However, some, Read More The Top Five Ski Resorts in CaliforniaContinue, Many people who visit Cape Cod do so to enjoy the outdoors. millions of different wildlife and plant species, Best Time to Visit Hawaii | When to Go & Travel Tips, The 15 Best Hotels in Hawaii in 2023 | For All Budgets, The 15 Best Places to Visit in Hawaii in 2023, Is Hawaii Safe to Visit in 2023? The worst months are May through October because of a much higher risk. Though not common, there are reported cases of rapes, assaults, and robberies at different beaches. No wonder July and August are highly regarded as the best time to visit Costa Rica by travel agencies and experienced travelers in the know! Located along the Pacific Coast, the park has light sand beaches, ancient rainforests, coral reefs, and clear water. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. There is a very slight dip in August in the amount of rain compared to July, with about 6 inches of rain falling during the month. The dry season is also the high season as many snow birds make their escape to the tropics, and there is less rainfall. In this article, I'll be talking about the worst time to visit Costa Rica, as well as providing some tips for making the most of your trip even during less-than-ideal weather conditions. With annual tourism at its lowest point, the prices for airfare, hotels, and rentals plummet and you can score the cheapest Costa Rican vacation. In April, this beautiful area experiences morning sunshine and afternoon light rain. Due to its proximity to the equator, Costa Rica is categorized as a tropical country without a definite winter season. In the tropical dry forests, the beginning of the dry season will still have plenty of green scenery to display. Study up and see how you can optimize your Costa Rican getaway without breaking the bank: If you want an unforgettable tropical vacation, Costa Rica is one of the best destinations. Despite its average economy, there is plenty you can enjoy. 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 Caribbean Coast is generally hot, humid, and rainy year-round, with a short break in September and October. Wildlife watching:loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. Although Costa Rica is frequently considered a warm country, there are a few locations where it could become a bit cold or freezing by Costa Rican standards. Flying is significantly more affordable from May to November than during the dry season since the demand is way lower. Costa Rica is still in the rainy season, and it is one of the wettest months of the year. November is a bit of a bridge month, when the rain has slowed down, and the crowds begin to trickle in. Limon temperatures are not a factor because they remain steady. Read on to find out the best time to visit Costa Rica by season and region. The next best time to visit Limon is during September and October, when the average rainfall is six and eight inches a month. Wildlife watching:Antarctic humpback whales; loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. However, at this time, you should avoid Drake Bay, Corcovado, because the rains arrive early. Expect it to be warm and humid. Rainy days and cloudy skies continue throughout the country. Best time to beat the crowds with an average 39% drop in price. While the days are still warm, nighttime temperatures can drop to -20C, and some tours have pre-dawn starts. $264. Tie in a neighbour. Costa Rica is a lot more expensive than it's neighbouring countries. This is when temperatures peak between 84 degrees Fahrenheit to 87 degrees Fahrenheit and rain stays to a minimum. Suppose you want to travel to any isolated or rural areas. 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. Technically, July and August are part of the rainy season too, but is often considered mini summer because the rain is a little bit lower during these months, especially in the central parts of the country. It really depends on what your travel goals and priorities are. Rainy season in Costa Rica is generally beginning of May to end of November. The best time to visit Costa Rica depends a lot on what you want to do. Wildlife watching:Antarctic humpback whales; green, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast, Related Article: 10 Costa Rica Rainy Season Travel Perks. Otherwise, take any bus to Tilarn and . Travellers Worldwide is reader-supported. Average rainfall is less than one inch from January through March and only a little more than an inch in April and December. Source: Wikimedia (Creative Commons license), The Puntarenas monthly weather shows some important differences from Limon. And the only tradeoff is a little short-lived rainfall during your stay! What Is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica? The worst time to visit Costa Rica. Simply opting to travel a few days before or after peak times can make a difference in crowd size and cost. For those who love waterfall hiking, then here is your solution. While theres really not a bad time to go to Costa Rica, the worst time to plan your first visit is during late December through January. Costa Rica September. This period is during the low season, so youll deal with fewer tourists and may feel like youve got the place to yourself. Visiting Costa Rica during the rainy season Costa Rica during the rainy season is still a beautiful time to visit. As seen above, the local communities in different attraction sites are very helpful. The best months during this dry season are November through April because of a lower risk of rain. The greenery is very lush and abundant, and waterfalls are at their maximum flow. The start of green season in May is a much needed cool off from the intense heat of the dry season. Costa Rica has one of the most beautiful beaches, which you can relax on when the Winter is over. 