Planning a trip—or a permanent move—to Costa Rica means dancing with the weather. Sunshine, afternoon cloudbursts, trade-wind breezes, and cool mountain nights all share the same compact national stage.
Grasping how the seasons, regions, and daily rhythms interact is the secret to snagging that flawless beach day, catching a scarlet macaw in flight, or simply packing the right shoes. The guide that follows weaves together every key climate insight—monthly patterns, regional quirks, and practical packing tips—so you can time your adventure with confidence.
Why Weather Matters in Costa Rica
Costa Rica may be small enough to drive coast-to-coast in half a day, yet its topography and trade-wind patterns create an astonishing range of micro-climates. Understanding when—and where—the sun shines or the clouds gather lets you:
- find quiet beaches instead of crowded ones,
- decide whether hiking boots or flip-flops belong in your daypack, and
- balance cost, crowd levels, and your tolerance for rain.
This guide merges every major climate insight—seasonal, monthly, regional, and daily—into one streamlined reference so you can plan smarter, pack lighter, and enjoy Costa Rica in the conditions that suit you best.
The Two Main Seasons
Costa Rica’s climate splits cleanly into dry and rainy periods. Knowing which dominates during your travel window helps you balance weather reliability, crowd levels, and cost.
| Season | Months | Typical Conditions | Highlights | Potential Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (High) | December – April | Sunny mornings, low humidity, 70 – 95 °F (21 – 35 °C) | Beach days, clear volcano views, easiest driving | Peak prices, limited room availability |
| Rainy (Green) | May – November | Afternoon showers, lush scenery, 70 – 90 °F (21 – 32 °C) | Fewer tourists, surfing swells, waterfall power | Slippery trails, sporadic road closures |
Transitional weeks—late April and late November—tend to blend traits of both seasons, offering sunny mornings and only brief rain in the late afternoon.
Regional Climate Cheat-Sheet
Yet “one-size-fits-all” ends here: Costa Rica’s mountains, coasts, and valleys create distinct micro-climates that can make one province bone-dry while another soaks in rain.
- Pacific Coast (Guanacaste, Nicoya, Manuel Antonio)
Sunscreen zone. Expect a pronounced dry season: dusty by March, rainy by June. - Central Valley & Highlands (San José, Monteverde, Arenal)
Pleasant 68 – 78 °F (20 – 26 °C) days year-round; cool evenings (as low as 55 °F/13 °C). Rain is common but usually short lived. - Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero)
No true “dry” spell—showers can pop up any month—yet September-October are surprisingly sunny. - Southern Pacific & Osa Peninsula
The country’s rain magnet: towering cloudbursts feed its famed biodiversity. Roads can wash out September-October; plan buffer days.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
This calendar snapshot shows how temperatures and rainfall swing through the year so you can pick the sweet-spot weeks for your goals.
| Month | Pacific Avg. Temp (°F) | Pacific Rain (in) | Caribbean Rain (in) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80–90 | 1.2 | 5.9 | Peak beach weather; lively festivals | High rates, early sold-out hotels |
| Feb | 80–90 | 0.8 | 5.1 | Ideal for hiking, diving | Similar crowds & costs as Jan |
| Mar | 85–95 | 0.8 | 4.7 | Sea calm, sunsets vivid | Hottest month; hydrate |
| Apr | 85–95 | 1.0 | 5.5 | Easter events; wildlife easy to spot | Rising humidity; scarce deals |
| May | 80–90 | 3.2 | 6.3 | Lower prices, green hillsides | Afternoon storms begin |
| Jun | 80–90 | 3.9 | 7.1 | Surf peaks; turtle season starts | Humid; trails slick |
| Jul | 80–90 | 4.3 | 7.9 | Veranillo “mini-summer” often brings a dry two-week window | Rain can still surprise |
| Aug | 80–90 | 4.7 | 8.3 | Fewer visitors; whale season kicks off | Persistent drizzle, mud |
| Sep | 75–85 | 5.9 | 8.7 | Caribbean sunniest; rainforest photography | Pacific deluges; some lodges close |
| Oct | 75–85 | 5.1 | 7.9 | Cheapest domestic flights; dramatic waterfalls | Wettest overall month countrywide |
| Nov | 80–90 | 2.8 | 6.7 | Rains taper; shoulder-season bargains | Weather flips day-to-day |
| Dec | 80–90 | 1.6 | 5.5 | Dry season returns; holiday buzz | Book early or pay premium |
Best Time by Interest
Match your passion to the window when conditions peak and crowds thin.
