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When to go · Costa Rica

Costa Rica in May

Mixed month. Green season starts: sunny mornings, afternoon storms, lower prices.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Low
Costa Rica
Prices
Low
Costa Rica

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Costa Rica

Green season starts: sunny mornings, afternoon storms, lower prices.

Is another month better than May?

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in May

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

    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, Corcovadorainy

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

  • Central Valley and mountains · San José, Monteverde, Poás, Irazúfine

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

  • Northern plains · La Fortuna, Arenalfine

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

  • Caribbean · Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Tortuguerofine

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

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

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

  • Central Pacific: Gulf islands and Montezuma side · Nicoya Gulf coastfine

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

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

    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, Nicoyafine

    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 basinrainy

    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, Ojochalrainy

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

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

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

  • San José27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 19 rain days
  • Alajuela27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 17 rain days
  • Atenas28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 7 rain days
  • Bijagua de Upala30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 13 rain days
  • Brasilito33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days
  • Bribri30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Cabo Matapalo31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 18 rain days
  • Cahuita33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days
  • Carate31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 18 rain days
  • Cartago26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 17 rain days
  • Curridabat26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 17 rain days
  • Dominical31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Drake Bay33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Esterillos32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Finca Sonador30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 13 rain days
  • Golfito31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days
  • Grecia31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Heredia26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 17 rain days
  • Jacó31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • La Fortuna30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 16 rain days
  • Las Catalinas33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days
  • Liberia32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Los Chiles30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Malpaís31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days
  • Manuel Antonio31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 6 rain days
  • Montezuma30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Nicoya32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days
  • Nosara33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days
  • Parismina33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days
  • Pavones31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 20 rain days
  • Playa Carrillo32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days
  • Playa Grande34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days
  • Playa Hermosa, Garabito33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Playa Hermosa, Osa30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Playas del Coco33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 9 rain days
  • Pochote33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days
  • Potrero34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days
  • Providencia24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 18 rain days
  • Puerto Jimenez29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Puerto Limón33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 6 rain days
  • Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 17 rain days
  • Punta Uva33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 8 rain days
  • Quepos30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 16 rain days
  • Quesada31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 13 rain days
  • Sámara34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days
  • San Gerardo de Dota22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 18 rain days
  • San Isidro de El General30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 12 rain days
  • San Pedro de Montes de Oca27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 18 rain days
  • San Ramón27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 9 rain days
  • Santa Elena32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Santa Teresa33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Sierpe33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Sixaola31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 7 rain days
  • Tilarán30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 13 rain days
  • Tortuguero32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 18 rain days
  • Turrialba31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 9 rain days
  • Uvita30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 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.

  • Labour Day

    1 May

    Public holiday.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Costa Rica
Low
Prices · Costa Rica
Low

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    May: Mixed

    Jan: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    May: Low

    Jan: High

  • Prices

    May: Low

    Jan: High

  • Festivals listed

    May: 1

    Jan: 3

May: Green season starts: sunny mornings, afternoon storms, lower prices.

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 May

Rated best or good this month

  • Jacó

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season); May–Nov is greener and cheaper with afternoon rain

  • Parismina

    Best months: Mar–Sep (turtle nesting season)

  • San Gerardo de Dota

    Best months: Nov–May (quetzal nesting season)