Yes, the answer depends on the individual. Rainfall reaches more than three inches in October through December, but the totals are still low compared to the rest of the Caribbean. Copyright 2023 Exploration Junkie. Cruise activity in the Caribbean declines as a result, so September and October are months when people are more likely to visit the eastern coast of Costa Rica for longer stays. The temperatures in Costa Rica range between 20 - 30 C year-round. In such a scenario, local conservative members may discriminate against you if you are from a country that supports a topic they are not comfortable with. From my own personal travel experience, the shoulder season is the best time to visit Costa Rica. Overall, the winter months (the driest months) and the summer months of July and August (which have a bit of a lull during the rainy season) are the best times to visit Costa Rica. Palmeros Festival in Costa Rica takes place in January and draws in a ton of visitors (about 1 hour from San Jose) and includes concerts, dancing, and food sampling. 30 Tips Before Travelling In Costa Rica | 2021 Travel Guide I spent the first half of this year living in Nosara, Costa . Despite its skimpy scale, Costa Rica's mountains, rainforests, cloud forests and Pacific and Caribbean coasts mean that temperatures and rainfall vary wildly. Costa Rica during the dry season is lovely warm weather, sunny days, clear skies, and infrequent rain. Start Here Caribbean Costa Rica The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2023, Written by: Author Debra Carpenter |Reviewed by: Editorial Team, Posted on Last updated: November 22, 2022. For those who love waterfall hiking, then here is your solution. It is also essential to note that the coldest months in the country are typically from September through November, though this varies from region to region. What To Do in Costa Rica When It Rains? Its climate status can be roughly divided into two seasons: the dry season, also known as the high season, and the rainy season, also known as the green season. As seen above, the local communities in different attraction sites are very helpful. Both Limon and Puntarenas lie far enough south that they usually avoid either Pacific or Caribbean hurricanes. They are usually much cooler throughout the year than either Puntarenas or Limon. Best time to visit Bolivia - responsiblevacation.com May through November is the green season. The Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, and Tamarindo are the most popular places to visit in May. Over 7 inches of rain (on average) will fall in October. The rain brings out the best in Costa Ricas flora. The rainy season does not mean that it rains nonstop . It is the perfect time to explore Costa Ricas magnificent rainforests, view the wild animals in their natural habitat, and relax on the sandy beaches. The end of November marks the start of Costa Ricas busy season, as holidays and cold weather are a great excuse to escape. Costa Rica Experts 2023. If youre looking for incredible natural wonders and sights to see, this is the place. But Costa Ricas two seasons (dry and rainy) mean the weather there swings wildly throughout the year. But times change. At the end of April, rain begins to fall in the Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Dominical, and Uvita), which regulates the temperatures there. Parque Nacional Volcn Arenal. Keep in mind that as you move through different altitudes and regions, the climate can change in minutes. There is an easy solution though. This is your favorite month for those who want to enjoy the weather transition. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The city reaches a high point for rain in September and October thanks to the Pacific hurricane season. , We visited in July and experienced several days of completely clear weather, and some days when there was an hour or two of afternoon rain not bad at all, especially when a lot of the tours in La Fortuna happen in the morning! It is a democratic republic which is located in Central America. Dont think your trip is doomed to heavy rains all day, every day if you visit from October through early December. It is so bad that hotels and businesses are closed on the South Pacific coast. I only hope to bring you information to help you choose your travel dates. Travelers can still enjoy clear skies, although the vegetation, particularly on the North Pacific Coast, has lost some of its vibrant green sparkle after months of little rain. James Kaiser has guided visitors on when they should visit different places. April typically marks the end of the dry season. Temperature averages throughout the country range from 75F to 90F year-round. However, it is important to note that there still may be a rainy day or two a month. The Best and Worst Times to Visit Costa Rica - moneyinc.com Best and Worst Times to Visit Costa Rica (2023) Turtle Watching Season Packing insect repellent is also vital because rainy weather increases mosquito infestations. On the typically rainy southern Caribbean Coast, the rain lightens up in September and October, making it a great time to visit. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica - The Ultimate Guide Plan ahead for travel over Presidents Day weekend,Spring Break, and Easter. Related Article: 6 Costa Rica Holiday Travel Tips. You wont run into frigid temperatures when you visit here, no matter what time of year you go. There are several things you should avoid doing when you are in Costa Rica. At the same time, the central valley of San Jos experiences cool breezes and average temperatures of about 72 Fahrenheit (22 Celsius). Therefore, to be on the safe side, you can opt to visit at the end of January or the start of February to avoid such inconveniences while still enjoying the great weather. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The worst time to visit overall is late December through January. Were still in dry season,and the weather remains fantastic. Find out the best time to visit Costa Rica with details on climate, seasons and events from Audley specialists. Most Pacific Coast and the Central Mountains receive a lot of sunshine during these warmer months. A Guide to Visiting Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica Youll need to be prepared for rain most days, and heavy rain at that. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 73 F. There are about 11 days of rain and 4 inches of rain falling during the month. