There is no wrong time to visit Costa Rica. This country is amazing year round. However, the pros and cons of every season depending on what you have on your Costa Rica bucket list and which places you are interested in visiting.
Costa Rica is famous around the world for boasting one of the most diverse climates that make the country a fantastic place for everyone to visit. From nature lovers to surfers and adventure seekers, the country has everything on offer to appeal you.
Whatever type of package you want to choose – be it’s the family vacations or adventure tours in Costa Rica, you won’t be disappointed. Generally, there are two seasons in Costa Rica, the dry season which we call summer and the rainy season which we call the green season. This means, there’s no winter.
So, if you’re unfortunate enough to live in an area with a great winter, you consider visiting Costa Rica during these months that are likely to be the prime beach months. Every Costa Rica region has its own unique climate zone.
While it might be a dry season in one area, it might be a rainy season in another region. It can work to your advantage though. If you plan your trip just right, you can get the most out of the beaches and the mountains all in a shot.
One more thing to remember while visiting Costa Rica is that there is enough sun. The sun shines around the year and can last for around 12 hours a day. This is really great for vegetation.
The sun remains hot from March through May. If you visit during those months, you should plan to be diligent with the application of your sunscreen. November, December, and January are the colder months, as the year-round temperature remains between 70 degrees to 80 degrees.
Typically the rainy season runs from May through November and the heaviest rainfall the months receive are September and October. Here is a useful guide to help you find the right time to visit Costa Rica:
Central Pacific Coast
Are you heading to the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica between December and April? If yes, you’re in for a treat. This is a favorite, easily accessible destination and beach-ready during the time. There are plentiful beaches to choose from, including Manuel Antonio National Park. May through November is considered as rainy season throughout the region.
North Pacific Coast
In the North Pacific Coast, the dry season starts at the end of the year in December and lasts around the Easter in April. Visiting Tamarindo and the Papagayo Gulf during this season is great. The rainy season starts in May and ends in November.
The Nicoya Peninsula
The Nicoya Peninsula is not only amazing and the home to some of the best beaches you’ll visit in Costa Rica. The best part is that you can enjoy these beaches during the dry season. Though there’s no winter in Costa Rica, December is the prime beach season and runs through April. If you visit between May and November, you may trudge through wetter weather.
Central Valley
Central Valley and the country’s capital – San Jose enjoy the ideal climate. While the temperature remains hot or comfortable, there’s always a right breeze off the coast. If you want to enjoy the beaches, you can head straight here in December or the first four months of the year. From May through November, it may be raining.
Monteverde
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica as there are so many animals to see. Stay away in November and December because it can be windy, but the remaining of the year is open season. It remains dry from January through May and wet from June through September. However, there is no bad time to visit in Monteverde.
Northern Lowlands and Arenal Volcano
Do you hope to see the volcano? If so, then there’s no doubt that you should visit the Arenal Volcano area in either September or October. May, June, July, August, and November are also right times to visit. From December to April, you’ll hit the rainy season. The lowlands are well-known for hot days.
North and South Caribbean
North and South Caribbean are great areas to visit and are so close to the Caribbean Ocean. Most of the year, you should expect it to be rainy and wet. You can visit there in February, March, September or October to enjoy dry weather. Explore the Tortuguero National Park, Cahuita National Park, and Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
The Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay
One of the most diverse places around the world is dry from December to April and wet from May to November. You can narrow down amazing places to visit any time of year and will be able to enjoy much of this region has on offer even if it’s raining.
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