Best Times To Visit Costa Rica

April 10, 2025

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Let’s get one thing straight: Costa Rica isn’t a destination it’s a vibe. Think monkeys doing parkour in your backyard, beaches so golden they’d make Midas jealous, and locals who’ll share their last empanada just to see you smile. But when is the best time to go to Costa Rica?

Why visit Costa Rica?

Nature’s Disneyland: Cloud forests where trees wear beards of moss, beaches that double as turtle nurseries, and volcanoes that double as hot tubs.
Wildlife MVP: Sloths that move like they’re buffering, toucans with better eyeliner than you, and howler monkeys that sound like your ex’s breakup rant.
Pura Vida: Not a slogan a lifestyle.

So, let’s find the best time of year to visit Costa Rica together.

Weather in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s climate is largely influenced by its geographical location and topography. Generally, the country experiences two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.

Season	Dry ☀️	Rainy 🌧️
Months	December – April	May – November

Dry Season (December to April): Characterized by sunny skies, warm temperatures, and minimal rainfall, this is the best time to go to Costa Rica for your typical tourist vacation. Expect temperatures to range from 70°F to 90°F (21°C to 32°C) depending on the region.
Rainy Season (May to November): This season is marked by heavy rainfall, especially in the afternoons and evenings. While you’ll encounter vibrant greenery and fewer tourists, some areas may become less accessible. Temperatures remain warm, typically between 68°F and 88°F (20°C to 31°C).

December-April: Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

Imagine this: You’re sipping café chorreado as scarlet macaws streak across a sky so blue it hurts your eyes. The rainforest hums not with bugs, but with possibility. That’s Costa Rica’s dry season (December–April), when the land basically rolls out a green carpet just for you.

Why December-April is considered the best time of year to go to Costa Rica:

Weather Wins: Think sun-soaked days that feel like a hug, nights cool enough to sleep without AC, and zero rain ruining your volcano hike selfies.
Wildlife Wows: Dry trails mean sloths, toucans, and coatis come out to party. Pro tip: Visit Monteverde in early December you’ll spot quetzals and avoid the “influencer” stampede.

December’s Secret: The crowds haven’t arrived yet. You’ll have that Instagram-famous waterfall mostly to yourself—just you, howler monkeys, and the occasional neon frog photobombing your selfie.

But Wait There’s Magic: Beaches like Manuel Antonio turn into sunset factories. One evening, I watched the sky bleed tangerine while capuchin monkeys stole someone’s picnic in slow motion. Classic Tico chaos.

Pack This Mindset: Mornings for zip-lining through cloud forests

Afternoons for beach naps soundtracked by crashing waves

Nights for chasing bioluminescent plankton (yes, it’s real)

The Catch?

Book early. By late December, even the iguanas start side-eyeing the tourist crowds.

So, dust off that passport. Costa Rica in the dry season isn’t a trip it’s a love affair with dirt roads, ripe mangoes, and air so clean it’ll ruin city life forever. 🌴

P.S. Don’t forget a reusable water bottle. Those jungles? They’re spicy. Hydrate or diedrate.

May-November: Rainy Season

Think Costa Rica’s dry season is the only show in town? Think again. May to November is when the skies throw afternoon tantrums dramatic, yes, but over faster than a TikTok trend. And oh, the rewards…

Why Rainy Season Rules

Green Glory: The jungles don’t just grow they glow. Rivers swell into liquid obsidian, and waterfalls turn into thunderous masterpieces. Perfect for photos that’ll make your friends seethe with envy.
No Crowds, Just Vibes: Imagine having sloth-paced hikes, empty beaches, and hotel pools all to yourself. Last June, I had a hot spring waterfall practically to myself just me and a very judgmental toucan.

Budget Bonus

Flash deals on jungle lodges. Surf lessons at half-price. Even the fancy eco-resorts get desperate in a good way. Pro tip: Book spa treatments last-minute they’ll practically pay you to get a massage.

Wildlife’s Main Character Moment

This is when:

Red-eyed tree frogs throw raves in bromeliad pools
Sea turtles play tag with the tide, laying eggs under moonlit skies
Howler monkeys turn into soap opera stars (mating season drama!)

The Rain Routine

Mornings: Sunshine and adventures.
Afternoons: Downpours perfect for napping or gallo pinto feasts.
Nights: The air hums with frog love songs. Pack a waterproof phone case and a willingness to dance in warm rain.

A Lesson from Locals

“No hay mal tiempo, solo mala ropa” (“There’s no bad weather, just bad clothes”). Borrow this mindset. That sudden storm? It’s just the jungle’s way of saying “slow down, drink coffee, watch the world reboot.”