- Beaches & Sun: Late Dec – early Apr on the Pacific. Caribbean shines in Sep-Oct.
- Rainforest Photography: May – Aug for misty mornings; Sep for fullest waterfalls.
- Wildlife:
- General sightings (monkeys, sloths, toucans): Jan – Apr.
- Sea turtles: Jul – Oct (Tortuguero, Ostional).
- Humpback whales: Aug – Nov (Uvita, Drake Bay).
- Surfing:
- Experienced: May – Nov Pacific swells.
- Beginners: Dec – Apr gentler breaks in Tamarindo, Samara.
- Budget Travel: Mid-May to mid-Nov, excluding school vacations.
Daily Rhythm: Sun, Showers, Stars
Dawn breaks clear, afternoons build clouds and brief downpours, evenings calm for fiery sunsets or cicada-filled twilight. A forecast of “70 % rain” usually means one 30-minute storm—not a wash-out day.
- Morning (6 – 11 a.m.) – Clear, warm, light breeze: schedule hikes, canopy tours, driving transfers.
- Afternoon (noon – 4 p.m.) – Heat triggers clouds; quick showers or downpours, especially in wet season. Ideal “siesta” or café break time.
- Evening (5 – 9 p.m.) – Skies often clear again, revealing fiery Pacific sunsets or the humid hush of the Caribbean night.
Tip: if the forecast simply reads “70 % chance of rain,” it usually means one intense 30-minute storm, not a wash-out day.
Weather-Savvy Trip Planning
Simple tactics keep weather surprises from derailing your adventure and budget
- High-season reservations: Book coastal rooms and rental cars 3–6 months out.
- Green-season flexibility: Build a buffer day before flights home in case heavy rain delays roads or domestic puddle-jumper flights.
- Travel insurance: Worth considering May-Nov for weather-related hiccups.
- Altitude logic: If lowland heat feels oppressive, escape to Monteverde (4,600 ft / 1,400 m) where evenings dip below 60 °F (16 °C).
Packing Checklist
Versatility and quick-dry fabrics are your best friends; this chart spells out the essentials.
| Item | Dry Season | Rainy Season | Year-Round Highlands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick-dry tees & shorts | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Light waterproof jacket | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sturdy hiking shoes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Flip-flops / sandals | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Wide-brim hat & SPF 30+ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Thin fleece or sweater | – | – | ✔ |
| Compact travel umbrella | – | ✔ | Optional |
| Insect repellent | Evening coastal areas year-round |
Frequently Asked Weather Questions
Is Costa Rica inside the hurricane belt?
No. It lies south of the typical Atlantic hurricane track; large storms are rare, though outer bands can bring heavier Caribbean rain.
How much temperature drops at altitude?
Roughly 1 °C (1.8 °F) per 100 m (330 ft). That’s why San José evenings feel spring-like while Jacó, just 90 minutes downhill, stays balmy all night.
Will rain ruin my vacation?
Unlikely if you plan mornings for adventure and keep flexible indoor options (hot springs, chocolate tours) for wetter afternoons.
Cheapest months to fly?
Late Sept, Oct, and early Nov consistently post the lowest international fares and deepest hotel discounts.
One thing most travelers forget to pack?
Fast-drying shoes or sandals with tread. Nothing is worse than soggy cotton sneakers in the rainforest.
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica rewards visitors who match their interests to its climate rhythm. Chase cloud-forest mist, Pacific swells, or Caribbean sunshine—the choice shifts month to month and coast to coast. With this consolidated guide, you can pick the stretch of calendar that provides the weather, crowd level, and price point that suit your adventure.
Whether you crave cappuccino-smooth mornings in a highland coffee finca or sunset cocktails on a Guanacaste beach, a little meteorological savvy turns a good trip into a great one. ¡Pura vida!