Skip to content
Voykit

When to go · Costa Rica

Costa Rica in December

Good month. Dry season returns; Christmas–New Year sells out — book months ahead.

Key facts

Verdict
Good
Crowds
High
Costa Rica
Prices
High
Costa Rica

Verdict

GoodVoykit month rating for Costa Rica

Dry season returns; Christmas–New Year sells out — book months ahead.

Is another month better than December?

December is rated good. These months rate higher:

Weather in December

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

    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, Corcovadofine

    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, Arenalrainy

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

  • Caribbean · Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Tortuguerorainy

    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, Cartagodry

    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 basinbest weather

    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 borderfine

    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, Ojochalbest weather

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

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

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

  • San José25 °C (77 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 6 rain days
  • Alajuela26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 9 rain days
  • Atenas27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days
  • Bijagua de Upala28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 7 rain days
  • Brasilito30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 0 rain days
  • Bribri28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 11 rain days
  • Cabo Matapalo31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 11 rain days
  • Cahuita30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Carate30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Cartago24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Curridabat24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Dominical31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days
  • Drake Bay30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 9 rain days
  • Esterillos32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 5 rain days
  • Finca Sonador28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 12 rain days
  • Golfito30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days
  • Grecia27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 6 rain days
  • Heredia24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Jacó31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • La Fortuna28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 15 rain days
  • Las Catalinas32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 2 rain days
  • Liberia32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days
  • Los Chiles28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 5 rain days
  • Malpaís31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 5 rain days
  • Manuel Antonio30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Montezuma30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 6 rain days
  • Nicoya30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Nosara30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Parismina30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Pavones31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days
  • Playa Carrillo31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days
  • Playa Grande30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Playa Hermosa, Garabito30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Playa Hermosa, Osa30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Playas del Coco30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 3 rain days
  • Pochote29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Potrero31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days
  • Providencia22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • Puerto Jimenez30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Puerto Limón30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days
  • Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days
  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 16 rain days
  • Punta Uva29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Quepos29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Quesada27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 7 rain days
  • Sámara29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days
  • San Gerardo de Dota22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • San Isidro de El General27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 8 rain days
  • San Pedro de Montes de Oca27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 9 rain days
  • San Ramón27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days
  • Santa Elena29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 6 rain days
  • Santa Teresa30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days
  • Sierpe30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Sixaola28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tilarán29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days
  • Tortuguero29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 24 rain days
  • Turrialba27 °C (81 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 5 rain days
  • Uvita31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 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.

  • Abolition of the Army Day

    1 Dec

    Public holiday.

  • Christmas big impact

    25 Dec

    Peak season with the New Year week.

  • Festival de la Luz and Christmas check

    Early to mid December; 25 December · San José

    Crowded pavements; most shops close on 25 December.

  • Fiestas de Zapote

    26 December – early January · San José

    Fairground, bull rides and concerts in Zapote, south of the centre; heavy evening traffic.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Costa Rica
High
Prices · Costa Rica
High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Dec: Good

    Jan: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Dec: High

    Jan: High

  • Prices

    Dec: High

    Jan: High

  • Festivals listed

    Dec: 4

    Jan: 3

December: Dry season returns; Christmas–New Year sells out — book months ahead.

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

  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in December

Rated best or good this month

  • Guanacaste and the north Pacific

    Best weather of the year (Liberia, Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa)

  • Central Valley and mountains

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

  • San José

    Dry season begins; Christmas crowds.

  • Alajuela

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season)

  • Bijagua de Upala

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Brasilito

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

  • Cabo Matapalo

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season)

  • Cahuita

    Best months: Dec–Apr, Sep–Oct

  • Carate

    Best months: December–April (dry season)

  • Cartago

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season, clearest volcano views)

  • Curridabat

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season)

  • Dominical

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season); Sep–Oct is quieter and greener