Costa Rica · December
Best travel monthTravel seasonCosta Rica · North America
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAXMAX | 28° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 28° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 27° |
MINMIN | 19° | 19° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 20° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 20° |
☀️Sunshine | 9h | 10h | 9h | 8h | 5h | 5h | 5h | 5h | 4h | 4h | 5h | 7h |
🌊Water Temp | 27° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 28° | 28° |
🌧Rain Days | 0d6mm | 1d4mm | 1d17mm | 6d76mm | 13d235mm | 15d224mm | 11d140mm | 13d199mm | 17d260mm | 18d286mm | 11d148mm | 3d31mm |
Best travel time current monthMonthly averages 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel season — mid-range prices, good availability.
December is one of the best months to visit Costa Rica — with 7 sunshine hours per day and pleasant highs of 27°C.
Daytime temperatures reach up to 27°C, cooling to 19°C at night (daily average: 22°C). The sun shines an average of 7 hours per day; there are 3 rain days with 31 mm total. The water is a warm 27°C — perfect for snorkelling and swimming.
Pack light summer clothing, sunscreen, and swimwear — beach and water conditions in December are ideal.
Trockenzeit am Pazifik: Goldene Hügel, leere Strände wie Tamarindo und Sámara, Schildkröten nisten am Playa Grande. Perfekte Bedingungen für Surfen, Mangroven-Touren und Nationalpark-Besuche.
Packing list for Costa Rica in December
- T-Shirts und kurze Hosen
- Badezeug und Strandtuch
- Sonnencreme LSF 50
- Sonnenbrille
- Sonnenhut
- Kleiner Regenschirm (vereinzelte Schauer möglich)
- Insektenschutzmittel
- Reiseapotheke
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is December a good time to visit Costa Rica?
- Yes — December is one of the best months to visit Costa Rica (Climate Score: 82/100). Pleasant temperatures (27°C), good sunshine (7 h/day), and few rain days (3) make it one of the most recommended months.
- How warm is it in Costa Rica in December?
- In December, Costa Rica sees daily highs of 27°C. Nights cool to 19°C, with a daily average of 22°C.
- How much rain falls in Costa Rica in December?
- In December, Costa Rica receives an average of 31 mm of rain over 3 rain days. That is comparatively dry.
- How many sunshine hours does Costa Rica get in December?
- Costa Rica averages 7 sunshine hours per day in December — above the annual average.
- How warm is the water in Costa Rica in December?
- Water temperature in Costa Rica in December averages 27°C — ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
