But what sets this resort apart is the stunning location with panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. The Limon cruise port on the east coast has two windows of time when the rain lets up a bit. Weather in the popular capital of San Jos has more in common with Puntarenas than Limon. The summer or dry season tends to begin in January and extends into April. 2020 Scott S. Bateman, Heavy rains produce Costa Ricas famous rainforests. The Southern Pacific Region of Costa Rica is an incredible area that delights and surprises tourists with memories of Costa Rica that they'll have for life. Traveling during the rainy season also presents a chance to witness the thousands of turtles that come to deposit their eggs on the sandy beaches of Costa Rica. 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. The ideal weather means there will be large crowds, resulting in higher costs of tours, accommodation, and flights. Typically, the sky clears up as the rains begin to taper off for dry season, and you can experience beautiful beach days on the Pacific Coast. Whereas the Nation is one of the most attractive in Central America, there are times you should avoid it as much as you can. November is a bit of a bridge month, when the rain has slowed down, and the crowds begin to trickle in. The next best time to visit Limon is during September and October, when the average rainfall is six and eight inches a month. Best Times To Visit Costa Rica The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (the dry season). You'll learn the best time to visit Costa Rica - and the worst time to plan your visit - in this quick travel guide. Check my complete guide to the best things to do in Costa Rica for any type of traveler. On the other hand, there is frequently very little rain from December to April, and there may be no rain in some places. Natural Science Museum La Salle Courtesy of phaitoon - Fotolia.com The Nation has an estimated population of almost 5 million. Lets have a look at them. December through April is the dry season. In May, the rains had started to pick up in most parts of the country, roads were still passable, and hotels were still within the price ranges of April. The worst time to visit overall is late December through January. The peak tourist season lasts from mid to late April (spring break in the US). With fewer demand for airfare, accommodations, and rentals, prices are also cheaper during the low season. Costa Rica during the rainy season is still a beautiful time to visit. , March is still part of the dry season, and has slightly less sunny days than January and February, with about 50% of the days being sunny . On the Pacific Coast, April to August has the best surfing waves for experienced surfers, while beginners will appreciate the somewhat smaller waves on the Pacific Coast from December to April. January through March is typically the worst time to visit Costa Rica. October through early December is the least busy time of year to visit Costa Rica. September to early December are the cheapest times to go to Costa Rica, as this is the height of the rainy season throughout the country. Costa Rica is a place that almost everyone has on their list of places to visit. Where to Stay in Cancun | Best Areas & Hotels, 15 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Ricain 2023, Where to Stay in Costa Rica | Best Areas & Hotels, 19 Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in 2023, 15 Best Things to Do in Costa Rica in 2023. They're also most crowded. Because Costa Rica has many different climate regions, well discuss the areas on the Caribbean Coast, the Pacific Coast, and the middle of the country. The shoulder or green season from May to mid-June and November has plenty of appeal. For anyone who appreciates exploring new countries off the beaten path, this is arguably the best time of year to go for authentic experiences. 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. Get your camera because here you can take one of your best photos. This is the mini summer of Costa Rica. Crocodiles occupy many, and some have bull sharks. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Rainfall reaches more than three inches in October through December, but the totals are still low compared to the rest of the Caribbean. Dry and Rainy Seasons Costa Rica has two distinct seasons. With that, hotel prices rise. However, the weather changes all year round due to the countrys two distinct seasons. The average annual rainfall in the country is about 100 inches; however, mountainous regions can have an annual rainfall of up to 25 feet or 300 inches. That time period shifts slightly depending on your goals for the trip. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I only hope to bring you information to help you choose your travel dates. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The dry season runs from December through April and the rainy season goes from May through November, which coincides with the Pacific hurricane season. And with fewer crowds, youll feel that youve got the beach, park, or town to yourself. The WORST Times to Visit Costa Rica Christmas is so busy you NEED to book everything well in advance! Our advice is to book your holiday vacations well in advance to reserve the best hotel rooms and take advantage of any early bird specials. The best person to decide when you should visit Costa Rica is you. The humidity increases as you travel south along the Pacific coast. All said and done; we hope that you shall enjoy your stay in Costa Rica. Travel Tips. Due to such expectations, we shall start by looking at when you should enjoy Costa Rica to the fullest. Costa Rica is best visited between mid-December and April. The dry season (and tourist peak season) in Costa Rica begins around the United States Thanksgiving holiday, in late November. Most of the rain that falls in November comes towards the beginning of the month. In light of this, the ideal season to visit Costa Rica truly depends on which of these three considerations is most important to you. Passports, electronics, money, and even sunglasses and shoes are easy targets and highly sought after by thieves. The greenery is very lush and abundant, and waterfalls are at their maximum flow. 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 this section, were breaking down the climate in Costa Rica through all the months of the year. Afternoons are rainy with typicallyclear mornings (perfect for morning tours). Though dusty, the roads are passable, wild animals can easily be identified, and tour guides charge the least. 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. Please consult a Costa Rica Expert on the general climate of your destinations of interest over your travel dates. To sail in Tahiti means to enjoy not only the beauty of the islands, but also the, Read More The Top 5 Places to Sail in TahitiContinue, California is mostly synonymous with the Hollywood entertainment industry, sunny beaches, and a temperate weather. The weather is amazing with little rain to ruin your outdoor plans, crowds are moderate, and pricing for airfare, accommodations, and car rentals are lower than in the true high season. 