When to go · Costa Rica

Costa Rica, month by month

The best months for Costa Rica: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. Months to avoid: Oct.

Plan around it

Month by month

JanuaryGreatDry and sunny on the Pacific; windy in Guanacaste; peak prices after New Year.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: best weather · Central and south Pacific: best weather · Central Valley and mountains: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
FebruaryGreatDry and clear; whale-free but good wildlife; book cars early.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: best weather · Central and south Pacific: best weather · Central Valley and mountains: best weatherCrowds: High
MarchGreatHot and dry; Semana Santa may fall here (check) — beaches full.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: best weather · Central and south Pacific: best weather · Central Valley and mountains: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
AprilGreatHottest month in Guanacaste; Easter crowds if late; still dry.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: hot · Central and south Pacific: best weather · Central Valley and mountains: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
MayMixedGreen season starts: sunny mornings, afternoon storms, lower prices.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: rainy · Central and south Pacific: rainy · Central Valley and mountains: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
JuneMixedAfternoon rain; green forests; turtle nesting starts at Tortuguero.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: rainy · Central and south Pacific: rainy · Central Valley and mountains: rainyCrowds: Low
JulyMixedVeranillo dry spell some years; turtle season at Tortuguero; school holidays.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: fine · Central and south Pacific: rainy · Central Valley and mountains: rainyCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
AugustMixedHumpback whales off Uvita (Aug–Oct); rain most afternoons.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: rainy · Central and south Pacific: rainy · Central Valley and mountains: rainyCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
SeptemberMixedWettest on the Pacific; driest on the Caribbean — switch sides.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: rainy · Central and south Pacific: rainy · Central Valley and mountains: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
OctoberAvoidHeavy Pacific rain, landslides; Osa lodges may close; Caribbean at its best.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: rainy · Central and south Pacific: rainy · Central Valley and mountains: rainyCrowds: Low
NovemberMixedRains ease on the Pacific; Caribbean turns wet.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: fine · Central and south Pacific: rainy · Central Valley and mountains: fineCrowds: Medium
DecemberGoodDry season returns; Christmas–New Year sells out — book months ahead.Guanacaste and the north Pacific: best weather · Central and south Pacific: fine · Central Valley and mountains: best weatherCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Costa Rica, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Crowds
Jan: High
Feb: High
Prices
Jan: High
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 3
Feb: 0

January: Dry and sunny on the Pacific; windy in Guanacaste; peak prices after New Year.

February: Dry and clear; whale-free but good wildlife; book cars early.

Costa Rica: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
Region	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Guanacaste and the north PacificLiberia, Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa	Best	Best	Best	Hot	Wet	Wet	OK	Wet	Wet	Wet	OK	Best
Central and south PacificManuel Antonio, Uvita, Osa, Corcovado	Best	Best	Best	Best	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	OK
Central Valley and mountainsSan José, Monteverde, Poás, Irazú	Best	Best	Best	Best	OK	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	Wet	OK	Best
Northern plainsLa Fortuna, Arenal	OK	Best	Best	Best	OK	Wet	Wet	Wet	OK	OK	Wet	Wet
CaribbeanPuerto Viejo, Cahuita, Tortuguero	Wet	OK	Best	Best	OK	OK	Wet	OK	Best	Best	Wet	Wet