Fast Facts
- Costa Rica’s dry season lasts from December-April
- The rainy (or "green") season lasts from May-November
- Winter (December - April) is the most popular time to visit
- The rainy season is great for Caribbean Coast visits and fewer crowds
When should you visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica’s geography ranges from rainforest-lined beaches to mid-elevation inland towns to mountains, and each come with their own day-to-day weather trends and temperatures. This regional weather variation isn't limited to elevation implications—it's also due to being flanked by both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. All that aside, the rainy and dry seasons are generally consistent throughout the country: winters are dry and summers are rainy. Learn more here about Costa Rica's distinct regions.
For this exact reason, the most popular time to visit is in the winter. A few considerations should be noted: first, Costa Rica's 12-hour days provide ample opportunity for the sun to shine through even when it's rainy. And, second, even the heat is tropical so high temperatures, heavy humidity, and intermittent cloudbursts are to be expected at any time of the year.
Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Whether you are traveling during the rainy season or dry season, the December holidays, or an annual festival, our local experts can help you craft the perfect trip for the season with their local expertise. Get in touch now
Dry Season Activities
There are nearly endless outdoor activities to keep one busy when traveling to Costa Rica, but here are just a few examples of popular haunts that might be best saved for the sunny season.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal hosts the vibrant blue-green La Fortuna Waterfall. It’s best to visit this beautiful spot in winter because the wet season’s persistent rains can muddle the clearness of this natural feature, detracting from what makes it such a popular destination. Read more about the park in our Ultimate Guide.
Poas Volcano National Park
Located in the Central Valley, hosts the largest active crater in the world. Working up a sweat on its many hiking trails might not pay off in the rainy season, as its breathtaking crater view is often obstructed by thick fog at that time. See more on the best active experiences in Costa Rica.
San José
San José is the biggest and most active city in the country. While its skyline isn't contoured with dozens of skyscrapers, it does play host to plenty of public parks, museums, churches, and an active nightlife scene. We all know that city sightseeing is simply more pleasant when the sun is shining. Here's more on exploring San José.
Learn more about visiting Costa Rica in January, February, and March.
Rainy Season Activities
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserves
There are several to choose from, so take your pick! Cloud forests tend to be rather damp, drippy places with a higher chance of rain anyway, so travelers should expect to experience hints of rain no matter the season. Read more in our Ultimate Guide.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a quiet beach town along the Caribbean coast, where you’ll find locals living with Afro-Caribbean culture. This is a good place to enjoy nightlife with a reggae or dancehall vibe. Puerto Viejo is one of the few Costa Rican destinations that typically remain sunny and dry during the rainy season. For more ideas and inspiration, read Best Things to Do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Turtle Nesting Season
The rain may ruin beach conditions for humans, but it won't stop the turtles, and the rainy season, from mid-July to mid-October is the best time to see mother turtles lay their eggs. Consider visiting Parque Nacional Tortuguero, on the northern Caribbean coast. Leatherback and green sea turtles also lay their eggs here at night.
Or visit the famous turtle sanctuary located in Guanacaste Province, just outside of the coastal hotspot Nosara. It's called the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, and it was established in 1983 to protect nesting sea turtles from poachers. The reserve's nine miles of beach is one of the few areas in the world where a dramatic natural event called an arribada ("arrival") occurs. From July to December (and most frequently in September-November), thousands of female olive ridley turtles crawl up on the beach to lay their eggs. They typically do this the night before the new moon, when the sky is darkest.
Hacienda Pozo Azul
Hacienda Pozo Azul, a 2,000-acre ranch just a couple of hours from San José, offers white water rafting and other adventures like horseback riding and canopy tours. Thrill-seekers might prefer to visit this area in the wet season, when the water levels are much higher, leading to a more exciting rafting ride.
Read more about the perks, activities, and things to consider when visiting Costa Rica in the green season. And learn more about visiting Costa Rica in June, July, August, September, and October.
Season vs. Price
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that greater bargains for flights, hotels, and activities can be found during Costa Rica’s wet months. While the lowest costs fall smack dab in the middle of the rainy season, travelers may still wish to arrange their itineraries in one of the sweet spots: when the country is in transition between seasons—late Fall (November) and Spring (April and May)—because those windows tend to provide the best chances of catching rain-quenched greenery, but with a lower chance of having to alter plans due to weather restrictions. Those willing to remain flexible and positive in their travels, knowing that trekking through rainfall means enjoying an authentic experience, will score the best pricing deals available. Find out more about the best time to visit Costa Rica here.
Overall Experience
We’d be remiss if we didn’t address a few of the most-asked questions about traveling to Costa Rica: How bad are the bugs? And how bad is the heat? As with most responses, the answer to these questions takes into account the season.
Mosquito bites and mosquito-borne illnesses are a valid concern, but the usual precautions are usually enough to fend off the pesky critters. Bringing bug repellent, wearing long pants and/or tall socks while hiking, and lodging in a place that has screens in the windows are all helpful tricks. Mosquitos are more prominent in the rainy months, so if you have major concerns, stick to visiting in the dry season.
As for the heat, remember you’re only about 10 degrees from the equator. So, if you’re traveling from a more temperate climate, the intensity of heat and the likeliness of sunburn is greater than what you’re used to. As with all travel, remaining diligent about hydrating and frequently reapplying sunblock make for a more enjoyable experience. Regardless of when you visit, check out our ultimate packing guide for Costa Rica so you don't forget any essentials!
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Looking for ideas for your trip?
If you are looking for some ideas or example itineraries, we have some great suggestions for you whether you are traveling for 7 days, 10 days, or 2 weeks.
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