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When to go · Costa Rica

Costa Rica in April

Great month. Hottest month in Guanacaste; Easter crowds if late; still dry.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
Medium
Costa Rica
Prices
Medium
Costa Rica

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Costa Rica

Hottest month in Guanacaste; Easter crowds if late; still dry.

Is another month better than April?

No other month rates higher than April for Costa Rica in this guide.

Weather in April

  • Guanacaste and the north Pacific · Liberia, Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresahot

    The driest region: brown hills and hot days Dec–Apr; a short dry spell (veranillo) in July.

  • Central and south Pacific · Manuel Antonio, Uvita, Osa, Corcovadobest weather

    Very wet Sep–Oct; some Osa lodges close and Corcovado can shut in October (check).

  • Central Valley and mountains · San José, Monteverde, Poás, Irazúbest weather

    Spring-like 18–26 °C (64–79 °F); Monteverde is cool, windy and misty — pack a fleece.

  • Northern plains · La Fortuna, Arenalbest weather

    Rain any month; Arenal's cone is often in cloud — mornings are clearest.

  • Caribbean · Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Tortuguerobest weather

    Reverse pattern: September–October are the driest months; Nov–Jan the wettest.

  • Central Pacific: Jacó and the central coast · Sea level, Tárcoles to Queposbest weather

    Dry season roughly December to April; heaviest rain September–October, often in afternoon bursts.

  • Central Pacific: Gulf islands and Montezuma side · Nicoya Gulf coastbest weather

    Similar pattern; the gulf crossing can be rough in wind.

  • Central Valley: Central Valley floor · San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartagofine

    December–April is the driest window; May–November brings afternoon showers. Temperatures sit around 20–26 °C (68–79 °F) by day and 10–15 °C (50–59 °F) at night year-round.

  • Guanacaste: Guanacaste coast and lowlands · Liberia, the beach strip, Nicoyabest weather

    Dry season roughly December to April with strong sun and wind; rain concentrates June–October, often as afternoon showers. The province is hotter and drier than the rest of Costa Rica.

  • Limón Province: Caribbean coast (Puerto Limón to Sixaola) · Sea-level lowlands along the coast roadrainy

    No true dry season. September and October are the driest months; February and March are the next best. Expect 27–31 °C (81–88 °F) year-round and short heavy showers.

  • Limón Province: Tortuguero and the canals · Northern Limón, boat access onlyrainy

    Rain almost daily; turtle nesting peaks July to October, with green turtles the main species.

  • North Costa Rica: La Fortuna / Arenal · Volcano foothills and lake basinfine

    Driest stretch is roughly December to April; the rest of the year is green and wet, with afternoon downpours. Arenal is often cloud-covered — mornings give the clearest views.

  • North Costa Rica: Sarapiquí and the northern lowlands · Rainforest toward the Nicaraguan borderrainy

    One of the wettest parts of the country; rain most months, so plan indoor and river activities with wet-weather backup.

  • South Pacific Costa Rica: Costanera Sur coast · Dominical, Uvita, Ojochalfine

    Dry season roughly December to April; heaviest rain September and October.

  • South Pacific Costa Rica: Osa Peninsula · Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay, Corcovadofine

    One of the wettest parts of Costa Rica; expect mud and leeches on trails in the wet months.

  • San José28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 8 rain days
  • Alajuela28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 8 rain days
  • Atenas29 °C (84 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 5 rain days
  • Bijagua de Upala31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days
  • Brasilito33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 1 rain days
  • Bribri30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days
  • Cabo Matapalo32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days
  • Cahuita32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days
  • Carate32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Cartago26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Curridabat26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dominical32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 7 rain days
  • Drake Bay33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Esterillos33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Finca Sonador30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 9 rain days
  • Golfito31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Grecia31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 9 rain days
  • Heredia26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Jacó33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 5 rain days
  • La Fortuna31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 9 rain days
  • Las Catalinas34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 3 rain days
  • Liberia34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 3 rain days
  • Los Chiles30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 9 rain days
  • Malpaís33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days
  • Manuel Antonio31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Montezuma31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 7 rain days
  • Nicoya32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 3 rain days
  • Nosara33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 4 rain days
  • Parismina33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 11 rain days
  • Pavones32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Playa Carrillo33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 4 rain days
  • Playa Grande34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days
  • Playa Hermosa, Garabito33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days
  • Playa Hermosa, Osa31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 7 rain days
  • Playas del Coco33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Pochote33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days
  • Potrero35 °C (95 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 3 rain days
  • Providencia25 °C (77 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days
  • Puerto Jimenez30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 7 rain days
  • Puerto Limón32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 4 rain days
  • Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Punta Uva33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days
  • Quepos31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 7 rain days
  • Quesada31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 9 rain days
  • Sámara33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 2 rain days
  • San Gerardo de Dota23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days
  • San Isidro de El General29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 10 rain days
  • San Pedro de Montes de Oca28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 8 rain days
  • San Ramón28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 5 rain days
  • Santa Elena31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days
  • Santa Teresa33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 2 rain days
  • Sierpe33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Sixaola31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Tilarán31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 5 rain days
  • Tortuguero32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days
  • Turrialba30 °C (86 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 7 rain days
  • Uvita31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 7 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Semana Santa big impact

    Mar–Apr (Easter, check)

    Beaches full; alcohol sales limited Thursday–Friday in some cantons; buses reduced.

  • Juan Santamaría Day

    11 Apr

    Public holiday.

  • Festival Internacional de las Artes

    Early April, biennial (check) · San José

    Theatre, dance and music around the Teatro Nacional; book seats early.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Costa Rica
Medium
Prices · Costa Rica
Medium

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Apr: Great

    Jan: Great

  • Crowds

    Apr: Medium

    Jan: High

  • Prices

    Apr: Medium

    Jan: High

  • Festivals listed

    Apr: 3

    Jan: 3

April: Hottest month in Guanacaste; Easter crowds if late; still dry.

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

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

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in April

Rated best or good this month

  • Central and south Pacific

    Best weather of the year (Manuel Antonio, Uvita, Osa, Corcovado)

  • Central Valley and mountains

    Best weather of the year (San José, Monteverde, Poás, Irazú)

  • Northern plains

    Best weather of the year (La Fortuna, Arenal)

  • Caribbean

    Best weather of the year (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Tortuguero)

  • San José

    Last dry month; rains begin late.

  • Alajuela

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season)

  • Bijagua de Upala

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Brasilito

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season, calm seas)

  • Bribri

    Best months: Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct

  • Cabo Matapalo

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season)

  • Cahuita

    Best months: Dec–Apr, Sep–Oct

  • Carate

    Best months: December–April (dry season)