September can be a great month to travel or a washout, depending on where you are in Costa Rica. While the days are still warm, nighttime temperatures can drop to -20C, and some tours have pre-dawn starts. What To Do in Costa Rica When It Rains? All rights reserved. Beautiful water bodies surround it. It emerged into the Caribbean Sea to the East and the West, Pacific waters. Arenal, at 1,670 meters above sea level, is undoubtedly the most well-known of Costa Rica's volcanic giants since it is one of the world's top ten most active volcanoes. But, unsurprisingly, that's also the cheapest time to travel. May, June and July are the rainiest. On average, the warmest months are January, February, March, April, May, June and August. Copyright 2023 The Discovery Nut | Privacy Policy, Best time to visit Costa Rica + When to Avoid A complete guide [2023], 7 Days In Costa Rica: How To Plan Your Itinerary, 22 Best Things To Do In Costa Rica in 2023. In Nicaragua the rainy season means an hour of rain in the afternoon, and it's gorgeous at this time of year. Theres no bad time to go to Costa Rica. There is generally a spike in tourist traffic over Easter and the week leading up to it. April typically marks the end of the dry season. We'll go over the best (and worst) times to visit Costa Rica based on weather, peak travel times, cost, and more in this article. Good deal one-way. Be sure to plan your stay before mid-December, because prices (and crowds) pick back up for Christmas break near the end of December. Costa Rica is a place that almost everyone has on their list of places to visit. Flying is significantly more affordable from May to November than during the dry season since the demand is way lower. He picks out April as one of the best months you should visit Costa Rica. What to Know About Visiting Costa Rica in the Rainy Season - MytanFeet When you visit at this time of year, youll only get glimpses of the ideal Costa Rican weather because theres so much rainfall. During February and March, tourism also booms around Easter and the start of Spring Break. Costa Rica is one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. In April, this beautiful area experiences morning sunshine and afternoon light rain. Here is your chance if you have never seen the green sea turtle nesting sites. Cruise activity in the Caribbean declines as a result, so September and October are months when people are more likely to visit the eastern coast of Costa Rica for longer stays. Costa Rica is known for its national parks and vast protected areas. Now that you know the best time to visit Costa Rica and have a few seasoned traveler tips under your belt, youll be able to plan the perfect tropical vacation. The forest has the great Sky Trek zip line, which you can take advantage of. The dry season (and tourist peak season) in Costa Rica begins around the United States Thanksgiving holiday, in late November. The weather is amazing with little rain to ruin your outdoor plans, crowds are moderate, and pricing for airfare, accommodations, and car rentals are lower than in the true high season. The light rains during July and August are nothing compared to the deluges common in September through December. The vegetation is lush, waterfalls are high, and you have a good chance to see whales, nesting turtles in some regions, and enjoy surfing on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Due to the high numbers of tourists present, accommodation facilities and most leisure activities/amenities are usually fully booked while the available ones are overpriced. The Nation values family as the basic social unit, with children staying with their families until they get married. I spent the first half of this year living in Nosara, Costa . The worst months are May through October because of a much higher risk. So, Whats the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica? If you want to enjoy your vacation in the ideal weather, then December and January are the best time to visit Costa Rica. But what sets this resort apart is the stunning location with panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. Over 7 inches of rain (on average) will fall in October. You should also plan ahead when booking accommodation facilities and activities to get a fair deal before the prices hike. 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. Limon temperatures are not a factor because they remain steady. Weather in February continues to be sunny and dry. Travel Tips. Sometimes, political statements fly across the political scene, discouraging investment in the hotel industry. You know the best time to visit Costa Rica, but making the most of your trip to Costa Rica means you need a little more info to plan your getaway. Costa Rica Climate Guide. It is the period of heavy rainfall though being a tropical country, about of the skies pouring can be expected anytime. This Central American nation located between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts is endowed with wild rainforests, spectacular national parks, roaring waterfalls, and other natural wonders. The rainy season ends in October, which is the beginning of the shoulder season. Since heavy rain incidents can cause problems by making the ground slippery, be extremely cautious when driving during the green season, try to stick to daylight hours, and ensure you have adequate time to reach your destination. Thats great, because youre definitely going to want to try some of the famous dishes this country is known for. The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. Nicaragua is home to the oldest city in all of Central America; The Ruins of Len Viejo. In fact, you're likely to encounter snow here until well into May and temperatures can fall to -30C, though Norrland 's summer months are typically a comfortable 15 degrees. They attract fewer visitors from the Limon cruise port because of distance. The mountain areas are constantly receiving rains and unpredictable weather changes this month, and you are highly discouraged from having outdoor camping this month. The dense jungles and protected rain forests in national parks here are ideal destinations for anyone who loves to get out and see wildlife in their natural habitat. The chart above shows that Limon gets rain about 18 days a month on a fairly consistent basis throughout the year. And with fewer crowds, youll feel that youve got the beach, park, or town to yourself. The average lows, which take place mainly at night, hover around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 Celsius. The rain brings out the best in Costa Ricas flora. Best time to visit Costa Rica - Responsible Travel Join 19k+ subscribers in receiving FREE travel advice, news & promotions! Wildlife watching: leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. Prices and crowds are at their peak, making this the most expensive and crowded time to visit. 