Weather in Costa Rica
Costa Rica enjoys a beautiful tropical climate with mild, pleasant temperatures year-round, however, this can change depending on different regions and elevations across the country. For instance, coastal areas such as Dominical and Puerto Limon are more likely to experience higher humidity levels and temperatures than alpine areas such as San Jose (the country's capital) and Monteverde.
Due to its varied geography, it's possible to find almost any weather phenomenon in Costa Rica (apart from snow) so it's best to stay updated with weather forecasts before and during your trip.
The climate in the coastal regions
Both coastal regions (Pacific and Caribbean coasts) in Costa Rica follow a typical tropical climate in that temperatures remain relatively high throughout the entire year, and by high, we mean 30°C+. During the rainy/wet season (which starts in May and goes until October), heavy rainfall is expected at some point every single day so keep that in mind when planning out your itinerary if you're travelling in these months.
Travelling during the dry season brings 30°C-40°C temperatures so you need to make sure you're always properly protected against the sun's UV rays every time you go outside as the index often exceeds 12 (extremely high). You can also expect little to no rainfall during these months which is one of the main reasons why the dry season sees thousands of travellers flock to the country's coastal regions for a tropical getaway.
The climate in the mountainous regions
The mountainous regions in Costa Rica can create dramatic changes in the country's usual tropical climate with the peaks and valleys trapping weather phenomena at a variety of altitudes. This can result in several microclimates that all experience slightly different weather patterns, however, as a general rule, the higher you are, the colder and wetter the temperature gets so keep that in mind if you're planning on visiting any high-altitude destinations.
When is the rainy season in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica's weather patterns are divided into two seasons, the rainy and dry seasons, with the latter being the optimal time to travel to the holiday destination. This is largely due to Costa Rica's location between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and its proximity to both the equator and the Tropic of Cancer. The dry season (peak season) is from December to April while the rainy\wet season is from May until October.
While you can travel to Costa Rica during the rainy/wet season, the frequent and often prolonged rainfall may restrict what kind of holiday you have with various activities deemed unsafe during this time such as visiting some national parks and participating in some water-based activities. Some attractions might also be closed during this season so prepare to be flexible with your holiday itinerary.
However, it's still possible to have an enjoyable holiday during the rainy/wet season with most mornings starting off sunny and clear. Temperatures are also at their lowest in November and January so travelling during these months offers a slight respite from the all-consuming heat of the peak season, along with lowered accommodation prices and fewer crowds in popular destinations.
Average temperatures in Costa Rica
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
March to May |
27°C |
20°C |
June to August |
27°C |
20°C |
September to November |
26°C |
20°C |
December to February |
26°C |
19°C |
Read about what to pack for a trip to Costa Rica
Read more about Central America
May 19, 2023
The best thing about a family tour?...
'On the first day, the eight children pronounced themselves best friends and...
Jul 12, 2023
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
From sipping schnapps in Sweden to tracking endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda...
Sep 08, 2022
The top 7 destinations for travel in...
From the jungles of Central America to the beaches of South East Asia, here's...
Jun 22, 2023
Costa Rica or Mexico: Which country...
So you've settled on Central America...now what?
Jun 16, 2023
Machu Picchu or Chichen Itza? Which...
So little time and so many ancient ruins to discover...
Aug 29, 2022
Finding Mexico’s hidden gems on a...
Writer, activist, founder of Fat Girls Traveling and friend of Intrepid Annette...
Sep 07, 2022
Travel is back and we just dropped 10...
After two-and-a-bit years of lockdowns, border closures and travel plans being put...
Feb 16, 2023
How to connect with Costa Rica’s...
Terraba elder Eulalia shares her experiences of living in one of Costa Rica's...
Dec 31, 2022
23 new travel experiences for 2023
It’s a new year, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for another adventure!
Feb 28, 2018
7 unmissable experiences to have in...
With beaches, jungle and wildlife galore, Costa Rica is full of beautiful things...
Aug 29, 2018
Active adventurer? Here’s why you...
Love any al fresco adventure that really gets your heart thumping? Then it's time...
Sep 02, 2022
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
Whether you’ve always wanted to get off the beaten track in Romania, watch the...
Oct 08, 2022
Costa Rica or Guatemala? The Central...
Eenie, meenie, miny, mo, where in Central America should go?
Feb 23, 2017
Meet the Leaders: Judy, Bahamas...
This week we're proud to introduce our very first female sailing skipper, Judy....
Feb 03, 2018
Step aside Chichen Itza: 6 other Maya...
Yes, there's incredible ruins in nearby nations such as Guatemala, Belize and...
Mar 05, 2018
What it’s like on a Cuba tour (from...
When I was given the opportunity to go on a small group adventure to Cuba with...
May 31, 2018
6 essential spots you don’t want to...
From vintage cars to hand-rolled cigars, Cuba is a country with many facets to...
Jan 21, 2020
Kid’s-eye view: what to expect on a...
"In the time we spent in Costa Rica, I saw my kids grow and discover things about...
Jul 24, 2018
30 photos that will inspire you to...
Starting in Antigua, Guatemala and finishing in San Jose, Costa Rica, the trip...
Dec 19, 2017
7 facts you probably don’t know about...
You probably know that Costa Rica is an ecotourism and adventure travel paradise,...
Nov 18, 2017
Costa Rica in one week: The ultimate...
It’s not hard to fall in love with Costa Rica’s relaxed Pura Vida philosophy. It’s...
Sep 27, 2017
10 of the coolest things to do in...
Phosphorescent lagoons, dancehall parties, spicy street food...is this love? Here...
Aug 06, 2018
How to avoid scams and Havana bad...
“Perdón, but where are you going? Can I help?” A voice called out to us from...