From my own personal travel experience, the shoulder season is the best time to visit Costa Rica. One destination on most everyones must-see travel list is tropical Costa Rica. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica | Climate Guide | Audley Travel The WORST Times to Visit Costa Rica Christmas is so busy you NEED to book everything well in advance! 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. Best Times to Visit Costa Rica | U.S. News Travel The rains can cause widespread flooding and mudslides making travel difficult and dangerous. The month also gives a chance to visit the parks to see how animals transition their behavioral patterns. 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.. Everything begins to look much more green as the rain brings the rainforest to life. Most popular time to fly with an average 27% increase in price. January-February and July-September are the best months to see whales on the Pacific coast. 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. It is also dry season in Costa Rica, when clear skies accommodate travelers. You should also plan ahead when booking accommodation facilities and activities to get a fair deal before the prices hike. In contrast to Limon, these destinations average about one to two inches a month in February and March. 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. , March is still part of the dry season, and has slightly less sunny days than January and February, with about 50% of the days being sunny . Prices and crowds are at their peak, making this the most expensive and crowded time to visit. If Easter falls in April, you can expect a spike in tourist traffic over the holiday. 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. While theres more rainfall from September through mid-December than any other part of the year, you also benefit from cheaper prices and fewer crowds. Arenal and its surroundings make a . On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. There is a very slight dip in August in the amount of rain compared to July, with about 6 inches of rain falling during the month. This was probably the advice I was given the most before heading to Costa Rica, forget mozzie spray. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2023. The Most Dangerous Thing in Costa Rica Wildlife watching:Antarctic humpback whales; green, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast, Related Article: 10 Costa Rica Rainy Season Travel Perks. Due to such expectations, we shall start by looking at when you should enjoy Costa Rica to the fullest. It is surrounded by very welcoming locals who guide through the waters and the hiking trails. Weather in February continues to be sunny and dry. So youll also save a lot of money if you plan your visit during this time of year! November is a bit of a bridge month, when the rain has slowed down, and the crowds begin to trickle in. Temperatures begin to drop as the hotel prices and number of tourists do. Natural Science Museum La Salle Courtesy of phaitoon - Fotolia.com Related Article: 6 Costa Rica Holiday Travel Tips. For instance, due to its proximity to the Caribbean Sea, Tortuguero experiences hot and humid weather with occasional rainfall. 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. On the typically rainy southern Caribbean Coast, the rain lightens up in September and October, making it a great time to visit. Rainy days and cloudy skies continue throughout the country. Best time to visit Costa Rica - Lonely Planet Temperatures are not a factor in when to visit. Total rainfall averages less than one inch from January through March, a little more than one inch in May and December and eight inches or more from May through October. There are beautiful coastlines and stunning landscapes to enjoy, along with many pretty coastal towns to visit. You must also be aware that some locations are susceptible to flooding and landslides. They're also most crowded. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Monthly Breakdown & Recommendations It is the home of 400 varieties of birds and 2500 plant species and has more than 100 mammals. With a booming tourism industry and tons of things for everyone to enjoy, anyone whos been to beautiful Costa Rica will tell you youve got to see it to believe it. Best time to go to Liberia (Guanacaste) - Where and When to travel? 5 Reasons to NEVER Travel to Costa Rica They are more likely to experience an increase in total rainfall. I tried watching the sunset the other night, and it was just horrible. Clearly, the best time of year to visit Puntarenas is during the winter and early spring and the worst times to visit are during the summer and fall. 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. 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. The Caribbean Coast is generally hot, humid, and rainy year-round, with a short break in September and October. This Central American country is home to wild jungles, incredible national parks, cascading waterfalls, and more. In May, the rains had started to pick up in most parts of the country, roads were still passable, and hotels were still within the price ranges of April. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. During General Election But if we had to single out the worst time to visit Costa Rica, it would be late December through January. All said and done; we hope that you shall enjoy your stay in Costa Rica. The best places to visit in Costa Rica - Lonely Planet 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. The best time to visit Costa Rica overall is July through August you get the best, most balanced experience during this time, called the little high season.. 1. This is the low season in Costa Rica due to the heavy rainfall (its the peak and tail end of the rainy season). In addition to having some of the sunniest days in the country, the Gold Coast has the least amount of rainfall. Surfing season on the Caribbean Coast is December to March. For example, both La Fortuna and San Jose are in the middle of the country, but they experience somewhat different weather. Decembers average rainfall of 18 inches equals the entire year of some islands such as the arid Aruba. If you want to see the world, go see it! . Find out the best time to visit Costa Rica with details on climate, seasons and events from Audley specialists. If you intend to experience the rainforest in all its green glory, the green season is a great choice. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica 2018 - Yahoo! The mountain regions are yet to dry, the road in them is clogged with mad, and you can still experience rainfalls at any given time. Here's some information to help you in your decision: The best months for good weather in Liberia (Guanacaste) are January, February, March, April, November and December. 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. 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. Please consult a Costa Rica Expert on the general climate of your destinations of interest over your travel dates. The start of green season in May is a much needed cool off from the intense heat of the dry season. Now for the monthly breakdown. With that, hotel prices rise. Suppose you want to travel to any isolated or rural areas. 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. Most days remain sunny, and they receive afternoon showers which help keep the temperatures steady. 15 Unpleasant Facts You Should Know About Costa Rica - theclever However, theres no getting around it rainy season is, well, rainy. Mexico or Costa Rica? The city reaches a high point for rain in September and October thanks to the Pacific hurricane season. Unlike Limon, Puntarenas has much more distinct dry and rainy seasons. The Southern Pacific Region of Costa Rica is an incredible area that delights and surprises tourists with memories of Costa Rica that they'll have for life. When to go to Costa Rica - Best Time to Visit - Natural World Safaris In this section, were breaking down the climate in Costa Rica through all the months of the year. 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. This is us in Tamarindo! If this is the only time you can visit, be sure to plan at least a year in advance since hotels fill up fast. Rain is not normally a factor in Aruba because the island is arid and averages only 16 inches a year. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. The beginning months of dry season are particularly appealing as the landscape is still verdant from the recent green season,despite reducedrainfall. Puntarenas has a distinct dry season from December through April. Prices are more affordable than in the high season from December to April . The good thing with Costa Rica rains is that they start softly before gradually picking. When the Nation faces two presidential rounds, this polarizes the tourism industry. Those same two months are the worst months of the year for visiting the rest of the Caribbean because of the annual hurricane season. 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. The toughest areas are the mountains, where nighttime temperatures can fall below 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius). The best time to visit Costa Rica is between the months of December and April. First things first, there are two tropical seasons in Costa Rica: dry season and green season.