The Best time to Visit Costa Rica: A Full Guide | Selina Therefore, there are certain things you should keep in mind if you intend to travel to Costa Rica during the rainy season to stay secure and comfortable. Best time to visit Costa Rica + When to Avoid - A complete guide [2023] December through April is the dry season. You can see many animals in Costa Rica at any time of the year, including monkeys, coati, and sloths, crocodiles, and macaws. Costa Rica is one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. Early April and late November are still sunny and dry and are great for visiting. 10. He picks out April as one of the best months you should visit Costa Rica. What's the Worst Time to Visit Costa Rica - Plus 7 Top Tips In this section, were breaking down the climate in Costa Rica through all the months of the year. The best places to visit in Costa Rica - Lonely Planet In the tropical dry forests, the beginning of the dry season will still have plenty of green scenery to display. Many report that November and early December are the best times to go on a budget. Instead, it has a dry season and a rainy season. Scarcely populated, Norrland winter's sub-zero temperatures last for several months. DID YOU KNOW: Its not uncommon for Costa Rica to run out of rental cars during the high season which is January. In April, this beautiful area experiences morning sunshine and afternoon light rain. In May, the rains had started to pick up in most parts of the country, roads were still passable, and hotels were still within the price ranges of April. The best time to visit Turks and Caicos is between April through June. While weather is the primary factor, other considerations include an increase in crowded beaches and resorts as well as higher prices. 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. Sometimes, political statements fly across the political scene, discouraging investment in the hotel industry. The Limon cruise port on the east coast has two windows of time when the rain lets up a bit. Flight from San Jos to Billings. So, watch out. . This is your favorite month for those who want to enjoy the weather transition. Exact veranillo days and duration vary from year to year, and may even continue into the start of August. The north Pacific is the driest part of the country and the south Pacific is one of the wettest places in Costa Rica. It is the perfect time to explore Costa Ricas magnificent rainforests, view the wild animals in their natural habitat, and relax on the sandy beaches. Not all is gone for those who want to compare the green and the dry weather. Costa Rica is a place that almost everyone has on their list of places to visit. It is best to keep a raincoat close at all times. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 73 F. There are less than 3 days of rain, with less than an inch of rain falling. Worst Times to Visit Costa Rica Whereas the Nation is one of the most attractive in Central America, there are times you should avoid it as much as you can. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Months, Rainy/Dry Seasons 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. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Rainy season in Costa Rica is generally beginning of May to end of November. 'It's so expensive' were the words on fellow travellers lips. If you decide to go during July or August, youll get the best of both worlds with sunny, warm temperatures, fewer crowds, and cheaper pricing than the peak season. In that case, it is essential to confirm the destinations condition with the local authorities to see if any advisories are in place. Lets have a look at them. San Jose, Costa Rica 10104. However, the Caribbean side and slope of Costa Rica, including Arenal Volcano, actually enjoys its best . Next-door neighbours Nicaragua Dropdown content and Panama Dropdown content make the easiest and most obvious add-ons to a sojourn in Costa Rica. Most of the businesses are available online, so compare prices. Rainfall reaches more than three inches in October through December, but the totals are still low compared to the rest of the Caribbean. If youre looking for incredible natural wonders and sights to see, this is the place. Here's some information to help you in your decision: The best months for good weather in Tamarindo are January, February, March, April, May, July, November and December. Taking the last general elections, for example, there were serious concerns among the conservatives that there would be a gay deputy president in the country. Budget-wise, peak weeks that occur around Christmas and Easter are the worst times to visit Costa Rica. The cheaper pricing is just a bonus! On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 91 F and average low is 80 F. There are 7 days with rain, receiving about 2 inches of rain total. If you want to enjoy your vacation in the ideal weather, then December and January are the best time to visit Costa Rica. Prices are more affordable than in the high season from December to April . They attract fewer visitors from the Limon cruise port because of distance. The city reaches a high point for rain in September and October thanks to the Pacific hurricane season. Let's have a look at them. Even the driest parts of Costa Rica, such as the North Pacific, still experience high rainfall. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, It is located in a village with rainforests which have covered the beach. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 72 F. This is one of the wettest months for the region, with about 13 days of rain and 6 inches of rain. Credit: Wikimedia (Creative Commons license). See average monthly temperatures below. The Caribbean Coast is generally hot, humid, and rainy year-round, with a short break in September and October. Costa Rica ranks 16th on U.S. News & World Report's list of the world's best places to visit, and according to data collected from more than 1.6 million users worldwide on the travel app . The temperatures in Costa Rica range between 20 - 30 C year-round. Youll learn the best time to visit Costa Rica and the worst time to plan your visit in this quick travel guide. At the Nicoya Peninsula, plants are starting to flower, and you can take one of the best photos you have ever had. Turtle Watching Season Yes, the answer depends on the individual. Monteverde is a famous moist and cloudy forest and ranks high among the best natural tourist destinations in the world. