Costa Rica’s tropical climate makes it a year-round destination—but the weather changes a lot depending on the month, region, and whether it’s the rainy or dry season. Understanding Costa Rica’s weather by month helps you choose the perfect time for your trip—whether you want sunshine for beaches, lush rainforests for wildlife watching, or fewer crowds.
Costa Rica has two main seasons:
- Dry Season (Verano): December–April
- Rainy Season / Green Season (Invierno): May–November
Below is a month-by-month guide covering temperature, rainfall, and traveler expectations for the Pacific, Caribbean, and Central regions.
January – Peak Dry Season
Weather: Hot, sunny, and dry across most of the country.
Best for: Beaches, surfing, wildlife watching.
- Pacific Coast: Blue skies, 30–34°C (86–93°F)
- Caribbean Coast: Still some rain due to regional differences
- Central Valley: Pleasant at 20–26°C (68–79°F)
January is one of the most popular months to visit.
February – Sunniest Month
Weather: Very dry, minimal rainfall.
Best for: Outdoor adventure, hiking, national parks.
February has the most consistent weather of the year. Great for Monteverde, Arenal, and coastal areas.
March – Hot & Dry
Weather: Intense sunshine, rising temperatures.
Best for: Beach vacations and turtle nesting (Pacific side).
Some areas, especially Guanacaste, can feel very hot—often 34°C+ (93°F+).
April – End of Dry Season
Weather: Still hot, but afternoon showers may begin late month.
Best for: Easter holidays, volcano visits.
Rain typically returns to the rainforest areas first (Arenal, Osa Peninsula).
May – Start of the Green Season
Weather: Rainy afternoons, sunny mornings.
Best for: Budget travel, lush landscapes.
The “green season” begins gradually. Still good for travel—just expect showers in the afternoon.
June – Lush & Less Crowded
Weather: Warm mornings, consistent rain later in the day.
Best for: Wildlife, photographers, fewer tourists.
Despite the rain, June is a beautiful, vibrant month for national parks.
July – Veranillo (“Little Summer”)
Weather: Temporary decrease in rain for 1–2 weeks.
Best for: Mix of sunshine and greenery.
A short mid-summer dry period often appears—ideal for travelers seeking fewer crowds.
August – Rain Returns
Weather: Warm, humid, rainy afternoons or evenings.
Best for: Surfing, Caribbean beaches.
Pacific side gets wetter; Caribbean often sees the best weather this time of year.
September – Wettest Month (Pacific Coast)
Weather: Heavy rain, especially in the afternoons and evenings.
Best for: Hardcore surfers, budget travelers.
Many hotels in the Pacific close temporarily. Caribbean remains relatively dry.
October – Rain Peaks West, Clears East
Weather: Very rainy in Pacific regions, driest month on Caribbean coast.
Best for: Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero, Cahuita.
For Caribbean adventures, October is perfect.
November – Rain Starts to Fade
Weather: Showers early in the month, sunny days returning later.
Best for: Transition travel, still-green scenery.
Late November marks the unofficial start of the dry season.
December – Dry Season Begins
Weather: Dry, pleasant temperatures, low humidity.
Best for: Holiday vacations, beaches, national parks.
December is popular—book early during Christmas and New Year.
