Costa Rica’s “rainy season” is the single most misunderstood thing about visiting the country. It does not rain all day, it rarely cancels plans, and for six months of the year it is the reason flights, hotels, and tours cost a fraction of what they do in January.
- 70–95 °FTypical lowland range, year-round
- 30–50%Off peak rates, Sept. through early Nov.
- 1.8 °FTemperature drop per 330 feet of elevation
Start here
The two main seasons
Costa Rica’s climate splits cleanly into dry and rainy periods. Knowing which one dominates your travel window is how you balance weather reliability against crowd levels and cost. Ticos call the dry months verano (summer) and the wet months invierno (winter), which confuses almost every first-time visitor, since the country sits north of the equator.
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Dry season
December – AprilSunny mornings, lower humidity, 70–95 °F (21–35 °C). Reliable beach days, clear volcano views, and easy driving on unpaved roads.Trade-off: peak prices and full lodges. January and Easter week sell out months ahead.
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Green season
May – NovemberAfternoon showers, lush scenery, 70–90 °F (21–32 °C). Fewer tourists, strong Pacific surf, and waterfalls at full volume.Trade-off: slick trails, occasional road washouts, and a handful of remote lodges that close in October.
Where you go matters
Regional climate cheat sheet
Costa Rica is roughly the size of West Virginia, but its mountains, coasts, and valleys create micro-climates that can leave one province bone-dry while another soaks. National forecasts are close to useless here. Check the forecast for your specific destination.
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Pacific Coast
Guanacaste, Nicoya, Manuel Antonio. The most pronounced dry season in the country — dusty by March, reliably wet by June.
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Central Valley and highlands
San José, Monteverde, Arenal. A pleasant 68–78 °F year-round, with evenings as cool as 55 °F. Rain is common but usually short.
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Caribbean Coast
Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero. No true dry spell — showers turn up in any month — yet September and October are often the sunniest weeks of the year here.
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Southern Pacific and Osa
The country’s rain magnet, and the reason its biodiversity is famous. Roads can wash out from September to October, so build in buffer days.
Month by month
What to expect when
Rainfall figures below are monthly averages. Pacific numbers reflect the central and northern coast; Caribbean numbers reflect the Limón area.
| Month | Pacific temp | Pacific rain | Caribbean rain | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 80–90 °F | 1.2 in. | 5.9 in. | Peak beach weather and festival season; book far ahead |
| February | 80–90 °F | 0.8 in. | 5.1 in. | Driest month overall; ideal for hiking and diving |
| March | 85–95 °F | 0.8 in. | 4.7 in. | Calm seas and vivid sunsets; the hottest month |
| April | 85–95 °F | 1.0 in. | 5.5 in. | Semana Santa events; humidity starts climbing |
| May | 80–90 °F | 3.2 in. | 6.3 in. | Prices drop, hillsides green up, storms begin |
| June | 80–90 °F | 3.9 in. | 7.1 in. | Surf peaks; turtle nesting begins on the Caribbean |
| July | 80–90 °F | 4.3 in. | 7.9 in. | Veranillo, the mid-season dry window, often lands here |
| August | 80–90 °F | 4.7 in. | 8.3 in. | Humpback whale season on the south Pacific |
| September | 75–85 °F | 5.9 in. | 8.7 in. | Caribbean at its sunniest while the Pacific floods |
| October | 75–85 °F | 5.1 in. | 7.9 in. | Cheapest flights; wettest month countrywide |
| November | 80–90 °F | 2.8 in. | 6.7 in. | Rains taper off; shoulder-season bargains |
| December | 80–90 °F | 1.6 in. | 5.5 in. | Dry season returns and holiday rates kick in |
Plan around your priorities
Best time by interest
- Surfing. Experienced surfers want May through November for Pacific swells; beginners want December through April, when Tamarindo and Sámara break gently.
- Wildlife. Monkeys and sloths are easiest to spot January through April. Sea turtles nest July through October. Humpback whales pass August through November.
- Beaches and sun. Late December through early April on the Pacific. On the Caribbean, September and October.
- Rainforest photography. May through August for misty mornings; September for the fullest waterfalls.
- Budget travel. Mid-May to mid-November, avoiding school holidays. Flights and lodging drop sharply.
- Hiking and volcanoes. January through April for the clearest views. Arenal and Poás reward early starts.
The daily pattern
Sun, showers, and stars
Understanding the shape of a typical day matters as much as knowing the season. Most of the country runs on a dependable rhythm, and planning around it is the difference between a soaked afternoon and a full one.
- 6 – 11 a.m.Clear, warm, light breeze. Prime time. Schedule hikes, canopy tours, and long drives in these hours.
- Noon – 4 p.m.Heat builds clouds and brief showers. In green season this is the window for a long lunch, a coffee tour, or a siesta.
- 5 – 9 p.m.Skies often clear again. Pacific sunsets, or the humid hush of a Caribbean evening.
What to bring
Packing by season
| Item | Dry season | Green season | Highlands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick-dry shirts and shorts | Yes | Yes | Skip |
| Light waterproof jacket | Skip | Yes | Yes |
| Sturdy hiking shoes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sandals with tread | Yes | Yes | Skip |
| Wide-brim hat, SPF 30+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Thin fleece or sweater | Skip | Skip | Yes |
| Compact umbrella | Skip | Yes | Optional |
| Insect repellent | Yes | Yes | Optional |
Buy reef-safe sunscreen and repellent before you fly. Both are sold in Costa Rica, but at tourist-zone prices that will surprise you.
Common questions
Costa Rica weather FAQ
Is Costa Rica in the hurricane belt?
No. The country sits south of the typical Atlantic hurricane track, and direct hits are rare. Outer bands can still push heavy rain onto the Caribbean side during peak Atlantic season, roughly August through October.
How much cooler does it get at altitude?
Roughly 1 °C for every 100 meters, or about 1.8 °F per 330 feet. That is why San José evenings feel like spring while Jacó, 90 minutes downhill, stays warm all night.
Will rain ruin my trip?
Unlikely, if you schedule adventures for the morning and keep flexible options for wet afternoons — hot springs, chocolate tours, cooking classes. Costa Rican rain is generally predictable and brief.
What are the cheapest months to fly?
Late September, October, and early November consistently post the lowest international fares and the deepest lodging discounts, often 30 to 50 percent below peak rates.
What do most travelers forget to pack?
Fast-drying shoes with real tread. Cotton sneakers in a rainforest stay wet for days.
The short version
Match your dates to what you actually want. Dry season buys reliability and costs you money and elbow room. Green season buys you savings, empty trails, and the country at its greenest, in exchange for planning your days around the morning.
Either way, check the forecast for your specific destination rather than the country. In Costa Rica, 40 miles can be the difference between sunburn and a downpour.