Weather in Costa Rica

Dry Season vs Green Season

Costa Rica has dry season and green season. December through April is the dry season. May through November is the green season 

What to Expect Month by Month

January

Dry Season

The beginning of January is a peak travel season in Costa Rica. It is also dry season in Costa Rica, when clear skies accommodate travelers.

February –  March

Dry Season

We’re still in dry season, and the weather remains fantastic. There is generally a spike in tourist traffic over Easter and the week leading up to it. Plan for travel over Presidents’ Day weekend, Spring Break, and Easter. Hotel availability is limited over these popular travel dates, and some hotels increase rates over peak travel dates. Book early.

Wildlife: whales; leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast in March; hawksbill, leatherback, green, and olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

April

Dry Season

April marks the last month of the dry season. April is also historically one of the hottest months of the year. If Easter falls in April, you can expect a spike in tourist traffic over the holiday. Plus, there may still be spring break travelers, so you’ll want to book your vacation well in advance.

Wildlife: leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

May

Green Season

The start of green season in May is a much needed cool off from the intense heat of the dry season. Temperatures begin to drop as the hotel prices and number of tourists do. May is a bit of a transition month, in which the rain picks up, but not quite at the rate of later green season months.

Wildlife: leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

June

Green Season

In June, you’ll see a small surge in tourists as the kids get let out of school and family vacations start. Everything begins to look much greener as the rain brings the rainforest to life.

Wildlife: loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

July & August

Green Season

It’s green season in Costa Rica, but a brief pocket of sunshine breaks up the rain in July in a little summer. Afternoons are rainy with typically clear mornings (perfect for morning tours). The weather is generally good, and hotel prices low. July and August are popular travel times due to less rain, family summer vacations, and active green season wildlife. Some hotels increase their prices in these months.

Wildlife: Antarctic humpback whales; loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

September & October

Green Season

This is the peak of green season on the Pacific Coast, but don’t let the rain keep you away. Your opportunities for spotting wildlife are best in green season. Surfing and rafting are fantastic. Hotel availability, prices, and service are at their best. Plus, there are no crowds. You may even find you have the beach all to yourself.

Rain typically clears up on the Caribbean Coast in September & October.

On the typically rainy southern Caribbean Coast, the rain lightens up in September and October, making it a great time to visit. Talk with a Costa Rica Expert about the best destinations to visit during this time of year.

Wildlife: Antarctic humpback whales; green, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

November

Green Season

The end of November marks the start of Costa Rica’s busy season, as holidays and cold weather are a great excuse to escape. November is a bit of a bridge month, when the rain has slowed down, and the crowds begin to trickle in.

Wildlife: hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

December

Dry Season

The beginning of December is less crowded, with difficult to predict weather. Typically, the sky clears up as the rains begin to taper off for dry season, and you can experience beautiful beach days on the Pacific Coast. In Guanacaste, the most arid region of the country, the foliage begins to turn golden. We enter peak season for travel at the end of December around the holidays. With less rain, there is more uninterrupted pool time. With that, hotel prices rise. Our advice is to book your holiday vacations well in advance to reserve the best hotel rooms and take advantage of any early bird specials.