Costa Rica Weather by Month – Summary Table
| Month | Season | Temperature Range | Rainfall | Best Regions to Visit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Dry | 20–34°C (68–93°F) | Very low | Pacific, Central Valley | Peak tourism; great beach weather |
| February | Dry | 20–35°C (68–95°F) | Very low | Pacific, Arenal, Monteverde | Sunniest month of the year |
| March | Dry | 22–36°C (72–97°F) | Very low | Pacific, Nicoya Peninsula | Hottest month on Pacific coast |
| April | Dry → Rainy | 22–34°C (72–93°F) | Low early, rising late | Pacific, Central Valley | Afternoon showers start late month |
| May | Rainy begins | 22–32°C (72–90°F) | Medium | Caribbean, Central Highlands | Green season starts; lush scenery |
| June | Rainy | 21–31°C (70–88°F) | Medium–high | Caribbean, Arenal | Rain mainly in afternoons |
| July | Rainy + Veranillo | 21–31°C (70–88°F) | Medium | Pacific, Central Valley | “Little summer” dry break |
| August | Rainy | 21–31°C (70–88°F) | High | Caribbean, Pacific surf spots | Good for surfing; humid |
| September | Rainy | 20–30°C (68–86°F) | Very high (Pacific) | Caribbean | Wettest month on Pacific side |
| October | Rainy (Pacific) / Dry (Caribbean) | 20–30°C (68–86°F) | Very high (Pacific), low (Caribbean) | Caribbean coast | Best month for Caribbean beaches |
| November | Rainy → Dry | 20–30°C (68–86°F) | Decreasing | Pacific, Central Valley | Transition to dry season |
| December | Dry begins | 20–32°C (68–90°F) | Low | Pacific, Arenal | Popular holiday month |
Regional Variations Explained
Pacific Coast (Guanacaste, Nicoya, Jaco, Osa)
- Dry season: December–April
- Rainiest: September–October
- Best weather: January–March
Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Tortuguero)
- No strict dry season
- Sunny pockets: September–October & February–March
- Rain appears year-round but in short bursts
Central Valley (San José, Heredia)
- Mild temperatures year-round
- Dryer than coasts during rainy months
- Comfortable at 18–26°C (64–79°F)
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
- Best Overall: January–March
- Best for Budget Travel: May–June & September
- Best for Caribbean Beaches: September–October
- Best for Wildlife Watching: August–September (whales) & January–February (turtles)
20 FAQs About Costa Rica Weather by Month
1. What is the best month to visit Costa Rica?
January–March are considered the best months due to sunny, dry weather across most regions.
2. When is the dry season in Costa Rica?
The dry season runs from December to April.
3. When is the rainy season in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica’s rainy (green) season lasts from May to November.
4. Does it rain all day during the rainy season?
No — in most regions, mornings are sunny and rain typically falls in the afternoon or evening.
5. What month has the worst weather in Costa Rica?
September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific coast.
6. What month is the best for Caribbean beaches?
September and October are the driest months on the Caribbean coast.
7. Which month is the hottest in Costa Rica?
March and April are the hottest months, especially in Guanacaste.
8. Is Costa Rica humid?
Yes — humidity is high year-round, especially on the Caribbean and in rainforests.
9. When is hurricane season in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is rarely hit directly by hurricanes, but the regional season is June–November.
10. Does the weather vary by region?
Yes. The Pacific coast, Caribbean coast, and Central Valley all have distinct weather patterns.
11. Is Costa Rica good to visit in May?
Yes. May is the start of green season—lush, less crowded, with mostly afternoon showers.
12. What is “Veranillo” in Costa Rica?
It’s a short “little summer” dry period that often occurs in July.
13. Is December a good month to visit?
Yes! December marks the return of dry weather and is a popular holiday travel period.
14. Can I visit Costa Rica in the rainy season?
Absolutely. Prices drop, landscapes become greener, and wildlife viewing improves.
15. What is the weather like in Costa Rica in June?
Warm mornings and rainy afternoons — typical mid-green-season weather.
16. What should I pack for Costa Rica’s weather?
Light clothing, rain jacket, quick-dry shirts, sunscreen, and waterproof footwear.
17. Is the Caribbean coast rainy all year?
It rains more consistently but has two drier windows: February–March and September–October.
18. How cold does Costa Rica get?
Lowland areas stay warm, but highlands (Monteverde, Chirripó) can drop to 10°C (50°F) or lower at night.
19. Is March or April better for beaches?
Both are excellent, though April can feel more humid and may see late-month showers.
20. When is whale-watching season?
Best in August–October and January–March, depending on the region.