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. You have an added advantage if you speak English and Spanish because those are the official and dominant languages. The beginning of January is a peak travel season in Costa Rica, as crowds from the Christmas and New Year holidays linger. DID YOU KNOW: Its not uncommon for Costa Rica to run out of rental cars during the high season which is January. The rains can cause widespread flooding and mudslides making travel difficult and dangerous. One of the advantages of visiting . Everything begins to look much more green as the rain brings the rainforest to life. The Limon cruise port on the east coast has two windows of time when the rain lets up a bit. Beautiful water bodies surround it. While weather is the primary factor, other considerations include an increase in crowded beaches and resorts as well as higher prices. 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). Those same two months are the worst months of the year for visiting the rest of the Caribbean because of the annual hurricane season. It is best to keep a raincoat close at all times. These months have little to no rain in most of the country. But you should know that this period is also the height of the Costa Rican rainy season. As the month goes on, the drier and sunnier it will become, with about 40-50% of the days in November being sunny by the end of the month. Costa Rica is driest and sunniest late December-April, but clouds lift . Parque Nacional Volcn Arenal. Let's have a look at them. If you enjoy the snow, low crowds, and value season pricing, January and February are the best . Comparatively, if you have been to the state of West Virginia, then expect a country that is slightly smaller than it. The weather is generally good, and hotel prices low. Caving, zip lining, aerial tours, and jungle exploration are all great ways to get out and explore the beauty of Costa Rica. Because of its location close to the equator, the climate in Costa Rica is tropical. So youll also save a lot of money if you plan your visit during this time of year! 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. 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 . You're not guaranteed tomorrow, and, often times, you can buy an international plane ticket for less than a domestic one. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 73 F. There are less than 3 days of rain, with less than an inch of rain falling. The few available hotels are usually aware that in some parts, hotels have closed, so they take advantage of the situation and hike prices. IMPORTANT NOTE: For each of these 3 regions, you will find representative averages for what you might expect. What Species of Monkeys Are in Costa Rica and Where to See Them? Around 75% of the country's 6,000,000 people live on less than $2 per day, well below the poverty line of most countries. The temperature in Costa Rica. . Undoubtedly, the best weather is in January and February, when Costa Rica is still early in the dry season, and the skies are clear and rain is very low. Costa Ricas warm, tropical climate is one reason tourists flock to the country during the peak season. The forest has the great Sky Trek zip line, which you can take advantage of. Learn how your comment data is processed. The beginning of December is less-crowded, with difficult to predict weather. If you are visiting the country, take note of the times we have given you and avoid the places we have warned you. 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. Costa Rica ranks top among the nations with the happiest people in the world. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Some hotels increase their prices in these months. Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! The country is, without a doubt, among the best Central American countries to visit. In December, the temperatures range from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. Rainy days and cloudy skies continue throughout the country. But if beach crowds are more the issue, then the low tourist season of June . Considered a very peaceful country, it hasn't had an army since 1949 and is one of the safest countries in Central America. November is the transition month from rainy to dry season. At this time, the weather is dry and bright. Costa Rica during the rainy season is still a beautiful time to visit. In Guanacaste, the most arid region of the country, the foliage begins to turn golden. Weather in the popular capital of San Jos has more in common with Puntarenas than Limon. I spent the first half of this year living in Nosara, Costa . This Central American nation located between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts is endowed with wild rainforests, spectacular national parks, roaring waterfalls, and other natural wonders. Now for the monthly breakdown. You can see sea turtles at different times throughout the year, but the most famous spot to see them is in Tortuguero National Park on the north Caribbean coast, and July-October is the best time to see them nesting here. But look out for the rest of the year. Youll learn the best time to visit Costa Rica and the worst time to plan your visit in this quick travel guide. If budget is your main concern, youll want to visit Costa Rica sometime between September and mid-December (the low season). (Though, it's less likely to happen as the volcano has been dormant since 2010). There is generally a spike in tourist traffic over Easter and the week leading up to it. Join 19k+ subscribers in receiving FREE travel advice, news & promotions! In this post, we'll cover the best (and worst) time to visit Costa Rica based on weather, peak travel times, cost, and more. There truly is never a bad bad time to visit Costa Rica; however, May is the worst month to visit, as the rain is fairly high, and you dont have the added benefits of good surfing conditions or turtle or whale watching season. As stated in our introduction, Costa Rica is a democratic country whose president and two deputies are elected through a popular initiative. Some are harmful to your health, while others risk your security. The Most Affordable Time to Visit Costa Rica. 