Costa Rica Rainy Season: What to Do and What to Expect

The Costa Rica rainy season runs from May to November, and it rarely means rain all day. On most of the Pacific side and in the Central Valley, mornings are often clear and storms roll in after lunch, while September and October are the wettest months. The Caribbean coast flips the pattern: September and October are among its sunniest months. It’s also prime time for nesting sea turtles, humpback whales, bigger surf and fuller rivers, with fewer crowds and lower hotel rates.

This guide is for travelers planning a trip between May and November. It explains what the rainy season is really like month by month, the best things to do, where to go when the Pacific is soaked, what to skip and how to plan around the rain.

Costa Rica rainy season	At a glance
Months	May to November; locals and the tourism industry call it the green season
Wettest months	September and October on the Pacific side and in the mountains
Typical day	Dry or partly sunny morning, afternoon storm of one to three hours
Drier escape	Caribbean coast in September and October
Short dry spell	The veranillo, a drier stretch in late June or July
Wildlife highlights	Nesting turtles, humpback whales (July–November), migrating birds
Prices	Lower hotel rates and more availability than December–April
Watch out for	Muddy roads, swollen rivers, closed lodges in the Osa in September–October

What to expect

What the Costa Rica Rainy Season Is Really Like

The rain builds through the season, and where you are matters as much as when. For a full breakdown by region, see our guide to the best time to visit Costa Rica.

• May and June: the rains start, usually as afternoon showers. Mornings are mostly sunny, the countryside turns green and prices drop.
• Late June and July: many years bring a drier break called the veranillo de San Juan (little summer of St. John), mainly on the Pacific side and in the Central Valley. Its timing and length shift every year.
• August: heavier afternoon rain on the Pacific, but mornings are often usable for tours and beach time.
• September and October: the wettest months on most of the Pacific coast and in the mountains, with longer storms and occasional all-day rain. In the South Pacific around Drake Bay and Corcovado, many hotels close. The Caribbean coast is at its sunniest.
• November: the rain eases, first in the north. Guanacaste often turns dry by late November, while the South Pacific can stay wet into December.

Want the short case for traveling now? See our list of the advantages of green season travel.

Top picks

11 Things to Do in Costa Rica During the Rainy Season

1. Watch sea turtles nest

The rainy season is the main nesting season on several of Costa Rica’s best-known turtle beaches:

• Tortuguero (Caribbean): green turtles nest from July to mid-October, peaking in August and September. Night tours run with certified local guides.
• Ostional (Nicoya Peninsula): olive ridleys nest year-round, but the mass nesting events called arribadas peak in September and October. Arribadas are hard to predict, so ask your hotel or a local guide.
• Playa Grande, Las Baulas National Park (Guanacaste): leatherbacks nest from October to mid-February.

See our full guide to sea turtle nesting sites in Costa Rica.

2. See humpback whales off Uvita

Humpback whales from the Southern Hemisphere come to Costa Rica’s South Pacific to breed from about July to November, with the best sightings from August to October. Boat tours leave from Bahía Uvita in Marino Ballena National Park and usually last three to four hours. Uvita’s Whale and Dolphin Festival takes place in early September. Go in the morning, when the sea is usually calmer. See our guide to whale watching in Costa Rica.

3. Spend September or October on the Caribbean coast

While the Pacific gets its heaviest rain, the southern Caribbean around Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Manzanillo usually has its best weather of the year. It’s a good time for beach days at Punta Uva, snorkeling at Cahuita, canal tours in Tortuguero and Afro-Caribbean food like rice and beans cooked in coconut milk. See our Puerto Viejo guide.

4. Surf bigger swells

The Pacific coast picks up more consistent swell in the rainy season, and lineups are less crowded. Beginners do best at the surf schools in Tamarindo, Nosara and Jacó, where you can pick smaller days. Experienced surfers head to spots like Playa Hermosa near Jacó or Pavones in the far south. Surf early: wind and storms usually come later in the day. Expect a few days when the surf is too big or messy for lessons.

5. Go white-water rafting

Higher water makes rapids faster and pushes many runs up about half a class. The Pacuare (Class III–IV) runs year-round, and the lower Sarapiquí’s Class III–IV section is best from May to December. September and October bring the highest water on the Caribbean-slope rivers, so operators sometimes reroute or cancel trips. Leave a buffer day. A full-day Pacuare trip runs about $100 to $120 per person. See our white-water rafting guide.

