Costa Rica never changes its clocks. That’s the simplest fact about the country’s time, and also the one that trips up the most travelers.
Costa Rica time is Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6, all year. The country doesn’t use daylight saving time and hasn’t since 1992. That means Costa Rica matches Chicago and Mexico City from early November to mid-March, and is one hour behind U.S. Central time for the rest of the year, while the U.S. is on daylight saving. Being close to the equator, it also gets roughly 12 hours of daylight year-round, with sunset between about 5:15 and 6 p.m.
This guide covers the time difference with the U.S., Canada and Europe, sunrise and sunset, and what “Tico time” means for your plans.
| Costa Rica time | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Time zone | Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6 |
| Daylight saving time | No; last used in 1992 |
| Clock changes | None, all year |
| Same as | Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico City, all year |
| Sunrise | About 5:15 to 6 a.m. |
| Sunset | About 5:15 to 6 p.m. |
Time zone
What Time Zone Is Costa Rica In?
The whole country, from Guanacaste to the Caribbean coast, is on one time zone: Central Standard Time, six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). There are no regional differences and no clock changes.
Costa Rica last used daylight saving time in early 1992 and returned to standard time for good on March 15, 1992. If you’re searching for a “Costa Rica time change,” the answer is that there isn’t one. The difference you notice comes from your home country changing its clocks, not Costa Rica.
From home
Costa Rica Time vs. U.S. and Canada
U.S. and Canadian daylight saving time runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Here’s how the difference shifts.
| Home time zone | Early Nov. to mid-March | Mid-March to early Nov. |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (New York, Toronto, Miami) | 1 hour ahead of Costa Rica | 2 hours ahead |
| Central (Chicago, Dallas) | Same time | 1 hour ahead |
| Mountain (Denver, Calgary) | 1 hour behind | Same time |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | 1 hour behind | 1 hour behind |
| Pacific (Los Angeles, Vancouver) | 2 hours behind | 1 hour behind |
Arizona, outside the Navajo Nation, doesn’t use daylight saving time either, so Phoenix stays one hour behind Costa Rica all year.
From Europe
Costa Rica Time vs. the U.K. and Europe
- London: 6 hours ahead of Costa Rica in winter, 7 hours ahead during British Summer Time.
- Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam: 7 hours ahead in winter, 8 hours ahead in summer.
Europe’s summer time runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, so for a few weeks each spring and fall the gap with Europe and the gap with the U.S. shift on different dates.
Neighbors
Costa Rica vs. Nearby Countries
- Same time all year: Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico City. Mexico ended daylight saving time in most of the country in 2022.
- One hour ahead: Panama and Colombia, which use UTC-5 all year. Remember this if you’re crossing the border into Panama or connecting through Panama City or Bogotá.
Daylight
Sunrise and Sunset in Costa Rica
Costa Rica sits about 10 degrees north of the equator, so day length barely changes. In San José, the sun rises between about 5:15 and 6 a.m. and sets between about 5:15 and 6 p.m., with the earliest sunsets in November and the latest in July. Days run from about 11.5 to 12.7 hours.
Early mornings are the best time for wildlife, hikes and clear volcano views, and many tours start at 6 or 7 a.m. See our guide to the best time to visit Costa Rica by region for seasonal patterns.
Culture
What Is “Tico Time”?
“Tico time,” or hora tica, is the relaxed approach to punctuality Costa Ricans joke about themselves. A friend’s “I’m on my way” can mean 30 minutes, a social event may start late, and a repair person may arrive the next day. It goes with the country’s easygoing outlook, summed up in the phrase pura vida.
It doesn’t apply to everything. Flights, tour pickups and most intercity buses leave on time, and they won’t wait for you. Treat your own schedule as fixed and other people’s as flexible.
- Confirm the day before for private transfers, tours and restaurant reservations.
- Build in buffer time between activities, especially if you’re driving.
- Check your phone’s clock after you land. Phones update automatically, but cameras and watches don’t.
Staying in touch
Calling Home From Costa Rica
Because Costa Rica is on Central time, a call home at 8 p.m. local time is 9 or 10 p.m. in New York, depending on the season. Our guides to calling Costa Rica from the U.S. and power outlets and SIM cards cover the rest, and our travel checklist helps you prepare.
Good to know
Costa Rica Time FAQ
What time zone is Costa Rica in?
Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6, all year. The whole country uses the same time.
Does Costa Rica have daylight saving time?
No. Costa Rica last used daylight saving time in early 1992 and hasn’t changed its clocks since.
Is Costa Rica on the same time as Chicago?
From early November to mid-March, yes. When the U.S. is on daylight saving time, Chicago is one hour ahead of Costa Rica.
What time zone is Costa Rica in February?
The same as always, Central Standard Time (UTC-6). In February, Costa Rica matches Chicago and is one hour behind New York.
What time does it get dark in Costa Rica?
Between about 5:15 and 6 p.m., depending on the month. Sunset is earliest in November and latest in July.
Is Panama on the same time as Costa Rica?
No. Panama is one hour ahead of Costa Rica all year.
The short version
Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time, UTC-6, all year, with no daylight saving time.
It matches Chicago in winter and is an hour behind it in summer, it’s dark by about 6 p.m. every day, and “Tico time” applies to people, not to your flight or tour.