Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: A Month-by-Month Guide

Home to nearly 30 national parks, stellar snorkeling, hiking, and birdwatching, plus a full calendar of cultural events, Costa Rica offers a wealth of reasons to visit. But when is the best time to visit Costa Rica? The answer largely depends on your personal preferences, the weather, and an understanding of the country’s two main seasons. 

 

Spanning mid-December through April, the country's dry—and therefore high—season is considered by many to be the best time to visit Costa Rica. But as you would expect, the sunny weather also brings higher prices and more travelers. 

 

Costa Rica’s wet season runs May through November, bringing much of the precipitation that feeds its famously lush, green rainforests and spectacular waterfalls. Although this time of year, which is also known as the green or low season, signals a rise in rainfall, it also means lower prices and less crowds.

 

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has long sailed the wild coastlines of Costa Rica on authentic small-ship voyages that bring travelers deeper into the region alongside local guides. With decades of experience, we have firsthand insight on how the country’s seasonal weather patterns can shape your visit, and this month-by-month guide will help make your trip the best it can be.   

 

Month-By-Month Guide for Traveling in Costa Rica  

 

Within Costa Rica’s two seasons, each month brings its own potential pros and cons. Consider the following as you make your travel plans.  

 

Visiting Costa Rica in December 

 

Mid-December kicks off Costa Rica’s dry season. Clear, sunny skies make for optimal beachgoing along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, along with sloth and spider monkey viewing in national parks. Keep in mind you will also encounter higher prices and more travelers, particularly around Christmas, when Costa Ricans also head out on holiday.    

 

Visiting Costa Rica in January 

 

With the heart of Costa Rica’s dry season now in full swing, pricing and traveler surges will typically stretch beyond New Year’s. If you're still hoping to visit in January, consider waiting until mid-month, when costs likely start to dip as crowds disperse and you can still make the most of the beautiful weather.  

 

 

Visiting Costa Rica in February 

 

February and March bring some of the driest months (read: sunniest days) along the Caribbean coast. But favorable weather, along with prime opportunities to view flora and fauna, continue throughout the country. Highlights include Costa Rica's national flower (a stunning purple orchid known as Guaria morada) blooming in the Central Valley and sea turtles nesting along the Pacific coast, especially in the Guanacaste region and on the Nicoya Peninsula. 

 

Visiting Costa Rica in March 

 

Look for leatherback turtles on Costa Rica’s Caribbean side and, on the Pacific side, humpback whales migrating north along Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste Province. March’s rising temperatures (average highs in Manuel Antonio and Corcovado national parks, for example, flirt with the low-90s) also coincide with an uptick in family travel from the U.S. during spring break. 

 

Visiting Costa Rica in April 

 

April sees a swell in local travelers during the Easter holiday and around Juan Santamaría Day, an annual celebration of one of Costa Rica’s most beloved national heroes. Mid-April also typically marks the end of the dry season—perfect timing for many of the country’s now-thirsty rivers and forests, particularly in drier areas such as Guanacaste. 

 

Visiting Costa Rica in May 

 

May ushers in the beginning of Costa Rica’s green season (running into November on the Pacific side and September on the Caribbean) with increased precipitation. Costs begin to drop, and the number of travelers starts to dip. More of a transition or shoulder season between the dry and wet seasons, typical days in May only see intermittent periods of rain mixed with stretches of sunshine.  

 

 

Visiting Costa Rica in June

 

With moderately cooling temps and, like June, fewer visitors than preceding months (yet still its share of sun), June also makes a great month to visit during the green season. Surfers will find rising waves along the Pacific and hikers in Arenal Volcano National Park have a better chance of spying the volcano’s cone without a cover of clouds thanks to more swiftly moving winds.  

  

Visiting Costa Rica in July 

 

Though technically part of Costa Rica’s low season, late June and early July signal the start of summer vacations in the U.S.—and therefore a rise in international visitors and pricing. Whale-watching season begins in Dominical, located along Costa Rica’s southwestern Pacific coast. On the Caribbean side, Atlantic sea turtles commence nesting in Tortuguero National Park. 

 

Visiting Costa Rica in August 

 

July and August bring a respite in rainfall along the Pacific coast relative to surrounding green-season months. Rain jackets are still recommended, but hiking though verdant forests and whale watching in locations like Papagayo Bay come with a lesser chance of getting wet. August also brings some of the Pacific coast’s best surfing. 

