Best time to vacation in costa rica
I get asked a lot about the best time to visit Costa Rica for a vacation. The truth is, knowing the best time to travel might not always work out. So instead of focusing on that, I’ve written this guide on how to have the best vacation during any time of year in Costa Rica, anywhere from December to May.
Choosing the best time to visit Costa Rica will be a matter of deciding whether you want to avoid crowds or if you’d like to take advantage of lower prices. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, it’s best to travel between May and November, avoiding July and August when most Americans are on summer vacation. During this time of year, you’ll have epic views of volcanoes and rainforests, untouched beaches, uncrowded cities and towns — all the things that make Costa Rica so special.
There are many factors to take into consideration when you are planning a vacation in Costa Rica. The cost of lodging, food, transportation and souvenirs can add up pretty quickly. Not to mention that some parts of the country have a lot more activities than others.
The best time to vacation in Costa Rica is during the dry season, from December through April. This is when the weather is most comfortable and the scenery is at its most beautiful. From May to November, it can rain almost every day and there’s a lot more humidity. However, if you’re into water sports like surfing or snorkeling, this is a great time of year because there are fewer crowds on the beaches.
If you’re looking for the best time to vacation in Costa Rica, you’ll be happy to know that the country has a year-round warm climate. The best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from late December through April. This period offers more reliable weather and fewer crowds than other times of year.
The rainiest months are May through November, so if you want to avoid getting wet, plan your trip during those months. If you’re looking for a bit of adventure, try visiting during the rainy season—you might get lucky and see some wildlife!
The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. We’d also recommend traveling in the country’s green season, from May to June or in November. This is when you catch the seasons in transition, and the national parks are quieter.
Costa Rica’s wildlife is hard to rival and a key attraction of the country, as long as you miss September and October’s heavier rainfall. It’s a tropical country, so you should be prepared for rain at any time of year, even in the dry season. It’s this rainfall that makes Costa Rica so lush and beautiful.
Average temperatures are consistent across the year, with highs between 74°F and 79°F, and lows between 59°F and 63°F.
May is a wonderful month to visit Costa Rica. Although there is some rainfall, it is rare for this to persist all day and I have enjoyed plenty of wildlife spotting and beach relaxation at this time of year. Clouds move quicker than at the start of the year, increasing your chances of spotting the Arenal Volcano’s perfect cone. Airfares are also lower, making your money go much further in May and June.
Nik, Latin America & Europe Specialist
Month-by-month guide for traveling in Costa Rica
JAN – APR MAY – JUN JUL – AUG SEP – OCT NOV – DEC
Visiting Costa Rica in May – June
The official start of Costa Rica’s ‘green season’. While rainfall does indeed become more frequent, this is still interspersed with plenty of warm sunshine; particularly in the Central Valley, Caribbean Coast and Northern Pacific. National parks are quieter, so you can spend longer periods observing the wildlife without interruptions. Surfers will also enjoy this time of year, with increasing swells on the country’s best surfing beaches.
Costa Rica Climate Guide
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arenal Volcano | 82°F11″ | 84°F7″ | 86°F5″ | 86°F5″ | 84°F11″ | 82°F17″ | 82°F21″ | 82°F20″ | 82°F17″ | 81°F19″ | 81°F16″ | 81°F15″ |
| Corcovado & Osa Peninsula | 90°F3″ | 91°F2″ | 93°F6″ | 93°F9″ | 90°F17″ | 88°F19″ | 90°F19″ | 88°F24″ | 88°F28″ | 86°F32″ | 86°F24″ | 88°F9″ |
| Dominical | 90°F3″ | 90°F1″ | 93°F3″ | 91°F7″ | 90°F15″ | 88°F16″ | 90°F15″ | 88°F18″ | 88°F19″ | 88°F24″ | 86°F14″ | 88°F5″ |
| Manuel Antonio | 90°F2″ | 91°F1″ | 93°F2″ | 93°F7″ | 91°F16″ | 90°F17″ | 90°F17″ | 90°F19″ | 88°F21″ | 88°F25″ | 86°F15″ | 88°F6″ |
| San José & Central Valley | 75°F0″ | 77°F0″ | 79°F1″ | 79°F2″ | 79°F9″ | 77°F11″ | 77°F8″ | 77°F10″ | 77°F14″ | 77°F13″ | 75°F6″ | 75°F2″ |
| Tamarindo | 90°F0″ | 91°F0″ | 95°F0″ | 95°F1″ | 91°F9″ | 88°F10″ | 90°F6″ | 90°F8″ | 88°F12″ | 88°F12″ | 88°F4″ | 90°F0″ |
| Tortuguero & the Caribbean Coast | 86°F15″ | 86°F9″ | 90°F7″ | 90°F10″ | 88°F12″ | 88°F14″ | 86°F21″ | 86°F16″ | 86°F10″ | 86°F13″ | 84°F22″ | 84°F22″ |
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