Families with babies or adult children who are not bound by school or work schedules might want to consider any time from January to April when the dry season is at its best but Costa Rica’s tourism hotspots are not overly crowded. The Caribbean region gets 141 inches of rain annually, with the wettest months being July, November and December. Driving can sometimes be difficult during the green season due to the lack of bridges and poor road conditions. While it’s true that some years, most of the rain is in the morning with an hour or two in the afternoon or at night, it is also not uncommon for it to rain earlier in the day and for longer stretches. Everyone should visit the rainforest on their trip, and you should expect some rain when going on excursions. This insight will help you in your research, but you can also contact us for one-on-one help with planning your trip. May is the beginning of the “shoulder season” which means the weather is changing from dry to rainy in Costa Rica and the weather is a bit more unpredictable. * Data from nearest weather station: Santamaria, Costa Rica (19 KM). Costa Rica’s weather can turn quickly (photo: NASA) Costa Rica’s Seasons. This is especially true in Guanacaste. The Caribbean coast, meanwhile, has no clearly defined dry season, and average annual rainfall is 3.5 meters (11.5 feet). Autumn is the wettest season in Costa Rica for is the heist of rainy season. Our trips start at $1,500 per adult, which includes your lodging, in-country transportation, and many of your activities and meals. August is in the middle of the rainy season but there is a lull in the rain at the end of July and the beginning of August. Location of Costa Rica. Costa Rica offers many rivers with level four and five rapids. If you are a backpacker in the country and therefore have a little more time than a normal holidaymaker, you will of course find much cheaper prices in the rainy season. Tortuguero is next the Caribbean Sea, and the weather there is wet and humid, and rainy most of the year. The first one happens the second Saturday of December and it is called the Festival of Lights, a nighttime parade with floats covered in lights, bands, and other entertainers. This “veranillo” or “little summer” as it is called in Costa Rica, typically takes place sometime between mid to late July and the beginning of August. Please visit our Affordable Costa Rica Vacations page for more details. While it’s true that some years, most of the rain is in the morning with an hour or two in the afternoon or at night, it is also not uncommon for it to rain earlier in the day and for longer stretches. Learn more. Range of temperatures is almost same. Some parts of this Central American country don't have a rainy season and a dry season. The Best Months of the Year to Visit Costa Rica (Photo: ). There’s nearly no rainfall in … The least rainy months tend to be February/March and September/October. Early Rainy Season – May, June. We at Costa Rica Escapes are experts when it comes to enjoying this beautiful country, so let us help you plan the perfect trip at the perfect time for you. Costa Rica is a tropical country and has distinct wet and dry seasons. For example, in June, you’ll only get 1-2 hours of rain, with the rest of the day at your disposal. At this time of year, you will find the best surfing possible. The first half of the month is also great from the perspective of weather but it tends to be somewhat crowded and peak season surcharges can make the first week one of the most expensive all year. Temperatures at high elevations (such as Monteverde and Chirripó) can be 20 or even 30 degrees cooler. Elevation plays a role in the climate of various areas as well. The month begins slowly with lower prices and low hotel occupancy. It all depends on what you envision for your dream vacation in Costa Rica. Costa Rica weather is one of the main concerns for travelers and one of the things they must know about Costa Rica before they visit.. WE ARE PLANNING TRIPS! In the South Pacific – one of the rainiest places in Costa Rica – the dry season lasts just three months (January to March), and average annual rainfall is 5 meters (16.5 feet). The number of days each month with rain, snow and hail in San José, Costa Rica. The rainless period of the year lasts for 4.0 months, from December 13 to April 11. June is a transition month for the weather in Costa Rica, but it is considered part of the “green season”. But this festival is in honor of the Santo Cristo de Esquipulas, therefore you can also enjoy processions and religious activities. However, there are two peaks, in July and December, both with about 440 mm (17.5 in) of rain per month, and two relative minima in September-October and February-March, both with about 150/200 mm (6/8 in) per month. August is the height of the rainy season in Costa Rica. Related Article: 10 Costa Rica Rainy Season Travel Perks. The beaches in Guanacaste are beautiful, but a very special one is Nosara, where perfect waves, spectacular, uncrowded beaches, and amazing accommodations and amenities will make you wish you can stay forever. The majority of the rain showers in June fall in the afternoon, evening or overnight. The first month of the spring, March, is also a moderately hot month in San José, Costa