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 72 F. This is a very dry month, with usually only a day of rain. If you must travel during this time be sure to check local weather conditions and plan your route accordingly. This is the mini summer of Costa Rica. Most of the rain that falls in November comes towards the beginning of the month. In order to keep dry and avoid getting muddy whenever possible, make sure you pack the proper clothing and footwear. Some hotels increase their prices in these months. It is also clear that there is no specific worst time to visit Costa Rica since its diversity in terms of seasons and climatic conditions presents unique, attractive features and activities to satisfy the needs of different types of tourists. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 79 F. Cloudy skies predominate, and there are 15 days with rain, receiving about 6 inches of rain total. But if we had to single out the worst time to visit Costa Rica, it would be late December through January. 17 Things To Do in San Jose, Costa Rica - VacationIdea Best and Worst Times to Visit Costa Rica - Caribeez.com The hottest months of the year in Costa Rica are from February to April, with March or April typically having the highest daily temperatures. Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! When to go to Costa Rica - Best Time to Visit - Natural World Safaris However, it is good to note that this is a problem experienced in nations with the same economic strength as Costa Rica. With less rain, there ismore uninterrupted pool time. Now for the monthly breakdown. Rain is not normally a factor in Aruba because the island is arid and averages only 16 inches a year. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. Rain falls approximately every other day (on average), with about 7 inches of rainfall during the month. Always Pack a Raincoat. Whether youre looking for lively metro areas with tons of shopping, accommodations, and restaurant options or a tucked-away towns with vibrant and authentic Costa Rican culture, youll find it here. Best time to go to Liberia (Guanacaste) - Where and When to travel? Expect that if you leave valuable items in plain sight and unattended, such as on the beach or in the car, that they will be taken. She finds almost all topics she writes about interesting, but her favorite subjects are travel and food. It is located in a village with rainforests which have covered the beach. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Those same two months are the worst months of the year for visiting the rest of the Caribbean because of the annual hurricane season. Tamarindo has dry periods in January, February and March. It is best to keep a raincoat close at all times. Although the dry season offers the best weather for you to take advantage of the majority of outdoor activities, it is also the busiest travel period which may also turn out to be the worst time to visit Costa Rica. Unless you have been fully guided, avoid the rivers of Costa Rica. The worst time to visit Costa Rica is in September and October. On a mission to witness the planet's beauty and diversity, he shares his experiences on this website through articles, videos, and photography, including interactive virtual tours. Taking the last general elections, for example, there were serious concerns among the conservatives that there would be a gay deputy president in the country. The cheaper pricing is just a bonus! For anyone who appreciates exploring new countries off the beaten path, this is arguably the best time of year to go for authentic experiences. Most elections are held in February. In the tropical dry forests, the beginning of the dry season will still have plenty of green scenery to display. Best time to go to Tamarindo Average weather of Tamarindo, Costa Rica Costa Rica is bubbling over with life and energy. Rainy days and cloudy skies continue throughout the country. Best Times To Visit Costa Rica The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (the dry season). That being said, March and April have the highest temperatures. You'll find significant rain almost every day. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 78 F. There are 17 days with rain, receiving about 7 inches of rain total. The Nicoya Peninsula and the mountainous area around Rincon de la Vieja National Park have slight rainfalls compared to other places. The capital city of San Jos and many interior locations attract visitors from Puntarenas for the citys nightlife and natural attractions of the surrounding area. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 88 F and average low is 78 F. There are 12 days with rain, receiving about 5 inches of rain total, with rain decreasing throughout the month. In Costa Rica will find plenty of exhilarating activities taking place in the greenest habitat and surrounded by exotic wildlife. If a warm and sunny tropical vacation is what youre looking for, its hard to beat Costa Ricas pleasant climate. The north Pacific is the driest part of the country and the south Pacific is one of the wettest places in Costa Rica. Wildlife watching:Alaska/California humpback whales; hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast, A beautiful, clear day on the Nicoya Peninsula from Hotel Punta Islita. They attract fewer visitors from the Limon cruise port because of distance. This is the peak tourism season, so prices are steep and crowds are deep. There are many perks of traveling in rainy season like discounted hotel rates, less crowds, and more active wildlife. The beginning of December is less-crowded, with difficult to predict weather. San Jos and the interior has one big difference with the cruise ports on either coast of the country. Some of the worst times to visit are also the best in terms of weather, little rainfall, and wildlife spotting opportunities! You'll pay more, deal with bigger crowds, and less availability for rooms, flights, and rentals, but hey - it's peak season for a reason. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2022 | Travellers (2023) This is how we keep the lights on (i.e. The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. pay for content, product research, guides, and more). All rights reserved. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Liberia (Guanacaste) has dry periods in January, February and March. