Costa Rica’s tropical climate has two seasons—rainy and dry season. This means that while Costa Rica is always warm, some months of the year are cloudy and receive daily showers or even thunderstorms. The other half of the year gets beautiful, sunny days, with 0% chance of rain!
Generally, Costa Rica’s rainy season (also known at the wet season) runs from May to November. The dry season runs from December to April. While this is the general rule, different regions of Costa Rica have different rainy seasons.
In this post, I’ll break down the best time to go to Costa Rica, depending on your destination!
Guanacaste 🏖️
As the hottest and driest province of Costa Rica, Guanacaste is the land of endless summer days. This makes it a great destination, all year long! It has the shortest rainy season in the country and the temperatures are higher year-round.
Guanacaste may be the safest bet if you are coming during the rainy season. The mornings are usually sunny until about 1pm. However, in the afternoon, you can expect heavy rain, or even a thunderstorm. Usually, by about 5pm the rain will clear, revealing an unforgettable sunset. My favorite sunsets are during the rainy season, as the clouds scatter the light to reveal many beautiful colors.
Despite the wet weather, if you come prepared, the rainy season can be a beautiful time to visit. The usually dry, desert-like landscapes of Guanacaste become alive, transforming into lush, green mountains.
What is Guanacaste like?
Guanacaste offers the best of both worlds, with stunning natural attractions and upscale restaurants, hotels, and resorts. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a luxury traveler, you’ll find plenty of unforgettable experiences to enjoy.
The beaches here are reminiscent of the California coast. They are surrounded by mountains. You will see more desert-like vegetation, as Guanacaste is quite arid during the dry season (December to April).
Wondering where to stay in Guanacaste? Check out Playas del Coco and Potrero.
The Green Season 💚 The best time to visit Guanacaste
The months immediately following the rainy season, December and January, are known as the Green Season. It is one of the best times to visit Guanacaste! You will get to enjoy sunny days, but you will also experience Guanacaste at its greenest. Green mountains and hills can be seen in any direction, as the jungles come alive.
Central Costa Rica 🌋
When you think of Costa Rica, with the rainforests, volcanoes, toucans, and sloths, you are thinking of the tourist destinations in the middle of the country. Here you can find world renown places like La Fortuna with Volcano Arenal, the cloud forest in Monteverde, the beautiful beaches and national park in Manuel Antonio, waterfalls like Rio Celeste and Nauyaca, and more!
When is the best time to visit destinations like Monteverde and Arenal?
This area of Costa Rica stays pretty true to the months mentioned above. The dry season takes places from December to April, when you can enjoy hot, sunny days, without a cloud in the sky! Planning is easy, because you are guaranteed nice weather. December to April is a wonderful time to hit the Pacific beaches, before you experience the volcano and hot springs in La Fortuna or go hiking in the Monteverde cloud forest. The best time to visit Manuel Antonio is from December to April.
The wet seasons runs from May to November. You can expect cloudy days, and frequent afternoon downpours. You may experience the occasional week with some flooding in the street (that quickly dissipates). While there are not too many activities to enjoy the rain, an escape to a cabina in the mountains is still a relaxing getaway. Imagine listening to the rain hit the tin roof, as you sip a hot cup of coffee and gaze at the tropical trees and flowers of the Costa Rican rainforest! If you are looking for a laidback vacation, don’t rule out La Fortuna or Monteverde during the rainy season.
Caribbean 🥥
The southeast coast of Costa Rica is where the beach and the jungle meets. The Caribbean coast is known for its powdery, white-sand beaches and calm, crystal-clear water,
The climate here is different from the rest of the country and, at times, unpredictable. Generally, when the rest of Costa Rica is in the rainy season, the Caribbean is dry! The Caribbean’s dry season runs from February to April and August to October. If you’re coming during these months, Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, and Manzanillo are great destinations!
What is the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica like?
If you are looking to experience the pristine beaches and unique culture of the Caribbean, you will want to head to the province of Limon. It is reminiscent of Jamaica, with a laidback, rasta feel. The food here is also different from the rest of Costa Rica, as almost everything is cooked in coconut milk!
The most popular places to stay in the Caribbean are Cahuita and Puerto Viejo as they are centrally located to the attractions in the area, with plenty of restaurants and places to stay. Here you can find two different national parks and gorgeous beaches like Punta Uva and Cocles Beach. The best time to visit Puerto Viejo is during the dry season, which runs from February to April and August to October.
South Pacific 🐆
The South Pacific is home to the most biodiverse area of Costa Rica, Osa Peninsula. In fact, this peninsula accounts for 5% of the world’s biodiversity. This is due to the heavy rainfall that this region experiences throughout the year. However, the South Pacific still has a dry season, from December to April.
The best time to visit the Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez is from the middle of December to the middle of April as there is the lowest chance of rain. During these months you can expect sunny days, clear trails, and accessible roads in the area! This is the perfect time to spot the abundant wildlife like danta, macaws, green parrots, sloths, dolphins, and more!
The rainiest months are October and November. The wet season begins around April 15th and lasts until December 15th. These months are known for the abundant rainfall and sticky, humid climate. However, if you’re looking to see whales, the best time to spot these gentle giants is from July to early October.
➡️ Cut and dry, here’s the best time to visit each region of Costa Rica:
Guanacaste – December to April, with the beautiful green season taking place in December and January
Central Costa Rica – December to April
Caribbean (Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo/Punta Uva) – February to April and August to October
South Pacific (Peninsula de Osa/Drake Bay) – Mid December to mid April
As you can see, December and January is a great time of year to visit Costa Rica, as it is the dry season in just about every region!
Final Thoughts on the Best Time to Go to Costa Rica based on the weather
Costa Rica is a destination worth visiting any time of the year. While the wet season (May to November) is known for its heavy rainfall, this can still make for a relaxing getaway with dry mornings. The days can be a bit humid, but bearable.
The dry season (December to April) is inarguably the better time to visit Costa Rica, as you have the entire day to enjoy your chosen activities. The weather is predictable and pleasant.
Different regions of Costa Rica can have different rainy seasons. The Caribbean, where we find Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, and the South Pacific, like in the Osa Peninsula, have their own climate. This requires more careful planning, as they receive heavy rainfall throughout the year. The Caribbean can a great destination if you can only come during the country’s typical rainy season.
Guanacaste is Costa Rica’s driest province and one of the best places to visit if you are coming during the rainy season, if you are not interested in visiting the Caribbean.
Looking for true freedom when exploring Costa Rica? Enjoy 10% off your car rental with Costa Rica’s most trustworthy company.
About Costa Tica Travel