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 September to November sees the lowest crowds in Costa Rica, as this is the height of the rainy season. The hottest weather, however, can be found a little further south along the coast, particularly on the Nicoya peninsulas Southeast and Northwest edges. Wildlife watching:loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. The worst time to visit Costa Rica. The dry season is generally the best time to visit Central America which, in most countries, is January-March (or November-April in Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras). You have an added advantage if you speak English and Spanish because those are the official and dominant languages. The temperature in Costa Rica is basically the same all year round. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 74 F. There are about 10 days of rain and 4.5 inches of rain falling during the month. The worst time to visit Costa Rica is in September and October when lashing rains and floods wash out bridges and roads. First things first, there are two tropical seasons in Costa Rica: dry season and green season. The best time to visit Costa Rica is between the months of December and April. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. This is still squarely in the rainy season, with approximately half the days seeing rain and 6 inches of rain falling throughout the month. You'll find significant rain almost every day. As stated in our introduction, Costa Rica is a democratic country whose president and two deputies are elected through a popular initiative. December is the most crowded month, as the holiday crowd usually rushes in during this period. I spent the first half of this year living in Nosara, Costa . Costa Rica boasts 800 miles of pristine coastline on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Not a day goes by for me without planning new adventures and looking for some scenic spots. The three worst months of the year to visit Limon are July, November and especially December. So youll also save a lot of money if you plan your visit during this time of year! Less favorable weather means fewer crowds hence cheaper costs. While theres considerably more rainfall during these months, the rains in Costa Rica move through quickly and will still leave you with plenty of time to enjoy the sunny beaches and outdoor exploration. Understanding the Costa Rica climate can be a huge help in determining the best time to visit Costa Rica. Wildlife watching: Alaska/California humpback whales; leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast inMarch; hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast, Related Article: Costa Rica Spring Break Survival Guide. We enter peak season for travel at the end of December around the holidays. . 11 Travel Mistakes To Avoid Before Your Trip, 5 Common Misconceptions About Travel in Costa Rica, Historical Sites and Legends of Costa Rica. Calle 15, San Jos, 133391-1000, Costa Rica, Phone: +5-06-22-57-72-02 Top rated last minute places for couples: Getaways from DC, OK resorts, From Seattle, SD resorts, Bahamas, Casinos near NYC, Lava Tubes Flagstaff, Pueblo, November 7. When to go to Sweden in spring Visiting Sweden in March - May These same two months are among the most popular months for western Caribbean cruises because other destinationssuch as Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Roatanalso have lighter rain during the same time. The rainy season starts and cloud cover increases dramatically as the month goes on. The country is, without a doubt, among the best Central American countries to visit. I'm happy that you landed on my page and hope to inspire your wanderlust and encourage you to get outside your comfort zone. When referencing Pacific weather in the following sections, weve highlighted what you will experience when staying in the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area, which is the middle of the Pacific Coast. January and February are smack dab in the dry season, with plenty of sunny days and low rain. One of the best ways of, Read More A Travelers Guide to Hiking in Cape CodContinue. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 73 F. By the end of the month, you have 50% sunny days and 8 days of rain, but the rainy days decrease as the month goes on. Source: WikimediaThe best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease.The best months during this dry season are November through April because of a lower risk of rain. , 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! He picks out April as one of the best months you should visit Costa Rica. The main park entrance is on the road to El Castillo (turn off the main road 13km west of town). Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. The Caribbean Coast experiences a brief respite in September and October but is otherwise hot, humid, and wet all year. Due to the high numbers of tourists present, accommodation facilities and most leisure activities/amenities are usually fully booked while the available ones are overpriced. One other way of deciding which months are best for destinations in Costa Rica is by looking at the average number of days that it rains each month. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Suppose you want to travel to any isolated or rural areas. If this is the only time you can visit, be sure to plan at least a year in advance since hotels fill up fast. Youll have an easier time booking a last-minute vacation at this time of year with fewer crowds and less tourists choosing to visit. 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. April is a transitional month. While the high season is the most popular travel time, the green season is often a favorite among Costa Rica Experts. 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. Source . There are direct flights from San Jose to Tamarindo that take about 1 hour, but keep in mind that you'll have to factor in time for checking in and going through security at the airport. Natural wildlife and beauty aside, Costa Ricas bustling cities are another great reason to visit. Costa Rica is, hands down, a fun vacation destination You have volcanoes rainforests gorgeous Pacific and Caribbean beaches exciting wildlife encounters and adventure activities. Hotel availability is limited over these populartravel dates, and some hotels increase rates over peak travel dates. San Jos has weather that is more in common with Puntarenas than Limon. Decembers average rainfall of 18 inches equals the entire year of some islands such as the arid Aruba. Some hotels increase their prices in these months. With a booming tourism industry and tons of things for everyone to enjoy, anyone whos been to beautiful Costa Rica will tell you youve got to see it to believe it. But Costa Rica's two seasons (dry and rainy) mean the weather there swings wildly throughout the year. San Jose, Costa Rica 10104. Liz Flynn has worked as a full-time writer since 2010 after leaving a career in education. Therefore, knowing the ideal time and place to visit is essential for making the most of your tropical trip. Nature is all around you, like this small frog spotted on our journey. In December, the temperatures range from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. Temperature averages throughout the country range from 75F to 90F year-round.