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: When to Go & When to Avoid By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The worst months are May through October because of a much higher risk. There are more than 500,000 animal species in the country, making it one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. While theres more rainfall from September through mid-December than any other part of the year, you also benefit from cheaper prices and fewer crowds. The Weather and Climate in Costa Rica - TripSavvy On the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. This is the driest month of the year, with an average of 1.3 inches of rainfall, and an average of 4 rainy days per month. DID YOU KNOW: Its not uncommon for Costa Rica to run out of rental cars during the high season which is January. Weather in February continues to be sunny and dry. Caribeez.com, The Limon monthly weather shows the best and worst times to visit the port. Costa Rica Climate Guide. 1. Its simple with our helpful travel tips! Have you been looking for a country to visit? This is a mixed blessing as you wont burn as easily, but it can inhibit views sometimes. The country is, without a doubt, among the best Central American countries to visit. Prices are more affordable than in the high season from December to April . This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Month by Month Hurricane Season. Julien is an exploration-minded, curiosity-driven traveler and blogger. The rainy season ends in October, which is the beginning of the shoulder season. (Though, it's less likely to happen as the volcano has been dormant since 2010). The BEST Time to visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Every of the Year In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 93 F and average low is 73 F, with about 4 days of rain, with an inch of rain falling . Now that you know the best time to visit Costa Rica and have a few seasoned traveler tips under your belt, youll be able to plan the perfect tropical vacation. IMPORTANT NOTE: For each of these 3 regions, you will find representative averages for what you might expect. Talk with a Costa Rica Expert about the best destinations to visit during this time of year. Best time to visit Jaco Attractions in October Best time to visit Costa Rica Waterfall Tours in Jaco October Everyday : 24-hrs Best time to visit Jaco Beach in Jaco October Everyday : 24-hrs Best time to visit Atv Adventure Tours Costa Rica in Jaco October Everyday : 08:00 AM to 09:00 PM Best time to visit Discovery Horse Tours in Jaco October Located along the Pacific Coast, the park has light sand beaches, ancient rainforests, coral reefs, and clear water. Hotels and businesses are dragging to reopen or reinvest after the business had slowed down during the rainy peaks of September and October. The WORST Times to Visit Costa Rica Christmas is so busy you NEED to book everything well in advance! Credit: Wikimedia (Creative Commons license). What's the Worst Time to Visit Costa Rica - Plus 7 Top Tips The rest . Shoulder season in Costa Rica is April and November, when the weather shifts between being sunny and fairly dry to being overcast and rainy as the month goes on in April, and then turns from rainy to dry and sunny by the end of November. There are some places which, if you make the right decisions on when to visit them, will give you the most extraordinary experience you will ever have. The transition months from dry to rainy are April and May. What to Know About Visiting Costa Rica in the Rainy Season - MytanFeet Weather in the popular capital of San Jos has more in common with Puntarenas than Limon. Costa Rica ranks 16th on U.S. News & World Report's list of the world's best places to visit, and according to data collected from more than 1.6 million users worldwide on the travel app . Thats great, because youre definitely going to want to try some of the famous dishes this country is known for. Crowds are thin, so the pricing for airfare, accommodations, and rentals is much lower at this time of year. The light rains during July and August are nothing compared to the deluges common in September through December. What's The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica? - TripTivy Check out this guide next: Best Time to Visit Hawaii | When to Go & Travel Tips. The Best (and Worst) Time to Visit Turks and Caicos - Travel Since these months fall between peak seasons, there are fewer visitors and lower accommodation prices. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 92 F and average low is 72 F, and there is usually only a day of rain. In April, this beautiful area experiences morning sunshine and afternoon light rain. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 90 F and average low is 72 F. This is a very dry month, with usually only a day of rain. Therefore, you may consider visiting Costa Ricas northern Pacific coast to enjoy the regions pleasant environment if youre looking for the countrys highest temperature. From the central capital city of San Jose to smaller towns that dot the dreamy coastlines (we especially love Quepos for its natural beauty and immersive cultural experience), Costa Rica is so alive with culture, tradition, and amazing foods. The Limon cruise port on the east coast has two windows of time when the rain lets up a bit. Surfing season on the Caribbean Coast is December to March. This coincides with cheaper rates and prices, so think of it as a bonus! The best time to visit Turks and Caicos is between April through June. with some heavy rain still to be expected until the end of November, but by mid-December the worst will certainly be over. These first few months of the dry season are particularly pleasant since the weather condition is warm and the skies are clear. They include: According to the Culture Trip, theft is a common type of crime in Costa Rica, so the chances of you losing your values to this are so high. Keep in mind that the landscapes and climates of Costa Rica vary greatly by region. The International Living gives a detailed report on the places you should avoid the most in November: Santa Rita de Alajuela, Leon XIIII, Tibas, San Jose, Limon City, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, San Carlos, and the Puntarenas City, Puntarenas. You can expect to see drier weather as you head north, and wetter weather as you head south. At this time, the weather is dry and bright. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica | Climate Guide | Audley Travel 1. What's The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica? - Visitingly But, unsurprisingly, that's also the cheapest time to travel. Sunsets are just horrible. There are less tourists, particularly during the months of September-early November, and prices are thus also lower during these times.