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. Since Costa Rica is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, different regions climates and typical temperatures are impacted by the difference in elevation. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 78 F. There are 17 days with rain, receiving about 7 inches of rain total. Probably you have been planning on visiting Costa Rica, and you have shed to the internet, the chances are that you are given narrations of how this month is great in Costa Rica. At this time, the weather is dry and bright. Therefore, the chance that you shall get competitive services is so low. The temperatures in Costa Rica range between 20 - 30 C year-round. IMPORTANT NOTE: For each of these 3 regions, you will find representative averages for what you might expect. Hurricane season, from June 1 until Nov. 30, is a time many travelers avoid the Bahamas. In light of this, the ideal season to visit Costa Rica truly depends on which of these three considerations is most important to you. Costa Rica September - Weather, Holidays and How to Plan Considered a very peaceful country, it hasn't had an army since 1949 and is one of the safest countries in Central America. July and August are popular travel times due to less rain, family summer vacations, and active green season wildlife. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. Unlike Limon, Puntarenas has much more distinct dry and rainy seasons. 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. From deserted beaches to fantastic fly-fishing: The joys of the island The temperature in Costa Rica. 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. He is also fond of outdoor and so-called extreme sports, often discovered while traveling and practiced back at home where he focuses on improving his knowledge and skills - so he can explore further on the next trip! This is probably the quickest and most convenient option, but it's also pretty expensive individually. South Pacific | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Tourism Official website Skip to main content Natural Science Museum La Salle Courtesy of phaitoon - Fotolia.com Costa Rica Experts 2023. Click here to learn how to make the most out of your trip. The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. October through December are the worst months to visit Aruba. Mid-March to early May and mid-October to early December are the best months to visit Japan due to its stunning colors and mild weather. Budget-wise, peak weeks that occur around Christmas and Easter are the worst times to visit Costa Rica. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 72 F,, with about 14 days of rain and 6 inches of rain. The question should really be: When is the best time for ME to visit Costa Rica? , We visited in July and experienced several days of completely clear weather, and some days when there was an hour or two of afternoon rain not bad at all, especially when a lot of the tours in La Fortuna happen in the morning! Costa Rica, the land of Pura Vida ("pure life"), was declared the most environmentally advanced and happiest place on earth in 2016. 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. Costa Rica has a tropical climate with two seasons: dry season and rainy (or, "green," as locals may call it) season. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Months, Rainy/Dry Seasons On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 88 F and average low is 78 F. There are 16 days with rain, receiving about 7 inches of rain total. with some heavy rain still to be expected until the end of November, but by mid-December the worst will certainly be over. One other way of deciding which months are best for destinations in Costa Rica is by looking at the average number of days that it rains each month. Best and Worst Times to Visit Aruba - Caribeez.com On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. It will be sunny about half of the days and rain will fall about of the days this month, with an average total of 4 inches of rain. Best time to go to Liberia (Guanacaste) - Where and When to travel? 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. The BEST Time to visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Every of the Year July through August the little high season is the overall best time to visit Costa Rica. It really depends on what your travel goals and priorities are. In addition, in November, beach activities are very low, crowds are still not picking up early, and this denies the chance to learn more about the culture of the Costa Ricans. Best time to visit Costa Rica - Lonely Planet Facts about Weather in Costa Rica - Planning Your Vacation Still, its a great time to visit Costa Rica for a sunny tropical getaway . Were still in dry season,and the weather remains fantastic. February and March are the best months for the Limon cruise port while July is the worst. The Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, and Tamarindo are the most popular places to visit in May. The Ostional Wildlife Refuge in the Guanacaste Province of Nicoya Peninsula is among the best locations to witness this phenomenon. Thankfully, generally rain is isolated to afternoon and you can still find good, clear times during the morning to enjoy your activities. Fortunately, this travel guide provides vital information on the best as well as the worst time to visit Costa Rica to enable you to plan an ideal travel itinerary. Authentic specialties like casado, gallo pinto, sopa negra, and more await your taste buds when you dive into the real Costa Rica off the beaten path. As the month goes on, the drier and sunnier it will become, with about 40-50% of the days in November being sunny by the end of the month. Next-door neighbours Nicaragua Dropdown content and Panama Dropdown content make the easiest and most obvious add-ons to a sojourn in Costa Rica. One of the advantages of visiting . If you are visiting the country, take note of the times we have given you and avoid the places we have warned you. April marks the last month of the dry season, although it can last a couple weeks longer in the arid northwest region of Guanacaste. These months have little to no rain in most of the country. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: A Complete Guide And Tips - Travelila Check my complete guide to the best things to do in Costa Rica for any type of traveler. 11 tips for travelling in Costa Rica | Rough Guides It's easiest to reach the park by car or on a tour.