6. Soak in hot springs near Arenal

A warm pool in a cool afternoon rain is one of the best rainy-day plans in the country. Near La Fortuna, options range from Tabacón and The Springs to Baldi, EcoTermales and the free Río Chollín. In the green season you can often walk in without a reservation, though EcoTermales still caps daily visitors. Read our Tabacón review and our Costa Rica hot springs comparison.

7. Go birding

Costa Rica has more than 900 bird species, and birds are most active in the early morning, before the afternoon rain. Northern migrants start arriving from about September. Bring a rain jacket and a waterproof bag for binoculars. See our guide to bird watching in Costa Rica.

8. Book a Cocos Island scuba trip (experienced divers only)

Cocos Island, about 36 hours by boat from Puntarenas, has its biggest hammerhead schools from August to October and whale sharks from about June to November. The trade-off: rougher crossings, lower visibility and strong currents. Wet-season trips are for experienced divers comfortable with drift conditions.

9. Spend a rainy afternoon in San José’s museums

San José’s National Museum, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and Jade Museum make good afternoon plans when storms roll in. They’re close together downtown and easy to combine. See our guide to Costa Rica museums.

10. Tour a coffee farm

Coffee plants flower in April and May, and the harvest starts around October to November and peaks in December and January. In the middle of the rainy season, farms focus on maintenance, so you’ll see green plants rather than ripe red cherries. Tours still explain how altitude and rain shape flavor, and most end with a tasting. Late October and November visits can catch the start of the harvest. See our guide to touring a coffee plantation, and add a stop in Sarchí to see painted ox carts.

11. Plan beach time around the veranillo

If your dates are flexible, late June and July often bring a drier spell on the Pacific side, the veranillo. It’s a good window for Guanacaste beaches like Tamarindo, Sámara and Playas del Coco and for hikes at Rincón de la Vieja. Its timing changes every year, so watch the forecast once you’re in the country instead of booking around it months ahead.

Costs

Rainy Season Deals: What You’ll Save

Hotel rates are lower from May through November than in the December–April high season, and rates are often lowest in September and October. May, June and November give you the best mix of lower prices and manageable rain. Tour prices change less than hotel rates, but availability is easier, and smaller operators may be more flexible on dates. When you can, book tours directly with local businesses.

Rethink these

What to Skip or Rethink in the Rainy Season

• Afternoon zip lines and canopy tours: book the earliest slot. Heavy storms can delay or cancel tours, and the views are better in the morning.
• Río Celeste after heavy rain: runoff can turn the river less blue and the trail slippery. Plan it for a dry stretch and check conditions. See our Río Celeste guide.
• The Osa Peninsula in September and October: many hotels around Drake Bay and Corcovado close, and boats and roads are more affected by weather.
• A Pacific-only beach trip in September or October: go to the Caribbean side instead, or split your time.

Getting around

Driving in the Rainy Season

• Rent a 4×4 for mountain areas like Monteverde and for dirt roads in the south.
• Drive in the morning and aim to arrive before the afternoon storm, when visibility drops and fog settles in the mountains.
• Don’t cross swollen rivers or flooded roads. Wait for the water to drop or turn back.
• Check for landslides and road closures on mountain routes after heavy rain, and add time to every drive.

See our guide to driving in Costa Rica.

Packing

What to Pack for the Rainy Season

• A light, breathable rain jacket (umbrellas are awkward on trails).
• Quick-dry clothes; cotton stays wet for days in the humidity.
• Sandals or water shoes plus one pair of shoes with good grip for muddy trails.
• A dry bag or zip bags for your phone, passport and camera.
• Insect repellent: mosquitoes are more active in the wet months.

See our full Costa Rica packing list.

Avoid these

Common Mistakes

• Planning outdoor tours for the afternoon instead of the morning.
• Scheduling long drives with no buffer for weather or closures.
• Assuming the whole country has the same weather: the Caribbean, Pacific and mountains all follow different patterns.
• Skipping a trip altogether because of the forecast. Daily forecasts often show rain for every day, even when most of it falls in the afternoon.

FAQ

Costa Rica Rainy Season FAQ