When to go to Costa Rica
Sunshine, savings or solitude — here's how Costa Rica's two seasons work, month by month, so you can time your trip just right.
The best time to visit Costa Rica
Time your trip to the season that matches what you want most.
The best time to visit Costa Rica is the dry season, mid-December to April, for reliable sunshine. The green (rainy) season from May to November is lush, quieter and cheaper, with rain usually arriving in the afternoon. There's plenty of things to do in Costa Rica in either season.
Dry season vs. green season
Costa Rica has two seasons rather than four — and choosing between them shapes your whole trip.
Dry season (Dec–Apr)
This is peak season: sunny skies, the best conditions for beaches and wildlife, and the busiest, priciest time to travel. Book flights, hotels and tours well ahead, especially over the holidays and Easter week. February and March are the driest, most reliable months of the year.
Green season (May–Nov)
Expect afternoon showers, fewer crowds, lower prices and vivid, lush landscapes — mornings are usually clear enough to explore. September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific, though the Caribbean side is often drier and sunnier exactly then.
Costa Rica weather by month
A quick guide to what to expect each month. Patterns are general — weather varies by region and year.
| Month | Weather | Crowds / price | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Dry and sunny, pleasant trade winds. | High season, higher prices. | Beaches, wildlife, classic first trips. |
| February | One of the driest, most reliable months. | Peak season, book well ahead. | Guanacaste beaches, sunny itineraries. |
| March | Hot and very dry, especially the Pacific. | Peak season around spring break. | Surfing, diving, dry-forest wildlife. |
| April | Warm and mostly dry; rains return late month. | High early, easing toward month's end. | End-of-dry-season value, Easter festivities. |
| May | Green season begins; afternoon showers. | Crowds and prices drop. | Lush scenery, fewer tourists, good deals. |
| June | Mornings often clear, rain later in the day. | Low season; a brief 'veranillo' dry spell possible. | Whitewater rafting, waterfalls, savings. |
| July | Greener but with sunny breaks; whales arrive. | Mild mid-year bump for school holidays. | South Pacific whale watching, rivers. |
| August | Reliable afternoon rain, lush landscapes. | Low to moderate, good value. | Rainforest, wildlife, fewer crowds. |
| September | Wettest on the Pacific; Caribbean often drier. | Lowest crowds and prices of the year. | Caribbean coast, budget travel, surf. |
| October | Peak Pacific rain; Caribbean stays sunnier. | Very low season, best deals. | Puerto Viejo, turtle nesting, savings. |
| November | Rain eases; transition back toward dry. | Quiet early, building late month. | Green landscapes with returning sun. |
| December | Dry season returns by mid-month. | Prices spike around the holidays. | Festive beaches, start of high season. |
Weather isn't the same everywhere
Costa Rica's coasts and regions run on different schedules — where you go matters as much as when.
- The Caribbean coast (around Puerto Viejo) keeps its own rhythm and is often at its driest and sunniest in September and October — just as the Pacific gets its heaviest rain.
- Guanacaste in the northwest is the driest region overall, with the longest, most reliable dry season and the most sun-soaked beaches.
- Higher-elevation areas like Monteverde and the Central Valley stay cooler and greener year-round, with more cloud and mist than the coasts. Browse all the Costa Rica destinations to see how each region's climate differs.
Special seasons worth planning around
Some of Costa Rica's best experiences only happen at certain times of year.
Whale watching
Humpback whales gather off the South Pacific (near Uvita) roughly July–October and again December–March, making it one of the longest whale-watching seasons anywhere.
Turtle nesting
Sea turtles nest at different times depending on the species and coast — including the famous arribadas on the Pacific and green-turtle nesting on the Caribbean — so check your specific beach and dates.
Surf
Surf is consistent year-round, with bigger Pacific swells during the green season (May–November). The Caribbean's best waves tend to peak around the start of the year.
Best time to visit Costa Rica, answered
What is the best month to visit Costa Rica?+
February and March are widely considered the best months to visit Costa Rica. They fall in the heart of the dry season, deliver the most reliable sunshine — especially on the Pacific coast and in Guanacaste — and are ideal for beaches, surfing and wildlife. The trade-off is that these are peak months, so prices are higher and popular hotels and tours should be booked well in advance.
What is the rainy season in Costa Rica?+
The rainy season — locally called the green season — runs roughly from May to November. Rain typically falls in the afternoon and evening, leaving mornings clear, while the landscapes turn lush and green. September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific side. The Caribbean coast follows a different rhythm and is often at its driest and sunniest during September and October.
Is it worth visiting Costa Rica in the green/rainy season?+
Yes. The green season is a great time to visit if you don't mind afternoon showers. You get noticeably lower prices, fewer crowds, vivid green rainforests and full waterfalls, and mornings are usually dry enough for activities. It is also prime time for whitewater rafting and turtle nesting, and the Caribbean coast can be sunny just as the Pacific gets its heaviest rain.
When is the cheapest time to visit Costa Rica?+
The cheapest time to visit Costa Rica is the heart of the green season, especially September and October, when demand is lowest and hotels, flights and tours offer their best rates. May, June and August are also good value. Avoid the mid-December to early-January holiday window and the Easter week, when prices spike to their annual peak.
When can you see whales in Costa Rica?+
You can see humpback whales off Costa Rica's South Pacific coast — around the Marino Ballena National Park near Uvita — during two main windows: roughly July to October, when whales from the southern hemisphere arrive, and roughly December to March, when northern-hemisphere humpbacks pass through. The two seasons overlapping make the South Pacific one of the best whale-watching spots in the Americas.
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