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 91 F and average low is 74 F. There are about 10 days of rain and 4 inches of rain falling during the month. The best time to visit Costa Rica depends a lot on what you want to do. There are a lot of candidates for the most treacherous, risky, menacing peril awaiting visitors to Costa Rica - crocodiles in the estuaries, dengue mosquitoes in the swamps, deadly vipers in the rainforest, and psychos behind the wheel of cars, trucks and buses. San Jos has an average high temperatures in the low 70s Fahrenheit. I tried watching the sunset the other night, and it was just horrible. Its simple with our helpful travel tips! From the central capital city of San Jose to smaller towns that dot the dreamy coastlines (we especially love Quepos for its natural beauty and immersive cultural experience), Costa Rica is so alive with culture, tradition, and amazing foods. During February and March, tourism also booms around Easter and the start of Spring Break. The Best Time to Visit La Fortuna, Costa Rica for Weather, Safety The best months during this dry season are November through April because of a lower risk of rain. The vegetation is lush, waterfalls are high, and you have a good chance to see whales, nesting turtles in some regions, and enjoy surfing on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The tradeoff is that there are higher numbers of tourists, and prices on hotels are higher (and they also fill up faster). January-February and July-September are the best months to see whales on the Pacific coast. Here comes the part of our guide that many would flash by the headlines. The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. Rains typically pass quickly at this time of year, delivering much-needed hydration to the lush jungles and rain forests without sticking around long enough to make your beach trip a waste. 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. On the Caribbean Coast, the average high is 85 F and the average low is 77 F. The area sees about 2 inches of rain, with an average of 4 rainy days per month. There are less tourists, particularly during the months of September-early November, and prices are thus also lower during these times. The chart above shows that Limon gets rain about 18 days a month on a fairly consistent basis throughout the year. The two seasons are so different that knowing when to go to Puntarenas is an easy choiceany month from December through April. The weather along the Pacific coast is anywhere from somewhat rainy to extreme downpours depending on how far south you go. I have to say, it's true. Costa Rica is bubbling over with life and energy. As seen above, the local communities in different attraction sites are very helpful. The Nicoya Peninsula and the mountainous area around Rincon de la Vieja National Park have slight rainfalls compared to other places. 17 Things To Do in San Jose, Costa Rica - VacationIdea First things first, there are two tropical seasons in Costa Rica: dry season and green season. We are also a member of several other affiliate networks. You should also plan ahead when booking accommodation facilities and activities to get a fair deal before the prices hike. But be aware that your trip will be more expensive and a little less serene! The best person to decide when you should visit Costa Rica is you. Dry Seasons February, March, April, August (2nd half), September, October These months are the driest of the year with occasional rain usually occurring at night or early in the morning. You get it all when you visit at this time of year! Some of them include. Limon gets hit hard with rain throughout most of the year, but the Puntarenas cruise port on the Pacific coast fares much better. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 88 F and average low is 78 F. There are 16 days with rain, receiving about 7 inches of rain total. The worst time to visit Costa Rica is in September and October when lashing rains and floods wash out bridges and roads. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. For example, both La Fortuna and San Jose are in the middle of the country, but they experience somewhat different weather. Latino U.S.A reported that during elections, there are economic tensions during the election month in Costa Rica. , March is still part of the dry season, and has slightly less sunny days than January and February, with about 50% of the days being sunny . Thinking of planning your trip somewhere tropical and not quite settled on Costa Rica? While theres really not a bad time to go to Costa Rica, the worst time to plan your first visit is during late December through January. Authentic specialties like casado, gallo pinto, sopa negra, and more await your taste buds when you dive into the real Costa Rica off the beaten path. This is the mini summer of Costa Rica. 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. Temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the entire year. But what sets this resort apart is the stunning location with panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. Rainfall increases during October, with of the days seeing some rainfall. This Central American country is home to wild jungles, incredible national parks, cascading waterfalls, and more. With annual tourism at its lowest point, the prices for airfare, hotels, and rentals plummet and you can score the cheapest Costa Rican vacation. If you must travel during this time be sure to check local weather conditions and plan your route accordingly. They include: According to the Culture Trip, theft is a common type of crime in Costa Rica, so the chances of you losing your values to this are so high.