The best time to visit Costa Rica depends on the region. For most of the country, including Guanacaste, the Central Pacific, the Central Valley, Arenal and Monteverde, the driest months run from about December to April, with February and March the most reliable. September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific side and in the mountains. The Caribbean coast runs on a different pattern: its best stretches are usually September and October and again around February and March, when the Pacific is either soaked or crowded. If you want sun and don’t mind higher prices, go between December and April. For lower rates and greener scenery, try May to August, especially the short July dry spell.
This guide is for travelers choosing months for a specific destination, or deciding which region fits the dates they already have. It covers the two seasons, each main region month by month, wildlife timing and the holiday weeks to plan around.
| Region | Best months | Wettest |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste and Nicoya | December–April | September–October |
| Central Pacific (Jacó, Manuel Antonio) | December–April | September–October |
| South Pacific (Dominical, Uvita, Osa) | December–April | September–October |
| Central Valley (San José) | December–April; mild year-round | September–October |
| Arenal and La Fortuna | January–April | Rain possible any month |
| Monteverde | February–April | September–October |
| Caribbean (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero) | September–October, February–March | July, December–January |
Seasons
Costa Rica’s Dry and Rainy Seasons
Costa Rica has two seasons rather than four. Locals call the dry season verano (summer) and the rainy season invierno (winter), even though temperatures barely change. The tourism industry calls the rainy months “green season.”
- Dry season (about December to April): sunny days on the Pacific side and in the Central Valley, dusty roads in Guanacaste and the highest prices and crowds of the year.
- Green season (about May to November): most days start sunny, with rain building in the afternoon. Rates drop and parks are quieter. September and October bring the heaviest, longest rain on the Pacific side.
- The July break: many areas, especially Guanacaste, get a short drier spell around July that locals call the veranillo (“little summer”). It’s not guaranteed, but it makes July one of the better green-season months.
Temperatures depend more on elevation than season. The coasts are hot, with Guanacaste the hottest, while San José and the Central Valley stay mild, typically 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C) by day. Monteverde is cooler still, with nights in the high 50s °F (about 14°C).
Pacific
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast
Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula
The northwest is the driest part of the country. From December to April, days around Tamarindo, Playa Conchal and the Papagayo Peninsula are almost always sunny, and March and April are the hottest months. Strong Papagayo winds blow from about December to March, which suits kitesurfers but can make some beaches choppy.
- Best for: beach trips with near-certain sun, and travelers flying into Liberia.
- Green season: rains start around May, ease during the July dry spell, then peak in September and October. The dry forest turns green fast after the first rains.
- Trade-off: the dry season is hot, brown and dusty, and some waterfalls in the region run low or close for safety in the wettest months.
Central Pacific: Jacó, Manuel Antonio and Quepos
The Central Pacific is more humid than Guanacaste and gets more rain. December to April brings the most reliable weather for Manuel Antonio National Park and the beaches. From May to August, mornings are usually sunny and showers come in the afternoon, so plan park visits early. September and October are wet and less predictable.
South Pacific: Dominical, Uvita and the Osa Peninsula
The southern Pacific is the rainiest part of the Pacific coast. December to April is the best time for Corcovado National Park, when trails are firmer and river crossings lower. September and October bring heavy rain, rough dirt roads and occasional closures; Corcovado’s Sirena station has closed to visitors in October.
Green season has a big upside here: humpback whales visit the coast around Dominical and Uvita from about July to November and again from December to March. See our whale watching guide.
Inland
Best Time to Visit the Central Valley, Arenal and Monteverde
Central Valley and San José
The Central Valley is comfortable year-round, with warm days and cool nights. December to April is driest and best for volcano day trips, when clouds are less likely to hide the craters at Poás and Irazú. In green season, rain usually arrives in the afternoon, so do outdoor plans in the morning.
