The tradeoff is that there are higher numbers of tourists, and prices on hotels are higher (and they also fill up faster). Costa Rica September. It is a democratic republic which is located in Central America. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 79 F. There are 16 days with rain, receiving about 6.5 inches of rain total. There are many perks of traveling in rainy season like discounted hotel rates, less crowds, and more active wildlife. The WORST Times to Visit Costa Rica Christmas is so busy you NEED to book everything well in advance! Rains typically pass quickly at this time of year, delivering much-needed hydration to the lush jungles and rain forests without sticking around long enough to make your beach trip a waste. $264. The main park entrance is on the road to El Castillo (turn off the main road 13km west of town). Best Times To Visit Costa Rica The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (the dry season). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The dry season is generally the best time to visit Central America which, in most countries, is January-March (or November-April in Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras). 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. Have you been looking for a country to visit? . This is the low season in Costa Rica due to the heavy rainfall (its the peak and tail end of the rainy season). 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. Youll see amazing volcanoes, dense tropical jungles, jaw-dropping waterfalls, and rivers full of life winding throughout the country. Destination Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec; Arenal Volcano: 28 . What Is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica? 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. Unless you have been fully guided, avoid the rivers of Costa Rica. On the other hand, there is frequently very little rain from December to April, and there may be no rain in some places. Some of the worst times to visit are also the best in terms of weather, little rainfall, and wildlife spotting opportunities! You can expect to see drier weather as you head north, and wetter weather as you head south. It is so bad that hotels and businesses are closed on the South Pacific coast. 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. 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. So while we cant answer this question for you, we can give you some information to help you make your decision. Hurricane season, from June 1 until Nov. 30, is a time many travelers avoid the Bahamas. 2017 Scott S. Bateman, Despite heavy year-round rain, clear skies are possible like this one in Zacero. . The rest . Youll have an easier time booking a last-minute vacation at this time of year with fewer crowds and less tourists choosing to visit. However, at this time, you should avoid Drake Bay, Corcovado, because the rains arrive early. It is the perfect time to explore Costa Ricas magnificent rainforests, view the wild animals in their natural habitat, and relax on the sandy beaches. These first few months of the dry season are particularly pleasant since the weather condition is warm and the skies are clear. Most of the businesses are available online, so compare prices. Join 19k+ subscribers in receiving FREE travel advice, news & promotions! In order to keep dry and avoid getting muddy whenever possible, make sure you pack the proper clothing and footwear. There are two distinct seasons in Costa Rica. September to early December are the cheapest times to go to Costa Rica, as this is the height of the rainy season throughout the country. December through April is the dry season. Decembers average rainfall of 18 inches equals the entire year of some islands such as the arid Aruba. The best months during this dry season are November through April because of a lower risk of rain. Thats great, because youre definitely going to want to try some of the famous dishes this country is known for. It really depends on what your travel goals and priorities are. If you want to surf, then it depends on the region. Packing insect repellent is also vital because rainy weather increases mosquito infestations. The best person to decide when you should visit Costa Rica is you. Bolivia doesn't quite have the family appeal of Costa Rica or Cancun, say - but those thinking of traveling in Bolivia with kids shouldn't be deterred. On the Pacific Coast, the month with the highest amount of rain. Travelers can still enjoy clear skies, although the vegetation, particularly on the North Pacific Coast, has lost some of its vibrant green sparkle after months of little rain. Therefore, you may consider visiting Costa Ricas northern Pacific coast to enjoy the regions pleasant environment if youre looking for the countrys highest temperature. Theres something for everyone here youve just got to know the best time to visit Costa Rica to plan the ideal vacation! 11 Travel Mistakes To Avoid Before Your Trip, 5 Common Misconceptions About Travel in Costa Rica, Historical Sites and Legends of Costa Rica. Arenal and its surroundings make a . Youve got the highly-developed Pacific coast on the western side and the more-affordable, culturally-driven Caribbean coast on the eastern side. Afternoons are rainy with typicallyclear mornings (perfect for morning tours). Due to varying elevations and environments, there are multiple microclimates around the country. , 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 . And the only tradeoff is a little short-lived rainfall during your stay! 1. While theres really not a bad time to go to Costa Rica, the worst time to plan your first visit is during late December through January. Sitting at an elevation of 1,670 meters (5,480 feet), Arenal is one of Costa Rica's many volcanoes. The peak tourist season lasts from mid to late April (spring break in the US). We understand that you are excited that you know when and where to visit when you are in Costa Rica but hold on. Weather in the popular capital of San Jos has more in common with Puntarenas than Limon. 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. Due to such expectations, we shall start by looking at when you should enjoy Costa Rica to the fullest. However, it is important to note that there still may be a rainy day or two a month. The International Living gives a detailed report on the places you should avoid the most in November: Santa Rita de Alajuela, Leon XIIII, Tibas, San Jose, Limon City, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, San Carlos, and the Puntarenas City, Puntarenas. May through November is the green season. 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. Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. Good deal one-way. The dry season runs from December through April and the rainy season goes from May through November, which coincides with the Pacific hurricane season. First, let us say that theres truly no bad time to visit Costa Rica. 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. Shoulder season in Costa Rica is April and November, when the weather shifts between being sunny and fairly dry to being overcast and rainy as the month goes on in April, and then turns from rainy to dry and sunny by the end of November. First things first, there are two tropical seasons in Costa Rica: dry season and green season. If you want to see the world, go see it! 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. Monthly Rainfall & Temperature Averagesfor 1960-1990, For a general idea of monthly weather conditions, The World Bank Group has a great tool that shows the average monthly rainfall and temperature in Costa Rica over 20-30 year periods. San Jos has an average high temperatures in the low 70s Fahrenheit. However, it is good to note that this is a problem experienced in nations with the same economic strength as Costa Rica. However, there are many microclimates in Costa Rica. The worst months are May through October because of. The weather in Costa Rica is pretty temperate year-round, but it is best avoided during the wet season. 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. For instance, due to its proximity to the Caribbean Sea, Tortuguero experiences hot and humid weather with occasional rainfall. You'll pay more, deal with bigger crowds, and less availability for rooms, flights, and rentals, but hey - it's peak season for a reason. 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. Its terrain includes the Mojave Desert, Central Valley farmland, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, redwood forest, and cliff-lined beaches. In a nutshell, Costa Rica is a place you should never visit. This is partly the result of higher elevations. 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. Costa Rica is, hands down, a fun vacation destination You have volcanoes rainforests gorgeous Pacific and Caribbean beaches exciting wildlife encounters and adventure activities. Next-door neighbours Nicaragua Dropdown content and Panama Dropdown content make the easiest and most obvious add-ons to a sojourn in Costa Rica. The Pacific Coast is noteworthy, as the north Pacific and the south Pacific coasts see marked differences in weather patterns. Therefore, there are certain things you should keep in mind if you intend to travel to Costa Rica during the rainy season to stay secure and comfortable.