October through December are the worst months to visit Aruba. The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. On average, the warmest months are February, March, April and May. Therefore, different regions in the country have very different scenery and weather. November is a transition between the rainy season and the start of the dry season. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. rainfall increases to almost 3 inches, and an average of 7 rainy days per month. Costa Ricas warm, tropical climate is one reason tourists flock to the country during the peak season. During February and March, tourism also booms around Easter and the start of Spring Break. Fortunately, this travel guide provides vital information on the best as well as the worst time to visit Costa Rica to enable you to plan an ideal travel itinerary. April is also historically one of the hottest months of the year. San Jos and the interior has one big difference with the cruise ports on either coast of the country. As Costa Rica is only 10 degrees above the equator, the temperature doesnt fluctuate very much throughout the year. The best person to decide when you should visit Costa Rica is you. Although Costa Rica is frequently considered a warm country, there are a few locations where it could become a bit cold or freezing by Costa Rican standards. Despite its average economy, there is plenty you can enjoy. Total rainfall averages less than one inch from January through March, a little more than one inch in May and December and eight inches or more from May through October. Please consult a Costa Rica Expert on the general climate of your destinations of interest over your travel dates. While the high season is the most popular travel time, the green season is often a favorite among Costa Rica Experts. There truly is never a bad bad time to visit Costa Rica; however, May is the worst month to visit, as the rain is fairly high, and you dont have the added benefits of good surfing conditions or turtle or whale watching season. Its even cheaper if you visit during the low season, September through mid-December (especially November and early December). If you plan to visit the country during this time, rent your car in Costa Rica ahead of time . When the Nation faces two presidential rounds, this polarizes the tourism industry. But if beach crowds are more the issue, then the low tourist season of June . If a warm and sunny tropical vacation is what youre looking for, its hard to beat Costa Ricas pleasant climate. Stunningly blue water and sandy shores of all different colors even a famous black sand beach draw tons of tourists here each year. The choices of the animal parks you can visit are limited to places such as the Punta Uva and Cahuita National Parks. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. The wet season is also an ideal time to spot humpback whales in the Osa Peninsula. The weather is generally good, and hotel prices low. The hottest months of the year in Costa Rica are from February to April, with March or April typically having the highest daily temperatures. The dry season is also the high season as many snow birds make their escape to the tropics, and there is less rainfall. The tradeoff is that there are higher numbers of tourists, and prices on hotels are higher (and they also fill up faster). April, Enjoy the Sunshine, the Wildlife, and the Samantha Week, May, Witness the Transition to Rainy Seasons, December, Take Advantage of the Holiday Celebrations, October, the Terrible Roads in Parks and Low Hotel Season, November, The Month with the Highest Number of Places You Should Avoid, The Best Places You Can Visit at Any Time in Costa Rica, Things to Avoid When You are in Costa Rica, The Five Finest Mangusta Yachts of All-Time, 10 Reasons Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences is the Perfect Group Getaway in Cabo, Mexico, The 20 Best Things to do in Tampere, Finland, How Ali Wong Achieved a Net Worth of $3 Million, Eight Reasons to go to French Polynesias Marquesas Islands, How Lisa Rinna Achieved a Net Worth of $10 Million, 20 Cities with The Worst Weather in Europe. Now for the monthly breakdown. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 72 F,, with about 14 days of rain and 6 inches of rain. 6. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2023. Read on to find out the best time to visit Costa Rica by season and region. Its climate status can be roughly divided into two seasons: the dry season, also known as the high season, and the rainy season, also known as the green season. Prices are more affordable than in the high season from December to April . At this time, the weather is dry and bright. Here you can do diving, mountain climbing, and snorkeling, among other activities. Home Travel Central America Costa Rica What is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica (And When To Go Instead). No wonder July and August are highly regarded as the best time to visit Costa Rica by travel agencies and experienced travelers in the know! If you enjoy the snow, low crowds, and value season pricing, January and February are the best . Youll learn the best time to visit Costa Rica and the worst time to plan your visit in this quick travel guide. I tried watching the sunset the other night, and it was just horrible. