Best Time To Visit Costa Rica
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica? Thanks to its geographical diversity and varied climates, you can visit this popular vacation destination at any time of the year. But some months are wetter than others, and if you want to pack swimwear rather than raingear, you should plan your trip carefully.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand the Weather In Costa Rica, look at the advantages and disadvantages of travelling during the wet and dry seasons, and help you prepare for your holiday of a lifetime to one of the most sought-after destinations in Central America.
What Are The Best Months To Visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is an eco-friendly holiday hotspot that attracts over three million travellers, adventurers and nature lovers each year. It is a land of soaring volcanoes, verdant rainforests, sun-drenched beaches, incredible wildlife, and more bucket list activities than you could ever squeeze into one vacation.
But when is the best time to visit Costa Rica? Are some months better than others? The answer depends on you and what you are looking to get out of your trip.
Visiting Costa Rica During The Dry Season
If you are looking for sun, sea, and sand, the best time of year to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when temperatures are high, conditions are dry, and the only thing you have to worry about is ordering your next cocktail. Otherwise known as the dry season, it’s the perfect time of year for coastline adventures and wildlife viewing and ideal for those looking to escape colder climes in the US, Canada and Europe.
You may experience the odd tropical shower during the dry season in Costa Rica, but with 12 hours of sunshine a day, they provide welcome relief from the 30-degree heat and rarely last more than an hour or two.
Visiting Costa Rica during the dry season has many advantages, but you will not be alone. The glorious weather conditions attract droves of international visitors, resulting in higher flight and hotel prices during this peak travel time. If you want to evade the crowds, avoid January and February and stick to March and April instead. But beware, Costa Rica weather in March and April can be hot. Very hot! They are the hottest months of the year.
Visiting Costa Rica During the Wet Season
May sees the start of Costa Rica’s rainy or green season, which runs through until November. While you will experience more rainfall in May and June than in March and April, there is still plenty of sunshine around, particularly on the Caribbean and North Pacific Coasts, where both the beaches and the National Parks are much quieter than in peak travel months.
Temperatures remain toasty during Costa Rica’s green season, so you can still get out and about and enjoy hiking, biking, and zip-lining adventures if you don’t mind getting wet. Although, you may want to avoid the rainiest months of September and October when it can pour all day long.
July and August may be wet, but they are some of the best months for turtle-spotting in Costa Rica, especially in Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean Coast, where you could witness endangered green sea turtles nesting on the beach.
By November, the worst of the rains should be over in Costa Rica, and you can expect a mix of sunshine and showers. The country is lush, green and very Instagrammable at this time of the year, and if you are a keen photographer or wildlife enthusiast, it could be the best time to visit.
While the wet season is not for everyone, it has many advantages and is possibly the best time of year for surfing in Costa Rica. Between May and November, you can expect some seriously epic swells along the Pacific coastline and an endless supply of 4-foot-plus waves for you to surf all day long.
Weather In Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s climate is as diverse as its landscapes, and no two months are the same. The best time to visit Costa Rica for wildlife may not be the best time to scale Volcanos or soar through the skies on suspension bridges, so it’s about creating your wish list and planning around it.
So that brings us back to our original question. When is the best time to visit Costa Rica? The answer is simple – it’s today!