Flight from San Jos to Billings. Oh, and before we forget, December gives you another opportunity to see the extraordinary decorations by the Costa Ricans. Good deal one-way. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. Rain falls about half of the days in November, and 6 inches falling during the course of the month. They are usually much cooler throughout the year than either Puntarenas or Limon. Destination Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec; Arenal Volcano: 28 . The beautiful flowering trees that flourish during this period, such as the Corteza Amarilla, which exhibits an amazing blaze of yellow blossoms under the scorching sun, will stand out among the dried leaves. The dry season is also the high season as many snow birds make their escape to the tropics, and there is less rainfall. At the end of April, rain begins to fall in the Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Dominical, and Uvita), which regulates the temperatures there. 'It's so expensive' were the words on fellow travellers lips. The weather is generally good, and hotel prices low. October through December are the worst months to visit Aruba. The rainy season in Costa Rica, which lasts from May to November, is usually considered the worst time to travel there since the rains frequently cause widespread flooding and mudslides, making travel activities hazardous and difficult. And the only tradeoff is a little short-lived rainfall during your stay! On the other hand, there is frequently very little rain from December to April, and there may be no rain in some places. Over 7 inches of rain (on average) will fall in October. For instance, due to its proximity to the Caribbean Sea, Tortuguero experiences hot and humid weather with occasional rainfall. On the Caribbean Coast, the average high is 85 F and the average low is 77 F. The area sees about 2 inches of rain, with an average of 4 rainy days per month. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. This is still squarely in the rainy season, with approximately half the days seeing rain and 6 inches of rain falling throughout the month. Wildlife watching: hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. That being said, March and April have the highest temperatures. Overall, the winter months (the driest months) and the summer months of July and August (which have a bit of a lull during the rainy season) are the best times to visit Costa Rica. They are more likely to experience an increase in total rainfall. Because Costa Rica has many different climate regions, well discuss the areas on the Caribbean Coast, the Pacific Coast, and the middle of the country. Julien is an exploration-minded, curiosity-driven traveler and blogger. Wildlife watching:Antarctic humpback whales; loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2023. Wildlife watching:loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. Whereas the Nation is one of the most attractive in Central America, there are times you should avoid it as much as you can. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The park is over 163 square miles, covering nearly half of the Osa Peninsula, yet remains one of the most remote regions of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is best visited between mid-December and April. There are two distinct seasons in Costa Rica. A dry season runs from December through April, and a rainy season runs from May through the end of November. Today, Tamperes old cotton mills have been turned into chic malls,, Read More The 20 Best Things to do in Tampere, FinlandContinue, Tahiti is one of those places where the nautical conditions are pretty much near perfect all year long. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 73 F. There are about 11 days of rain and 4 inches of rain falling during the month. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Costa Rica, the land of Pura Vida ("pure life"), was declared the most environmentally advanced and happiest place on earth in 2016. The hottest weather, however, can be found a little further south along the coast, particularly on the Nicoya peninsulas Southeast and Northwest edges. The worst time to visit Costa Rica is in September and October. This is the mini summer of Costa Rica. Many visitors spend an average of 7 days in Costa Rica. Our personal favorite time to go to Costa Rica is July and August when there's a bit more rain but even fewer visitors and slightly lower prices and of course it's great to travel during the secret dry season on the Caribbean in September and October In fact there's no bad time to go. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 90 F and average low is 72 F. This is a very dry month, with usually only a day of rain. Budget-wise, peak weeks that occur around Christmas and Easter are the worst times to visit Costa Rica. In Costa Rica will find plenty of exhilarating activities taking place in the greenest habitat and surrounded by exotic wildlife. Youve got the highly-developed Pacific coast on the western side and the more-affordable, culturally-driven Caribbean coast on the eastern side. Most elections are held in February. The event brings in more than 1500 musicians who will entertain you. It is also dry season in Costa Rica, when clear skies accommodate travelers. As Costa Rica has over 20 micro-climates, day and night time temperatures and the . While weather is the primary factor, other considerations include an increase in crowded beaches and resorts as well as higher prices. Check my guide to visiting Irazu Volcano a perfect place to visit during Costa Ricas dry season. You can expect to see drier weather as you head north, and wetter weather as you head south. The UNESCO world heritage listed the island as among the best-inhabited places for those who love nature. Dry Seasons February, March, April, August (2nd half), September, October These months are the driest of the year with occasional rain usually occurring at