The Weather and Climate in Costa Rica - TripSavvy Costa Rica, the land of Pura Vida ("pure life"), was declared the most environmentally advanced and happiest place on earth in 2016. The dry season runs from December through April and the rainy season goes from May through November, which coincides with the Pacific hurricane season. Knowing when to go can make a difference for cruise visitors who want to explore one of the most popular and wettest ecotourism destinations in the Western Hemisphere. They have an amazing way of doing flowers. But be aware that your trip will be more expensive and a little less serene! As seen above, the local communities in different attraction sites are very helpful. Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. You should also plan ahead when booking accommodation facilities and activities to get a fair deal before the prices hike. While the days are still warm, nighttime temperatures can drop to -20C, and some tours have pre-dawn starts. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There are more than 500,000 animal species in the country, making it one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. You know the best time to visit Costa Rica, but making the most of your trip to Costa Rica means you need a little more info to plan your getaway. Costa Rica rarely experiences the direct impact of a hurricane on the Caribbean or Pacific coasts. View our Costa Rica safaris, or talk to one of our specialists for more details on travelling to Costa Rica. The chart above shows that Limon gets rain about 18 days a month on a fairly consistent basis throughout the year. Please note we recommend a budget of from 7,000 / $10,000 USD per person for our style of trip to this destination. Naturally, human beings wish to hear the good side of the story before the bad one. If you enjoy the snow, low crowds, and value season pricing, January and February are the best . Its even cheaper if you visit during the low season, September through mid-December (especially November and early December). In conclusion, the best time to visit Costa Rica depends on your preferences. This guide will help you make an informed decision about how to plan your adventure and know what to expect during your trip to Costa Rica, whether youre doing activities in La Fortuna or hanging out at the beach in Tamarindo! With that, hotel prices rise. There are direct flights from San Jose to Tamarindo that take about 1 hour, but keep in mind that you'll have to factor in time for checking in and going through security at the airport. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica - The Ultimate Guide So youll also save a lot of money if you plan your visit during this time of year! On a mission to witness the planet's beauty and diversity, he shares his experiences on this website through articles, videos, and photography, including interactive virtual tours. 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. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 79 F. There are 13 days with rain, receiving about 6 inches of rain total. The trade winds come in off the Caribbean Side of Costa Rica during the dry season and the strong prevailing wind pattern creates a rain shadow on the Pacific . This is partly the result of higher elevations. Top 5 Most Active Volcanoes to Visit in Costa Rica & What To Know About . Whereas the Nation is one of the most attractive in Central America, there are times you should avoid it as much as you can. Oh, and before we forget, December gives you another opportunity to see the extraordinary decorations by the Costa Ricans. 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. Rainy days and cloudy skies continue throughout the country. What is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica (And When To Go Instead). In Costa Rica will find plenty of exhilarating activities taking place in the greenest habitat and surrounded by exotic wildlife. The wet season is also an ideal time to spot humpback whales in the Osa Peninsula. If Easter falls in April, you can expect a spike in tourist traffic over the holiday. However, the rainy season isnt quite as severe as one might imagine, which is why the term green season has gained popularity instead of wet season because the countrys jungles, forests, and flowers use the rainfall to blossom and turn green.. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica | Bookmundi The next best time to visit Limon is during September and October, when the average rainfall is six and eight inches a month. It is in the nation's northern region and towers above the lush surroundings, where the best coffee globally is grown on plantations. Check my guide to visiting Irazu Volcano a perfect place to visit during Costa Ricas dry season. (avg. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2023 | Travellers The best person to decide when you should visit Costa Rica is you. Therefore, the chance that you shall get competitive services is so low. The average rainfall jumps to eight inches or more from May through October and reaches a high point of about 12 inches in September. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Beautiful Weather The transition months from dry to rainy are April and May. In this post, we'll cover the best (and worst) time to visit Costa Rica based on weather, peak travel times, cost, and more. Prices and crowds are at their peak, making this the most expensive and crowded time to visit. Truly, you can have a great time in this country any time of year. