Costa Rica
Best time to visit Costa Rica: weather and seasons by month
Go December to April for the Pacific coast, Central Valley and Arenal: dry, sunny and the peak of the high season. If your dates are fixed to September or October, go to the Caribbean side instead, where those are the driest months. May to August and November are the green season: sunny mornings, afternoon rain, lower prices.
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GuideCosta Rica
Key facts
- Best overall window
- December to April: dry on the Pacific and in the Central Valley
- Best for the Caribbean
- September and October, when the Pacific is at its wettest
- Cheapest months
- May, June, September and October: low season, low prices
- Busiest and priciest
- Late December to early January, then January to March
- Wettest on the Pacificcheck
- September and October; some Osa lodges close and Corcovado can shut in October
- Rain pattern in the green season
- Sunny mornings, afternoon storms, clear evenings
- Book ahead for
- Christmas and New Year, Semana Santa, and rental cars in January and February
- Temperatures
- Central Valley 18–26 °C year-round; Guanacaste hottest in April; Monteverde cool and misty
Costs and crowds
Prices track the seasons. Late December to early January is a high-price period, and January to March stays high. May, June, September and October are the low season, when rooms and tours cost less and beaches are quieter.
Two holiday periods distort everything. Christmas to New Year sells out months ahead, and Semana Santa (Easter week, dates move each year) fills beaches and cuts bus services; alcohol sales are limited Thursday to Friday in some cantons. Other public holidays — 11 April, 1 May, 25 July, 2 August, 15 August, 15 September and 1 December — have smaller effects, mostly on transport and restaurants.
For a full breakdown of what a day costs, see the travel costs page linked below.
| Region | Base towns | Best months | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste and north Pacific | Liberia, Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa | December–April | Wind in January; April heat |
Practical notes
Book rental cars early for January and February, and accommodation for the Christmas period months in advance. In the green season, plan outdoor activities for the morning and keep afternoons flexible; landslides are possible in heavy rain on the Pacific side (check).
Distances are short but slow: expect 3–5 hours per leg between bases, and drive or take shuttles by day. A first trip works best with three bases rather than six.
This is general seasonal guidance, not a forecast. Conditions vary year to year, and the veranillo dry spell in July does not arrive every year (check).
Questions people ask
What is the best time of year to visit Costa Rica?
December to April for the Pacific coast, Guanacaste, the Central Valley and Arenal: dry, sunny and the high season. If you travel in September or October, go to the Caribbean side instead, where those are the driest months.
When is the cheapest time to visit Costa Rica?
May, June, September and October are the low season, with lower room rates and quieter beaches. September and October are cheapest on the Pacific but wet; the Caribbean is dry then, so it is the better-value side.
What is the weather like in Costa Rica each month?
January to April is dry and sunny on the Pacific, hottest in April. May to August brings sunny mornings and afternoon rain, with a possible July dry spell. September and October are wettest on the Pacific and driest on the Caribbean. November eases on the Pacific but turns wet on the Caribbean, and December returns to dry.
Is the green season a bad time to visit?
No. May to August usually means clear mornings and afternoon storms, greener forests, fewer crowds and lower prices. Plan outdoor activities early in the day and keep afternoons flexible. November is a transition month: Pacific rain eases while the Caribbean turns wet.
When should I book for Christmas and New Year?
Months ahead. Late December to early January is a high-price period and accommodation sells out. Book cars early for January and February too.
Which coast should I choose in September or October?
The Caribbean. Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Tortuguero are driest in September and October, while the Pacific is at its wettest and some Osa lodges close (check).
Check live
Prices, schedules, rules and availability change. Open these to confirm today's details before you book.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
Ask about Costa Rica
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