Rica, with temperature in the range of an average low of 18.1°C (64.6°F) and an average high of 27.9°C (82.2°F).In San José, Costa Rica, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in February - a still warm 27.9°C (82.2°F). However, there are many micro-climates in the country! December 26th is the horse parade where riders from all over the country come to show their priced horses. Spring in Costa Rica Costa Rica weather in April. The second official month of the dry season, January is as close as Mother Nature comes to a guarantee of all-sun, no-rain. One of the best places to experience the cloud forest and also the rural life in Costa Rica is Monteverde, in the highlands of Puntarenas. But if you are interested in sighting migratory birds the best time to do so is between September and November. *** LIMITED-TIME DISCOUNT! Rainy Season: The rainy season lasts from May to mid-October. However, some regions are rainy all year, and others are very dry and sunny for most of the year. The average amount of annual precipitation is: 39.37 in (999.9 mm) Also, the town of Puntarenas will have carnival rides, food stands, and other activities during the weekend around July 16th to make the event an even bigger party. The rainy months, May through November, offer premier conditions for surfing and rafting, and have lower temperatures. This blog article will inform you when the rainy season starts and ends in Costa Rica and if you need to avoid the Costa Rican rainy season. Between December and April, Costa Rica experiences what is called the High Season when most international travelers visit. This article was last updated on 3/28/2020. The dry season (and tourist peak season) in Costa Rica begins around the United States Thanksgiving holiday, in late November. Average daytime temperature of this season is about 28 °C (82 °F). Mid Rainy Season – July, August. This is also the month for Spring Break in the United States, which means you may notice lots of family vacations and student group trips through Costa Rica. When Central America got its independence from Spain, Guanacaste decided it wanted to be part of Costa Rica. You can find at least one active nesting site all year long. August is the height of the rainy season in Costa Rica. The entire month of July is a great time to visit, with hot sunny days to enjoy the beach and afternoon and evening rains to cool off so that you can enjoy the evening. In fact, short of snow, you can find almost any weather in Costa Rica. As you may have guessed, the optimal time to celebrate love and honeymoon in Costa Rica is…always! These times of year are the busiest with tourists. Yes, that is a long rainy season. It starts on October 12th with a big parade to celebrate all the different ethnic groups that live in Limón and goes on for one week. Costa Rica weather is one of the main concerns for travelers and one of the things they must know about Costa Rica before they visit.. Costa Rica has two seasons: the dry season and the rainy or “green” season. From cold, misty mountains to hot, humid rainforest. Be aware, that the temperatures don’t change much when the rains start, anywhere in … Based in Chicago, Aaron Gingold has been writing and editing for five years. The Guanacaste region, along with the Pacific Coast and Central Valley, tends to experience wetter days. No time is a bad time to visit the "Rich Coast,” but certain months offer better conditions for the many activities the country has to offer. July is smack-dab, right in the middle of Costa Rica’s rainy season. On the contrary – rainy season just means it rains for an hour or […] If you are a backpacker in the country and therefore have a little more time than a normal holidaymaker, you will of course find much cheaper prices in the rainy season. Despite all the rain, patches of sunshine pierce through the clouds and radiate the landscape in between the scattered showers. It’s only natural! October is one of the two rainiest months in Costa Rica. The first two weeks of December are a great time to enjoy Costa Rica all to yourself. The northeast slopes of the Central Cordillera mountains receive almost 200 inches of yearly rainfall. On average, the temperatures are always high. On the Caribbean Coast, especially in Tortuguero, you have a good chance to see four species of nesting turtles from March until October, and between May and December, you might also get lucky and see baby turtles running towards the sea. The Caribbean is a little less predictable, but the North American winter and hurricane season are good times to try and catch some waves. Here are some suggestions. While this time of the year is considered to be part of the summer season, it’s necessary to understand that the weather can be unpredictable during the end of November and the beginning of December. Costa Rica Weather in December . August tends to be a quieter month and there are often deals to be found throughout the country, which can be great for honeymoon vacations where couples want a more relaxed atmosphere, don’t mind a little precipitation and are on a budget. You could spot monkeys taking a nap on a tree, a sloth hanging from a branch while it eats, or a flock of macaws squeaking while they fly across the beach any time of year just by driving around.