Best time to visit Costa Rica
Costa Rica has its best weather in January to March. Peak season is December to April.
Costa Rica weather by month
Average daily high and low, rainy days (1 mm or more) and hours of sunshine per day, 2015 to 2024.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rain days | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 77°F | 61°F | 1.9 in | 8 | 10.7 h |
| February | 79°F | 61°F | 1.4 in | 6 | 11.3 h |
| March | 80°F | 62°F | 1.3 in | 8 | 11.2 h |
| April | 80°F | 62°F | 4.5 in | 17 | 10.4 h |
| May | 78°F | 63°F | 15 in | 27 | 8.5 h |
| June | 76°F | 63°F | 14.3 in | 28 | 8.1 h |
| July | 76°F | 63°F | 12.1 in | 24 | 8.3 h |
| August | 77°F | 63°F | 15 in | 27 | 8.5 h |
| September | 77°F | 62°F | 16.7 in | 29 | 8.2 h |
| October | 75°F | 62°F | 21.1 in | 29 | 7.8 h |
| November | 75°F | 62°F | 13.5 in | 25 | 8.1 h |
| December | 76°F | 62°F | 3.5 in | 13 | 10.1 h |
Costa Rica month by month
Costa Rica in January
Highs around 77°F, lows near 61°F. About 8 rainy days and 10.7 h of sunshine a day.
Best weatherPeak seasonCosta Rica in February
Highs around 79°F, lows near 61°F. About 6 rainy days and 11.3 h of sunshine a day.
Best weatherPeak seasonCosta Rica in March
Highs around 80°F, lows near 62°F. About 8 rainy days and 11.2 h of sunshine a day.
Best weatherPeak seasonCosta Rica in April
Highs around 80°F, lows near 62°F. About 17 rainy days and 10.4 h of sunshine a day.
Good weatherPeak seasonCosta Rica in May
Highs around 78°F, lows near 63°F. About 27 rainy days and 8.5 h of sunshine a day.
Hardest monthCosta Rica in June
Highs around 76°F, lows near 63°F. About 28 rainy days and 8.1 h of sunshine a day.
Hardest monthCosta Rica in July
Highs around 76°F, lows near 63°F. About 24 rainy days and 8.3 h of sunshine a day.
Turtle nesting at Tortuguero · Guanacaste Day
Hardest monthCosta Rica in August
Highs around 77°F, lows near 63°F. About 27 rainy days and 8.5 h of sunshine a day.
Turtle nesting at Tortuguero
Hardest monthCosta Rica in September
Highs around 77°F, lows near 62°F. About 29 rainy days and 8.2 h of sunshine a day.
Caribbean coast dry spell · Green season rains · Independence Day
Hardest monthCosta Rica in October
Highs around 75°F, lows near 62°F. About 29 rainy days and 7.8 h of sunshine a day.
Caribbean coast dry spell · Green season rains · Carnaval del Limón
Hardest monthCosta Rica in November
Highs around 75°F, lows near 62°F. About 25 rainy days and 8.1 h of sunshine a day.
Hardest monthCosta Rica in December
Highs around 76°F, lows near 62°F. About 13 rainy days and 10.1 h of sunshine a day.
Good weatherPeak season
Seasons and events
- Jul and Aug
Turtle nesting at Tortuguero
July and August are peak months for turtle nesting viewings, with green turtles among the species in Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast.
Source: Visit Costa Rica (ICT) FAQ - Jul
Guanacaste Day
Observed on July 25, marking the annexation of Guanacaste in 1824.
Source: Visit Costa Rica (ICT) FAQ - Sep and Oct
Caribbean coast dry spell
The Caribbean side has a relatively dry period in September and October, while the Pacific side gets its heaviest rain. A good time for Puerto Viejo and Cahuita.
Source: Visit Costa Rica (ICT): Weather - Sep and Oct
Green season rainsWeather risk
September and October fall in the green season. October is one of the rainiest months, especially in the Pacific region, including Guanacaste.
Source: Visit Costa Rica (ICT) FAQ - Sep
Independence Day
Celebrated on September 15. On September 14 and 15, communities hold school band parades and lantern parades.
Source: Visit Costa Rica (ICT) FAQ - Oct
Carnaval del Limón
Held in the second full week of October in Limón, with costumes, float parades, and Afro-Caribbean music and dance.
Source: Visit Costa Rica (ICT) FAQ
Plan Costa Rica for January
Lay the trip out day by day in Waiz, on a timeline and a map, and plan it with friends in real time. Pro adds AI itineraries and the forecast for every day.
Questions about visiting Costa Rica
February scores highest for weather in San José, with highs around 79°F and about 6 rainy days. The best stretch of the year is January to March.
October is the wettest month in San José, with about 21.1 in of rain over 29 days. March is the driest, with about 1.3 in.
Peak season is December to April, according to Visit Costa Rica (ICT) FAQ. The best-weather months overlap with it, so book early.
March is the warmest month in San José, with average highs of 80°F. November is the coolest, at 75°F.
Climate figures are monthly averages of daily ERA5 reanalysis data for 2015 to 2024, retrieved from Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). The verdict scores each month on temperature, humidity, rain and daylight, and marks months with typhoons, hurricanes or monsoon rain down.