So yes, you’ll get wet. But you’ll also get emerald valleys without the Insta crowds, firefly-lit nights, and the smug joy of being in on a secret.

Visiting Costa Rica in January

A really good time to visit Costa Rica. Picture this: Pacific waves so clear they’ll ruin other beaches for you. Yes, everyone flocks here Arenal’s hot springs turn into human soup, and Manuel Antonio’s monkeys become Instagram divas.

But: Book tours at dawn. I once kayaked Bioluminescent Bay alone as sunrise painted the sky papaya-orange. Worth every colón.

Visiting Costa Rica in February

According to some, February is the best month to visit Costa Rica. The reason? It’s drier than january. Dry trails = wildlife jackpot. Zip-line through cloud forests where toucans heckle you. Surf breaks at Santa Teresa? Butter-smooth.

Don’t miss: The Envision Festival (think yoga + drum circles + fire dancers). Pro tip: Pack bandanas—that “romantic” volcanic dust? It’ll coat your lungs.

Visiting Costa Rica in March

The best time to visit Costa Rica for those afraid of crowds. Why? Corcovado’s jungles steam like a sauna, but oh empty beaches! Last year, I napped in a hammock at Playa Ventanas for hours. Only company? A crab doing TikTok-worthy dances.

But: Hydrate like it’s your job. That 35°C (95°F) hum? It’ll knock you flat.

Visiting Costa Rica in April

Smell that? Petrichor earth’s perfume before the rains. Mornings = surf Pavones (world’s second-longest left break). Afternoons = sweat through your shirt watching howler monkeys make bad life choices.

Local hack: April 11th = Juan Santamaría Day. Join a mascarada parade—giant papier-mâché monsters included.

Visiting Costa Rica in May

Best time to visit Costa Rica to experience its weather fully. It’s still not that rainy, but also already no to dry. A typical day can look like this:

Mornings: Hike Río Celeste under sapphire skies.
3 PM: Skies throw a tantrum. Embrace it. I once got stranded in a Monteverde café during a downpour ended up learning to make tortillas from Abuela Rosa.

Bonus: Resorts slash prices. Got a 5-star treehouse for $100/night. Cha-ching!

Visiting Costa Rica in June

Caribbean side? Drenched. But Cahuita’s reefs glow neon, and sloths move like they’ve got all decade.

Pro move: Night hikes in Tortuguero. Your flashlight will catch red-eyed tree frogs moonwalking on leaves. Pack quick-dry clothes you’ll sweat through three outfits daily.

Visiting Costa Rica in July

Think July’s just for beaches? Think again. The Pacific coast dries up just enough for Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar where fishing boats become floating art.

Pro tip: Join the Oxcart Parade in San Antonio de Escazú. Kids’ faces painted like jaguars, drums pounding… I once danced till my flip-flops broke. Worth it.

Visiting Costa Rica in August

August whispers: “Psst… head to Guanacaste.” Days are sun-kissed, nights smell like rain-wet guava.

Last year, I hiked Rincon de la Vieja alone just me, a curious coati, and waterfalls warm enough to swim in. Budget win: Snag a treehouse stay for half-price.

Visiting Costa Rica in September

Is it the best time to travel to Costa Rica? Not for everyone. Yes, it pours. But oh, the green! One September, I holed up in a Monteverde cabin. Misty mornings writing, afternoons watching hummingbirds duel in the rain.

Local move: Buy a $2 poncho from a pulpería (corner store). Bonus: Resorts? Practically empty. Got upgraded to a suite with a volcano view.

Visiting Costa Rica in October

Skip the Pacific. The Caribbean side? Cahuita’s reefs glow neon, and howler monkeys roar like hungover rockstars. Stay in a stilted eco-lodge.

Tip: Night hikes in Tortuguero your flashlight will catch red-eyed frogs moonwalking on leaves.

Visiting Costa Rica in November

Early Nov: Raindrops and coffee sips. Late Nov: Skies clear like magic. Savegre Valley becomes a bird runway resplendent quetzals, emerald toucanets…

I once cried over a rainbow-billed motmot. No shame. Pack layers: 7 AM = sweater weather. Noon = sunscreen emergency.

Visiting Costa Rica in December

Dry season’s back, baby! Beaches sparkle, but beware: Tamarindo turns into a TikTok convention.

Local hack: Escape to Osa Peninsula jungle lodges, zero crowds. Christmas here? Fireworks over the ocean, tamales steamed in banana leaves. Book flights by October… or sell a kidney for last-minute deals.

