dry season in Costa Rica. The western and central regions have nearly no rain and mostly sunny weather, however the Caribbean lowlands may experience wetter conditions. What little rain that does fall generally comes as afternoon and evening showers. April is one of the most popular months for international and domestic travellers, with local Easter holidays pushing demand and prices even higher.

Visiting Costa Rica in May

low season

This is the beginning of the ‘green season’. Rainfall increases a little, but this means fewer visitors and quieter national parks. The flora and fauna starts to return to its lush state, making for beautiful photography opportunities. With national parks being quieter, you can spend longer observing the spectacular wildlife without interruption. Swells increase on the country’s best surfing beaches and with low season kicking in, prices are lower.

Visiting Costa Rica in June

low season

June is a great time to visit Costa Rica; popular destinations are quieter with less crowds and you can explore in a more relaxed atmosphere with lower prices. Being towards the start of ‘green season’, there is a little more rainfall but nothing like the downpours of September and October.

Visiting Costa Rica in July

medium season

July is in the ‘green season’ but there is a brief little summer or ‘veranillo’, which breaks up the rain in July. Spend time enjoying the watersports and soak up the sun on the beaches on the far northern Pacific Coast. This is a wonderful time to see green sea turtles on the coastline of Tortuguero National Park and is also the start of whale watching season around Dominical. It can be busy along the popular routes, so make sure to book in advance for the northwest and volcano destinations.

Visiting Costa Rica in August

medium season

Although this is winter on the Tico calendar, a tropical beach escape fits perfectly into the mid-summer routine for North Americans and Europeans. There is a brief break in the rain in August and can be a fantastic time to enjoy the beaches of the northern Pacific Coast. The majority of rain that does fall will come in the afternoon and overnight. The best time for spotting humpback whales is August to October and December to April along the Pacific Coast.

Visiting Costa Rica in September

low season

The rainy/hurricane season peaks in September and October. This is a fabulous time to see turtles hatching on the Caribbean coast, but make sure to bring your umbrella!

Visiting Costa Rica in October

low season

The rainy/hurricane season peaks in September and October. This is a fabulous time to see turtles hatching on the Caribbean coast, but make sure to bring your umbrella! Many lodges and tours on the Osa Peninsula and the southern coast will close their operations as it is the peak of the wet season.

Visiting Costa Rica in November

low season

The country starts to dry up, although the exact timing of the ‘green season’ varies. The weather in November can be a gamble as sometimes the dry season comes early, but it could also be extremely rainy. The southern Caribbean side is much drier, but as you travel north towards Tortuguero, the afternoon rains will pick up.

Visiting Costa Rica in December

high season

By Christmas and New Year it is getting busy again, so it is well worth booking accommodation in advance. This is one of the best times for wildlife; monkeys and sloths are joined by migrant birds from the north, humpback whales giving birth and sea turtles nesting on the shore. The beginning of December will have lower prices as it is the tail end of the rainy season. Expect trails, ziplines and white water rivers to be filled with tourists and lodges and hotels to be sold out towards Christmas. Be aware that some accommodation may have a minimum night stay over the Christmas period. Booking 6-12 months in advance will help you to secure better availability.

Costa Rica climate guide

Drag the slider to see monthly temperature and rainfall.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Maximum Temperature (°C) Monthly Rainfall (mm)
Arenal Volcano
Corcovado & Osa Peninsula
Dominical
Manuel Antonio
San José & Central Valley
Tamarindo
Tortuguero & the Caribbean Coast

Explore Costa Rica

  • Arenal Volcano
  • Corcovado and Osa Peninsula
  • Dominical
  • Manuel Antonio
  • San Jose and Central Valley
  • Tamarindo
  • Tortuguero

Start planning your trip


Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Name(Required)
Hidden

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes

F L E X I B I L I T Y P R O M I S E B O O K W I T H C O N F I D E N C E