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Like in the United States, the months of August, September and October present the . The best time to visit Costa Rica is from January through February and in July. Since heavy rain incidents can cause problems by making the ground slippery, be extremely cautious when driving during the green season, try to stick to daylight hours, and ensure you have adequate time to reach your destination. Whether youre looking for lively metro areas with tons of shopping, accommodations, and restaurant options or a tucked-away towns with vibrant and authentic Costa Rican culture, youll find it here. , We visited in July and experienced several days of completely clear weather, and some days when there was an hour or two of afternoon rain not bad at all, especially when a lot of the tours in La Fortuna happen in the morning! Wildlife watching:Alaska/California humpback whales; hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast, A beautiful, clear day on the Nicoya Peninsula from Hotel Punta Islita. 1. But Costa Rica's two seasons (dry and rainy) mean the weather there swings wildly throughout the year. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 79 F. There are 15 days with rain, receiving about 6.5 inches of rain total. You'll pay more, deal with bigger crowds, and less availability for rooms, flights, and rentals, but hey - it's peak season for a reason. With less rain, there ismore uninterrupted pool time. May through November is the green season. The rest . On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 91 F and average low is 80 F. There are 2 days with rain, receiving less than 1 inch of rain total. The shoulder or green season from May to mid-June and November has plenty of appeal. However, the Caribbean side and slope of Costa Rica, including Arenal Volcano, actually enjoys its best . On average, the warmest months are January, February, March, April, May, June and August. Some of the worst times to visit are also the best in terms of weather, little rainfall, and wildlife spotting opportunities! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. This is still squarely in the rainy season, with approximately half the days seeing rain and 6 inches of rain falling throughout the month. Costa Rica Climate Guide. This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal. Instead, it has a dry season and a rainy season. with some heavy rain still to be expected until the end of November, but by mid-December the worst will certainly be over. Dry and Rainy Seasons Costa Rica has two distinct seasons. The dry season has plenty of sunshine, making it ideal for wildlife watching, beach lounging, and indulging in outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. Get your camera because here you can take one of your best photos. Bolivia doesn't quite have the family appeal of Costa Rica or Cancun, say - but those thinking of traveling in Bolivia with kids shouldn't be deterred. Latino U.S.A reported that during elections, there are economic tensions during the election month in Costa Rica. It is the home of 400 varieties of birds and 2500 plant species and has more than 100 mammals. This is a mixed blessing as you wont burn as easily, but it can inhibit views sometimes. Brrr! Around 75% of the country's 6,000,000 people live on less than $2 per day, well below the poverty line of most countries. I spent the first half of this year living in Nosara, Costa . Due to its proximity to the equator, Costa Rica is categorized as a tropical country without a definite winter season. or less. In April, this beautiful area experiences morning sunshine and afternoon light rain. The WORST Times to Visit Costa Rica Christmas is so busy you NEED to book everything well in advance! It is also dry season in Costa Rica, when clear skies accommodate travelers. Youll need to be prepared for rain most days, and heavy rain at that. Even the driest parts of Costa Rica, such as the North Pacific, still experience high rainfall. Another reason the wet season is not ideal is that some of the vital attractions sites in the country, such as national parks and beaches, may be closed or their operating hours shortened due to the wet weather; hence it limits the activities and time one gets to enjoy. The worst time to visit Costa Rica. Most elections are held in February. Costa Rica during the rainy season is still a beautiful time to visit. They are more likely to experience an increase in total rainfall. The next best time to visit Limon is during September and October, when the average rainfall is six and eight inches a month. Though not common, there are reported cases of rapes, assaults, and robberies at different beaches. It still erupts from time to time, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to see lava flowing down the volcano. 2020 Scott S. Bateman, Heavy rains produce Costa Ricas famous rainforests. The toughest areas are the mountains, where nighttime temperatures can fall below 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius). The UNESCO world heritage listed the island as among the best-inhabited places for those who love nature.