Average Hotel Prices

In Costa Rica, best time to visit also depends on the budget one is willing to spend. Here are the approximate accommodation prices:

Hotel Options/ Seasons	December – April	May – November
Cheap Hotels	<$100	<$50
Mid-range Hotels	$100 – $250	$50 – $150
Luxury Hotels	>$300	>$200

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Summary

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica? Let’s cut through the “best time to visit” noise. Your ideal Costa Rica trip? It’s less about dates, more about you.

Team Sunshine?

December–April is your jam. Think:

Beaches buzzing like a TikTok dance challenge
Volcano hikes without mud wrestling your shoes

But: You’ll pay extra to elbow through crowds at Manuel Antonio. Pro tip: Book sunrise tours—I once had a sloth all to myself at 5:30 AM.

Team Green & Serene?

May–November says “hold my cerveza”. Here’s why:

Jungles so lush, you’ll forget what “brown” looks like
Hotels practically beg you to stay (60% off jungle lodges? Yes please)
Wildlife MVP: Saw a jaguarundi cross my path in Corcovado last June. Rain? Didn’t even care.

Why It Matters

Costa Rica doesn’t do “bad” seasons just different vibes. Crave fireworks and Insta-perfect sunsets? Dry season. Want to feel like you’ve discovered Eden? Rainy months.

Final Word

Pack:

Dry season = 3 swimsuits & patience for crowds

Rainy season = quick-dry clothes & a sense of adventure

Your perfect time? It’s whenever you land. Because pura vida isn’t a season it’s a state of mind.

FAQ

What is the best time to visit Costa Rica on a budget?

Want paradise without selling a kidney? Listen up.

May and September are Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets think of them as the “Nordstrom Rack” of travel months. Yes, it rains. But here’s the magic:

Hotels panic-discount: I scored a beachfront bungalow in Manuel Antonio for $65/night (pool included!).

Beaches empty out: Picture this you, a hammock, and zero influencers doing handstands.

Nature goes full CGI: Jungles glow radioactive green, waterfalls triple in size, and sloths…well, they still move like dial-up internet.

But wait the rain?

It’s not Singin’ in the Rain, it’s dancing in rain. Mornings = sunshine hikes. 3 PM = downpours perfect for napping or $5 massages.

Pro move: Pack a waterproof phone case and lean in. That sudden storm? It’s just the universe saying, “Here’s 40% off your dream trip you’re welcome.”

What is the best time to visit Costa Rica for a honeymoon?

Picture this: You’re on a beach, the Pacific sunset painting your partner’s face gold. A howler monkey serenades you (badly). The air smells like plumeria and possibility. That’s Costa Rica’s dry season December to April isn’t just weather, it’s mood.

Why It’s Magic

Beaches become private cinemas: Playa Ventanas’ sea caves turn waves into surround sound. Last Valentine’s, I watched a proposal happen here guy hid the ring in a coconut. Spoiler: She said yes.
Adventures that spark chemistry: Zip-line through cloud forests holding hands. Soak in Arenal’s hot springs under star-flooded skies. Pro tip: Tabacón Resort’s hidden pools = natural Viagra.

But The Catch

Prices spike like a startled sloth. Hack: Book 6+ months early. Or pivot to lesser-known gems like Uvita same Pacific views, 60% off the ego tax.
Holiday crowds turn Manuel Antonio into Disneyland. Solution: Sunrise dates. I once kayaked Bioluminescent Bay at 5 AM just us and water glowing like Tinker Bell’s tears.

Pro Moves for Romance

Dinner in the treetops: Nayara Gardens’ private dining platforms (yes, you feed each other ceviche 100ft up).
Bribe a local musician: $20 gets you a marimba player for sunset cocktails.
Skip the rose petals: Surprise them with a sloth sanctuary tour. Nothing says “I love you” like watching a baby sloth sneeze.

Real Talk

Yes, it’s pricier. But the dry season’s secret? Guaranteed dopamine. No rain cancelling your volcano hike proposal. No mudslides between you and that $300 couple’s massage.

Pack:

Two swimsuits (one for swimming, one for swimming)
A waterproof speaker (Ed Sheeran optional)
Zero expectations just let the pura vida work its voodoo

Because Costa Rica doesn’t do clichés. It does jungle sunsets that rewrite love stories.

About the Author

Amanda Clark

Hi, I’m Amanda Clark, a travel enthusiast with a passion for adventure and storytelling. For me, travel is about immersing myself in the spirit of each place, capturing its unique beauty, and sharing those unforgettable moments with others.