 

Visiting Costa Rica in September 

 

Costa Rica’s Caribbean side sees a return of dry months—and sun-soaked Atlantic beaches—in September and October. Meanwhile, these months bring some of the wettest stretches to the Pacific coast and interior parts of the country, where remote locations can be inaccessible due to heavy rainfall and flooding. September as well as October also brings masses of migratory birds—from endangered great green macaws to falcons, hawks and warblers. 

 

Visiting Costa Rica in October 

 

The peak of Costa Rica’s rainy season is not without its perks. Those who do not mind getting wet (hint: packing the right gear to keep you dry will go a long way!) will be rewarded with the largest waves to surf, the lowest number of travelers exploring the national parks, and the lowest fares for flights, tours and accommodations.  

 

Visiting Costa Rica in November 

 

November marks a transitional period bridging Costa Rica’s soon-to-subside green season with its soon-to-arrive dry season. November’s weather can be indecisive but count on a mix of clear and wet conditions (along with fewer travelers) that eventually makes way for the resumption of the country’s dry and high season in mid-December.     

 

 

Costa Rica Monthly Weather: Temperature and Rainfall 

 

As you can see in the chart below, month-to-month temps in Costa Rica tend to be consistent by destination but often vary region to region. Tamarindo on the Pacific coast can see temps in the low 90s, for instance, while the Central Valley remains in the 70s. Monthly rainfall varies more wildly across regions—and in each individual destination—throughout the year. It’s best to always double check weather reports for the specific stops on your itinerary before booking your trip.  

 

 

Best Months to Visit Costa Rica for Different Activities  

 

From setting off on a hike to hidden waterfalls to snorkeling with sea turtles to sampling locally grown coffees, Costa Rica boasts a wide range of appealing options. While the dry season tends to be best-suited for most outdoor activities, remember that the wet season brings its own benefits. Read on to see the best months to plan for your favorite activities.  

 

What’s the Best Month to Visit Costa Rica for Hiking?  

 

For optimal Costa Rica hiking conditions, it is generally best to hit the trails during the dry season. In the months immediately following the wet season, rainforests are likely to be at their most lush, and Costa Rica waterfalls at their most lavish. Traditionally drier, the green-season months of July, August and November also provide excellent times to trek on the Pacific side.

 

 

When to Visit Costa Rica for Birdwatching  

 

Any month is a great month to go birding in Costa Rica, considering its 850-plus bird species, including some 600 permanent residents. The dry season, however, brings the most visibility and least amount of time spent wiping off your binoculars or camera lenses. If spotting the resplendent quetzal tops your birding life list, plan to visit in March and April for the highest chance of seeing them in flight.  

 

Best Time for Snorkeling or Scuba Diving in Costa Rica 

 

For the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Costa Rica, it all comes down to which side you’re visiting. The calmest waters and clearest visibility along the Pacific coast occur during the dry season from mid-December to April. The Caribbean side typically offers the best conditions during its driest stretches in February and March, as well as during the wet-season months of September and October. 

 

When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Cruises?

 

Costa Rica’s dry season generally lends itself to more favorable cruising conditions, with calmer waters and a bigger window for sunshine while exploring on shore. While you can find cruises throughout the year, many companies including National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions tend to offer them from December through April. The country’s main cruise port on the Caribbean Sea is Puerto Limón. For a look at Costa Rica’s main cruise port on the Pacific, read our essential guide to Puerto Caldera.  

 

Best Months to Visit Costa Rica for Cultural Events  

 

Costa Rica hosts lively cultural events throughout the year and country. In January, for example, the town of Palmares celebrates Palmares Fiestas, featuring traditional dances and Tico food. In March, San José hosts the National Orchid Show. October’s Limón Carnival honors Afro-Caribbean heritage with Calypso music and Caribbean cuisine. Frailes’ Coffee Harvest Festival in November pairs coffee tastings with cultural activities.  

 

 

So, then: What is the best time to visit Costa Rica? With its proximity to the states, abundance of incredible wildlife, delicious cuisine, and myriad activities to do on land and at sea, the truth is any time can be a good time to visit. It just depends on your personal interests and which part of the country you have your eye on.  

 

Now that you have all the finer details about the two travel seasons and weather patterns, along with a more nuanced look at the month-to-month conditions and events, a better question would be: What is the best time for you to visit Costa Rica?!