Costa Rica · May
Low 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
Post-season — prices falling after the travel period, beaches and attractions quieter.
May in Costa Rica is generally manageable, but with 13 rain days it's not a reliably sunny month. Better conditions can be found in January, February, March, April, and December.
Daytime temperatures reach up to 28°C, cooling to 20°C at night (daily average: 23°C). With 5 sunshine hours per day and 13 rain days (235 mm), this is one of the cloudier months. The water is a warm 29°C — perfect for snorkelling and swimming.
A jacket for cool evenings should not be left behind. Sightseeing and excursions can be enjoyed at this time of year without the heat.
Grüne Jahreszeit: Täglich Regen, die Hügel werden üppig grün, Wasservögel überall. Surfer kommen für die Pazifik-Wellen. Preise günstiger, Nationalparks mit frischem Grün.
Packing list for Costa Rica in May
- T-Shirts und kurze Hosen
- Badezeug und Strandtuch
- Sonnencreme
- Sonnenbrille
- Leichter Regenschirm oder Regenponcho
- Insektenschutzmittel
- Reiseapotheke
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is May a good time to visit Costa Rica?
- May is not an optimal month for Costa Rica (Score: 56/100), but it is manageable. For better conditions, consider January, February, March, April, and December.
- How warm is it in Costa Rica in May?
- In May, Costa Rica sees daily highs of 28°C. Nights cool to 20°C, with a daily average of 23°C.
- How much rain falls in Costa Rica in May?
- In May, Costa Rica receives an average of 235 mm of rain over 13 rain days. An umbrella may occasionally be needed.
- How many sunshine hours does Costa Rica get in May?
- Costa Rica averages 5 sunshine hours per day in May — below the annual average.
- How warm is the water in Costa Rica in May?
- Water temperature in Costa Rica in May averages 29°C — ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