night or early in the morning. Unfortunately, one of the most common crimes in Costa Rica is theft. Although they're tightly packed into the waist of the Americas, each Central American nation boasts its own character, attractions and heritage. There are several things you should avoid doing when you are in Costa Rica. Surfing season on the Caribbean Coast is December to March. With fewer demand for airfare, accommodations, and rentals, prices are also cheaper during the low season. But they do give some guidelines on how to reduce the chance of running into bad weather. I have to say, it's true. Credit: Wikimedia (Creative Commons license). Truly, you can have a great time in this country any time of year. At elevations above sea level, often referred to as the lowlands, the temperature is typically approximately 79 Fahrenheit (26 Celsius), whereas, in the so-called highlands, it is typically 55 Fahrenheit (13 Celsius). But if beach crowds are more the issue, then the low tourist season of June . On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. There is about 2.5 inches of rainfall rain with an average of 5 rainy days per month. The few available hotels are usually aware that in some parts, hotels have closed, so they take advantage of the situation and hike prices. May, June and July are the rainiest. Overall, October is the coolest month of the year. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 72 F. This is a very dry month, with usually only a day of rain. Palmeros Festival in Costa Rica takes place in January and draws in a ton of visitors (about 1 hour from San Jose) and includes concerts, dancing, and food sampling. July and August are popular travel times due to less rain, family summer vacations, and active green season wildlife. Read on to find out the best time to visit Costa Rica by season and region. The light rains during July and August are nothing compared to the deluges common in September through December. There are more than 500,000 animal species in the country, making it one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. July is very similar to June, with about 16 rainy days and 7 inches of rainfall throughout the month. They include: According to the Culture Trip, theft is a common type of crime in Costa Rica, so the chances of you losing your values to this are so high. However, the weather changes all year round due to the countrys two distinct seasons. Both Limon and Puntarenas lie far enough south that they usually avoid either Pacific or Caribbean hurricanes. Check out this guide next: Best Time to Visit Hawaii | When to Go & Travel Tips. Costa Rica Experts 2023. Sometimes, political statements fly across the political scene, discouraging investment in the hotel industry. If you decide to go during July or August, youll get the best of both worlds with sunny, warm temperatures, fewer crowds, and cheaper pricing than the peak season. (Though, it's less likely to happen as the volcano has been dormant since 2010). You're not guaranteed tomorrow, and, often times, you can buy an international plane ticket for less than a domestic one. The choices of the animal parks you can visit are limited to places such as the Punta Uva and Cahuita National Parks. The Costa Rica market is flooded with hard drugs such as cocaine, and there are instances where even medicinal drugs are stuffed with them to recruit new drug customers. Best time to beat the crowds with an average 39% drop in price. View our Costa Rica safaris Design your own trip. November and early December are traveler favorites for cheap prices and fewer tourists. The Most Affordable Time to Visit Costa Rica. As seen above, the local communities in different attraction sites are very helpful. This is when temperatures peak between 84 degrees Fahrenheit to 87 degrees Fahrenheit and rain stays to a minimum. This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal. But times change. Here is your chance if you have never seen the green sea turtle nesting sites. Costa Rica has a tropical climate with two seasons: dry season and rainy (or, "green," as locals may call it) season. The greenery is very lush and abundant, and waterfalls are at their maximum flow. The summer or dry season tends to begin in January and extends into April. Because of its location close to the equator, the climate in Costa Rica is tropical. Expect it to be warm and humid. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The currency of Costa Rica is Costa Rica Colon, and according to Xe.com, the 633.75 Colones are trading to the equivalent of $1. In this article, I'll be talking about the worst time to visit Costa Rica, as well as providing some tips for making the most of your trip even during less-than-ideal weather conditions. Costa Rica Climate Guide. And its much less rainy at this time of year than during May and June (other popular times to visit). Due to its proximity to the equator, Costa Rica is categorized as a tropical country without a definite winter season. Undoubtedly, the best weather is in January and February, when Costa Rica is still early in the dry season, and the skies are clear and rain is very low. 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.. This is the peak of green season on the Pacific Coast, but dont let the rain keep you away. November is the transition month from rainy to dry season. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The month also gives a chance to visit the parks to see how animals transition their behavioral patterns. At the same time, the central valley of San Jos experiences cool breezes and average temperatures of about 72 Fahrenheit (22 Celsius). Temperatures are much warmer than Limon with average daily highs reaching into the 90s Fahrenheit from January through August and dipping into the high 80s for the rest of the year. It is best to keep a raincoat close at all times. There truly is never a bad bad time to visit Costa Rica; however, May is the worst month to visit, as the rain is fairly high, and you dont have the added benefits of good surfing conditions or turtle or whale watching season. Due to varying elevations and environments, there are multiple microclimates around the country. The highlands tend to be cooler, whereas the beaches tend to be warmer. Whether youre looking for lively metro areas with tons of shopping, accommodations, and restaurant options or a tucked-away towns with vibrant and authentic Costa Rican culture, youll find it here. The hottest months of the year in Costa Rica are from February to April, with March or April typically having the highest daily temperatures. If Easter falls in April, you can expect a spike in tourist traffic over the holiday. The rest . During February and March, tourism also booms around Easter and the start of Spring Break. Always Pack a Raincoat. Here comes the part of our guide that many would flash by the headlines. Scarcely populated, Norrland winter's sub-zero temperatures last for several months. Limon temperatures are not a factor because they remain steady. Arenal and its surroundings make a . with some heavy rain still to be expected until the end of November, but by mid-December the worst will certainly be over. You should also plan ahead when booking accommodation facilities and activities to get a fair deal before the prices hike. You can see sea turtles at different times throughout the year, but the most famous spot to see them is in Tortuguero National Park on the north Caribbean coast, and July-October is the best time to see them nesting here. Wildlife watching:Alaska/California humpback whales; hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast, A beautiful, clear day on the Nicoya Peninsula from Hotel Punta Islita. One of the best ways of, Read More A Travelers Guide to Hiking in Cape CodContinue. The capital city of San Jos and many interior locations attract visitors from Puntarenas for the citys nightlife and natural attractions of the surrounding area. Related Article: 6 Costa Rica Holiday Travel Tips. 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. The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. Your opportunities for spotting wildlife are best in green season. This Central American country is home to wild jungles, incredible national parks, cascading waterfalls, and more. These first few months of the dry season are particularly pleasant since the weather condition is warm and the skies are clear. Pacific Coast or Caribbean Coast? Tie in a neighbour. But you should know that this period is also the height of the Costa Rican rainy season. They attract fewer visitors from the Limon cruise port because of distance. What To Do in Costa Rica When It Rains? You must also be aware that some locations are susceptible to flooding and landslides. In October, the rains are heavy, making some parts of the country mildly inaccessible. In December, the temperatures range from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. Nicaragua is home to the oldest city in all of Central America; The Ruins of Len Viejo. Its climate status can be roughly divided into two seasons: the dry season, also known as the high season, and the rainy season, also known as the green season. However, there are many microclimates in Costa Rica. This was probably the advice I was given the most before heading to Costa Rica, forget mozzie spray. Puntarenas and San Jos get rain more than 20 days a month from May through October and peak at 25-26 days in September and October. Visiting Costa Rica during the rainy season Costa Rica during the rainy season is still a beautiful time to visit. What Is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica? Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, Find out the best time to visit Costa Rica with details on climate, seasons and events from Audley specialists. Next-door neighbours Nicaragua Dropdown content and Panama Dropdown content make the easiest and most obvious add-ons to a sojourn in Costa Rica. In contrast to Limon, these destinations average about one to two inches a month in February and March. They can often reach into the mid-'30s during the dry season. Mexico or Costa Rica? Knowing which months are dry or green seasons in the country is crucial as it will help you choose the best place and time to visit. In April, the dry season in Costa Rica is coming to an end. But for cruise visitors, the best and worst times also depend on whether they are visiting the Puntarenas cruise port on the Pacific coast or the Limon cruise port on the Caribbean coast. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 92 F and average low is 72 F, and there is usually only a day of rain. The most popular sport in Costa Rica is soccer, or Futbol, as they call it. In light of this, the ideal season to visit Costa Rica truly depends on which of these three considerations is most important to you. So while we cant answer this question for you, we can give you some information to help you make your decision. 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! In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 73 F. There are less than 3 days of rain, with less than an inch of rain falling. The warmest time of year is generally late March where highs are regularly around 88F (31.1C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 65F (18.3C) at night. Therefore, to be on the safe side, you can opt to visit at the end of January or the start of February to avoid such inconveniences while still enjoying the great weather. Costa Rica is a lot more expensive than it's neighbouring countries. Exact veranillo days and duration vary from year to year, and may even continue into the start of August. Costa Rica has one of the most beautiful beaches, which you can relax on when the Winter is over. If avoiding big crowds for a serene, peaceful getaway is your main goal, the best time to visit Costa Rica is anytime during October through mid-December.