Arenal and La Fortuna
Arenal sits where Pacific and Caribbean weather meet, so it can rain in any month. January to April is the driest stretch and gives the best odds of seeing the volcano’s cone. Mornings are clearest; clouds usually build by midday. Hot springs, waterfalls and hanging bridges work in any weather, which makes La Fortuna a good green-season base.
Monteverde
Monteverde is cool and misty all year. February to April is driest, but December to March is also the windiest period, with strong gusts on exposed ridges and hanging bridges. September and October are the wettest months. Bring a warm layer any time; nights often drop into the high 50s °F.
Birders should note that resplendent quetzals are easiest to see from about February to April. See our quetzal guide.
Caribbean
Best Time to Visit the Caribbean Coast
The Caribbean side gets rain spread through the year and doesn’t follow the Pacific calendar. Its best stretches are usually September and October, exactly when the Pacific is wettest, and February to March. July and December to January tend to be the rainiest months.
- Puerto Viejo and Cahuita: September and October are a good time for beaches and snorkeling.
- Tortuguero: green turtles nest from about July to October. See our guide to getting to Tortuguero.
Wildlife
Wildlife and Events by Season
- Humpback whales: about July to November and December to March, South Pacific.
- Green turtle nesting: about July to October, Tortuguero.
- Olive ridley arribadas: mass nestings at Ostional, mostly August to December.
- Quetzals: about February to April, cloud forests including Monteverde and San Gerardo de Dota.
- Kitesurfing winds: about November to April, Bahía Salinas and Lake Arenal.
See our guide to sea turtle nesting sites.
Crowds
Holidays and Peak Weeks to Plan Around
- Christmas and New Year’s (about December 20 to January 5): the busiest and most expensive weeks. Hotels and rental cars sell out early.
- Semana Santa (Holy Week, the week before Easter): Costa Rican families fill beach towns, and many businesses close Thursday and Friday.
- School holidays: Costa Rican schools break from about mid-December to February and for about two weeks in early July, so beaches and parks get busier locally.
- Book early: for December to April, reserve hotels, rental cars and popular tours about three to four months ahead.
Decide
Which Season Is Right for You?
- First trip, want sun: February to April, Pacific coast plus Arenal or Monteverde.
- Families on summer break: late June to August, with mornings for outdoor plans. See our rainy season guide.
- Budget travelers: May, June and November for lower rates outside the wettest months. See the advantages of green season travel.
- September or October: Caribbean coast and Arenal, not Guanacaste or Osa.
- Corcovado and remote hiking: December to April.
If you’re driving in green season, a 4×4 or high-clearance vehicle helps on dirt roads to places like Monteverde and the Osa. See our car rental guide.
Avoid
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating the whole country as one forecast. It can pour in Puerto Viejo while Tamarindo is dry.
- Planning Pacific beach time in September or October and expecting dry-season weather.
- Booking Christmas or Semana Santa late.
- Scheduling outdoor tours for the afternoon in green season.
- Underpacking for the mountains. Monteverde and the volcano summits are cold at night and in the early morning.
FAQ
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: FAQ
What is the best month to visit Costa Rica?
For most regions, February and March are the most reliable for dry weather. For the Caribbean coast, September and October are often better.
What is the rainiest month in Costa Rica?
On the Pacific side and in the mountains, September and October. On the Caribbean coast, July and December to January tend to be wettest.
Is it worth visiting Costa Rica in the rainy season?
Yes, especially from May to August. Most mornings are sunny, prices drop and crowds thin. Plan outdoor activities early and avoid the Pacific in September and October.
When is the cheapest time to visit Costa Rica?
Green season, from about May to November, outside the July school break. September and October are cheapest but wettest on the Pacific side.
What is the veranillo in Costa Rica?
A short drier spell during the rainy season, usually around July, when rain eases for a few weeks, especially in Guanacaste.
When is peak season in Costa Rica?
Mid-December to April, with the highest prices over Christmas, New Year’s and Semana Santa.
The short version
December to April for sun on the Pacific, in the Central Valley and in the mountains.
September and October for the Caribbean.
May to August for lower prices, with mornings for outdoor plans.