Costa Rica
Costa Rica · North America
The best time to visit Costa Rica is January, February, March, April, and December. In summer, daytime highs average 29°C (84°F), with peaks around 31°C (88°F); in winter, nights average 19°C (66°F), dropping to around 16°C (61°F) on the coldest. During the best travel months, the sun shines up to 9 hours per day — ideal for beach and outdoor activities.
Costa Rica – What you should know
Costa Rica is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity — and the climate is the reason. The tropical country with its volcanoes, rainforests and Caribbean coasts has several climate zones in a small area. Broadly speaking, there is a dry season (December to April) and a rainy season (May to November), though in the Caribbean regions this occurs at different times than in the Pacific part.
The Pacific coast with Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio is driest and sunniest from December to April. The rainy season brings intense but usually afternoon rain that makes the rainforest landscape even greener and more alive. For nature lovers and wildlife observers, the rainy season is also attractive — many animals are more active and easier to spot.
Rain in Costa Rica is part of the experience: the country with the world's highest biodiversity per square kilometre owes its wealth of species precisely to this climate pattern. Quetzal sightings in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, turtle nesting on the Caribbean coast and whale watching off the Osa Peninsula are seasonal highlights that need to be planned for.
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 28° (82°)24– (75–)29 (84) | 28° (82°)25– (77–)30 (86) | 29° (84°)25– (77–)31 (88) | 29° (84°)25– (77–)31 (88) | 28° (82°)24– (75–)30 (86) | 28° (82°)24– (75–)29 (84) | 27° (81°)24– (75–)29 (84) | 28° (82°)24– (75–)29 (84) | 27° (81°)24– (75–)29 (84) | 27° (81°)23– (73–)29 (84) | 26° (79°)22– (72–)29 (84) | 27° (81°)23– (73–)29 (84) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | 19° (66°)16– (61–)21 (70) | 19° (66°)16– (61–)21 (70) | 20° (68°)17– (63–)21 (70) | 20° (68°)17– (63–)22 (72) | 20° (68°)18– (64–)22 (72) | 20° (68°)17– (63–)22 (72) | 20° (68°)17– (63–)21 (70) | 20° (68°)17– (63–)21 (70) | 19° (66°)17– (63–)21 (70) | 19° (66°)17– (63–)21 (70) | 19° (66°)17– (63–)21 (70) | 20° (68°)16– (61–)21 (70) |
☀️Sunshine | 9h | 10h | 9h | 8h | 5h | 5h | 5h | 5h | 4h | 4h | 5h | 7h |
🌊Water Temp | 27° (81°) | 27° (81°) | 28° (82°) | 29° (84°) | 30° (86°) | 29° (84°) | 29° (84°) | 30° (86°) | 30° (86°) | 29° (84°) | 28° (82°) | 28° (82°) |
🌧Rain Days | 0d6mm (0.2") | 1d4mm (0.2") | 1d17mm (0.7") | 6d76mm (3.0") | 13d235mm (9.3") | 15d224mm (8.8") | 11d140mm (5.5") | 13d199mm (7.8") | 17d260mm (10.2") | 18d286mm (11.3") | 11d148mm (5.8") | 3d31mm (1.2") |
Best travel timeØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel Tips
November offers great weather in Costa Rica with fewer tourists and lower prices — ideal for those who want to avoid the peak season crowds.
The travel year in Costa Rica
November – April
Dry season on the Pacific: golden hills, empty beaches like Tamarindo and Sámara, turtles nesting at Playa Grande. Perfect conditions for surfing, mangrove tours and national park visits.
May – October
Green season: rain every day, the hills turn lush and green, water birds everywhere. Surfers come for the Pacific waves. Lower prices and national parks in fresh green.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
- The best time to visit Costa Rica is January, February, March, April, and December. These months offer the most favourable combination of sunshine, temperatures, and low rainfall.
- How warm does it get in Costa Rica?
- In summer, daytime highs in Costa Rica average 29°C (84°F), with peaks around 31°C (88°F); in winter, nights average 19°C (66°F), dropping to around 16°C (61°F) on the coldest.
- How much rain does Costa Rica get?
- Costa Rica has a relatively even rainfall pattern with an average of 9 rain days per month. The driest months are January, February, and March.
- How warm is the water in Costa Rica?
- Water temperature in Costa Rica ranges from 27°C (81°F) (February) to 30°C (86°F) (May). During the best travel months (January, February, March, April, and December), the water is most pleasant for swimming.
Best Travel Time by Vacation Type
🏖️
Beach Holiday
Warm, sunny, little rain
JanFebMar
🏙️
City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot
JanFebMar