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. The rain brings out the best in Costa Ricas flora. Copyright 2023 The Discovery Nut | Privacy Policy, Best time to visit Costa Rica + When to Avoid A complete guide [2023], 7 Days In Costa Rica: How To Plan Your Itinerary, 22 Best Things To Do In Costa Rica in 2023. The beginning of December is less-crowded, with difficult to predict weather. April is a transitional month. They attract fewer visitors from the Limon cruise port because of distance. All rights reserved. We'll go over the best (and worst) times to visit Costa Rica based on weather, peak travel times, cost, and more in this article. When To Visit Japan: Best and Worst Times - Sightsee & Sushi 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. The hottest months of the year in Costa Rica are from February to April, with March or April typically having the highest daily temperatures. The best time to visit Costa Rica for surfing depends a little bit on what coast youre on. One destination on most everyones must-see travel list is tropical Costa Rica. It was founded in 1985 as a family passion and today, it is among worlds leading producers of, Read More The Five Finest Mangusta Yachts of All-TimeContinue, There is something for everyone at sprawling 222-room Hacienda Encantada in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They are more likely to experience an increase in total rainfall. Costa Rica is still in the rainy season, and it is one of the wettest months of the year. Costa Rica has a tropical climate. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 79 F. There are 15 days with rain, receiving about 6.5 inches of rain total. Another reason the wet season is not ideal is that some of the vital attractions sites in the country, such as national parks and beaches, may be closed or their operating hours shortened due to the wet weather; hence it limits the activities and time one gets to enjoy. You have an added advantage if you speak English and Spanish because those are the official and dominant languages. The dry season has plenty of sunshine, making it ideal for wildlife watching, beach lounging, and indulging in outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. But times change. Find out the best time to visit Costa Rica with details on climate, seasons and events from Audley specialists. Related Article: 6 Costa Rica Holiday Travel Tips. However, at this time, you should avoid Drake Bay, Corcovado, because the rains arrive early. It is so bad that hotels and businesses are closed on the South Pacific coast. Best time to beat the crowds with an average 39% drop in price. Instead, it has a dry season and a rainy season. Most popular time to fly with an average 27% increase in price. This is us in Tamarindo! April, Enjoy the Sunshine, the Wildlife, and the Samantha Week, May, Witness the Transition to Rainy Seasons, December, Take Advantage of the Holiday Celebrations, October, the Terrible Roads in Parks and Low Hotel Season, November, The Month with the Highest Number of Places You Should Avoid, The Best Places You Can Visit at Any Time in Costa Rica, Things to Avoid When You are in Costa Rica, The Five Finest Mangusta Yachts of All-Time, 10 Reasons Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences is the Perfect Group Getaway in Cabo, Mexico, The 20 Best Things to do in Tampere, Finland, How Ali Wong Achieved a Net Worth of $3 Million, Eight Reasons to go to French Polynesias Marquesas Islands, How Lisa Rinna Achieved a Net Worth of $10 Million, 20 Cities with The Worst Weather in Europe. The end of November marks the start of Costa Ricas busy season, as holidays and cold weather are a great excuse to escape. This is the peak tourism season, so prices are steep and crowds are deep. But you should know that this period is also the height of the Costa Rican rainy season. The most popular sport in Costa Rica is soccer, or Futbol, as they call it. Passports, electronics, money, and even sunglasses and shoes are easy targets and highly sought after by thieves. Have you been looking for a country to visit? Running from November through May, this is the best time to visit Costa Rica to enjoy the rugged landscapes, especially in the Highlands. Visiting Costa Rica during the rainy season Costa Rica during the rainy season is still a beautiful time to visit. In this section, were breaking down the climate in Costa Rica through all the months of the year. The dry season lasts from December to April, and the rainy season lasts from May to November. Weather in February continues to be sunny and dry. 4 Best (And Worst) Ways To Travel From San Jos To Tamarindo, Costa Rica Whether you book your trip during the best time to visit Costa Rica or during the worst, youre going to have an amazing tropical experience. There is an easy solution though. You shall witness unmatched street parades, bull runs, dancing, and rodeos. Best Rainy Season Activities. The Overmarine group is a shipyard and company that has always produced the Mangusta range of Yachts. Some hotels increase their prices in these months. Your opportunities for spotting wildlife are best in green season. In addition, in November, beach activities are very low, crowds are still not picking up early, and this denies the chance to learn more about the culture of the Costa Ricans. I'm happy that you landed on my page and hope to inspire your wanderlust and encourage you to get outside your comfort zone.