Costa Rica
Best time to visit Costa Rica: month by month
In Costa Rica the weather is less about temperature and more about which coast you are standing on. When it rains on the Pacific, the sun can be shining in the Caribbean. Here is the year month by month.
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In short: when is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The dry season from December to April is the safest time, with sunshine on the Pacific coast and at Arenal. From May to November it is the green season, with afternoon showers and fewer visitors. September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific. That is often when the Caribbean coast is at its driest.
Our dry-season pick: Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste, the driest part of the country. Check availability and prices
Picolo has been to Costa Rica, and the advice below draws on our own trips.
The Costa Rica year
Costa Rica lies close to the equator, so temperature changes more with altitude than with the season. It is warm on the coast all year, while the cloud forest in Monteverde is cool. What separates the seasons is the rain.
December to April: dry season and high season. Most sunshine in Guanacaste and on the Pacific side.
May and June: the green season begins, with shorter afternoon showers.
July and August: often a break in the rain on the Pacific side, known locally as veranillo, "the little summer".
September and October: most rain on the Pacific coast, but often driest in Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo.
November: the rain eases, and the country is at its greenest before high season.
The cloud forest
In Monteverde, rain and cloud are part of the experience all year.
December to April: the dry season
These are the months most people travel, and it is easy to see why. The roads are dry, the beaches of Guanacaste have sun almost every day, and Arenal volcano shows itself more often through the clouds. The downside is price and demand. Over Christmas and Easter the best hotels sell out well in advance.
Where to stay in the dry season: Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo
Guanacaste is the driest part of the country, and Four Seasons sits at the tip of the Papagayo Peninsula with a beach on either side. It is rated 9.6, and Liberia airport is close by.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices
May to November: the green season
The rainy season has a worse reputation than it deserves. Mornings are often clear, the rain tends to come as heavy afternoon showers, and the rainforest is at its liveliest. Prices fall, and you share the national parks with fewer people.
The downside is the roads. The gravel roads on the Nicoya Peninsula and up to Monteverde can turn muddy, so choose four-wheel drive and allow extra time.
Where to stay in the green season: Senda Monteverde
In the cloud forest, rain is part of the experience. Senda is a few minutes from the Bat Jungle, includes breakfast and is rated 9.6. A good choice for days when the hanging bridges beat lying on the beach.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices
September and October: go Caribbean instead
When the rain is at its worst on the Pacific, the Caribbean coast is often at its driest. It is also the end of the season when green turtles nest at Tortuguero.
Where to stay on the Caribbean coast: Tortuga Lodge
Tortuguero can only be reached by boat or small plane. Tortuga Lodge is close to the Sea Turtle Conservancy and has its own spa. Guests rate it 9.4.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices
Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Costa Rica
What is the best month to visit Costa Rica?
February and March are among the safest months, with dry weather on the Pacific side and slightly fewer visitors than at Christmas.
Does it rain all day in Costa Rica's rainy season?
Rarely. The rain usually comes as afternoon showers, and mornings are often fine. September and October are the exception on the Pacific side.
When is the best time to see turtles in Costa Rica?
Green turtles nest at Tortuguero from July to October. Tours run in the evening with local guides.
Is it cold in Costa Rica?
On the coast it is warm all year. In the mountains, such as Monteverde, evenings can be cool, so bring a jacket.
How long should you spend in Costa Rica?
Ten to fourteen days across two or three places is a good starting point. See the routes in our Costa Rica itinerary.