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. Its simple with our helpful travel tips! At the end of April, rain begins to fall in the Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Dominical, and Uvita), which regulates the temperatures there. 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. Authentic specialties like casado, gallo pinto, sopa negra, and more await your taste buds when you dive into the real Costa Rica off the beaten path. The worst months are May through October because of a much higher risk. Monthly Rainfall & Temperature Averagesfor 1960-1990, For a general idea of monthly weather conditions, The World Bank Group has a great tool that shows the average monthly rainfall and temperature in Costa Rica over 20-30 year periods. They're also most crowded. 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. Not a day goes by for me without planning new adventures and looking for some scenic spots. No one is tired of receiving Christmas gifts, you can give your sons one of the most memorable gifts you ever have, and here they call it the Nino Dios Moment. Travel Tips. The light rains during July and August are nothing compared to the deluges common in September through December. Youll see sloths, monkeys, humpback whales, sea turtles, and migratory birds in abundance in November and December sounds like an ideal vacation! , 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! Good deal one-way. Costa Rica for solo travellers. Youve got the highly-developed Pacific coast on the western side and the more-affordable, culturally-driven Caribbean coast on the eastern side. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. It is the period of heavy rainfall though being a tropical country, about of the skies pouring can be expected anytime. The dry season lasts from December to April, and the rainy season lasts from May to November. Keep in mind that as you move through different altitudes and regions, the climate can change in minutes. The Nation has an estimated population of almost 5 million. Thinking of planning your trip somewhere tropical and not quite settled on Costa Rica? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. are many perks of traveling in rainy season, Where to Find Black Sand Beaches in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Experts Wins 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award, Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Month by Month, 8 Costa Rica Natural Mysteries You Have to See to Believe, 10 Top Costa Rica Honeymoon Bungalows & Suites, 3 Costa Rica Hotels Made The Travel & Leisure Top 100 in the World List, Costa Rica Expert Interview with Aaron Daker: top destinations, new hotels, & best months to travel. The hottest weather, however, can be found a little further south along the coast, particularly on the Nicoya peninsulas Southeast and Northwest edges. Costa Rica is a place that almost everyone has on their list of places to visit. We enter peak season for travel at the end of December around the holidays. Click here to learn how to make the most out of your trip. The most interesting feature of the Costa Ricans is their happiness. May is a bit of a transitionmonth, in which the rain picks up, but not quiteat the rate oflater greenseason months. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The tradeoff is that there are higher numbers of tourists, and prices on hotels are higher (and they also fill up faster). One thing is for sure, though, your vacation in Costa Rica will be an incredible experience youll never forget! Heavy rain, mostly in the afternoons, and sporadic showers are likely from May to November, with September and October having the heaviest rainfall. 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. The best time to visit Turks and Caicos is between April through June. Rains typically pass quickly at this time of year, delivering much-needed hydration to the lush jungles and rain forests without sticking around long enough to make your beach trip a waste. 10. Due to such expectations, we shall start by looking at when you should enjoy Costa Rica to the fullest. 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 three worst months of the year to visit Limon are July, November and especially December. The mountain areas are constantly receiving rains and unpredictable weather changes this month, and you are highly discouraged from having outdoor camping this month. 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 rainy season does not mean that it rains nonstop . 5. Many report that November and early December are the best times to go on a budget. All said and done; we hope that you shall enjoy your stay in Costa Rica. South Pacific | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Tourism Official website Skip to main content